Getting around Toronto

The best ways to get around Toronto

The UP Express from Pearson, the TTC subway, streetcars and buses, PRESTO and the day pass, taxis and Uber, and Niagara by GO train. Here is how to get around Toronto, with honest advice on which fare pays off, how to get from the airport to your hotel and which tickets you can’t cancel.

By the Best Travel Destinations editorial team 6 tickets compared Live prices on GetYourGuide

A red Toronto streetcar at night, reflected in a wet street

Short answer

The best way to get around Toronto is the TTC subway, streetcar and bus, at CA$3.30 a ride when you tap a PRESTO card or your own bank card. From Pearson airport, the UP Express reaches Union Station in 28 minutes for CA$9.25 with PRESTO or CA$12.35 on a paper ticket. You don’t need a car in the city. It only helps for wine country or several stops outside Toronto in one day.

The 6 rides and passes we would book

Two Niagara transfers, three sightseeing buses and the Toronto CityPASS. All six show free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide.

from €60 per person Our top pick

4.4 (215) reviews on GetYourGuide

Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls shared transfer

A shared ride from Pearson to your door on the Canadian side of the Falls. It includes one suitcase and two carry-ons, plus road tolls. There is no pickup at the curb: check in at the ground transportation desk. In Terminal 1 that is Area P on the ground transportation level. In Terminal 3 it is beside Door C on the arrivals level.

Best for Straight from the plane to the Falls
Check availability: Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls shared transfer on GetYourGuide
from €102 per person

2 hours 4.8 (26) reviews on GetYourGuide

Downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls shared shuttle

A door-to-door shared shuttle between downtown Toronto and Niagara Falls, about 2 hours each way. It includes one suitcase and two carry-ons, plus road tolls. Extra bags cost more.

Best for Niagara without the train change
Check availability: Downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls shared shuttle on GetYourGuide
from €45 per person

24 or 48 hours 4.2 (3,058) reviews on GetYourGuide

City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus

A 24- or 48-hour ticket for 13 stops near the big sights. Commentary is a live guide in English or audio in 9 languages. The bus starts at Sankofa Square, 1 Dundas Street East. From mid-November to March, buses leave only every 2 hours, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Best for Sights and a ride in one
Check availability: City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus on GetYourGuide
from €53 per person

24 or 48 hours 4.4 (337) reviews on GetYourGuide

Hop-on hop-off bus with a harbour cruise

The double-decker bus plus the Harbour and Islands cruise, on a 24- or 48-hour ticket. The audio commentary is in an app, so bring headphones. It does not suit wheelchair users.

Best for Bus and boat in one ticket
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off bus with a harbour cruise on GetYourGuide
from €32 per person

1 h 30 min 4.4 (199) reviews on GetYourGuide

Night sightseeing tour on a double-decker

A 1.5-hour evening loop with live commentary and a seat on the upper deck. It is not hop-on hop-off: you stay on the bus. Check the forecast and dress for the weather.

Best for City lights from the top deck
Check availability: Night sightseeing tour on a double-decker on GetYourGuide
from €98 per person

9-day ticket 4.6 (210) reviews on GetYourGuide

Toronto CityPASS

Entry to the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, plus 3 of these 5: the ROM, City Cruises, Casa Loma, the Toronto Zoo and the Art Gallery of Ontario. It is valid 9 days from first use. The CN Tower, the ROM, City Cruises and the gallery need a reservation in the CityPASS app.

Best for Five big sights on one pass
Check availability: Toronto CityPASS on GetYourGuide

Toronto rides and passes compared

Toronto rides and passes compared
Ticket	From	Duration	Good to know	Who it suits	Why we picked it
Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls shared transfer 4.4 (215)	€60 per person	Not stated	Desk at arrivals: T1 Area P, T3 Door C	Straight from the plane to the Falls	No train change and no driving after a long flight.
Downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls shared shuttle 4.8 (26)	€102 per person	2 hours	Rated 4.86, from 26 reviews	Niagara without the train change	Door to door, so no change at Burlington or at the GO station.
City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus 4.2 (3,058)	€45 per person	24 or 48 hours	Every 2 hours, mid-November to March	Sights and a ride in one	A live guide, and the most reviews of the six.
Hop-on hop-off bus with a harbour cruise 4.4 (337)	€53 per person	24 or 48 hours	Bring headphones	Bus and boat in one ticket	It adds a harbour cruise, which the bus ticket alone does not include.
Night sightseeing tour on a double-decker 4.4 (199)	€32 per person	1 h 30 min	Not hop-on hop-off	City lights from the top deck	The city lit up in 90 minutes, with a guide talking.
Toronto CityPASS 4.6 (210)	€98 per person	9-day ticket	Attractions only, not transit	Five big sights on one pass	The big sights on one pass. It does not cover the TTC.

Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls shared transfer
€60 per person 4.4 (215)
Details
Good to know
Desk at arrivals: T1 Area P, T3 Door C
Who it suits
Straight from the plane to the Falls
Why we picked it
No train change and no driving after a long flight.
Downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls shared shuttle
€102 per person2 hours 4.8 (26)
Details
Good to know
Rated 4.86, from 26 reviews
Who it suits
Niagara without the train change
Why we picked it
Door to door, so no change at Burlington or at the GO station.
City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus
€45 per person24 or 48 hours 4.2 (3,058)
Details
Good to know
Every 2 hours, mid-November to March
Who it suits
Sights and a ride in one
Why we picked it
A live guide, and the most reviews of the six.
Hop-on hop-off bus with a harbour cruise
€53 per person24 or 48 hours 4.4 (337)
Details
Good to know
Bring headphones
Who it suits
Bus and boat in one ticket
Why we picked it
It adds a harbour cruise, which the bus ticket alone does not include.
Night sightseeing tour on a double-decker
€32 per person1 h 30 min 4.4 (199)
Details
Good to know
Not hop-on hop-off
Who it suits
City lights from the top deck
Why we picked it
The city lit up in 90 minutes, with a guide talking.
Toronto CityPASS
€98 per person9-day ticket 4.6 (210)
Details
Good to know
Attractions only, not transit
Who it suits
Five big sights on one pass
Why we picked it
The big sights on one pass. It does not cover the TTC.

None of the six states a group size.
Only the downtown shuttle picks you up at your door. The airport transfer starts at the ground transportation desk, and the buses start at Sankofa Square.
All 6 offer free cancellation.
Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Pearson airport to Toronto: train, bus, taxi or transfer

28 min: UP Express to Union Station
CA$9.25: UP Express with PRESTO
CA$3.30: TTC bus and subway, one fare

The fastest way from Pearson to downtown is the UP Express train. It reaches Union Station in 28 minutes and runs every 15 minutes.

It costs CA$9.25 with PRESTO or CA$12.35 on a paper ticket, and children 12 and under ride free. A group pass for 3 to 5 people costs CA$25 to CA$40 one way.

The UP Express station is in Terminal 1. From Terminal 3, take the free Terminal Link train first. It runs around the clock, Pearson’s page says.

On a tight budget, take the TTC 900 Airport Express bus to Kipling Station, about 20 to 25 minutes. Then ride Line 2 of the subway. When you tap, one fare covers both.

The 952 express bus runs only in weekday rush hours. Landing between about 2 and 5 a.m.? The 300A night bus runs along Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue.

Taxis charge a flat rate by destination, with taxes included and no surge, Pearson’s page says. Ask the Ground Transport Services desk on the Arrivals level for the amount.

Uber picks up at Terminal 1, Ground Level, Door Q, and at Terminal 3, Arrivals Level, Zone 3. Zones change, so follow the spot the app gives you.

Landing after midnight or flying out at dawn? A Toronto airport hotel with a free shuttle saves the ride downtown.

Which to pick

Light bags, daytime: the UP Express.
Tight budget: the 900 bus and the subway, on one fare.
Landing between about 2 and 5 a.m.: the 300A night bus or a taxi.
Family with bags: a taxi, or a ride booked ahead.
Going straight to Niagara Falls: the shared airport transfer in our picks.

Landing late, with kids or with lots of bags? A ride booked ahead takes you to your door.

Book an airport transfer

Guides on getting around Toronto

More help for Pearson airport and for trips out of Toronto.

Getting around the city: TTC subway, streetcar and bus

Inside Toronto, the TTC subway, streetcars and buses get you almost everywhere.

The subway runs from about 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday to Saturday, and from about 8 a.m. on Sunday. After that, Blue Night buses and streetcars run every 30 minutes or better.

When you tap a card, one fare covers every change for two hours. That does not work with cash.

Lines 1, 2 and 4 are the subway. Lines 5 and 6 are light rail lines. Each bus and streetcar route has its own timetable on ttc.ca.

Visiting the CN Tower? Ride Line 1 to Union Station and follow the SkyWalk.

Step-free travel

Most subway stations have elevators to the platforms. To check one before you go, call the TTC on 416 393-4636 and press 5.

PRESTO, fares and passes

CA$3.30: one fare with PRESTO or a tapped card
CA$13.50: PRESTO day pass
Free: children 12 and under

Tap a PRESTO card or your own bank card, and a ride costs CA$3.30. Cash costs CA$3.35, and you need the exact fare.

