University of Waterloo Location

University of Waterloo Location

University of Waterloo Conference Location - Game Institute

The Games Institute is located in East Campus 1 (EC1) at the University of Waterloo East Campus.  
 
The GPS Address for the Institute is: 

175 Columbia Street West,  
Waterloo, ON,  
N2L 5Z5 
CANADA 

Game Institute

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Getting to Waterloo

Important Notes about travelling to Canada

  • Additionally, you will need to apply for a VISA or eTA. Check for which one you are available for on the Government of Canada website. If you require a VISA, please let us know during the registration - or email us if you need one earlier.  

  • Air Canada passengers arriving at Pearson Airport are now able to take a coach bus connection to Region of Waterloo International Airport. Travellers that choose this option would then need to arrange transportation from the Region of Waterloo International Airport to their final location. 

  • Canadian weather in March is VERY capricious! We can either have warm weather, or one meter of snow! Please monitor the weather close to the conference dates and plan accordingly!

Travelling to and from Waterloo

ARRIVAL from Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Arrival from Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Airways Transit

Airways Transit offers shuttle service (for groups or individuals) to Waterloo with an in-airport guide for bothTerminal 1 and Terminal 3 here.  

Pearson Taxi Services -

This is an estimate for travelling via taxi from Mississauga to Waterloo (airport pickup). Taxis can be pre-arranged by calling specific companies, but they are also waiting in a designated area outside the airport.  

Pearson Transit Hub -

Includes public transit, car rental/arranging, and other links.  

GO Transit  

Bus and train services for Southern Ontario. More information can be found on the Going to the Airport with GO Transit website. E-tickets are available to purchase ahead of time. If you are landing at Pearson International Airport, you can take GO Bus Route 40 from Pearson Airport Terminal 1 to Square One Terminal. From there, you can take Route 25 or 25C to the University of Waterloo. Please note that Route 25C is the express bus route. You can check out the cost on this website.   

  

Go Transit is the most budget-friendly option. As of November 2022, the price from Pearson International Airport to Waterloo is around 17.55 CAD (tax included) one way; however, this is subject to change. .  

Car Rental

The most popular Car Rental service in Canada isEnterprise. 

  • Canadians drive on the right-hand side of the road.  

  • Most rental companies in Canada require you to be at least 21. If you are under 25, you may have to pay for additional insurance. 

RETURNING to Pearson International Airpor (YYZ)

RETURNING to Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

From Kitchener/Waterloo 

Airways Transit: 1-800-691-3045, (519) 886-2121  

Kitchener Airport Taxi: (888) 805-9998  

From Toronto’s Union Station (downtown Toronto) 

Up Express is a train that runs between Toronto (Union Station) and the Airport (both ways).  

ARRIVAL from Union Station, Toronto

ARRIVAL from Union Station, Toronto

GO Transit offers the most consistent/available public transit route from Toronto to Waterloo.  

Car rentals are available from downtown at the Union Station (as well).  

Use google maps for relatively accurate integrations of public transit routes and delays, including Go Transit as well as local GRT (Kitchener/Waterloo) transit.  

The Transit App is generally accurate for all Canadian cities  

ARRIVAL from Waterloo International Airport (YKF)

ARRIVAL from Waterloo International Airport (YKF)

Grand River Transit (GRT) 

Route 79 Breslau - ON DEMAND 

Route 79 Breslau operates Monday to Friday, 6-10 a.m., 2-6 p.m. and 10:45 – 11:45 p.m. You can book your trip up to 2 days in advance using the GRT Flex App. 

Pick up/Drop off Locations 

  • Kitchener Train Station (New) 

  • Central Station (NEW)

  • Region of Waterloo International Airport

Download the GRT Flex App available in the App Store or Google Play Store. For help with planning your trip or using the app, call 519-585-7555. 

Visit grt.ca/Breslau for more information. 

