Toronto Airport to Downtown Overview
Toronto Pearson International Airport is located around 25 km west of downtown Toronto, with several straightforward ways to reach the city centre. Depending on the transport you choose and the traffic conditions, the journey can take anywhere from around 25 minutes to more than an hour.
For most visitors, the UP Express is the best way to travel from Toronto Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto. The dedicated airport train runs directly from Pearson to Union Station, putting you right in the heart of the city in around 25 minutes. It is fast, frequent and unaffected by road traffic, making it particularly useful during Toronto’s busy morning and evening periods.
Travellers looking for the cheapest option can use Toronto’s TTC public transport network instead. This involves taking the 900 Airport Express bus to Kipling Station and continuing towards downtown by subway. It costs considerably less than the UP Express, although the journey normally takes around 60 to 75 minutes and requires at least one transfer.
For a completely door-to-door journey, taxis, Uber and Lyft are available from Pearson Airport. These can make more sense when travelling with several people, carrying lots of luggage or staying somewhere that is not convenient for Union Station. The downside is traffic: a journey that takes around 30 minutes on a clear road can take considerably longer during rush hour.
Pre-booked private airport transfers provide another option, particularly for families, groups and business travellers. A driver can meet you at the terminal and take you directly to your accommodation for a pre-arranged price.
For most first-time visitors, though, take the UP Express unless there is a particular reason not to. It offers the best combination of speed, simplicity and convenience for getting from Toronto Pearson Airport into the city.
Toronto Airport Train – UP Express
The UP Express (Union Pearson Express) is the dedicated airport rail service connecting Toronto Pearson International Airport with Union Station in downtown Toronto. For most visitors arriving at Pearson, it is the simplest way to reach the centre because there is no need to navigate traffic or make multiple public transport changes.
The complete journey from Pearson to Union Station takes approximately 25 minutes, with intermediate stops at Weston and Bloor. Services generally run every 15 minutes, making it unnecessary to plan your arrival around a particular train unless you are travelling very early in the morning or late at night.
The airport station is located at Terminal 1. Passengers arriving at Terminal 3 can use the airport’s free Terminal Link Train to reach Terminal 1 before following the signs for UP Express / Trains to City. The station is connected to the terminal, so you do not need to leave the airport complex to find it.
Adult fares are generally around $12–$13 CAD, while children under 12 usually travel free. Payment is deliberately simple. You can purchase a ticket from the station or online, use a PRESTO card, or pay using a compatible contactless credit or debit card. For most international visitors, tapping a contactless payment card is the easiest option because there is no need to buy a separate transport card first.
The trains are designed for airport passengers and include luggage storage, comfortable seating, air conditioning and Wi-Fi, making the journey considerably easier with suitcases than taking the bus and subway.
On arrival at Union Station, you are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and major attractions, with connections available to the TTC subway, GO Transit and other regional services.
For official schedules and fares, you can check the official UP Express website.
For most visitors, this is the best way to travel from Toronto airport to downtown because it is fast, predictable, and avoids traffic.
Toronto Airport Bus and Subway – Cheapest Option
Travellers prioritising price can reach downtown Toronto using the TTC bus and subway network. It takes longer than the UP Express and involves changing services, but it is one of the cheapest ways to travel from Pearson Airport into the city.
The usual journey begins with the 900 Airport Express bus, which runs from Pearson Airport to Kipling Station. The bus serves both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, with stops signposted from the airport’s ground transportation areas.
At Kipling, transfer onto Line 2 of the Toronto subway and travel east towards the city centre. To reach Union Station, you can change onto Line 1 and continue south towards downtown. Depending on your destination, you may not need to travel all the way to Union, particularly if your accommodation is closer to another subway station.
Allow approximately 60 to 75 minutes for the complete journey. The TTC fare is around $3.30 CAD, making this considerably cheaper than the airport train, taxi or Uber.
Payment is straightforward because TTC services accept contactless credit and debit cards as well as PRESTO. Once you have paid your fare, eligible transfers between the airport bus and subway are included within the TTC transfer period, so you do not need to buy a separate ticket when changing at Kipling.
This option works particularly well for budget travellers, backpackers and visitors staying close to the subway network. It becomes less attractive when travelling with large suitcases, young children or several bags because of the additional transfer and longer journey time.
For a straightforward arrival after a long flight, the UP Express is easier. But if keeping the airport transfer cost as low as possible matters more than journey time, the TTC bus and subway combination is difficult to beat.
Toronto Airport Taxi and Uber
Taxis, Uber and Lyft provide door-to-door transport from Toronto Pearson Airport, making them useful if you are carrying a lot of luggage, travelling as a group or staying somewhere that would require another connection after arriving at Union Station.
