Venue
Department of Civil Engineering
Stephen JR Smith Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
58 University Avenue, Ellis Hall, Kingston ON K7L 3N6, CANADA
About Kingston (ON)
Kingston is situated on the territory of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabek (Ojibwe) in the UNSECO designated 1000 Island region of Ontario, Canada where the St. Lawrence River and historic Rideau canal meet. Centrally located to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, with beautiful waterfront parks and restaurants, Kingston is also close to the world-class sandy beaches and vineyards of Prince Edward County. Canada’s first capital city, Kingston is home to numerous historic sites including Fort Henry, which overlooks the islands and river. “This territory is included in the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabek to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. When the first Europeans began to arrive in Southern Ontario in the early 1600s, the north shore of Lake Ontario and the area originally known as Katarokwi (Kingston) were a shifting home to both the Huron-Wendat Peoples and the Haudenosaunee. The Kingston Indigenous community continues to reflect the area’s Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee roots. There is also a significant Métis community as well as First Peoples from other Nations across Turtle Island present here today.”
How to Get to Kingston
From Toronto
By Air (from YYZ Toronto Pearson International Airport)
As of August 2025, the Kingston Airport is no longer operating commercial flights. Therefore, if arriving by air, you must either
- Take a direct bus from the Toronto Airport to Kingston (see below), or
- Take the Union Pearson (UP) Express train* (less expensive than a taxi) to Union Station in downtown Toronto, from where you can connect to either
- The Toronto Union Via Rail Station, to arrive to Kingston by train, or
- The Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal, to arrive in Kingston by bus.
*As an alternative to the UP Express (which closes during off-peak hours), you may take a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) public transit bus. Check combinations of routes to ensure that you can arrive to Union Station for your connecting transport. Note that public buses take significantly longer, and are subject to traffic delays.
Direct Buses from Toronto Airport to Kingston
- Direct coach buses between the airport and Kingston are operated by Megabus, FlixBus, and several other companies. The bus picks up passengers at Toronto International Airport, and drops them off in Kingston.
- You can search and compare options on the third party website BusBud, then purchase tickets directly from the retailer’s website. Buses range from arriving directly at Queen’s campus, the Kingston Bus Terminal, and other public locations, so double check the arrival destination in Kingston.
- Make sure the origin location is set to Toronto Lester B. Pearson Airport, and not Toronto Union Station. These are different locations.
- It is highly advised to purchase a ticket in advance, as buses may sell out during peak times. Prices increase as travel time approaches.
- Check each company’s bag limit policy, and prepare for any surcharges.
- Once you arrive in Kingston, there is local bus transit available to get you to your home address. You may also use local taxi services such as Amey’s Taxi and Modern City Taxi. Be advised Lyft is unavailable in Kingston, and Uber services are subject to surge pricing.
By Bus (from Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal)
- Coach buses between Toronto Union Bus Terminal (downtown) and Kingston are operated by Megabus, FlixBus, and several other companies. The bus picks up passengers at the bus terminal, and drops them off in Kingston.
- You can search and compare options on the third party website BusBud, then purchase tickets directly from the retailer’s website. Buses range from arriving directly at Queen’s campus, the Kingston Bus Terminal, and other public locations, so double check the arrival destination in Kingston.
- Navigating Union Station: for video instructions on how to get to the Bus Terminal, see this website.
- It is highly advised to purchase a ticket in advance, as buses may sell out during peak times. Prices increase as travel time approaches.
- Check each company’s bag limit policy, and prepare for any surcharges.
- Once you arrive in Kingston, there is local bus transit available to get you to your home address. You may also use local taxi services such as Amey’s Taxi and Modern City Taxi. Be advised Lyft is unavailable in Kingston, and Uber services are subject to surge pricing.
By Train (from Toronto Union Via Rail Station)
- Via Rail operates a train service between Toronto Union Via Rail Station (downtown) and the Kingston Via Rail Station. This is the fastest (but most expensive) option, with a duration of ~2.5 hours.
- Navigating Union Station: for instructions on how to get to the Train Station, see this map.
- It is highly advised to purchase a ticket in advance, as trains may sell out during peak times. Prices increase as travel time approaches.
- Check the VIA Rail luggage policy, and prepare for any surcharges.
- Once you arrive in Kingston, there is local bus transit available to get you to your home address. You may also use local taxi services such as Amey’s Taxi and Modern City Taxi. Be advised Lyft is unavailable in Kingston, and Uber services are subject to surge pricing.
From Montreal
By Air
As of August 2025, the Kingston Airport is no longer operating commercial flights. You will need to connect from the airport either by bus or train.
By Bus or Train
- The Montreal public transit service (STM) operates the “Express Bus 747“ shuttle service from Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to the Montreal Central Bus Station. You can purchase tickets at the currency exchange on the international arrivals level. This service is much less expensive than a taxi
- From downtown Montreal, you can take a bus or train to Kingston
- Upon arrival in Kingston, local buses and taxis are available from the train and bus stations
From Ottawa
As of August 2025, the Kingston Airport is no longer operating commercial flights. You will need to connect from the airport either by bus or train.
By Bus or Train
- You can find information about all transportation options from the Ottawa airport to downtown Ottawa on the MacDonald-Cartier Airport website
- Train service is available through Via Rail and bus service through FlixBus
- Upon arrival in Kingston, local buses and taxis are available from the train and bus stations