Toronto
How to get around efficiently with clear cost comparisons.
You'll find that navigating Toronto's transport system can be challenging, but with the right tools, you'll be on your way. Most newcomers start by purchasing a Presto card at Union Station for $6, which can be used to tap on every TTC subway, streetcar, and bus, with a monthly pass costing $156. Watch out for the need for a car, as it depends heavily on your neighbourhood and job location - if you're downtown or midtown, you may not need one. You can also use the UP Express train from Pearson Airport to Union Station, or take a streetcar, such as the 501 Queen route. To get started, head to Union Station today to purchase your Presto card and begin exploring the city's transit options.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Union Station · Experience date Jan 15, 2026
Got a Presto card at Union Station for $6. Load it and tap on every TTC subway, streetcar, and bus. Monthly pass is $156 for unlimited TTC. GO Train to suburbs uses Presto too.
Midtown · Experience date Mar 15, 2026
Toronto Islands (Ward's Island, Centre Island, Algonquin Island) are a 10-minute ferry from the downtown Jack Layton Ferry Terminal (foot of Bay Street). Year-round access: ferry runs daily from 6:35am to 11:30pm (reduced winter schedule). Ferry fare: $9 return adult (included in day passes). The islands offer: beautiful views of the Toronto skyline, quiet parks, beaches (swimming June–September), and a small residential community. Ward's Island beach is particularly popular with expats for summer swimming and picnics. No cars on the islands — cycling and walking only. Centre Island: more family-oriented with amusement park. One of Toronto's best free/cheap summer experiences.
Scarborough · Experience date Feb 3, 2026
Toronto's cycling infrastructure is improving but significantly behind Amsterdam or Berlin. Dedicated bike lanes: along major routes (Bloor Street, College Street, Danforth Avenue, Richmond/Adelaide in downtown). Bike-sharing: Bike Share Toronto (Citi Bike system, $105/year for unlimited 30-minute rides or pay-per-use). Private bike: buy at MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), local bike shops in Kensington Market, or Facebook Marketplace ($150–350 for a solid used commuter). Lock: absolute necessity — invest in a good U-lock (Kryptonite Evolution, $70–90). Toronto cycling challenges: aggressive drivers, streetcar tracks (danger like Amsterdam trams), and potholed side streets. The lake-front trail (Martin Goodman Trail) is excellent flat cycling along Lake Ontario.
Bloor-Yonge · Experience date Nov 25, 2025
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is on Toronto Island, 10 minutes from downtown via pedestrian tunnel (free, 5 minutes from the foot of Bathurst Street) or water taxi. Serves: Porter Airlines (Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, New York Newark, Chicago Midway, Boston) and Air Canada regional. Porter's turboprop planes: surprisingly comfortable, free wine and beer, excellent service. No security theatre compared to Pearson. For eastern Canada and northeastern US trips: Billy Bishop + Porter is often faster door-to-door than Pearson + Air Canada even if the flight itself is longer. Worth checking Porter fares before defaulting to Pearson for regional travel.
Scarborough · Experience date Dec 4, 2025
TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) operates Toronto's subway, streetcar, and bus network. Monthly Presto pass: $156 CAD (unlimited TTC). Single fare: $3.30 (Presto card) or $3.35 (cash — exact change only on buses). Key subway lines: Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina — the U-shaped backbone, most useful), Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth — east-west across the city), Line 3/4 (Scarborough RT — being rebuilt). TTC subway hours: approximately 6am–1:30am, with night buses covering gaps. Frequency: 3–6 minutes peak, 5–10 minutes off-peak. TTC's reputation: reliability issues and slow expansion compared to peer cities — check the TTC app for service alerts before travel.
North York · Experience date Dec 29, 2025
The Martin Goodman Trail (Waterfront Trail) runs along Lake Ontario from Etobicoke in the west to Scarborough in the east — approximately 56 km in Toronto proper. Mostly flat, well-maintained, separated from car traffic. Access points: Exhibition Place (Lakeshore/Strachan), HTO Park (King West/Bathurst), Harbourfront Centre, Sugar Beach (Queens Quay East), Cherry Beach. Popular sections: Harbourfront to Cherry Beach (5 km, flat, beautiful lake views). Bike Share Toronto: several stations along the waterfront — easy access without your own bike. The waterfront trail is the best flat urban cycling in Toronto — used by commuters and recreational riders year-round (well-salted in winter).
Bloor-Yonge · Experience date Dec 6, 2025
Ride options in Toronto beyond Uber: Lyft (operates in Toronto, comparable pricing to Uber), Beck Taxi (Toronto's largest taxi company, app available, licensed), Co-op Cabs, Crown Taxi. Taxi vs Uber: taxis in Toronto are licensed and regulated, prices are metered (generally comparable to or slightly higher than Uber in non-surge conditions). Wheelchair-accessible: most taxi companies have accessible vehicles — call ahead or use their dedicated accessible booking line. InDriver: lower-cost rideshare app, operates in Toronto. Porter taxi: fixed rate from Billy Bishop airport. Midnight/weekend pricing: all rideshare apps surge significantly after 11pm Friday and Saturday — plan transit alternatives or factor in $30–50+ downtown trips.
Midtown · Experience date Mar 10, 2026
If you live or work outside the City of Toronto proper, you'll use regional transit. MiWay (Mississauga): connects Mississauga to Toronto's Kipling and Islington subway stations. Brampton Transit: covers Brampton, connects to Bramalea GO and TTC subway. York Region Transit (YRT) and VIVA: covers Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill — connects to subway at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Finch West. All regional buses: accept Presto card (same card, different fare). GO Bus: also runs on major regional routes. Integration: PRESTO discounts when you transfer between TTC and regional transit within two hours. If you work in downtown Toronto but live in the GTA suburbs, budget $4–8 per journey on top of your TTC monthly pass costs.
Scarborough · Experience date Mar 26, 2026
GO Transit (Metrolinx) is the regional rail and bus network connecting Toronto to the wider GTA and surrounding cities. GO trains from Union Station: to Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton (Lakeshore West), Barrie (Barrie line), Oshawa (Lakeshore East), Brampton (Kitchener line), and more. Frequency: peak-hour trains every 15–30 minutes on most lines; off-peak service limited (check schedule). Fare: zone-based, $6–15 depending on distance. Two-way GO+TTC connection: buy a combined pass. Union-Pearson Express (UP Express): dedicated train from Union Station to Pearson Airport (25 minutes, $12.35 CAD — buy with Presto for discount). Frequent for: suburban commuters and expats travelling between Toronto and GTA municipalities.
Midtown · Experience date Feb 7, 2026
Toronto's PATH is the world's largest underground pedestrian network — 30 km connecting Union Station, Bay Street financial district, major office towers, hotels, and the Eaton Centre shopping mall. Active year-round: essential in winter when surface temperatures drop to -15°C. Navigation: complex — download the PATH app (free) or buy a PATH map at any tourism office. Key connections: Union Station to BMO Tower, Royal Bank Plaza, First Canadian Place, and east to St Lawrence Market area. Not a transit system — walking only. Useful for: arriving at Union Station and reaching Bay Street offices without going outside in winter. Most PATH access points are in office building lobbies — some close after business hours.