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Saskatoon charter buses: river routes, bylaws and day trips

In Saskatoon, the river shapes a coach route more than traffic does. City bylaw keeps heavy vehicles off some riverbank streets, and two central bridges carry weight limits.

Streets a coach cannot use

Traffic Bylaw 7200 bars vehicles over 5,000 kg gross weight from Saskatchewan Crescent between the Broadway Bridge and the University Bridge, and from St. Henry Avenue between Hilliard Street and Taylor Street. A loaded coach is well over that. The Broadway and University bridges carry a 37,500 kg limit.

If the group is staying near the river or visiting the university, send the addresses and the operator will route around those streets.

Full-size coach interior with reclining seats and aisle
Full-size coach interior with reclining seats and aisle

Hotel curbs and downtown stops

Hotel loading zones have a 15-minute limit. Any other use of the public right-of-way needs a City right-of-way permit. The 23rd Street bus mall between 2nd and 3rd Avenue is a Saskatoon Transit zone, not a charter stop. Have the group ready in the lobby before the coach pulls in.

TCU Place downtown combines convention space with the Sid Buckwold Theatre. SaskTel Centre holds about 15,000 and hosts Blades hockey, Rush lacrosse and Mamba basketball.

Airports serving Saskatoon

Stadiums and arenas

  • SaskTel Centre — Saskatoon Blades (WHL), Saskatchewan Rush (NLL lacrosse), Saskatoon Mamba (CEBL basketball); about 15,000 capacity
  • Sid Buckwold Theatre (TCU Place) — Touring shows, concerts and Broadway productions

Day trips and transfers from Saskatoon

  • Wanuskewin Heritage Park — about 17 km from downtown, about 20 min
  • Batoche National Historic Site — about 90 km, about 1 h
  • Manitou Beach (Little Manitou Lake) — about 120 km, about 1.5 h
  • Prince Albert National Park (Waskesiu) — about 230 km, about 2.5 h
  • Regina — about 240 km, about 2.5 h

Coach rules in Saskatoon

  • Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) is about 7 km north-west of downtown, about 15 min.
  • Saskatchewan stays on Central Standard Time all year (no daylight saving time), so its clock matches Alberta in summer and Manitoba in winter; check connection times with other provinces.
  • City of Saskatoon Traffic Bylaw 7200: vehicles over 5,000 kg gross weight may not use Saskatchewan Crescent between the Broadway Bridge and the University Bridge, or St. Henry Avenue between Hilliard Street and Taylor Street; the Broadway and University bridges carry a 37,500 kg limit.
  • The 23rd Street bus mall between 2nd and 3rd Avenue downtown is a Saskatoon Transit zone.
  • The city's hotel loading zones have a 15-minute limit; any other use of the public right-of-way needs a City right-of-way permit.
  • Wanuskewin Heritage Park has motorcoach parking and takes pre-booked guided groups of 10 to 160.

Pick-ups at YXE

Saskatoon's airport is about 7 km north-west of downtown, about 15 minutes. It is private property, and only authorized parties may pick up there. Commercial vehicles licensed with the airport pay a pick-up and drop-off fee. Book through an operator that is set up with the airport, and leave the curb details to them.

One time zone all year

Saskatchewan stays on Central Standard Time year-round. Its clock matches Alberta in summer and Manitoba in winter. Check connection times carefully when a group crosses provincial lines.

Stops inside the city

Other group stops include the Remai Modern gallery on the riverbank, the recreated 1910 boomtown street at the Western Development Museum, the Diefenbaker Canada Centre on the university campus and the Forestry Farm Park and Zoo in the north-east. Send the order of visits and the operator will plan the route and the loading points between them.

Questions

Can a coach park at Wanuskewin Heritage Park?

Yes. It has motorcoach parking and takes pre-booked guided groups of 10 to 160. It is about 20 minutes from downtown.

What longer day trips work from Saskatoon?

Batoche National Historic Site is about an hour. Manitou Beach is about an hour and a half, and Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park about 2.5 h.

How long is the drive to Regina?

About 240 km, roughly two and a half hours.

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