Ontario in winter has its own rhythm. Streets look different under fresh snow, the air feels sharper, and everyday routines need a little adjustment. If you regularly travel between Toronto, London and Ottawa, planning for winter conditions is essential. The good news is that with a bit of preparation, winter bus travel can be just as comfortable as summer journeys—sometimes even more so, because someone else is doing the driving.
These winter bus travel tips will help you stay warm, safe and relaxed on your next ONEXBUS journey.
Start with the Weather and Your Booking Details
A good winter trip actually begins the day before you travel. Checking the forecast may sound obvious, but it’s something many of us forget when we’re busy. Looking ahead at what is expected in both your departure and your destination—say, snow in London and clear skies in Toronto, or freezing rain in Ottawa—helps you plan your timing and clothing.
It’s also worth revisiting your booking details. Confirm your departure time, the exact stop location and your ticket. Make sure your contact information is correct in your booking so you can receive any updates from ONEXBUS in case weather affects the schedule. Having everything clearly saved on your phone, or even printed as backup, removes unnecessary stress when you’re standing at the stop in the cold.
Dress for Outside and Inside for Winter Bus Travel
One of the simplest but most effective winter bus travel tips is to think in layers. There will be moments when you’re outside in the wind or snow, followed by time in a warm coach. If you only dress for one of those environments, you will either be too cold at the stop or too warm on board.
A thin base layer, a warm sweater and a weather-resistant jacket give you options. When you’re waiting at the stop in Toronto, London or Ottawa, your full outfit keeps you comfortable. Once you have settled into your seat on the bus and the interior warms up, you can remove a layer and relax. Add a hat, scarf and gloves into the mix, and winter travel feels much more manageable.
Choose Footwear that Works in Real Winter Conditions
Footwear is often an afterthought until you hit an icy patch. For winter bus trips, it’s worth choosing shoes or boots with proper grip and at least some resistance to slush and water. The walk from a downtown stop in Toronto or a station in Ottawa to your final destination might be only a few blocks, but those blocks are a lot easier if you’re not worried about slipping.
If you prefer lighter shoes at your destination—for example, if you’re heading to a meeting or an event—you can keep them in your bag and change into them after you arrive. That way, your feet stay warm and dry while you’re outside, and you still look exactly how you’d like once you’re indoors.
Give Yourself Extra Time to Reach the Bus for Your Winter Bus Travel
Winter adds friction to small things. Sidewalks may be slower to walk on, traffic lights feel longer, and buses or local transit can be delayed. Instead of cutting it close, plan your local travel so that you can arrive at your ONEXBUS stop a bit earlier than usual. Arriving fifteen or twenty minutes before departure gives you a buffer in case your local bus is behind schedule or you need to navigate snowbanks near the stop.
The reward for this extra margin is peace of mind. You have time to find the exact boarding location, check the bus signage, prepare your ticket and get comfortable without rushing. If you’re travelling in the dark—common in winter mornings and evenings—it also feels safer to move calmly and deliberately rather than sprinting through icy streets.
Pack a Small “Winter Essentials” Kit
You don’t need a huge bag to be comfortable in winter. A few carefully chosen items make a noticeable difference. A reusable water bottle ensures you stay hydrated, especially in heated environments that can dry out the air. Lip balm and hand cream protect against the effects of cold wind outside and warm air inside. A small pack of tissues and an extra pair of socks can be surprisingly reassuring if you get caught in slush.
A portable phone charger is another useful addition. Winter can drain batteries faster, and it’s reassuring to know you can access your ticket, contact information and maps for the entire journey—even if you’ve been using your phone for music or podcasts along the way.
Stay Flexible When Weather Is Severe
Even with the best planning, there are days when winter weather has the final word. Heavy snow, ice or freezing rain can slow down traffic across entire regions. In those moments, staying flexible is more important than trying to control every detail.
Keeping an eye on updates from ONEXBUS, considering earlier or later departures on particularly stormy days and allowing extra connection time if you’re linking your bus trip with a flight or train make your travel more resilient. It’s reassuring to know that, on difficult weather days, you are on a coach driven by a professional whose full focus is on the road.
Enjoy the Journey
There’s another side to winter travel: it can be beautiful. Watching snow-covered fields between London and Toronto, or seeing Ottawa’s skyline under winter light, can be a surprisingly calm experience when you’re seated comfortably and not behind the wheel.
Once you’re on board, you can treat the journey as a pause in your day. Download a playlist, a podcast series or a show in advance, or bring a book you’ve been meaning to read. These simple choices turn travel time into something you actually look forward to, rather than just a necessary transfer.
Making Winter Bus Travel Work for You
With the right winter bus travel tips, journeys between Toronto, London and Ottawa do not have to be stressful. A little preparation—checking the forecast, dressing in layers, allowing extra time and packing a few essentials—goes a long way.
ONEXBUS takes care of the driving. You take care of the planning details that make winter days smoother. Together, that combination lets you keep moving across Ontario’s cities, even when the snow is falling, in a way that feels safe, comfortable and under control.
If you still have questions about winter travel with ONEXBUS, feel free to reach out through our contact form and our team will be happy to help.
