Toronto Transport

Toronto is a sprawling city, with many of its attractions scattered a fair distance apart. Fortunately, the public transportation system operated by the Toronto Transit Commission is a well-integrated and efficient means of getting around.

The city’s subway, buses, streetcars and light rail system are all connected, making it easy to move between forms of transportation. Despite its rambling layout, Toronto is not a good city for driving. It has the dubious honour of being named the worst Canadian city in which to drive. The traffic is congested, drivers are inconsiderate and parking is a hassle.

By Metro

The subway is fast, clean and easy to use. There are two major lines and one smaller line which service many of the central city’s main attractions. The LRT (Light Rapid Transit) connects downtown to the Harbourfront, and is included in your subway fare. The metro operates Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 01:30 and on Sundays from 09:00 to 01:30. For late night travel, the Blue Night Network runs basic surface routes from 01:00 to 05:30.

All fares include transfers to buses or streetcars and come in the form of tokens, tickets or exact change. Tokens can be bought at any store which displays the sign ‘TTC Tickets Here’. Tickets cannot be purchased from the driver, nor do drivers give out change. Pick up your free transfer when you first board the train or bus. Special day passes are available at an excellent price, allowing unlimited travel throughout the day; although day passes have slightly quirky rules. The city publishes a useful Ride Guide booklet, available free at most subway stations.   

By train

Toronto’s LRT system provides rail service from downtown Union Station to the Harbourfront area. Transfers between the LRT and the subway network are free and the same ticket system applies.

By bus and streetcar

Where the subway doesn’t go, the city’s buses and streetcars do, providing access to virtually every corner of Toronto. The bus stops are linked with all subway stations and cover all the major city thoroughfares. The service is typically excellent, with buses arriving every 10 minutes or so, from early morning until late into the night. As with the subway system, bus drivers will only accept exact change, tokens and tickets. Be sure to get a free transfer slip from the driver when you board the bus just in case you need it.

Taxis

Taxis are rather expensive in Toronto, and due to the scattered locations of many sites, the fares quickly add up. You can hail a cab on the street or find them waiting in front of the larger hotels.

Tourist services

You can save a lot of money by purchasing a Toronto CityPass, which acts as a reduced rate ticket book for most of the city’s major attractions such as the zoo, the CN Tower and Royal Ontario Museum. The book is valid for nine days from the day of purchase and can be bought at any of the attractions.

From the airport

Toronto’s city centre can be easily reached by taking one of the bus options. The convenient Airport Express Bus runs between the airport, the central bus terminal and major downtown hotels (tel: +1 905 564 6333). Buses depart from outside the Arrivals area of all three terminals every 20 minutes from 04:55 to 00:55, with a single night service at 02:30. Alternatively, GO Transit buses deliver passengers from terminals 1 and 2 to the Yorkdale or York Mills subway stations (tel: +1 416 869 3200).  

Taxis are also available 24 hours from the taxi rank outside the Arrivals hall of all three terminals. Although the airport isn’t far from downtown, the trip can take well over an hour during weekday rush hours. The fixed rates are expensive, but there isn’t any alternative for private transport unless you choose to rent a car and drive yourself.