Official airport taxis operate from designated ranks outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Follow the airport signs for Taxi / Limousine after collecting your luggage and use the authorised vehicles waiting at the official ranks.
A taxi into central Toronto typically costs around $50–$60 CAD, with the drive taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes when traffic is moving well. Airport taxis use established fare arrangements for journeys from Pearson, so you should be able to establish the expected fare before leaving the airport.
Uber and Lyft also operate from Toronto Pearson, with designated ride-share pickup areas at the terminals. Once you request a vehicle through the app, it will direct you to the appropriate pickup location. Prices fluctuate according to traffic and demand, but a journey into downtown can typically cost around $35–$55 CAD.
The biggest disadvantage of any road-based airport transfer is Toronto traffic. During busy commuting periods, the journey into downtown can take substantially longer than normal. This is where the UP Express has a major advantage: its 25-minute journey is not affected by congestion.
Nevertheless, a taxi or ride-share can be the better choice if several people are splitting the fare, you arrive late at night, you have substantial luggage or your hotel is some distance from Union Station. It also removes the need to navigate Toronto’s public transport system immediately after a long flight.
For solo travellers heading into central Toronto, the UP Express usually makes more sense. For groups and travellers wanting the simplest possible door-to-door journey, a taxi, Uber or Lyft can be worth the extra cost.
Car Hire at Toronto Pearson Airport
While Toronto Pearson International Airport has excellent public transport connections to downtown Toronto via the UP Express, hiring a car is the better option if you’re planning to explore beyond the city. A rental car gives you the freedom to visit world-famous destinations such as Niagara Falls, Blue Mountain, Algonquin Provincial Park, Prince Edward County and the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario without being tied to train or coach timetables.
Toronto Pearson is Canada’s busiest airport and is home to a wide range of international and local car hire companies. Rental facilities are easy to reach from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 using the airport’s free Terminal Link Train, making it straightforward to collect your vehicle soon after landing. With so many companies operating at the airport, you’ll usually find an excellent choice of vehicles, although prices can increase during the summer, school holidays and major events. Booking ahead is often the best way to secure lower rates and ensure your preferred vehicle is available.
Before making a reservation, it’s worth comparing prices from several providers rather than booking directly with a single company. Rental rates, insurance options, mileage allowances and fuel policies can vary considerably, even for similar vehicles. Using a comparison service allows you to view multiple offers in one place, helping you find the best value and avoid unexpected costs when collecting your car.
A hire car is particularly worthwhile if Toronto is only the starting point for your Canadian adventure. Popular road trips include Niagara Falls, the wineries of the Niagara Peninsula, Muskoka, Kingston, Ottawa and longer journeys towards Montreal. If you’re planning to stay solely in downtown Toronto, public transport is often the easier option, but for anyone wanting to explore more of Ontario, collecting a car at Toronto Pearson Airport provides the flexibility to travel at your own pace.
Find Car Hire Deals for Toronto
A hire car can be useful for exploring Toronto and the surrounding area, particularly when the places you want to visit are awkward to reach by public transport.
Using more than one comparison site can help you check prices and rental terms across a wider range of suppliers before deciding which option suits your trip.
Toronto Airport Private Transfers
A pre-booked private airport transfer provides one of the easiest ways to travel from Toronto Pearson Airport directly to your hotel or accommodation. It costs more than using public transport, but removes most of the work involved in navigating the airport and arranging onward transport after a long flight.
Depending on the service booked, your driver may meet you in or around the arrivals area and take you directly to your destination. Many transfer operators also monitor incoming flights, helping them adjust the collection time when a flight arrives later than expected.
The journey from Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto will typically take around 30 to 45 minutes in lighter traffic, although congestion can increase this substantially during the morning and evening rush hours. Unlike the UP Express, a private transfer cannot avoid Toronto’s road traffic.
Private transfers become particularly attractive for families and groups travelling together. Because many services charge by vehicle rather than individual passenger, the difference in price compared with buying several train tickets or booking multiple vehicles can become smaller. Having a driver waiting can also be useful when travelling with children or substantial luggage.
Pre-booking also means you know how your airport journey will work before your flight arrives. Rather than joining a taxi queue or waiting for a ride-share vehicle, you already have transport arranged for the final part of your journey.
For an individual traveller staying near Union Station, the UP Express will normally be faster and considerably cheaper. But for travellers who value a pre-arranged, door-to-door journey, a private transfer offers a much more convenient arrival.
Arrange Your Toronto Airport Transfer
For a straightforward arrival in Toronto, Welcome Pickups allows you to pre-book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel or accommodation.
Having the journey arranged in advance means you can leave the terminal without needing to find a taxi or work out local public transport after your flight.
Check prices for your Toronto airport journey. You can also check another transfer provider before booking.
