Practical Information

London, Ontario

The Aromatic Universe conference will be held in London, Ontario — a vibrant university city in the heart of southwestern Ontario, Canada. Situated in the Great Lakes region between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, London offers easy access to some of Ontario’s most spectacular natural landscapes, including the Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay, and Algonquin Provincial Park. Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is less than two hours to the northeast, and the world-famous Niagara Falls is about two hours to the east.

More information about London can be found at London Tourism.

Conference Venue

The conference will take place on the campus of Western University (1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7). Sessions will be held in Thames Hall; further details about the venue and room locations will be provided closer to the conference. Campus maps are available on the university website.

Entry Requirements for Canada

Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

  • US citizens do not need a visa or eTA, but must carry a valid passport.
  • Citizens of visa-exempt countries (including most EU member states, the UK, Australia, Japan, and others) need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The eTA can be applied for online, costs 7 CAD, and is typically approved within minutes.
  • All other nationalities will need to apply for a visitor visa, which may take several weeks or longer to process. We strongly encourage early application.

To find out what you need, please visit the Government of Canada’s entry requirements page.

If you require an invitation letter for your visa application, please contact us at .

Traveling to London

London can be reached via three international airports.

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Toronto Pearson is the closest major international airport, located approximately 180 km northeast of London. Ground transportation options include:

  • Shuttle: Robert Q Airbus operates direct airport shuttles to London (~2 hr 15 min, ~90 CAD + tax one-way).
  • Bus: FlixBus and Onexbus run services from Pearson to downtown London and/or the Western University campus (2–3 hours, fares from ~25 CAD + tax one-way).
  • Rental car: Available at the airport; the drive takes approximately 2 hours.

London International Airport (YXU)

London’s own airport is just 12 km from campus and offers direct flights to Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and select seasonal destinations. Ground transportation to campus is available by city bus or taxi, Uber, or rental car.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is approximately 225 km southwest of London, across the US–Canada border, and often offers competitive international fares.

  • Shuttle: Robert Q operates direct shuttles from DTW to London (~3.5 hours, ~130 CAD + tax one-way).
  • Bus: You can combine the Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) shuttle from DTW to downtown Detroit (~1 hour, 6 USD + tax) with a FlixBus from downtown Detroit to London (3–3.5 hours, fares from ~30 CAD + tax). The DAX drop-off point is approximately a 10-minute walk from the FlixBus stop.
  • Rental car: Available at the airport.

Please note: If you are traveling via Detroit, ensure you have the appropriate documentation to enter or transit through the United States.

Getting around in London

London’s public transit system (LTC) serves the Western University campus and most parts of the city. Uber is also widely available. The Western campus is walkable, and campus maps can be found here.

Weather

London enjoys warm summers. In early July, expect lots of sunshine and daytime temperatures of 25–30°C (77–86°F) with significant humidity. Afternoons can bring occasional thunderstorms, so a light rain jacket is worth packing. Evenings are pleasant, typically cooling to around 15–18°C (59–64°F).

WiFi on campus

Western University offers Eduroam wireless access across campus. If your home institution participates in Eduroam, please make sure your device is configured before you arrive. Alternative WiFi will be available for conference participants without Eduroam access.

Exploring the Region

If you are extending your stay, southwestern Ontario has plenty to offer in the summer:

  • London — a lively city with excellent restaurants, festivals, and the scenic Thames Valley Parkway trail system along the Thames River.
  • Stratford (~45 minutes) — a charming town renowned for the Stratford Festival, one of North America’s premier theatre festivals, running throughout the summer.
  • Grand Bend & Lake Huron (~1 hour) — stunning sandy beaches and spectacular sunsets over Lake Huron, perfect for a half-day or evening trip. Nearby Pinery Provincial Park offers beautiful trails through rare oak savanna and coastal dunes.
  • Elora Gorge (~1.5 hours) — a dramatic limestone gorge surrounded by a picturesque village with shops, restaurants, and hiking trails.
  • Toronto (~2 hours) — world-class museums, dining, and the iconic CN Tower.
  • Niagara Falls (~2 hours) — one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders.
  • Point Pelee National Park (~2.5 hours) — Canada’s southernmost mainland point, renowned for birdwatching and monarch butterfly migration.
  • Bruce Peninsula & Georgian Bay (~3 hours) — turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, the famous Grotto, and Bruce Peninsula National Park.
  • Algonquin Provincial Park (~4 hours) — iconic Canadian wilderness with canoeing, hiking, and wildlife.

For more ideas on exploring the province, visit Destination Ontario.

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