Getting Around London Without a Car This Summer
Written by: Safa Awed, 3rd Year Integrated Science specializing in Synthetic Biology
Photo by: Western Comunications
Being a student at Western comes with many perks, one of them being living in the city of London, Ontario, where getting around is easy, even without a car. From its convenient public transportation and beautiful parks and trails, there is a lot to discover about this city. Here is everything you need to know about getting around the city all year round.
London Transit
Photo Credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dj_surf_lfs/11199744095
Fees
The first thing you’ll come to learn about being a Western student is that your Western OneCard gives you access to all London Transit buses. Included in your tuition and ancillary fees, your OneCard doubles as your 12-month year-round transit pass. Simply tap your OneCard as you board for unlimited rides!
Bus Routes
The LTC buses operate about 35 bus routes, making getting around the city convenient, comfortable, and efficient. The network of routes connects major destinations including both Western and Fanshawe campuses, CF Masonville, hospitals, downtown and residential neighborhoods.
All bus routes operate 7 days a week, running from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, with frequencies varying depending on the time, day of the week and holiday hours. Visit London Transit for a comprehensive list of the bus routes and schedules.
About 10 bus routes connect students to Western's campus, making it easy for students to commute across the city. Some routes stop right outside campus along major roads while others travel directly inside campus with stops at key locations including Alumni Hall, Natural Science, University Hospital and more. Visit London Transit for buses specific to Western campus. If you are planning to use bus routes during the summer months, keep in mind some routes may operate differently outside the academic year. Routes 102, 106 and 127 are suspended for summer and resume in the fall.
For easy planning, use London's Rider Guide, for an interactive map, filter routes, see construction alerts and access real-time bus arrival information.
Parks and Trails
Photo Credits: https://www.expedia.ca/London.dx4127
London is often known as the Forest City and has now just been named the 2026 Forest Capital of Canada. With 27% of the city covered by tree canopy, you can’t miss the chance to see all the parks and trails the city has to offer.
Western’s campus itself will give you a glimpse into the natural views the city has to offer. Especially if you are here in the summer, it's the perfect time to see the greenery, with ivy-covered buildings and blooming flowers throughout campus.
For some off-campus parks and trails, the Thames Valley Parkway is a great place to start. It is a 45 kilometre recreational trail that goes along the Thames River. On campus, you can access it through the Medway lot located right beside Elgin Hall, making it easy to step right onto the trail and enjoy a scenic route along the water.
Another park to check out is Gibbons Park, which is located about a 20-minute walk from campus. Also located along the Thames River, it offers beautiful scenery and local wildlife. The park is especially known for its mature willow trees, and its quiet atmosphere makes it a perfect spot to wind down outdoors. Looking for more places to explore? Visit Tourism London to discover additional parks and trails, summer festivals, and other attractions happening throughout the city!
Beyond the City
If you are planning weekend trips home or just want to explore a new city, there are several ways to make travelling out of London easy.
Shuttle and intercity bus services are the most common and affordable way to travel to nearby cities. Services such as Megabus, Onex, and FlixBus offer direct routes from London to major destinations including Toronto Union Station, Hamilton, Scarborough, and Windsor. There are even direct routes to Toronto Pearson airport for out-of-province or international students. And even some direct routes to Detroit for cross border travel to the U.S.
Another option is London International Airport, which provides connections to Winnipeg, Toronto and Calgary, making it convenient for longer trips home or personal travel.
From campus transit to city parks and travel beyond London, students have easy and affordable ways to get around. Whether you’re commuting to class, exploring on the weekend, or making a trip home to make sure to enjoy all the city has to offer!
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