Best Way from Toronto Airport to Downtown
There isn’t one airport transfer that works best for absolutely everyone, but for most visitors the UP Express offers the best balance of speed, price and convenience. It takes around 25 minutes to reach Union Station and, crucially, is unaffected by Toronto’s road traffic.
| Transport | Time | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UP Express | ~25 min | ~$12 CAD | Most travellers |
| Bus + subway | ~60–75 min | ~$3 CAD | Lowest-cost journeys |
| Taxi | ~30–45+ min | ~$50–60 CAD | Door-to-door convenience |
| Uber/Lyft | ~30–45+ min | ~$35–55 CAD | Groups and convenience |
| Private transfer | ~30–45+ min | ~$70–90 CAD | Families and pre-booked arrivals |
If keeping costs as low as possible is the priority, take the TTC bus and subway. The journey is considerably longer and involves changing at Kipling, but the saving compared with the airport train or a taxi is substantial.
For door-to-door transport, taxis, Uber and Lyft remove the need to make onward connections after reaching downtown. Private transfers go a step further by allowing you to arrange the journey before you travel.
Traffic should play a part in your decision. A taxi or Uber can be quick when Toronto’s roads are quiet, but journey times become much less predictable during the morning and evening rush hours. At busy times, the UP Express can therefore be both cheaper and significantly faster.
For a first visit to Toronto, the simple answer is: take the UP Express unless your accommodation, group size, luggage or arrival time gives you a good reason to choose something else.
Getting from Toronto Pearson Airport to Union Station
For many visitors, Union Station is the most useful arrival point in downtown Toronto. It sits at the centre of the city’s transport network, with connections to the TTC subway, GO Transit, VIA Rail and numerous hotels and attractions within walking distance.
The easiest way to get there from Pearson is the UP Express, which runs directly from the airport to Union Station every 15 minutes. The current scheduled journey takes around 28 minutes, with intermediate stops before reaching downtown.
At Pearson, the UP Express station is located at Terminal 1 beside the Terminal Link Train. If you arrive at Terminal 3, take the free Terminal Link across to Terminal 1 and follow the signs for Train to City.
Once you arrive at Union Station, onward travel is straightforward. Line 1 of the TTC subway is connected to the station, while GO trains and buses provide regional connections across the Greater Toronto Area. Union is also the main Toronto station for VIA Rail services, making it particularly convenient if Toronto is only one stop on a wider Canadian journey.
If your hotel is close to Union Station, the UP Express is difficult to beat. You avoid Toronto’s road traffic, arrive directly in the city centre and can usually walk or make a short subway connection for the final part of your journey.
Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls
Not everyone arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport needs to travel into downtown Toronto first. If Niagara Falls is your next destination, it is worth planning the onward journey separately because travelling into central Toronto can sometimes add an unnecessary detour.
A rental car is one of the most flexible options, particularly if Niagara Falls forms part of a wider Ontario road trip. Driving also makes it easier to explore the Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding wine region rather than simply travelling directly to the falls.
Public transport is possible, but the route will usually involve at least one connection. Pearson is linked to the wider regional network by GO Transit, although the airport’s direct GO bus routes currently serve destinations such as Hamilton, Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Pickering rather than providing a simple direct airport-to-Niagara Falls service.
Another option is to take the UP Express to Union Station and continue towards Niagara from downtown Toronto. This can make sense if the timings work well or if you are spending some time in Toronto before travelling onwards.
Private transfers and coach services can also be worth comparing, particularly for families or groups who would prefer a direct journey from the airport to Niagara Falls without changing trains or buses.
If Niagara Falls is part of a longer stay, it is worth reading our dedicated Toronto to Niagara Falls guide, which covers the different rail, bus and road options in more detail.
Toronto Pearson Airport Transfers at Night
Arriving at Toronto Pearson late at night does not mean you are limited to an expensive taxi. Airport transport continues well beyond normal daytime hours, although the best option depends on exactly when your flight lands.
The UP Express operates until shortly before 1am, with the current timetable showing the final train from Pearson to Union at around 00:54. On weekdays, the first morning train from Pearson departs at around 05:27, with later starts at weekends and on holidays.
If you arrive after the final train, the TTC provides overnight airport buses. The 300A Bloor-Danforth runs between Pearson and the Bloor-Danforth corridor during the overnight period, generally from around 2am until 5am, with the journey between Pearson and Bloor-Yonge taking approximately an hour. The 334A Eglinton also provides overnight airport service on its route.
The regular 900 Airport Express operates for much of the day and evening, generally until around 2am, although exact times vary by day. That means some late arrivals can still take the 900 to Kipling before switching to another TTC service.
For the simplest late-night journey, taxis and ride-share services remain available from the airport, with designated pickup areas for Uber, Lyft and other licensed operators at both terminals.
