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Burlington Without a Car: Your Guide to Burlington Transit, GO Trains, and More
You do not need a car to enjoy Burlington. Between Burlington Transit, three GO stations, and a waterfront trail that connects to them, there are plenty of ways to get around. This guide covers how Burlington Transit works, what fares cost, who rides free, how to pay, how to connect with GO Transit, and how to get to the city's top spots without driving.
Fares and routes can change, so check the City of Burlington's transit pages for the latest details before you travel.
Burlington Transit at a Glance
Burlington Transit is operated by the City of Burlington. According to the City, it runs 16 routes, and six of them offer service every 15 minutes or better. The network is built around transfer points: the GO stations and a downtown terminal. Burlington Transit connects with GO Transit at the Appleby, Burlington, and Aldershot GO stations, as well as at the Highway 407 carpool lot.
The Burlington Transit customer service counter is located in the Burlington GO Station at 2101 Fairview Street, where you can ask questions, get a PRESTO card, or change your card's fare type.
Burlington Transit Fares
The City lists these fares for riders using a PRESTO card:
Rider | Fare with PRESTO |
|---|---|
Adult (ages 20 to 64) | $2.85, and free after 40 taps in a calendar month |
Youth (ages 13 to 19) | $2.00, and free on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends |
Children (ages 12 and under) | Free |
Seniors (ages 65 and over) | Free |
Two-hour transfers apply automatically when you use a PRESTO card. If you pay with a credit or debit card using PRESTO contactless, the fare is $3.75, and child, youth, and senior discounts and free fares are not available that way. Free fares also aren't available when paying with cash.
Who Rides Free?
Children 12 and under, when they use a child PRESTO card or travel with a parent or guardian
Seniors 65 and over, all day, every day, with a PRESTO card
Youth 13 to 19, on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends, with a youth PRESTO card
Adults, after 40 paid taps in a calendar month
GO Transit riders, on Burlington Transit trips connected to a GO ride, under the One Fare Program
How to Pay for Burlington Transit
You can pay your fare in several ways:
PRESTO card: a physical card, or a PRESTO card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. This is the only way to get free fares and discounted rates.
Contactless: tap a credit or debit card on the reader, at the contactless fare of $3.75.
Cash: bring exact change, since drivers cannot make change.
Every PRESTO card is set to an adult fare by default. To get a child, youth, or senior fare type, visit Burlington Transit Customer Service at the Burlington GO Station, any GO station, or a participating Shoppers Drug Mart and ask the cashier to change the fare type. You may be asked for ID to prove your age. More than one person can travel on the same PRESTO card at the same time.
Connecting With GO Transit: The One Fare Program
Burlington has an easy connection between local buses and regional transit. Under the One Fare Program:
If you ride GO Transit first, your Burlington Transit ride is free. Remember to tap at the GO station and again on the bus.
If you pay your Burlington Transit fare by PRESTO first, your GO Transit fare is discounted by the Burlington Transit fare you paid.
If you use paper, show the Burlington Transit driver your valid GO single-ride ticket or GO day pass to ride for free.
GO Stations in Burlington
Burlington has three GO stations on the rail corridor: Aldershot GO Station, Burlington GO Station, and Appleby GO Station. Along with the local bus network, they make it possible to travel across the region without a car. For ideas on where to go from there, see our guide to the best day trips from Burlington.
Getting to Burlington's Top Spots Without a Car
The waterfront and downtown: Tourism Burlington points visitors to Burlington Transit Routes 4 and 10 for the downtown waterfront. Learn more about the park in the history of Spencer Smith Park.
By GO and bus: take GO to Burlington GO Station and connect to a local bus for free under the One Fare Program.
By bike: the Burlington and Appleby GO stations have signed cycling connections to the Waterfront Trail, so you can arrive by train and ride the lakefront.
Specialized Transit
Burlington Transit also offers specialized transit for riders with mobility needs. According to the City's accessibility plan, fare concessions and pricing are the same for conventional and specialized transit.
Help With Transit Costs
Burlington Transit has a low-income program, and the Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit (SPLIT) program is offered in partnership with Halton Region. Visit the Burlington Transit Customer Service counter to ask about changing the fare type on your card.
Why Transit Matters to the City
Transit is a major part of Burlington's plans and its budget. The City's Horizon 2050 strategic plan calls for optimized public transit with frequent, reliable service, fully operational north-south transit connections, and more trips by transit, walking, and cycling. In the City's 2026 budget, transit accounts for about $50 of the $528 that each $100,000 of assessed value contributes to the City's share of property taxes. Whether you ride every day or never, the way a city moves shapes how it grows.
Burlington Transit FAQ
How Much Is the Bus in Burlington?
With a PRESTO card, an adult fare is $2.85 and a youth fare is $2.00. Children 12 and under and seniors 65 and over ride free. Contactless payment is $3.75.
Do Seniors Ride Burlington Transit for Free?
Yes. Seniors 65 and over ride free all day, every day, as long as they tap a PRESTO card.
Do Teens Ride Free?
Youth ages 13 to 19 ride free on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends with a youth PRESTO card.
Can I Pay With Cash?
Yes, with exact change, but free fares are not available when paying with cash.
Is Burlington Transit Free if I Take GO?
Yes. Under the One Fare Program, if you ride GO Transit first and tap, your Burlington Transit ride is free.
How Many Routes Does Burlington Transit Have?
The City says it operates 16 routes, with six offering service every 15 minutes or better.
Where Can I Get a PRESTO Card?
At the Burlington Transit Customer Service counter in the Burlington GO Station, any GO station, or a Shoppers Drug Mart.
Explore More of Burlington
Looking for places to go? Follow Burlington 365 for local events, openings, and things to do across Burlington and the surrounding area.
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Disclaimer
Please note that the information in this blog is for general guidance only and may not always be up to date or accurate. We recommend double-checking details directly with local cities, businesses, or official sources before making any plans or acting on the information. We are not a news outlet, and while we do our best to make sure information is accurate, sometimes we make mistakes. It is always best to verify with official sources. The inclusion of any business, individual, event, or service on the Burlington 365 platform does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of its quality, performance, or reliability. Users are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence before engaging with any third-party businesses or services listed on the platform.