You can now catch a bus from Hamilton to London. And a few more public transit day trips this summer

A new, direct bus route connecting Hamilton to London is a cause for celebration for a city lacking regional transportation options.

FlixBus, self-described as North America's fastest-growing intercity bus network," started expanding in Ontario in April and added a Toronto-to-London route, with a stop in Hamilton, that started July 1.

The bus, connecting McMaster and Western universities, leaves Hamilton just after 12 p.m., and returns to the city at 4:15 p.m. daily. A round trip will cost about $47 Canadian, depending on the daily conversion rate from USD.

Hamilton has been increasingly disconnected from regional bus services, with the pandemic making matters worse - including the complete collapse of Greyhound Canada in 2021. Other than a GO Transit trip between McMaster and Brantford, it's difficult to find a convenient trip between Hamilton and any city outside of the GTA.

But with the surge in fuel prices, some cost-effective intercity trips could mean a discount adventure for folks with or without access to another vehicle.

Here are two more simple and cost effective summertime routes from Hamilton that are worth the fare:

Hamilton to Canada's Wonderland

This summer, GO Transit is offering weekend day trips from Hamilton's Hunter Street station to the north GTA amusement park.

The bus leaves Hamilton GO Centre at 6:50 and 7:45 a.m. and returns from Wonderland at 8:15 and 9:15 p.m. It costs about $30 for adults and about $20 for kids with Presto cards. A full price adult round trip costs about $35.

Aldershot to Niagara Falls

Travellers can head to Niagara Falls by train on weekends from Aldershot station in Burlington.

The roughly $25 round trip, for adults with Presto cards, leaves Aldershot at 9:41 a.m., 1:41 p.m., and 5:41 p.m. with a stop in St. Catharines, and heads back from Niagara Falls GO at 11:15 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com