How to get around in Toronto?

How To Get Around In Toronto?

What are the best ways to get around in Toronto?

How to get around in Toronto? One of the most common questions when traveling to a new city. Figuring out how to get around efficiently and cost effectively is important when traveling to a new city. Visiting a new city can be a ton of fun, but pricey if you don't know your way around.

We have created a list of some of the most popular transportation options available in Toronto during your sports trip. Plan the ultimate trip with the help of our travel experts and don't get caught unprepared when traveling to a new city!

How to get around in Toronto

The best way to get around Toronto would be to use their public transportation. The Toronto Transit Commission operates three modes: subway, buses, and streetcars. Where the subways don’t go, the buses and streetcars do. Although Toronto is a big city, exploring on foot is still a great idea. Many of the areas in downtown are compact enough to be walkable, and Toronto is also home to the largest underground pedestrian walkway system, the PATH.

How to get around in Toronto?

Here is a list of options on how to get around in Toronto:

  • Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) - Riders require a pass or token to travel. Day and week passes are available that allow unlimited use of the TTC. Single rides across any form of TTC Transit costs $3.25 CAD.
    • Subway
      • Two main lines: Yellow (Yonge-University) runs north to south, Green (Bloor-Danforth) runs east to west.
      • All other lines branch off the two main lines
    • Buses
    • Streetcars
    • TAXIS

  • UpExpress
    • Train from Pearson Airport that will deliver you into the heart of Downtown Toronto.

      2020 Costs
      Adults $12.35, kids 12 and under travel free.
      *This is the fastest and most convenient way to get from the airport to downtown
      .
  • Go Train
    • Toronto’s commuter rail connecting the suburbs of the Greater Toronto Area to Downtown Toronto. This is the preferred way for a huge percentage of Toronto’s population to get to work. Prices are dependent on how far you are going.

  • Via Rail
    • Canada’s intercity passenger rail service connected Canada’s largest cities by rail. If you’re coming in from another Canadian city, Via Rail will drop you off right at Union Station in the heart of Downtown.

  • Ridesharing
    • Uber
    • Lyft

  • Bikesharing
    • Bike Share Toronto - 5000 bikes across 465 stations. Download the app and get going.

 

These are some of the best transportation options when trying to figure out how to get around in Toronto.

Airport(YYZ) & (YTZ) to Downtown Toronto

# of Major Toronto Airports: 2

 

  1. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
  2. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)

 

How to get to and from YYZ

Lester B. Pearson International Airport, branded as Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), is the primary international airport serving Toronto and the entire Golden Horseshoe. YYZ is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, welcoming 50.5 million passengers in 2019 alone.

 

YYZ is located northwest of Downtown Toronto, around a 20 minute drive without traffic and to be honest, it is very rare that there is no traffic in Toronto. If you are flying in for a Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors or Toronto Blue Jays game be sure to give yourself some added time and don’t risk landing at the last minute! Traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to risk being late to the game!  

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Toronto from YYZ so you can start your sports getaway!

 

  • Public Transit: YYZ offers TTC and GO buses that head to downtown Toronto. Express TTC buses leave YYZ and connect to the subway while GO buses run from YYZ to most Toronto suburbs. 
    • For TTC, the 900 Airport Express route provides all-day accessible express bus service between Kipling Station on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth and YYZ. This bus runs from 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and from approximately 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. on Sunday. The trip takes roughly 45 minutes and costs $3.25 CAD one way. We recommend purchasing and loading a Presto card. 
    • The Route 34 GO bus service from Terminal 1 Ground level at YYZ to the Finch GO Bus Terminal. This trip takes around 45 minutes on average and costs $6.35 CAD if you use a Presto card and $7.55 CAD if paying cash. This service operates hourly from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays and weekends. 

 

  • UP Express: The Union Pearson Express runs from YYZ to Union Station in downtown Toronto in just 25 minutes, costing $12.35 CAD for a one-way adult ticket. The best catch is that children under 12 get to ride free! Leaving from YYZ as early as 5:27 am and then departing every 30 minutes until 12:57 am, the UP Express is an amazingly convenient option for getting to downtown Toronto from YYZ.

 

  • Taxi: Cabs are a convenient way to get to downtown Toronto from YYZ and they don’t require any preparation. Simply go to the designated pick up areas on the terminal curbs, Arrivals Level. Terminal 1 Taxi pick up can be found at Door D while Terminal 3 taxi pick up is at Doors D, E and F. Taxis offer a flat rate which is handy with the unpredictable traffic and they accept all major credit cards. A flat rate should run you around $60 CAD before tip but always make sure to communicate that with your driver before leaving.

