Plan to arrive at least 20-30 minutes early so you can park, check in at the Visitors Centre, and use the washroom or grab a snack before your tour starts.
Where to park
We recommend that you park in lot C, which is closest to South Campus Hall and the Visitors Centre.
- Get driving directions to lot C from Google Maps. Lot C is located across University Avenue from the campus.
- Follow University Avenue West to Seagram Drive. You'll see the main campus on one side of the street.
- Turn south (away from the main campus) onto Seagram Drive.
- Visitor parking is in Lot C (which is also student permit parking), the first entrance on your right.
- Pay for parking. See below for details on paying.
- Walk to the University and Seagram intersection (which is the main intersection at the entrance to the university).
- Cross University Avenue, walking towards the campus.
- View on Google Maps.
- Check in for your tour at the Visitors Centre in South Campus Hall (SCH), which is the building at the main entrance to the university.
Paying for parking
Payment is available through the AMP mobile parking app or website. With AMP, you don't need to find a kiosk or parking meter. Pay using your phone and license plate number – no ticket stub to worry about!
Using the AMP app or website
- Download the AMP Park app through Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store on your phone or use the AMP Mobile website (which you can do in advance or when you arrive).
- We recommend that you search for the app in your app store. There are QR codes in parking lots to download the app but these can be tampered with and potentially link to fraudulent websites.
- Once you're in the app or website, search for "C, N, W, and X Lots - Daily Flat Rate." The University of Waterloo will appear as a result.
- You don't need to adjust the duration because it's a daily flat rate good until 11:59 p.m.
- Tap "Add new vehicle" if you haven't used the app before to enter your licence plate number, province of registration, and make of car.
- Enter your payment information and you're done!
Need more info? Our Sustainable Transportation office offers further instructions for the AMP mobile app and the AMP website.
Search for the visitor parking lots in the AMP app or website.
Options if you don't have a smartphone or data
1. Pay online in advance (recommended).
Pay for parking online through the AMP website before travelling to campus. Step-by-step instructions are available on our Sustainable Transportation website.
2. Pay in person at the Sustainable Transportation office.
Once on campus, you can visit the Sustainable Transportation office, located on the first floor of the General Services Complex, to purchase a visitor parking ticket for the day.
3. Pay upon arrival.
Use the AMP desktop app in our Visitors Centre to pay for parking as soon as possible after arriving on campus. For this option, come in to the Visitors Centre in South Campus Hall and we can help! You'll need your licence plate number, make and model of your car, and a credit card.
Tips for your campus tour
Wear comfortable shoes and check the weather – it's a 90-minute walking tour. Your tour guide will be happy to answer your questions, so don't be shy, ask away! Here are some examples to get you started.
- Why did you decide to come to Waterloo?
- What do you like best about your program?
- What do you like best about Waterloo?
- What residence did you live in your first year?
- What did you find the most challenging during your first year here?
- What is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?
- What is a WatCard and where can I use it?
- How large will my classes be?
- What is the social life like at Waterloo?
- What activities can I get involved in on and off campus?