Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Waterloo travel guide

Waterloo Tourism | Waterloo Guide

You're Going to Love Waterloo

With a population of 97,475, Waterloo is a must-see destination in Ontario, Canada. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Waterloo has to offer.

Where to Eat in Waterloo

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bodega Rose (17 Erb St E) and TRIO (40 King St. South) are great picks.

When to visit Waterloo

Waterloo in January
Estimated hotel price
$125
1 night at 3-star hotel
Waterloo in January
Estimated hotel price
$125
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Waterloo

Plane

When flying to Waterloo, you’ll arrive at Toronto Region of Waterloo Intl (YKF), which is located 11 km from the city center. The shortest flight to Waterloo from the United States departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 3h 09m.

Train

VIA Rail Canada is the most popular train carrier serving Waterloo, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Waterloo to London takes 2h 12m and costs around $41 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Ottawa, expect to pay about $44 for a 4h 05m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Waterloo is to pick up a car rental from Toronto, which is about 94 km from Waterloo. You’ll find branches of Ace and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Toronto.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Waterloo, including FlixBus, Rider Express and Bus. From London, the bus ride to Waterloo takes 217 km and will cost you around $28. From Buffalo, the ticket costs about $35 for a journey of 266 km. Waterloo’s bus station is located 2.7 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Waterloo, you’ll arrive at Toronto Region of Waterloo Intl (YKF), which is located 11 km from the city center. The shortest flight to Waterloo from the United States departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 3h 09m.

Train

VIA Rail Canada is the most popular train carrier serving Waterloo, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Waterloo to London takes 2h 12m and costs around $41 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Ottawa, expect to pay about $44 for a 4h 05m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Waterloo is to pick up a car rental from Toronto, which is about 94 km from Waterloo. You’ll find branches of Ace and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Toronto.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Waterloo, including FlixBus, Rider Express and Bus. From London, the bus ride to Waterloo takes 217 km and will cost you around $28. From Buffalo, the ticket costs about $35 for a journey of 266 km. Waterloo’s bus station is located 2.7 km from the city center.

Airports near Waterloo

YXULondon

Airlines serving Waterloo

KLM
Good (1,432 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,626 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,007 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,571 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,090 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,810 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,095 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,045 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,677 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,434 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,504 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,516 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (879 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,331 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,605 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,095 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,146 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,432 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,412 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Waterloo

Where to stay in Waterloo

Average rates range from around $110 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $85 and up for a 5-star experience.

Most popular hotel in Waterloo by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Waterloo

Most booked hotels in Waterloo

See all
The Walper Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 691 reviews)
$120+
View
Delta Hotels by Marriott Waterloo
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 502 reviews)
$156+
View
Courtyard by Marriott Waterloo St. Jacobs
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 452 reviews)
$118+
View
Staybridge Suites Waterloo - St. Jacobs Area By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 228 reviews)
$100+
View
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kitchener Southeast By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1529 reviews)
$100+
View
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Watertoo St. Jacobs
2 stars
Excellent (8.6, 981 reviews)
$93+
View

Renting a car in Waterloo

Renting a car in Waterloo costs $32 per day, on average, or $129 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Waterloo is the Thrifty branch at 133 Weber Street North, which is 1 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 9% more expensive than at Toronto Pearson Intl.

Expect to pay $4.24 per gallon in Waterloo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $50.88 and $67.83. The most frequently booked car type in Waterloo is Intermediate (Hyundai Palisade or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Kia Rio or similar) are, on average, 58% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Waterloo costs $32 per day, on average, or $129 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Waterloo is the Thrifty branch at 133 Weber Street North, which is 1 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 9% more expensive than at Toronto Pearson Intl.

Expect to pay $4.24 per gallon in Waterloo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $50.88 and $67.83. The most frequently booked car type in Waterloo is Intermediate (Hyundai Palisade or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Kia Rio or similar) are, on average, 58% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Waterloo

Compact SUV

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$28/day

Compact SUV
Find car rentals in Waterloo