How to commute to the Pan Am Games in Hamilton
Heading to Hamilton to catch some soccer? Here's how to commute to the games from all directions
Whether you're heading in from Toronto, Niagara or the suburbs in-between, you're going to want to leave extra time to get to the Pan Am soccer games in Hamilton.
But did you know you can pay and reserve your parking ahead of time? And that it's cheaper to park at McMaster and Mohawk than it is at the ArcelorMittal lot? Or that your Pan Am ticket gets you free transit on 14 different providers, including the GO? What about the bicycle valet for those on pedal power?
- Need to know right now? Use the Triplinx trip planner
- Driving in? Book your parking spot online
Here's your guide on how to get to Hamilton so you don't spend the first half of the game talking about your commute.
By Rail
If you're coming from Toronto, your Pan Am Games ticket gets you free transit on the TTC, so hop on that to Union Station or Exhibition Station and get on the Lakeshore West line to the West Harbour GO Station. From there a shuttle bus will take you to and from the stadium.
The same applies for Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Brampton, Peel, Durham and St. Catharines — you can use your Pan Am Games ticket to access local transit to get to the Lakeshore West line. Take that train towards Hamilton's West Harbour station and use the free shuttle bus to the CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium.
Plan ahead before you go: Find out exactly how long your commute will be with the Triplinx trip planner as times may be longer than expected. For example, a door-to-door trip from Queen West to the stadium will take 2 hours.
By Bus
Take advantage of the HOV lanes with the Union Station to Hamilton GO Station express bus. A shuttle will pick you up at the Hamilton GO station to get you to the games.
For those in Hamilton, the HSR is free with your Pan Am Ticket, just like Ticats games.
By Bike
Ride in style to the games along the Cannon Street bike lanes that will get you right to the soccer stadium. A free bicycle valet handles the parking of your bike when you get to the stadium. Make your way to the Prince of Wales Elementary School (77 Melrose Avenue North), just north of Cannon and Melrose, on the west side of the stadium.
By Car
If you're heading by car, make sure to carpool with at least three people to take advantage of the HOV lanes between Hamilton and Toronto. The Ministry of Transportation said they are generally "pleased" with how the temporary and modified HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes have been working leading up to the games, despite grumblings from commuters.
There are three main parking lots: McMaster University, ArcelorMittal and Mohawk College. Shuttle buses will be running between the lots and the stadium. You can reserve a spot online at both Mac and Mohawk for $5, while the ArcelorMittal lot is $10.
Those who require an accessible parking space need to make a separate reservation which must be made 24-hours before the event, and includes asking for your accessible parking permit number.