Discount Bus Service’s New Route Opens Up More of Ontario for Intercity Travel

A bus of FlixBus company is seen in Toronto on Aug. 30, 2023. Shutterstock/ACHPF

Three years after Greyhound stopped providing bus service in Canada, discount bus company FlixBus is expanding its Ontario routes to include daily runs from Toronto to Sudbury, with stops in between.

The new route connects Union Station in Toronto to the Ontario Northland Terminal in Sudbury. Buses will run daily, except Tuesdays, and will also stop at Pearson International Airport, Parry Sound, Port Severn, Waubaushene, and Sudbury’s Four Corners, according to an April 4 news release.

A one-way trip from Toronto to Sudbury costs $35.99, although passengers can on extras for a fee. Seat selection is $4.99, and $26.99 lets you “Travel neighbor-free” with no one in the next seat. Fares include a carry-on bag and one stowed bag, while extra luggage will cost more. There is also a $3.99 service fee on top of the ticket price. Payment options include credit card, cash, Google Pay, and Paypal.

“Our goal is for FlixBus to become synonymous with bus travel in Canada,” said Richard Szeri, senior manager of network planning for FlixBus.

“Customers in and around Sudbury can now enjoy convenient access to Toronto, including Pearson International, and transfers to Niagara Falls and the USA.”

In Ontario, FlixBus now has routes to over 20 destinations, including Ottawa, London, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Kingston, Barrie, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, St. Catharines, and Windsor.

Buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and restrooms, according to the FlixBus website. The FlixBus app allows passengers to book online and use digital tickets to board. Travellers can also have trip updates sent directly to their phones, find station stops, and unlock discounts and deals.

The company partners with Greyhound, which started closing down its Canadian operations in 2018 when the bus line announced it would no longer offer routes in Western Canada. It announced an end to Canadian services in May 2021, although Greyhound still offers routes in the United States.

FlixBus’ connection with Greyhound means that passengers can travel back and forth to the U.S. on either brand’s buses, which opens up 2,300 destinations.

The company is also adding routes in Alberta, including Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Red Deer, according to an April 8 post on Facebook.

FlixBus was started in Germany in 2013 and now offers bus services in over 40 countries. In Europe, it also runs a passenger train service.