Carleton Campus Guide: Tunnels, O-Train Line 2, OC Transpo and the U-Pass

Carleton describes a contained campus next to downtown, bordered by neighbourhoods, the Rideau River and the historic Rideau Canal. Carleton's viewbook says five kilometres of accessible tunnels link all its buildings. You can get to the dining hall, food court, gym and class without going outside on a cold or rainy day.

Carleton publishes an online tunnel map you can view or download as a PDF. Some buildings connect differently, so check your own route before winter.

Line 2, formerly the Trillium Line, is running. It's a 19-kilometre line with 11 stations from Bayview, just west of downtown, to Limebank in the south. OC Transpo lists Carleton University as a key stop, at Carleton station. At Bayview you can transfer to Line 1 for downtown. At South Keys you can transfer to Line 4 for the airport.

OC Transpo routes 2, 7, 10 and 111 serve Carleton daily. Use OC Transpo's trip planner, or STO's for Gatineau, to plan your route.

Campus Avenue is closed for water main construction from August 6 until 6 p.m. on December 18, 2026. Routes 7, 10, 48 and 111 are detoured along University Drive and Daycare Roadway, and the Campus (west side) / Residence Commons stop isn't in use. Stop 3062, Carleton A, has moved to the west side of University Drive, outside the Facilities Maintenance Building. Allow extra time.

The U-Pass gives eligible students unlimited travel on OC Transpo and on STO in Gatineau. It lives on your Campus Card, which you tap on the bus or at any O-Train station. Only Para Transpo trips to rural zones need an extra fare. The pass is compulsory for eligible students, and the fee goes on your student account with tuition.

Undergraduates are eligible with 1.5 credits a term in fall and winter, or 1.0 credits in total over the summer. The fall and winter pass runs from September 1 to April 30.

Your Campus Card is your student ID, U-Pass, library card, athletics pass and residence door key. Carleton can only make it once you're registered for classes.

You can only opt out under Carleton's listed criteria. They include holding another Ottawa school's U-Pass, living outside the OC Transpo service area, a co-op or experiential term, an internship or research away from Ottawa for over 60 days a term, an exchange, studying fully online, CNIB registration, and some Paul Menton Centre cases. Living in the STO area doesn't qualify. Driving to campus isn't a reason to opt out.

Apply in Carleton Central after you register for courses. For a full refund, apply by September 14 for the fall term, January 14 for winter or May 14 for summer. Later approvals get a prorated refund.

Carleton's parking pages disagree for 2026-27. Its U-Pass page says student permits are only for students with an approved U-Pass waiver, but the parking permit page says a standard permit is open to all students. The parking page also says residence students are guaranteed a permit for one car on level 2 of the P18 garage. Confirm with Parking Services before you bring a car.