The 2026 Toronto Travel Cost Study puts a one-ride PRESTO Ticket at CA$3.35 and a PRESTO day pass at CA$13.50, so the day pass pays off from your fifth paid fare in one day.

Changes within two hours are free when you tap, so five fares can mean more than five rides.

A PRESTO card costs CA$4 at subway station machines. A digital card in your phone’s wallet is free.

Staying a month? After 47 fares in a calendar month on PRESTO or a tapped card, the rest of that month is free.

PRESTO riders save 15% on the Royal Ontario Museum’s regular admission. The Toronto CityPASS covers five attractions, not transit.

Toronto taxi cabs and ride-hailing

For one or two people without much luggage, the train or subway is cheaper. With bags or a group, a flat-rate taxi is simpler.

From Pearson, taxis charge a flat rate by destination, taxes included, Pearson’s page says. Airport limos cost about 10% more.

To Pearson from most of Toronto, the City’s bylaw says you pay the flat fare or the meter, whichever is lower.

Uber works in Toronto too. Tip taxi drivers 10 to 15%, Destination Toronto suggests.

Going to Casa Loma? Its site says taxis and ride-share cars may drop off free in its East lot.

Walking and the ferry to the Toronto Islands

The ferry to the Toronto Islands leaves from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay West, all year.

An adult return costs CA$9.57. Tickets bought online are valid any day until the end of that year.

From Union Station, take any streetcar south to Queens Quay/Ferry Docks, then walk south. The ferry needs its own ticket. A TTC notice from 2024 also suggested a walk of about 10 minutes south on Bay Street.

No public cars are allowed on the islands. On foot, Centre Island to Ward’s Island takes about 35 minutes.

The ferry is a ride, not a tour. For commentary on the water, look at Toronto harbour cruises.

Hop-on hop-off buses: sightseeing with transport built in

A hop-on hop-off bus is sightseeing with commentary, not a way to get from A to B.

City Sightseeing’s bus has 13 stops, and a full loop takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. A 24-hour adult ticket costs CA$61.06 before tax on its own site.

In summer, buses come every 15 to 20 minutes. From mid-November to March, they leave only every 2 hours, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Just getting around? A TTC day pass costs CA$13.50.

Day trips on your own: Niagara, Montreal, Ottawa, New York

You can reach Niagara Falls, Montreal, Ottawa and New York by train from Union Station.

Niagara Falls by GO train

GO Transit runs to Niagara Falls all year, 7 days a week. Metrolinx lists three round trips a day. One Metrolinx notice showed a train taking about 2 hours 20 minutes, so check the live timetable.

On days without a Niagara train, take the Lakeshore West line to Burlington, then GO Bus 12.

The GO+WEGO combo costs from CA$22 on weekends and CA$34 on weekdays, return, with a WEGO bus day pass at the Falls. It is non-refundable. It covers the ride and the bus, not your Niagara Falls tickets for the boat or Journey Behind the Falls.

Niagara City Cruises has no parking of its own, so the WEGO bus is the easy way to its ticket plaza at 5920 Niagara Parkway.

For Niagara-on-the-Lake, there is no direct GO service. Take GO to Niagara Falls, then the WEGO Green Line and the seasonal shuttle, which runs through October.

Montreal, Ottawa and New York by train

Montreal: VIA Rail takes about 5 hours 18 minutes on average.
Ottawa: VIA Rail takes about 4 hours 36 minutes on average.
New York: Amtrak’s Maple Leaf runs once a day and takes about 12 hours 30 minutes. Bring your passport: the border check is at Niagara Falls.

Do you need a rental car?

No, not for downtown Toronto. A car helps for wine country or several stops outside the city in one day.

Toronto airport car hire: when to rent a car at the airport

Rent at Pearson only if you head straight out of the city. Niagara Falls is about 130 km away, about 1.5 hours by car. At rush hour or on weekends, the drive can take twice as long.

The 407 ETR highway has no toll booths. Cameras read the plate, and the rental company bills you the toll plus its own fees.

Parking in Toronto

Street parking costs CA$1.50 to CA$6.75 an hour, tax included, on Green P’s pages. The big sights charge too: Casa Loma and the Toronto Zoo charge CA$20 each, and parking around the CN Tower is paid.

A car helps for wine country or several stops outside the city in one day, not for downtown.

Compare rental cars at Toronto Pearson International Airport

Route-by-route decision table

Here is each main route, with the time, cost and hassle the operator states. Where the operator gives no figure, the table says so.

Pearson to downtown: the UP Express if you travel light, the 900 bus and subway on a budget, a taxi with bags.

