5 Summer Getaways Students Should Check Out!

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Your Weekend Road Trip Guide Near the GTA

By: Mayra

Summer is HERE, and if you’re anything like me, the thought of spending every weekend stuck in the city while the rest of Ontario is out there waiting to be explored is honestly painful. Whether you’re renting a car with friends, hopping on a bus, or finally putting that VIA Rail app to use, there are TONS of epic weekend getaways just a short trip from Toronto. 🌞 

I’ve rounded up 5 of the best destinations for students with everything you need: how to get there, what to do, how much to budget, and more. Most are under 3 hours away (and a couple are worth the extra 30 minutes). Let’s go! 🚗💃 

Pro tip: Post-secondary students get 40% off GO Transit fares with a PRESTO card! Make sure your student discount is activated before you travel. Check GO Transit’s student discount page for details. 

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1. Wasaga Beach 

Distance from Toronto: ~150 km | ~2 hrs by car or 2.5 hrs by bus 
Budget Estimate (excluding commute): $80–$130 per person (camping option is the best deal) 

Photo via Wasaga Beach Tourism

Home to the longest freshwater beach in the world. Wasaga Beach is the GTA’s go-to summer escape. It’s got that classic beach town energy: volleyball nets, food trucks, patio vibes, and cold water to jump into after a day in the sun. For international students who miss beach culture. 🏖️ 

🚙 Getting There 

• By Bus: FlixBus runs twice a day from Union Station Bus Terminal to Wasaga Beach. Tickets range from $22 to $35 one way.

• By Car: Around 2 hrs via Highway 400 North. 

🌟 Highlights 

• Spend the day at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, beach access is free! 

• Grab a volleyball net and challenge strangers (it’s that kind of beach 🏐) 

• Explore the beach strip for ice cream, fried food, and souvenir shops 

• Stunning sunsets over Georgian Bay. 📸 
  

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2. Collingwood & Blue Mountain Village

Distance from Toronto: ~150 km | ~2–2.5 hrs by car or bus.
Budget Estimate (excluding commute): $130–$200 per person (much less with a big friend group) 

Blue Mountain Village is one of those places that looks like it was pulled straight out of a Pinterest board. But beyond the aesthetic, there’s a LOT to do here in summer. Hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, kayaking on Georgian Bay and Blue Mountain Village has great patios, shops and live music. It’s one of those rare spots where the outdoorsy crowd and the chill-and-explore crowd can both win. 

🚙 Getting There 

• By Car: ~1.5 hrs from downtown Toronto via Highway 401 West. This one is best with a car — the town is very walkable once you arrive AND parking is free on most streets! 

• By Transit (partial): Take the GO Train or GO Bus to Guelph (1.5 hrs), then arrange a rideshare (~$35–$40 one way). Doable, but requires planning! 

🌟 Highlights 

• Hike or mountain bike the Blue Mountain trails, with multiple difficulty levels and stunning views. 

• Try the Woodford Reserve Zip Line for a literal bird’s eye view of Georgian Bay.

• Kayak or paddleboard on Georgian Bay (rentals available nearby).

• Stroll and shop in Blue Mountain Village, with free live music on summer evenings! 

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3. Elora

Distance from Toronto: ~115 km | ~1.5 hrs by car
Budget Estimate (excluding commute): From $80 to $140 per person

People call Elora “Ontario’s Most Beautiful Village”. This tiny limestone town sits right on the edge of a STUNNING gorge where the Grand River cuts through 22-metre high cliffs. You can hike it, tube through it, swim near it, or just stare at it from the village lookout while eating ice cream. Elora has become incredibly popular in recent years for good reason!

🚙 Getting There 

• By Car: ~1.5 hrs from downtown Toronto via Highway 401 West. This one is best with a car — the town is very walkable once you arrive. Parking is free on most streets! 

• By Transit (partial): Take the GO Train or GO Bus to Guelph (1.5 hrs), then arrange a taxi. Optionally, you can look for ride-sharing services like Pop-A-Ride! ALWAYS with caution!

