U of A Students Union Edmonton Budget Guide
Emergency Numbers: Police:
911| Medical / Fire:911| Local Currency:CAD(1 USD ≈1.36CAD)
Map of Budget Spots
Section titled “Map of Budget Spots”Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation
Section titled “Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation”No budget hostels or emergency shelters found inside this district.
Cheap Groceries & Free Meals
Section titled “Cheap Groceries & Free Meals”- Supermarket Discount Hours: Not common
- Best Cheap Eats: SUB food court offers various fast-food options; ‘Dewey’s’ or ‘Room at the Top’ for student-priced meals.
Discount Supermarkets
Section titled “Discount Supermarkets”| Supermarket | Best Budget Buys | Address (Google Maps) |
|---|---|---|
| SUBmart | Store-brand snacks, instant noodles, and basic grocery staples | 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7 |
Free Meals & Food Banks
Section titled “Free Meals & Food Banks”No free meal centers or food pantries located directly in this district.
Free Water & Public Restrooms
Section titled “Free Water & Public Restrooms”Free Drinking Water Points
Section titled “Free Drinking Water Points”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Students’ Union Building (SUB) Water Refill Stations | 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7 | Multiple filtered water bottle refill stations located throughout the building, accessible during building hours. |
Free Public Toilets
Section titled “Free Public Toilets”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Hours & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SUB Public Washrooms | 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7 | Accessible, multi-stall washrooms located on multiple floors of the Students’ Union Building. |
Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers
Section titled “Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers”Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets
Section titled “Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets”| Place | Address (Google Maps) | Wi-Fi & Desk Details |
|---|---|---|
| Students’ Union Building (SUB) Lounge | 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7 | Free UofA Guest Wi-Fi, abundant power outlets in lounge seating areas, open late. |
Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.
Cheap Showers & Public Baths
Section titled “Cheap Showers & Public Baths”| Location | Cost | Address (Google Maps) | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Vliet Complex (U of A) | 15 CAD | 116 St & 85 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3 | Requires a day pass for access to fitness facilities and change room showers. |
Getting Around Cheaply
Section titled “Getting Around Cheaply”- Best Way to Move Around: LRT (Light Rail Transit) - University Station
- Standard Fare:
3.5CAD - Transit Scams to Avoid: None
SIM Cards & Internet
Section titled “SIM Cards & Internet”- Best Budget Carrier: Public Mobile / Freedom Mobile / Chatr
- How to Keep Data Costs Low: Freedom Mobile $99/year prepaid plan or Public Mobile points-discounted monthly plans.
Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid
Section titled “Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid”Common Local Scams
Section titled “Common Local Scams”| Scam | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Solicitation for donations | Politely decline and keep walking; do not engage with individuals asking for money for ‘charity’ on campus. |
Areas to Avoid at Night:
Section titled “Areas to Avoid at Night:”None