Toronto to Niagara Falls: on a weekend with no bags, the GO+WEGO combo. On a weekday, the GO train or the train and bus via Burlington. Short on time or with kids, a day tour with tickets handled.

Weighing a Toronto to Niagara Falls bus against the train? On days without a Niagara train, GO sends you to Burlington by train and on by GO Bus 12.

How to get around and out of Toronto, from the operators’ own pages
Route	Option	Time	Cost	How often	Hassle	Source
Pearson airport to Union Station / downtown	Train	28 minutes	CA$12.35 one way adult paper fare, CA$9.25 with PRESTO; children 12 and under free	Every 15 minutes; first train about 5:27 a.m. from Pearson, last about 12:54 a.m.	Station is in Terminal 1; Terminal 3 passengers take the free Terminal Link train first	UP Express: fares and PRESTO	How often and hassle How often: Every 15 minutes; first train about 5:27 a.m. from Pearson, last about 12:54 a.m. Hassle: Station is in Terminal 1; Terminal 3 passengers take the free Terminal Link train first
	Bus + subway	About 20 to 25 minutes on the bus to Kipling Station, then the subway	CA$3.30 adult with PRESTO or tap, CA$3.35 cash; a two-hour transfer covers the bus and subway	About 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. Sunday	Change at Kipling Station to Line 2 subway; stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3	TTC: service to Pearson	How often and hassle How often: About 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. Sunday Hassle: Change at Kipling Station to Line 2 subway; stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
	Taxi	Not stated by Pearson	Flat rate by destination, taxes included, no surge; ask the Ground Transport Services desk or use Pearson’s estimate tool	Taxis wait at the Arrivals-level curb	Limos charge about 10% more than taxis	Toronto Pearson: taxis and limos	How often and hassle How often: Taxis wait at the Arrivals-level curb Hassle: Limos charge about 10% more than taxis
	Ride-hailing	not stated by Uber	App price	On demand	Terminal 1: Ground Level, Door Q; Terminal 3: Arrivals Level, Zone 3	Uber: Toronto Pearson pickup	How often and hassle How often: On demand Hassle: Terminal 1: Ground Level, Door Q; Terminal 3: Arrivals Level, Zone 3
Union Station to the Toronto Islands	Ferry	Walk about 10 minutes south on Bay Street to the ferry terminal (TTC)	Ferry CA$9.57 adult round trip, CA$6.15 senior or youth, CA$4.51 child 2-14	Year-round; summer is mid-May to mid-September, seasonal schedule posted by the City	Terminal is Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W.	City of Toronto: ferry tickets	How often and hassle How often: Year-round; summer is mid-May to mid-September, seasonal schedule posted by the City Hassle: Terminal is Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W.
Union Station to the Toronto Islands	Streetcar + ferry	not stated by the TTC	TTC CA$3.30 with PRESTO or tap (ferry ticket extra)	not stated by the TTC	Line 1 to Union, then a streetcar south to Queens Quay/Ferry Docks Station, then walk south; separate ferry fare	TTC: Explore Toronto	How often and hassle Hassle: Line 1 to Union, then a streetcar south to Queens Quay/Ferry Docks Station, then walk south; separate ferry fare
Downtown to Toronto Zoo	Subway + bus	not stated by the TTC or the Zoo	CA$3.30 adult with PRESTO or tap; two-hour transfer	86A bus daily in summer, Monday-Friday only after Labour Day; route 85 from Don Mills Station on weekends and holidays	Line 2 or 5 to Kennedy Station, then the 86A bus to the Zoo; weekends the 85 from Don Mills Station	Toronto Zoo: transit	How often and hassle How often: 86A bus daily in summer, Monday-Friday only after Labour Day; route 85 from Don Mills Station on weekends and holidays Hassle: Line 2 or 5 to Kennedy Station, then the 86A bus to the Zoo; weekends the 85 from Don Mills Station
Downtown to Toronto Zoo	Car	not stated by the Toronto Zoo	Zoo parking CA$20, paid online through the zoo’s parking page	On demand	Zoo at 2000 Meadowvale Road in Scarborough; parking bought separately from admission	Toronto Zoo: directions and parking	How often and hassle How often: On demand Hassle: Zoo at 2000 Meadowvale Road in Scarborough; parking bought separately from admission
Toronto to Niagara Falls	Train (GO)	not stated by GO Transit	GO+WEGO combo from CA$22 (weekend 1-day), CA$34 weekday 1-day, round trip (via Niagara Parks)	Service 7 days a week, all year	Niagara Falls GO is in the north end; when no train runs, take Lakeshore West to Burlington and transfer to GO Bus 12	GO Transit: Niagara weekend service	How often and hassle How often: Service 7 days a week, all year Hassle: Niagara Falls GO is in the north end; when no train runs, take Lakeshore West to Burlington and transfer to GO Bus 12
	Car	About 1 hour 30 minutes, can double in rush hour or on weekends	not stated by Niagara Falls Tourism	On demand	About 130 km south of Toronto via Gardiner Expressway and QEW	Niagara Falls Tourism: getting here	How often and hassle How often: On demand Hassle: About 130 km south of Toronto via Gardiner Expressway and QEW
	Tour	10 hours to 1 day	from €48 per person	not stated by GetYourGuide	Day tour from Toronto with the boat cruise and Journey Behind the Falls entry	GetYourGuide: Toronto: Niagara Falls Day Tour + Boat & Behind Falls Entry	How often and hassle Hassle: Day tour from Toronto with the boat cruise and Journey Behind the Falls entry
Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake	Train + shuttle	not stated by GO Transit	GO+WEGO combo from CA$22 round trip	WEGO shuttle hourly from the Floral Clock, last return from Fort George at 7 p.m.; seasonal through October	No direct GO service: GO to Niagara Falls, WEGO Green Line to the Floral Clock, Orange Line shuttle, then a 7-minute walk to Queen Street	GO Transit: Niagara-on-the-Lake	How often and hassle How often: WEGO shuttle hourly from the Floral Clock, last return from Fort George at 7 p.m.; seasonal through October Hassle: No direct GO service: GO to Niagara Falls, WEGO Green Line to the Floral Clock, Orange Line shuttle, then a 7-minute walk to Queen Street
Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake	Tour	8 hours	from €54 per person	not stated by GetYourGuide	Day tour from Toronto that combines Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and a boat ride	GetYourGuide: Toronto: Niagara Day Tour w/ Niagara on the Lake & Boat Ride	How often and hassle Hassle: Day tour from Toronto that combines Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and a boat ride
Toronto to Montreal	Train	5 hours 18 minutes average	not stated by VIA Rail	47 departures per week	Departs Toronto Union Station; 538 km	VIA Rail: Toronto to Montreal	How often and hassle How often: 47 departures per week Hassle: Departs Toronto Union Station; 538 km
Toronto to Ottawa	Train	4 hours 36 minutes average	not stated by VIA Rail	50 departures per week	Departs Toronto Union Station; 444 km	VIA Rail: Toronto to Ottawa	How often and hassle How often: 50 departures per week Hassle: Departs Toronto Union Station; 444 km