Car Rental 
The Region of Waterloo International Airport offers on-site car rental service from two well-known companies. You will find car rental counters for Avis and Enterprise in the Domestic Arrivals Building located directly beside the Air Terminal Building.
Car rental listings:
  1. www.avis.com - located outside the main Air Terminal Building.
  2. www.enterprise.ca - located inside the main Air Terminal Building.

Waterloo Taxi Services 

Taxi Drivers and Metered Taxi Vehicles that pick up passengers from YKF are licensed by the Region of Waterloo. Taxis  are available at taxi stand located outside the main entrance at YKF.

Taxi listings:

  1. City Cabs 

  1. Goden Triangle Taxi 

  1. United Taxi 

  1. Waterloo Taxi 
Getting to the Games Institute

Getting to the Games Institute

As of January 20, 2025, the pay-and-display machines at UW visitor lots will be decommissioned. When visiting the UW campus (and the GI specifically), please use AMP  mobile pay app which will allow you to pay for parking using your license plate, view pictures of parking location for easy reference, renew parking sessions from your phone, and more. The app can be found in app stores for download.

You can alsoregister through the AMP app website. Payment can be done using a credit card via secure online transaction. 

The closest parking to the East Campus 1 building, where the GI is located, is marked with a letter 'Q'. 

Public Transportation within Waterloo

Grand River Transit (GRT) is the local transit authority. Transit buses accept cash only for fares, which are $3.75 per trip. Fare cards can be purchased at ION stations for multi-day passes. Visit the GRT Fares page for more details. 

  • GRT System Map - the system map includes ION light rail and all GRT bus routes. Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge are included in the same map.

Walking from ION train station

ION light rail travels between Conestoga station in Waterloo and Fairway station in Kitchener, with a total of 19 stations along the route. The closet ION train station to the EC1 - Games Institute is called University of Waterloo.

University of Waterloo Station features train platforms for ION light rail and new bus platforms between Phillip Street and Ring Road, opposite the Davis Centre.

  • Exit the ION station onto bus platform toward Philips street.
  • Walk toward Philips street.
  • Turn left just before the Philips street and walk toward EC 1 - Games Institute.
  • Enter EC1 - The Games Institute

ACOMMODATIONS

The conference has secured limited blocks of rooms at discounted rates in two hotels in the Kitchener-Waterloo area: The Crowne Plaza and The Delta Hotel. Please refer to the hotels' website for terms and conditions.

The details for each hotel included below.  

Delta Hotels Waterloo

Delta Hotel is located in uptown Waterloo and is 2 km from the Games Institute. It offers restaurant, pool, hot tub, fitness center, free wi-fi and more.

Method of Reservations

Reservations for the Event must be made by the individual directly on ResLink, the customized event booking platform provided by the Hotel.  Additionally, reservations can also be made at 1 (888) 236-2427. 

Delta Hotels Waterloo Details

Start Date 

End Date 

Room Type 

Single 

Double 

03/03/2025 

03/05/2025 

Standard Guest Room One King 

$229.00 

$229.00 

03/03/2025 

03/05/2025 

Standard Guest Room Two Queen 

$229.00 

$229.00 

*Please note additional costs for triple and quad occupancy may apply.* 

  

Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable tax and fees, currently 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) (All tax and fees are subject to change without notice).  All rates & pricing are quoted and payable in Canadian funds. 

 

METHOD OF RESERVATIONS 

Reservations for the Event must be made by the individual directly on ResLink, the customized event booking platform provided by the Hotel.  Additionally, reservations can also be made at 1 (888) 236-2427. 

Book your group rate for International Conference on Games and Narrative 2025 Room Block

Please note the cut-off date for the block of rooms is Tuesday February 4th 2025.

GUARANTEED RESERVATIONS 

All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. Attendees will pay all guest room charges (cash paying guests may be asked to leave a cash or credit card deposit to guarantee payment).

Reservations for all guests must be received on or before Tuesday, February 4, 2025, (the “Cutoff Date”).  After the Cutoff Date, the hotel will release any unreserved rooms for general sale and, in the hotel’s discretion, will accept reservations at University of Waterloo’s group rate, on a space and rate available basis. 

