Getting to – and around – Hamilton
Welcome to the heart of Ontario and the economic engine of Canada – Hamilton and south central Ontario.
Hamilton is the ninth largest city in Canada, fourth largest in Ontario, and ranked as one of the top 10 places to do business in Canada. Situated on the Niagara escarpment, Hamilton is only 45 minutes southwest of Toronto and northwest of the U.S. border.
McMaster is nestled in the west end of Hamilton in a residential area called Westdale Village. Bordered by Cootes Paradise, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the shores of Lake Ontario, the campus is connected to kilometres of nature trails, biking paths, and Hamilton’s burgeoning waterfront.
Those in search of a more urban experience are never too far from amenities in downtown Hamilton – restaurants, concert theatres, hockey games, art galleries, street festivals and more.
Hamilton is also conveniently situated on major rail, air, water and road transportation networks to other large North American centres, including Toronto, New York, Chicago and Montreal.
Expandable List
From the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)*
McMaster University’s main campus is a 40-minute drive from Toronto’s airport.
You can travel from Toronto to Hamilton via
From the Pearson Airport Terminal to Hamilton Go Centre, located in downtown Hamilton, you can use this fare calculator to determine the cost of a one-way trip.
From the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM)*
McMaster’s main campus is a 17-minute drive from Hamilton’s airport.
You can travel from Hamilton’s airport via
- Airways Transit
- Local Taxi/Cab services (see Public Transportation in Hamilton)
- Hamilton Street Railway (see Public Transportation in Hamilton): Bus routes do not go directly to McMaster’s campus
*The School of Graduate Studies is not responsible for making travel arrangements or covering any associated costs for students entering McMaster University.
Hamilton Street Railway – better known as the HSR – is Hamilton’s city-wide public bus transportation. You will need to pay HSR bus fare out-of-pocket until you pick up your HSR student bus pass at McMaster University.
Visit the Graduate Students Association site for more information about your U-Pass/Presto Card.
For more about using your Presto Card, watch this video.
Hamilton Cab services
- Blue Line Taxi – Book online or call 905-525-0000
- Hamilton Cab – Book online or call 777-777-7777
Travel Options from Pearson Airport:
GO Bus and GO Train service to Downtown Hamilton. Please note that GO Bus service is the only available bus directly from the terminals.
You can find this at:
- Terminal 1, Ground Level, second curb, Column Q2-Q4.
To get to Hamilton, take the 40 Hamilton (Richmond Hill Pearson Express) bus route.
Taxi and Limousine Pick-Up Locations
Terminal 1, Arrivals Level ?
- Taxis: Door D
- Limousines: Door C
Terminal 3, Arrivals Level
- Taxis: Doors D, E & F
- Limousines: Door F
Remember, your safety matters. Ensure you take a licensed Toronto Pearson taxi or limo.
Airport licensed taxis and limos offer fair, flat rates to your destination and meet specific safety requirements.
These are the only vehicles authorized to pick up fares from Toronto Pearson.
A licensed taxi or limo:
- will pick up from the designated pick up area on the terminal curbs, arrivals level
- will have a GTA number plate on the bumper and decal on the window
- will have flat rate fare information in the vehicle
- will not pick up in the terminal or parking garages
Considering Pre-Arranged Services?
Within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), flat rates for travel from the airport are determined based on the time and distance to your destination.
Fares for taxis to destinations outside of the GTA (including Hamilton) are listed on the Out-of-Town Tariff map.
Any area that is not listed on this tariff map will be $1.55/km for taxis, or $1.65/km for limousines.
Select one of the maps below for taxi fare information. Always confirm the fare with the driver before leaving the terminal.
Ride sharing services
Uber and Lyft
To request a pick up:
- Download the Uber or Lyft app to your smartphone
- Ensure your location services are enable
- Enter your destination
- Select the level of ride sharing service you prefer for your trip
- Proceed to Ground Level (Door Q or P) in Terminal 1 or Arrivals Level (Door D, then proceed to outside curb) in Terminal 3 and follow the signs for “Ride App Pickup” to wait for your ride
Local Toronto Transit:
Union Pearson Express is a dedicated air-rail link that speeds travelers from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto.