– = the operator does not say. Read from the operators' own pages. Fares and timetables change; check before you travel.

Tips for getting around Toronto

Tap, don’t pay cash
A tapped PRESTO or bank card costs CA$3.30 and gives you two hours of free changes. Cash costs CA$3.35, with no free transfer.
Kids ride free
Children 12 and under ride the TTC, the UP Express and GO trains free.
Terminal 3? Take the Terminal Link
The UP Express leaves from Terminal 1. The free Terminal Link train takes you there from Terminal 3.
If your plans change
All six picks above cancel free up to 24 hours ahead. The GO+WEGO combo is non-refundable, so buy it once your date is firm.
Check the ferry season
Island ferries run all year. From mid-October to mid-April, the City lists times only for Ward’s Island.

Questions people ask about getting around Toronto

How much is a taxi from Toronto airport to downtown?

Pearson’s taxis charge a flat rate by destination, with taxes included and no surge, Pearson’s page says. Its fare tool or the Ground Transport Services desk on the Arrivals level gives the amount. Limos cost about 10% more, and a tip of 10 to 15% is usual.

Is there Uber in Toronto?

Yes. At Pearson, Uber picks up at Terminal 1, Ground Level, Door Q, and at Terminal 3, Arrivals Level, Zone 3. Zones change, so follow the spot the app gives you.

Is there parking at Casa Loma?

Yes, at a flat CA$20 per car on site. Its page lists both card-only and cash payment, so check the signs. Overflow parking is at George Brown College. Or take the subway to Dupont station and climb the Baldwin Steps.

How do I get from Pearson to downtown Toronto?

Take the UP Express from Terminal 1 to Union Station: 28 minutes, CA$9.25 with PRESTO. On a budget, the 900 bus and the subway cost one CA$3.30 fare when you tap.

Do I need a car in Toronto?

No. The TTC covers the city, and GO trains run to Niagara Falls all year. Rent a car only for wine country or several stops outside Toronto in one day.

More Toronto tours and transfers on GetYourGuide

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See every Toronto tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

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Sources (39)

Written by the Best Travel Destinations editorial team.