 

  • Sedan Service/Limo: Limos and other private cars are readily available at YYZ at on the Arrivals Level on Terminal 1 outside of Door C and on the Arrivals Level on Terminal 3 outside of Door F. Airport limos are premium black cars and charge approximately 10% more than a taxi so they won’t really break the bank. If you pre-arrange a taxi or a limo go to the designated area and let the dispatcher know you are waiting for your ride. The designated pick-up areas are outside of Door A at Terminal 1 and outside of Door A at Terminal 3.

 

  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! Cost of your rental car will vary depending on the length of your trip and your car selection. YYZ offers multiple car rental counters on Level 1 of the Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 parking garages. Available companies include National, Avis and Budget. 

 

  • Ridesharing: Uber, Lyft and Facedrive are all official ride-share providers for YYZ. Where you meet your ride share at Pearson will depend on the service you order. Uber Black and Lyft Lux pick-ups are at Door A of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Standard Uber, Lyft and Facedrive services offer pick-ups at Terminal 1 on Ground Level outside of Doors Q and P and on the Arrivals Level at Terminal 3 outside of Door D at the outer curb. Price will range based on traffic, distance travelled and whether or not you book during a peak time.

 

  • Airport Shuttles: Your hotel may offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from YYZ for their guests. Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative about your hotel’s shuttle service, if applicable. Pick-up times can be coordinated by communicating your flight information with your hotel or by using YYZ’s courtesy phone on the Arrivals Level of Terminals 1 and 3. Hotel shuttle pick-up locations are on the Ground Level of Terminal 1 at Door S and on the Arrivals Level of Terminal 3 at Doors A and G. 

 

We always recommend that all of our clients take the UP Express. Not only are they convenient, they are inexpensive and most of the time they are your quickest option to get to Downtown Toronto from YYZ. Dropping you off at Union Station you are in the heart of the city, within walking distance to a number of major tourist attractions and high end hotel properties.

 

How to get to and from YTZ

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is a regional airport located on Toronto Island in Downtown Toronto. YTZ is Canada's ninth-busiest airport and renowned for their customer service and small crowds, they still shockingly welcome 2.8 million travellers annually.

 

YTZ is just minutes from Downtown Toronto but if you are flying in for a Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors or Toronto Blue Jays game be sure to give yourself some added time and don’t risk landing at the last minute! Traffic around any airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to risk being late to the game!  

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Toronto from YTZ so you can start your sports getaway!

 

  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! Cost of your rental car will vary on the length of your trip and your car selection. The onsite rental counters at YTZ make vehicle pick up and return easy. The Enterprise and National Car rental counter is located at the kiosk at the Eireann Quay parking lot and the Hertz rental counter is located on the lower level of the airport terminal beside the baggage claim area.

 

  • Pedestrian Tunnel: YTZ offers a 853-foot long pedestrian tunnel that connects the mainland and their terminal in only six minutes! The pedestrian tunnel is quick, reliable and easy access to and from the airport.

 

  • Ferry: If you are looking for a unique way to get to and from YTZ, take the ferry! Only a 90-second trip, this ferry ride is among the world’s shortest at only 121 metres. If you’re standing on the pedestrian deck you can enjoy some great views of downtown Toronto during the short trip! The ferry departs from the foot of Bathurst Street approximately every 15 minutes. The ferry is free for pedestrians.

 

  • Airport Shuttles: Complimentary shuttle buses are available outside Billy Bishop Airport’s mainland pavilion. Available every day with a non-stop shuttle service running during peak hours, the trip to and from Billy Bishop Airport only takes around 15 minutes depending on traffic. The shuttles are even equipped with free Wi-Fi and an app you can use to track shuttles live! 

 

  • Curbside Pick-Up: Cabs, Ubers and Lyfts can meet you at the curb outside of YTZ’s mainland pavilion and ferry terminal but seriously, why bother when their shuttle to Union Station, the Pedestrian Tunnel and the Ferry are all free options? If you are taking a taxi, Uber or Lyft you will see a clearly marked rideshare pickup curb at the mainland pavilion. 

 

If you’re flying into YTZ we recommend taking the Pedestrian Tunnel to get to Downtown Toronto. This method isn’t only free and a great way to stretch out your legs after a flight, but it also ensures that you stay inside and stay sheltered from the Canadian winter, especially applicable if you’re coming to Toronto for a Toronto Maple Leafs or Toronto Raptors game from November through March! 

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