Guestroom reservations may be cancelled up until 72 hours local time prior to arrival with no penalty.  Cancellations received after this time will be subject to one night’s room & tax, applied to the credit card used to guarantee the reservation. 

 

  • Complimentary Self-Parking will be provided and will be included in the Guest Room rate, over the contracted Event dates. Parking is based upon availability. 

Attendees of the Event are NOT authorized to resell room reservations from this block of rooms.

Please be aware that bad actors can impersonate Hotel employees. Attendees should never rely solely on contact information sent in an email or respond directly to any email requesting a bank account information change.  If attendees receive a request from Hotel regarding bank account information, they should contact the Hotel via verified phone number or in person to confirm the request prior to providing such information.

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Crowne Plaza Hotel is located in downtown Kitchener and is 6 km from the Games Institute. It offers restaurant, pool, fitness center, free wi-fi and other.

Method of Reservations

Please call the Reservations Department at 519-744-4141 or the Global Reservations Centre at 1-877-408-6665. Guests must identify themselves as being with your group (Group Code: for ease of booking). 

Crowne Plaza Hotel Kitchener Details

Room Type Rate – dates as above 

Standard Two Queens C$169.00  

Accessible King C$169.00  

• The rate includes breakfast for one person. Additional breakfast available at $20 per person. 

• All Prices are in Canadian Dollars per room per night and for the mentioned dates on a Single / Double occupancy basis. 

• 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) & HST – 13 % applicable (The hotel assumes no responsibility for a change in tax rate). 

• Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. 

• Guest room allotments are subject to availability at the time of booking. While the hotel will make every effort to accommodate your reservation requirements; we will assign room types according to availability on that day. 

Note: The above room block has a cut-off date of February 1, 2025. Any unutilized rooms in the block will be released if not confirmed with payment before the cut-off date. The addition or reinstatement of rooms after the cut-off date will be based on availability at the original contracted rate. If not, the prevailing rack rate is applicable. 

Reservation Procedure 

Attendees are responsible for making their reservations. Please call the Reservations Department at 519-744-4141 or the Global Reservations Centre at 1-877-408-6665. Guests must identify themselves as being with your group (Group Code: for ease of booking). 

Attendees will pay all guest room charges (cash paying guests may be asked to leave a cash or credit card deposit to guarantee payment). 

 

Cancellation Policy 

72 hour before the check in date 

Tourist Information

St. Jacobs

St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada

It is a charming village in Ontario known for its rich Mennonite heritage, artisanal shops, and scenic beauty. Visitors can explore the renowned St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, boutique stores, and galleries, or enjoy local dining and countryside trails. It’s a perfect destination for a day trip blending culture, history, and nature.

Waterloo Public Scating Rink

Uptown Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Opened in 2009, Waterloo Public Square is a place for people to gather in the heart of the city. The square features an outdoor free skating rink during cold weather months. Check our outdoor rinks page to check opening hours and rink rules.

Willow River Center

Kitchener, Ontario, Waterloo

Land Back Camp is an Indigenous-led initiative in Kitchener-Waterloo, dedicated to reclaiming space for Indigenous culture, education, and community-building. Visitors are welcome to learn about the rich traditions and histories of the Indigenous peoples in the area.

THEMUSEUM

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Located in downtown Kitchener, THEMUSEUM is an innovative cultural space blending art, technology, and science. It offers exhibits, installations, and engaging events for all ages. A hub for creativity and exploration, THEMUSEUM is perfect for curious minds seeking unique experiences. 

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

In true Canadian fashion, set out along the 4.5km maintained trail by cross-country skiing at Grand River Conservation Authority - Laurel Creek.

Equipment rentals are available on-site, so you don’t need to worry about a thing!

Earth Sciences Museum at University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

The University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Museum is open for people of all ages to enjoy, for FREE. IT offers engaging exhibits on geology, paleontology, and natural history. Visitors can explore fossils, minerals, and interactive displays that bring the wonders of Earth’s past to life.