If your flight is scheduled to land close to the end of UP Express service, allow time for immigration, baggage reclaim and walking through the terminal before relying on the final train. In that situation, checking the last departure before travelling and having a taxi, Uber or overnight TTC route as a backup is sensible.
How to Pay for Transport in Toronto
Paying for public transport in Toronto is relatively straightforward, particularly because visitors can use contactless payment on both the UP Express and TTC services. This means many travellers can arrive at Pearson Airport and begin their journey without buying a dedicated transport card.
For the UP Express, passengers can use a contactless credit or debit card, mobile wallet or PRESTO card, while conventional tickets can also be purchased from station machines or online. For most short-term visitors, simply tapping a contactless bank card or mobile device is the easiest option.
The TTC bus, streetcar and subway network also accepts contactless payments and PRESTO. This is particularly useful when taking the 900 Airport Express from Pearson because you can pay when beginning the journey and then continue onto the subway under the applicable TTC transfer rules.
A PRESTO card is Toronto’s reusable public transport payment card. It can be useful if you are staying for several days or travelling extensively around Toronto and the surrounding region, but occasional visitors no longer necessarily need to buy one simply to use public transport.
Whichever payment method you choose, remember to use the same card or device consistently where the fare system requires taps. Switching between a physical bank card and the same card stored in a mobile wallet can cause them to be treated as different payment methods.
For most visitors arriving at Pearson, there is therefore little need to worry about buying transport tickets before reaching Canada. A contactless bank card or mobile wallet is generally the simplest way to get started.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Flying into Toronto Pearson Airport? Here are a few tips to make getting into the city much easier:
- Take the UP Express if you can: It’s usually the fastest and easiest way to get from Toronto airport to downtown, especially during rush hour traffic.
- Terminal 3 passengers: Remember the UP Express station is at Terminal 1, so you’ll need to take the free Terminal Link Train first.
- Use contactless payment: Toronto transport accepts tap-to-pay cards, so you usually don’t need to buy tickets in advance.
- Avoid taxis at rush hour: Traffic into downtown Toronto can be very slow between 07:00–09:30 and 16:00–18:30.
- Staying near Union Station: If your hotel is near Union Station, the UP Express is by far the easiest option.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto Airport Transport
What is the cheapest way to get from Toronto airport to downtown?
The cheapest way to travel from Toronto Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto is the TTC bus and subway combination, which costs around $3.30 CAD and takes approximately 60 to 75 minutes. This involves taking the airport bus to Kipling Station and then the subway into downtown.
What is the fastest way to get from Toronto airport to downtown?
The fastest way is usually the UP Express train, which takes around 25 minutes from Pearson Airport to Union Station. Trains run every 15 minutes and are not affected by traffic.
Is there a train from Toronto airport to downtown?
Yes, the Union Pearson Express (UP Express) runs directly from Toronto Pearson Airport to Union Station in downtown Toronto. The station is located at Terminal 1, and Terminal 3 passengers can take the free airport train between terminals.
How much is a taxi from Toronto airport to downtown Toronto?
Airport taxis operate using a flat rate system. A taxi from Toronto Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto typically costs $50–$60 CAD, and the journey usually takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Can you use Uber from Toronto airport?
Yes, Uber and Lyft operate at Toronto Pearson Airport. Pickup areas are clearly marked outside both terminals, and prices usually range between $35 and $55 CAD depending on traffic and demand.
Is public transport easy from Toronto airport?
Yes, Toronto has a good public transport system. The UP Express train is very easy to use, and the TTC bus and subway system is straightforward if you are travelling on a budget.
Further Reading & Related Guides
Planning a trip to Toronto or exploring more of Canada? These guides cover transport, attractions, sightseeing, rail travel, airport transfers, and one of the country’s biggest airlines to help you build a smoother trip.
Getting Around Toronto
Learn how regional rail works for day trips and beyond → GO Trains Toronto Guide: Routes, Tickets, Prices & How to Use (2026)
Travel from the city to one of Canada’s top natural sights → Toronto to Niagara Falls: Train, Bus & Travel Guide (2026)
Toronto Attractions & Sightseeing
See the city’s main landmarks from an open-top bus → Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours: Routes, Stops & Tickets (2026)
Decide whether Toronto’s main sightseeing pass offers value → Toronto City Pass Guide: Attractions, Prices & Is It Worth It?
Plan your full city stay with transport, attractions, and local tips → Ultimate Toronto Travel Guide (2025): Attractions, Transit & Local Tips
Explore Beyond the City
Find the best escapes for waterfalls, wine country, small towns, and scenic Ontario → Best Day Trips from Toronto: Top Destinations for 2026
Flights & Airline Planning
Learn more about Canada’s flag carrier, route network, and loyalty scheme → Air Canada Travel Guide 2026: Routes, Star Alliance & Aeroplan Explained
