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

• Airways Transit
• Taxi/Limo Service
• GO Transit

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

We have an Airport Welcome team at Pearson Airport during the month of August. We will be wearing bright orange shirts and holding signs outside the International arrival gates for most flights.

Make sure you come and say hi to us!

Our volunteers will be happy to help you find the bus stop or get a taxi to wherever you need to go.

What happens if you get lost?

Check out this interactive map: http://maps.torontopearson.com

Travel Options from Pearson Airport:

GO Transit

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.

• Taxi Tariffs – Local
• Limo Tariffs – Local
• Taxi and Limo Tariffs – Out of Town

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)

Often, landlords will require:

• Application and deposit (to be used towards your first month’s rent)
• References
• Renters sign a Lease Agreement
• First AND last month’s rent to be paid on first day of tenancy (minus deposit)

NOTE: Ask your landlord for rent receipts.

For information about rights and expectations as a renter, check out Residential Tenancy Act, Ontario

Canada has five major banks. Each has student rates that you can ask about.

• Royal Bank of Canada
• TD Canada Trust
• BMO
• CIBC
• Scotiabank

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:

1. Student Center (in Mosaic) – Scholarship Funds (Graduate Scholarship, Entrance Scholarship, Department Scholarship, External Scholarship, Tuition Bursaries) and
2. 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).

1. The first three numbers are the cheque number (not required for this enrolment).
2. The next five numbers are the transit number (branch number) – REQUIRED.
3. The next three numbers are the financial institution number (bank code) – REQUIRED.
4. 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.

1. Navigate to the Mosaic Portal.
2. Type your Mac ID into the Mac ID field.
3. Type your password into the Password field.
4. 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 which is available at Working At McMaster.

The completed form must be delivered to the Human Resources (HR) Service Centre, located in the Campus Services Building (CSB), Room 202. CSB is Building 31 on the McMaster Campus Map.

If you don’t provide banking information, you will have to pick up your first cheque(s) from the following offices:

• Research Scholarship payment: The School of Graduate Studies office in Gilmour Hall (GH), Room 212. GH is Building 20 on the McMaster Campus Map.

• TA/RA in lieu employment payment: HR Service Centre office in Campus Services Building (CSB), Room 202

Cell phone rates in Canada are among the most expensive in the world. You may want to do some homework to find the best available rates. To get a cell phone in Canada requires a credit card.

• Bell Mobility
• Rogers
• Telus
• Fido
• Koodo

Canada is a mosaic of cultural diversity and that is reflected in foods available in grocery stores and restaurants.

Several different grocery stores are available in the area surrounding McMaster’s campus and across the City of Hamilton.

For tips and strategies to help you shop on a budget – including student discount days – watch our Orientation webinar or download the accompanying slide presentation.

Clothing

Winter weather can be harsh, while summers can be very hot and humid.

For statistics about average temperatures, humidity, rain and snowfall in Hamilton, Ontario, visit The Weather Network.

January start date

• Bring warm clothing.
• If you are travelling from a warmer climate, be prepared to shop for winter-appropriate clothing once you arrive.
• This includes heavy outerwear – cold-weather coat, accessories – hat, scarf, gloves/mittens, winter boots.
• Prices vary. Connect with other grad students to find the best places to shop that will fit within your budget.

May start date

• Spring weather is unpredictable in Hamilton. In an average year, temperatures will be moderate. You may see a large fluctuation in temperature from the beginning to the end of the month.
• Clothing suitable for cool weather and rain, including a coat.

September start dates

• Summers are hot and humid, but by early September you are likely to experience more moderate summer temperatures.
• Note: Upon arrival, you will not need to purchase a winter coat. Please review our seasonal shopping guide so you understand how clothing is sold here.

Bedding/Linens

• Can be expensive but also bulky for travel.

Household items

• Kitchen and other household items are readily available for purchase new or used.

Canada’s seasonal shopping cycle

Shopping for clothing in Canada is seasonal. You may be able to find some outer clothing available year round, but the traditional shopping cycle is:

January–March

• Winter clothing is still available, but more limited in sizes and styles. You can often find clothing on sale after the December holiday season.
• The first of Spring clothing will be available.

April-June

• Spring and summer clothing available, including seasonal outerwear for warmer weather.

July-September

• Summer and Fall clothing available.
• Please Note: Most coats available during these months are not intended for cold winter use; they are late summer, autumn coats.

October-December

• Warm clothing for late fall and winter use.
• Winter coats and boots are available. If buying new, check that outer clothing is rated for winter temperatures and use.