Toronto is a huge metropolis, with tons of things to do and see. It is also very transit-accessible, making it possible to explore the city without the use of a car. Toronto’s public transportation system might seem overwhelming, but this guide will help you navigate the city and enjoy everything it has to offer.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and PRESTO
The major transit system in Toronto is the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It includes subways, streetcars, and buses, which you can transfer between for a single fare, which costs $3.35 for an adult. A single fare gives you unlimited free transfers for 2 hours. You can also transfer for free from the TTC to some other regional transit agencies (GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay (Mississauga) and York Region Transit) if you transfer within two hours and use a local transit card, called PRESTO.
PRESTO cards can be purchased at any subway station, GO train station, or at many participating retail locations like grocery stores and pharmacies. Once you have a card, you can load it with money online or at a machine (available in most transit stations). You can also buy a weekly or monthly transit pass from the TTC and load it onto your PRESTO card.
Using Your PRESTO Cards
To use your card, just tap it on the card reader when you enter the subway station or board your bus or streetcar. There will be a clearly marked location to tap your card at every door of the streetcar and at the front door of the bus – you cannot get on a bus at the back door unless it is on a streetcar route or operating as a shuttle, so it is a good rule of thumb to always use the front door of a bus to board.
You can also use your PRESTO card to ride the GO train, which is the local commuter rail line. The GO train travels back and forth between Toronto and many cities in the area. When you are riding the GO train, you must tap your card when you enter and again when you leave your destination station. However, when you are riding the subway, bus or streetcar, you only need to tap once, when you start your journey.
Getting to Toronto Pearson International Airport
The last major way to use your PRESTO card is to ride the UP Express, which travels from Union Station in downtown Toronto to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The journey takes about 25 minutes and makes two brief stops at Bloor GO station (right near the Dundas West subway station) and Weston GO station. Costing about $12, this is the most efficient and cost-effective way to travel from Toronto to the airport, as taxis or Uber can be very expensive, and the TTC bus line to the airport can be slow. However, if you would prefer to save money and take the TTC, there are express buses to the airport from Kipling, Lawrence, and Lawrence West stations.
Other Ways to Pay
If you don’t want to get a PRESTO card, there are other ways to pay your fare on the TTC, GO train, or UP Express. All of these transit services have ticket vending machines in their stations that take cash and cards. The TTC also allows you to tap your credit or debit card when entering a station or vehicle (bus or streetcar) to pay your fare.
If you take transit very frequently—for example, if you commute to work on transit and also use it on the weekends—it might save you money to get a monthly pass for the TTC. You can find up-to-date information on fares and pass prices on the TTC website, where you can also apply for a discounted transit pass through the Fair Pass discount program if you are low-income. There are also discounts on monthly passes for students, youth, and seniors, so make sure to check whether you are eligible for any of these savings.
Navigating Toronto's Public Transportation
Now you know how to ride transit, how do you find your way around? Luckily, services like Google Maps and Apple Maps are integrated with most Toronto-area transit systems, so you can use them to plan your route. The TTC has a trip planner that can help you find out which routes you will need to take, as does GO Transit. Subway stations and many bus/streetcar stops also have large maps of the TTC system that can help you find your way.
Tips and Tricks for a Better Trip
Here are some easy etiquette tips that can help make your ride more pleasant for you and your fellow travellers:
When waiting for the subway, stand behind the yellow line. Do not move between train cars while the subway is in motion.
You can request that the bus or streetcar you are riding stop at the next station by pressing the red button on the handrail, pulling the yellow cord by the windows, or pressing the yellow strip by the windows, depending on the kind of vehicle. When you do this, usually, the intercom and scrolling stop sign at the front of the vehicle will announce that a stop has been requested. There is no need to request stops on the subway – the train will stop at every station.
When you are riding the escalator in a station, keep to the right if you are planning to stand still.
When entering a vehicle, stand to the side and allow people to exit before trying to get on.
If there are no other seats available and you see an elderly, disabled or pregnant person. standing, it’s considered polite to offer them your seat. If you are in a seat that is marked as a priority for disabled or elderly passengers (blue fabric on the seat), you must vacate it if it is needed.
Be careful not to block the doors on the subway, bus, or streetcar. Try to move as far down the car as possible to allow more people to enter and exit smoothly.
Pets (leashed or in a carrier) are only allowed on the TTC during off-peak hours. You may not bring your pet on transit between 6:30 am and 10 am and 3pm and 7pm on weekdays. Pets that are not leashed or in a carrier are never allowed. However, service animals may accompany you on the TTC at any time.
You can always bring your bike on the bus, as they have bike racks. However, bicycles are not allowed on other TTC vehicles during peak times (6:30 am to 10 am and 3pm to 7pm on weekdays).
If you are feeling unwell, are injured, or feel unsafe, there are emergency intercoms throughout stations and subways that will connect you with an employee.
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