Public transportation, apps, and currency

Public transportation

Getting from place to place in Winnipeg is easy! Bus routes will take you all around the city, with multiple stops to take you where you need to go.

Getting to the U of M's Fort Garry campus is easy. Both Winnipeg Transit’s Navigo tool and Google Maps will show you a timetable of where you need to go and when with just the click of a couple buttons. Click here for some tips about what to do and how to use Winnipeg Transit.

Post-secondary bus passes, bus tickets, and peggo cards can be purchased on campus at Answers in UMSU University Centre. For more information about transit fares, please visit winnipegtransit.com/en/fares/transit-fares.

Smart phone apps

We asked some students which Apps they use most often, and which Apps would be useful for new students. Here are the top suggestions:

ICM Transit Transit App displays all nearby transport options and departure times instantly, and includes detailed information for 87 cities, including Winnipeg.
App Store Icon Google Play Icon
Zabihah Zabihah Get this free app for the best way to find Winnipeg’s wide selection of Halal food. Whether it be a Halal restaurant, market, or mosque this app will help you get what you need! 
App Store Icon1 Google Play Icon1
Skipthedishes@75x75 With SkipTheDishes, you can get food delivered on-demand (or in-advance) from hundreds of local restaurants – just type in your address (or let the app find you), and see who delivers to you!
ICM App Store Image GP Icon
Uber-Eats@75x75 Uber Eats Get the food you want, from the restaurants you love, delivered at Uber speed.

App Store Icon2 Google Play
Tapp-car@75x75 TappCar lets you find the closest car for hire in just a few taps. We have different car types to suit all budgets and specialized services to meet local needs.
iosApp Google Play
Zomato@75x75 Zomato There are so many restaurant options in Winnipeg that it can be hard to choose where to eat! Use the Zomato app to get up-to-date reviews on restaurants as well as find restaurants in the food category that you are looking for.
app-store-icon3 Google Play Icon2

Canadian currency

Canadian coins are available in the following denominations:

  • $0.05 = 5 cents / a "nickel"

  • $0.10 = 10 cents / a "dime"

  • $0.25 = 25 cents / a "quarter"

  • $1.00 = 1 dollar / a "loonie"

  • $2.00 = 2 dollars / a "toonie"

As the one cent coin is no longer in circulation, cash payments are rounded, either up or down, to the nearest five-cent increment. Payments by credit card or debit card will be charged to the cent.

Canadian bank notes, or bills, are available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. Not all vendors accept $100 bills, so it is best to carry smaller ones. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted.

We advise you to have $200 CDN in cash on you when arriving in Canada. Please refrain from keeping large sums of cash on your person.

Banking

Large financial institutions in Canada include Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Bank of Montreal (BMO), TD Canada Trust, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and Scotiabank. Most banks offer special student rates and offer complimentary internet and telephone banking services.

To open a bank account in Canada, you will need your passport, ICM student ID card (provided after Orientation) or Letter of Offer and Letter of Acceptance, proof of registration at ICM and official documentation verifying your Canadian address (such as a phone bill, tenant agreement, or U of M Residence contract).

To obtain a credit card you need to speak with your bank.

CIBC has banking machines on campus at the U of M, where if you would like to take out money and belong to the bank you will not be required to pay added withdrawal fees.

Transferring funds to Canada

Money can be wired from your home country to your Canadian Bank Account once it is open. You can also obtain a bank draft and bring it with you to Manitoba. Be advised that Canadian banks can put long holds on deposits, sometimes up to 20 business days. Make sure to keep copies of all your transaction records for future reference.

Sales tax

Purchases in Canada are subject to Sales Tax. Note that these taxes are not usually indicated on the price tag and will be added to the price of most goods and services when you pay.