Planning your trip to Barrie is easy, whether you’re driving, taking transit, or exploring scenic routes. For a detailed road map, you can call or visit Tourism Barrie’s Visitor Information Centre. If you prefer to avoid major highways and enjoy a more relaxed, picturesque journey, explore our suggested alternate country drives to Barrie.
How to reach Tourism Barrie’s Visitor Information Centre at 4 Essa Road:
From Hwy 400 (Exit 94 – Essa Rd):
Exit at Essa Road (Exit 94) and head north toward downtown Barrie. Continue straight, and you’ll find our office at 4 Essa Road, right at the corner of Essa Road and Tiffin Street.
From Hwy 27 (coming north from Toronto):
Follow Hwy 27 north (which becomes Essa Road) into Barrie. Continue on Essa Road until you reach Tiffin Street. Our office is located at 4 Essa Road, at the corner of Essa and Tiffin.
Travelling By Transit
Travelling to and around Barrie is easier than ever with the city’s expanded transit options. The new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal, located at 20 Essa Road (Essa Road/Tiffin Street), is a key inter-regional hub offering seamless connections between GO Trains, GO Buses, Ontario Northland, Simcoe County LINX, and Barrie Transit. The terminal also provides convenient fare sales for both Barrie Transit and Ontario Northland, making travel across the region and into the Greater Toronto Area simple and accessible.
Within the city, Barrie Transit continues to provide reliable local service, now enhanced by the Downtown Mini Hub on Maple Avenue. This hub features sheltered waiting areas, heated facilities, and real-time bus displays, offering riders direct and convenient access to the heart of downtown. Together, these hubs create a smooth, integrated transit experience for visitors and residents travelling in and around Barrie.
Travelling By Car
Common Routes From Toronto:
Hwy 400 North (Most Common. Approximate travel time: 1 Hour)
Hwy 27 North (Passing through Nobleton, Cookstown)
Yonge Street North (Passing through Newmarket, Bradford)
From Lester B. Pearson International Airport:
- Take Hwy 409 out of the airport (heading East)
- Follow Hwy 409 to Hwy 401 East
- Follow Hwy 401 East to Hwy 400
- Take Hwy 400 North to Barrie
From North Bay
- Take Hwy 11 South out of North Bay
- Follow Hwy 11 through Sundridge, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Orillia
- Hwy 11 ends north of Barrie and merges with Hwy 400.
- Follow Hwy 400 South into Barrie.
Total Est. Distance: 250 km. Total Est. Time: 3 hours, 33 minutes
From Sudbury
- Take Hwy 69 South out of Sudbury
- Follow Hwy 69 through Parry Sound to the Hwy 400 Extension
- Follow Hwy 400 south to Barrie
Total Est. Distance: 300 km. Total Est. Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
From Peterborough
- Take Hwy 115 South from Peterborough
- Follow to Hwy 401 and take Hwy 401 West
- Follow Hwy 401 into Toronto and take Hwy 400 North to Barrie
Total Est. Distance: 160 km. Total Est. Time: 2.5 hrs
From Owen Sound
- Take Hwy 26 East out of Owen Sound
- Follow Hwy 26 through Collingwood and Stayner
- Hwy 26 ends at Hwy 27 near Barrie. Turn right onto Hwy 27 and follow into Barrie
Total Est. Distance: 120 km. Total Est. Time: 2 hrs and 20 mins
From Kitchener/ Waterloo
- Take Hwy 401 East out of Kitchener/ Waterloo
- Follow Hwy 401 East to Hwy 400 North
- Take Hwy 400 North to Barrie
Total Est. Distance: 155 km. Total Est. Time: 2 hrs
