I’d start with Ontario Northland, especially if you want to visit several towns. Greyhound Canada closed its domestic services in May 2021, so advice recommending it is out of date. [Greyhound’s announcement](https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/greyhound-canada-closes-its-services-in-canada-839752331.html)

| Option | Good for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Northland | Visiting towns and travelling farther north | Routes include Toronto to North Bay via Barrie and Toronto to Sudbury via Parry Sound, with onward services toward Timmins, Cochrane, Hearst, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. Check stops and connections in its [route schedules](https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/travel/pdf-schedules). |
| FlixBus | Comparing prices for a direct trip | Advertised one-way fares start at C$43.98 from Toronto to North Bay and C$59.98 from Toronto to Sudbury. Check prices for your dates: [North Bay](https://www.flixbus.ca/bus-routes/toronto-on-north-bay-on), [Sudbury](https://www.flixbus.ca/bus-routes/toronto-on-sudbury-on). |
| Poparide | Organised carpooling | Drivers list spare seats, including on the [Toronto to North Bay route](https://www.poparide.com/en-ca/travel/toronto-on/north-bay-on). Availability depends on drivers’ plans. Check the return journey and the pickup and drop-off locations. |
| Parkbus | Countryside, hiking and camping trips | Runs trips from Toronto to places such as Algonquin Park, with guided and independent outings. It’s useful if you mainly want to spend time in nature, though it has no general town-to-town network. [Parkbus](https://www.parkbus.ca/algonquin) |
| VIA Rail | Trips where the train journey is part of the attraction | Trains from Toronto to Sudbury Junction run only twice a week. VIA also runs a Sudbury to White River service. The limited schedule makes town hopping less flexible. [Toronto to Sudbury Junction](https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/ontario-and-quebec/toronto-to-sudbury-jct), [train schedules](https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/train-schedules). |

For a first budget trip, I’d choose one or two places along the same bus corridor. Consider Parry Sound for a smaller-town visit or North Bay as a northern base. If by “Northern Ontario” you mainly mean cottage country north of Toronto, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville are also on Ontario Northland’s Highway 11 corridor.

Before booking, check how you’ll get around after arrival. Look at the distance from the bus stop to your accommodation, the waterfront and any attractions you want to visit. A cheap intercity ticket can lose its advantage if you need taxis to reach everything. Stay centrally, compare both bus operators where available, and book your return connection in advance.