Getting around Canada  by Bus

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In Canada, Greyhound Canada runs the majority of long-distance buses west of Toronto. The company also runs a service along the Trans-Canada Highway from Toronto to Vancouver and is well-represented in the country’s east. Greyhound bus travel takes place on a full schedule (at least during the day), with meals and driver rotations between trips.

Many companies offer shuttle services between major Canadian cities. While Greyhound Canada has dramatically cut service, Megabus, which still exists in Canada, continues to offer routes from most of Ontario and parts of Quebec. Regional companies usually bus the other province-to-province routes.

Buses are typically clean, comfortable, and reliable. Amenities may include onboard toilets, air-conditioning, reclining seats, free wi-fi, and onboard movies. Smoking is not permitted on longer rides. Bus routes usually stop for a meal break at highway service stations every few hours.

Prices

Bus travel is usually slower and cheaper than other means of transport. The earlier you buy a ticket online, the lower your fare will be, but if you wait too long, prices can get as high as $250, and it could cost the same or more than to fly.

Canadian bus companies offer a range of fares. For example, from Toronto to Winnipeg, it’s about $145 one way (2100 km / 1305 mi); from Montréal to Toronto (540km / 335,54 mi), the ride is about $40.

Further bus providers

Travelers who wish to explore the eastern part of Canada should look for regional bus providers to facilitate their journeys.

Autobus Maheux provides comprehensive bus services from Montreal to cities across Quebec. Coach Canada connects Ontario and Quebec and is perfect for travelers who journey between cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City. For those looking to explore Alberta, the Red Arrow bus company has the most comprehensive service in that region. A local provider, the Saskatchewan Transport Company, serves Saskatoon.

Transit System Maps

Visit the Trans Link website, and check out our transit system maps for the network of buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express in Metro Vancouver.

Greyhound Network Map

See a full-size version of Greyhound’s entire network, including their connecting partners, by clicking on the map image below.

Greyhound Network Map

Major bus travel companies in Canada

​There are several major bus travel companies that operate in Canada, offering a range of services and routes throughout the country.

Some of the most well-known bus travel companies in Canada include:

  1. Greyhound: Greyhound is one of the largest and most well-known bus travel companies in Canada, with a network of routes that covers much of the country.
  2. Megabus: Megabus is a low-cost bus travel company that operates in Canada and the United States. It offers a range of routes and services, including long-distance travel and city-to-city travel.
  3. Coach Canada: Coach Canada is a bus travel company that operates in Ontario and Quebec, with a network of routes that serve major cities and towns in these provinces.
  4. Red Arrow: Red Arrow is a bus travel company that operates in Alberta and British Columbia, with a focus on luxury travel and premium services.
  5. Orléans Express: Orléans Express is a bus travel company that operates in Quebec, with a network of routes that serve major cities and towns in the province.

These are just a few examples of the many bus travel companies that operate in Canada. To find a specific route or learn more about bus travel in Canada, you can visit the website of a major bus company or check with a transportation planning tool such as Google Maps.

The most popular domestic bus routes in Canada

Canada has a large and well-developed network of domestic bus routes that serve cities and towns across the country. Some of the most popular domestic bus routes in Canada include:

  1. Toronto to Montreal: This route connects two of Canada’s largest and most populous cities, with frequent service provided by several bus companies.
  2. Vancouver to Calgary: This route travels through the beautiful Rocky Mountains and connects two major cities in western Canada.
  3. Montreal to Quebec City: This route connects two of the oldest and most historic cities in Canada, with beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River along the way.
  4. Toronto to Ottawa: This route connects the capital of Canada with the largest city in the country, with multiple daily departures and several different bus companies to choose from.
  5. Halifax to Sydney: This route travels along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and connects two of the largest cities in the province.

These are just a few examples of the many domestic bus routes that are available in Canada. To find a specific route or learn more about bus travel in Canada, you can visit the website of a major bus company such as Greyhound or check with a transportation planning tool such as Google Maps.

Popular international routes by Bus

Greyhound is a bus company that offers service to Canada, including Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Toronto, and Montreal. Their buses make stops in major destinations down the West Coast: including Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Travelers on this journey from Vancouver to North-West U.S. will see mountains covered with forests, among which are the famous Great Lakes. Traveling southward to California, travelers will get to view its impressive coastline, considered by many to be the “most beautiful in the Americas.”

If you want to travel from Toronto to the United States East Coast for an affordable price, travel by bus. The most popular route is from Toronto to Niagara Falls. You can take a three-hour bus trip between Toronto and Niagara Falls for an affordable price. Departing from Toronto, Greyhound Bus Route to New York City takes passengers across Canada before continuing to the East Coast of the United States. Travelers can explore New York before returning to Canada or board other buses that connect them with major cities like Philadelphia and Boston.

If you’re planning to visit the United States, you’ll need to carry your passport on any international routes and be prepared for border security. You should also know that any visitor must have an account with $100 or more available daily.

You may also be interested in getting around Canada by bike, bus, car, ferry, plane, or train.