🌟 Highlights 

• Tube, kayak, or hike at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area.

• Swim at the Elora Quarry, a gorgeous limestone swimming hole (pre-book your session online!) 

• Wander the historic downtown Elora with 19th-century stone buildings, boutiques and coffee shops.

• Camp at Elora Gorge Campground right beside the gorge, wake up to that view every morning. 🌲 

• Catch the Saturday Farmers’ Market at Bissell Park (May–October).

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4. Kingston

Distance from Toronto: ~260 km | ~2.5–3 hrs by car | 2.5 hrs by train | ~3 hrs by bus 
Budget Estimate (excluding commute): From $110–$180 per person

Kingston is where history, university energy, and waterfront beauty collide. It’s nicknamed the “Limestone City” for its gorgeous heritage buildings, and it sits right at the spot where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River and the mouth of the Rideau Canal. I went expecting a quiet history trip and ended up having one of the most fun weekends I’ve had in Ontario. 

🚙 Getting There 

• By Train: VIA Rail from Union Station. Tickets are ~$29–$90 (book early!). Journey ~2.5 hrs.

• By Bus: FlixBus or Megabus. From ~$7–$40 one way. Journey ~3 hrs.

• By Car: ~2.5–3 hrs via Highway 401 East. 

🌟 Highlights 

• Explore Fort Henry National Historic Site, a stunning 19th-century military fort right on the water (~$19 student admission) 

• Walk the beautiful Kingston waterfront along Lake Ontario — completely free and incredibly scenic 

• Visit Bellevue House, the former home of Canada’s first Prime Minister (~$5 entry) 

• Day trip to Thousand Islands — boat tours from ~$24 or kayak rentals for the adventurous 

• Wander Queen’s University campus and the lively Princess Street for food, cafes, and local shops 

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5. Tobermory & Bruce Peninsula National Park

Distance from Toronto: ~260 km | ~2.5–3 hrs by car | 2.5 hrs by train | ~3 hrs by bus 
Budget Estimate (excluding commute): From $110–$180 per person

Crystal-clear turquoise water, ancient limestone cliffs, a sea cave you can swim into, and a night sky so dark you can see the Milky Way. I’m not describing some exotic destination — this is Tobermory, Ontario, and it is genuinely one of the most jaw-dropping places in Canada that not enough people talk about. The town sits at the very tip of the Bruce Peninsula, where Lake Huron meets Georgian Bay, and the Bruce Peninsula National Park surrounding it is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Yes, it’s a bit of a drive. Yes, it’s 100% worth it. 🌊 

🚙 Getting There 

• By Car: ~3–3.5 hrs from Toronto via Hwy 400 North, then Hwy 10 to Hwy 6 North. A car is essential for getting around the peninsula. Split the gas 4 ways, and it’s very affordable! 

• By Bus: Parkbus runs a seasonal service from Toronto directly to Bruce Peninsula National Park and Tobermory. Student/senior return fare is around $80. Check their schedule as trips are on specific dates throughout the summer! 

🌟 Highlights 

• Swim and explore The Grotto — a stunning limestone sea cave with turquoise water. One of Ontario’s most photographed spots (reservation + parking required) 

• Walk to Indian Head Cove right next to the Grotto for incredible rocky shoreline views 

• Hike the Cyprus Lake Trail and multiple other park trails through ancient cedars and along Georgian Bay cliffs 

• Take a boat tour from Tobermory harbour to Flowerpot Island — famous for its naturally carved stone towers rising from the water (~$40–$50) 

• Stargaze at night — Bruce Peninsula National Park is a certified Dark Sky Preserve. The night sky here is absolutely unreal ✨ 

• Wander the tiny harbour town of Tobermory for fresh fish and chips, ice cream, and souvenir shops 

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Need more student-savings inspo?

The SSU is committed to providing students with exclusive discounts, coupons and promotions from great community partners around each campus, helping you keep your bank account healthy and your appetite satisfied! Check out the Student Savings and Perks available to all Sheridan Students!

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