The UP Express station is located in Terminal 1 next to the Terminal Link Train.
From Terminal 1: Follow the “Train to City” signs.
From Terminal 3: Take the free Terminal Link Train to Terminal 1 and follow the “Train to City” signs.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Express bus and subway service to downtown Toronto. This is located in:
- Terminal 1, Ground Level, second curb, Column R4.
- Terminal 3, Arrivals Level, third curb, Column C12.
Here are the TTC routes available:
- 52 Lawrence West
- 192 Airport Rocket
- 300 Bloor Danforth (overnight)
- 307 Eglinton West (overnight)
Accommodations
Banking
Setting up your bank account
When you arrive in Canada, setting up your bank account should be a priority. You are required to have an account at a Canadian banking institution.
If you would like more information on banking in Canada, visit Educanada.
Canada has five major banks. Each has student rates that you can ask about.
To open a bank account, you will need
- passport
- study permit
- address verification (lease, bill, mail, etc.)
Your payments for scholarship and employment will be deposited directly into your bank account. This method of payment is mandatory. Depending on the type of payment(s) you receive you may have to update the information in 2 places:
- Student Center (in Mosaic) – Scholarship Funds (Graduate Scholarship, Entrance Scholarship, Department Scholarship, External Scholarship, Tuition Bursaries) and
- Human Resources – Research Scholarship, TA, and/or RA in lieu of TA.
Before enrolling in Direct Deposit: The most important thing you need in order to begin is your correct banking information.
NOTE: DO NOT enter the number on your bank card. Your correct banking information can be found at the bottom of any cheque belonging to the account you want your payment deposited. Example below (from the bottom of the cheque).
- The first three numbers are the cheque number (not required for this enrolment).
- The next five numbers are the transit number (branch number) – REQUIRED.
- The next three numbers are the financial institution number (bank code) – REQUIRED.
- The remaining numbers are your bank account number – REQUIRED.
If you don’t have cheques, this information is available by contacting your bank directly. Many banks provide this information online, under the secured account information section.
Once you have your correct banking information you can enrol in Direct Deposit.
If you are paid the following monies: Scholarship Funds (Graduate Scholarship, Entrance Scholarship, External Scholarship, Tuition Bursaries), you must set up banking information in MOSAIC. If you don’t provide banking information, a cheque will be mailed to the mailing address that is listed in the Personal Information section on MOSAIC.
- Navigate to the Mosaic Portal.
- Type your Mac ID into the Mac ID field.
- Type your password into the Password field.
- Click the Sign In button.
1. Click the Student Center Tab. In the Finances section, click Other Finances.
2. Select Enroll in Direct Deposit list item.
3. Click the Go button (blue double arrows).
4. In the Direct Deposit tab, click Enrol in Direct Deposit button.
5. Enter needed Bank Details and click Next to finish setting up the direct deposit.
6. You should receive a green check-mark once the banking information is added.
The Enrolment Process for setting up your banking information IS NOT COMPLETE – THERE ARE 5 MORE STEPS. Follow the prompts to complete this process.
7. You will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions.
8. Lastly, you must click the Submit button so that your information will be successfully added.
If you are paid the following monies – Research Scholarship, TA, and/or RA in lieu of TA, you must complete the Employee Deposit form.
You will need to download and fill out the Employee Contact and Deposit form from the Human Resources website and email the completed form to hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca.
Living in Canada
Working in Canada
All individuals who work in Canada MUST HAVE a Social Insurance Number.
Cost of Living: Your Budget
On-Campus Services
Orientation webinars 2020
The School of Graduate Studies, in partnership with International Student Services, has produced several webinars to help our newest international graduate students navigate their graduate journey at McMaster.