Toronto’s transit is dominated by one agency, the TTC, which runs the subway, streetcars, and buses on a single fare with a real transfer window — tap once and you’ve got two hours to get where you’re going, on any combination of modes. The airport train is a separate ticket, but everything else is one system, one tap.
The basics
The backbone is the subway, with three heavy-rail lines meeting downtown at Bloor-Yonge and Union:
- Line 1 (Yonge-University) — the U-shaped spine, running from Finch in the north down through downtown and back up to Vaughan.
- Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) — east–west across the city, from Kipling to Kennedy.
- Line 4 (Sheppard) — a short east–west line connecting to Line 1 at Sheppard-Yonge.
Two newer light rail lines extend the network: Line 5 (Eglinton Crosstown), which opened in February 2026 and runs east–west along Eglinton Avenue, and Line 6 (Finch West), which opened in December 2025 and runs along Finch Avenue West, connecting to Line 1. On top of that, the TTC runs an extensive streetcar network through downtown and a large bus network covering the rest of the city. GO Transit (also run by Metrolinx) handles regional buses and trains out to the suburbs, if you’re heading beyond the city.
How to pay
Toronto uses PRESTO, an open tap-to-pay system, with a few ways to load a fare:
- Tap a contactless bank card or your phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay) directly on a PRESTO reader or fare gate. It charges the regular adult fare and starts your transfer window — no PRESTO card needed.
- Get a PRESTO card, sold at subway stations, Shoppers Drug Mart, and other retailers, and load it with cash or a bank card. This is the way to go for a reduced (senior/youth) fare, since those require a registered card.
- Pay cash — on buses, drop exact change in the farebox; on streetcars, use the fare machine on board. Cash doesn’t get you a transfer, so you’ll need proof-of-payment for each fare you pay.
The subway has fare gates — tap to enter, and keep your proof-of-payment (transfer or receipt) if you paid cash. Streetcars and buses run on proof-of-payment: tap the reader at the door (or on the platform for streetcars with all-door boarding), and be ready to show it if a fare inspector asks.
Fares
A single tap buys a 2-hour transfer — unlimited rides across subway, streetcar, and bus within that window, in any direction.
| Tap (PRESTO / debit / credit) | Cash | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $3.30 | $3.35 |
| Senior (65+) | $2.25 | $2.30 |
| Youth (13–19) | $2.35 | $2.40 |
| Children (12 & under) | Free | Free |
Cash payments don’t include the two-hour transfer — that’s a PRESTO/tap-only benefit. There’s also a PRESTO day pass ($13.50) if you know you’ll be riding a lot in one day.
Big change coming: starting September 1, 2026, the TTC is introducing monthly fare capping — tap the same card or phone all month and your rides are automatically free once you hit 47 paid trips. Monthly and most annual passes are being phased out the same day (see the alert above), so if you’re visiting after that date, you likely don’t need to buy anything in advance — just tap consistently with the same card.
Getting from the airport
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) connects to downtown via UP Express, a dedicated airport train (not part of the TTC fare) running between Pearson and Union Station.
- Time: 28 minutes, Union to Pearson.
- Cost: $9.25 one-way for adults if you tap a PRESTO card; $12.35 paying standard fare at a kiosk with cash or credit. Seniors pay $5.80 (PRESTO) or $6.20 (standard); youth and post-secondary students pay $7.41 (PRESTO); kids 12 and under ride free.
- How often: every 15 minutes, seven days a week.
- Hours: from Union, the first train to Pearson leaves around 4:55am and the last around 1:00am.
Your regular TTC fare doesn’t carry over to UP Express — it’s a separate ticket, and there’s no discount for transferring between the two.
Apps to download
- Transit — the TTC’s official real-time partner app; shows live arrivals and can flag when a bus or streetcar has been detoured off its regular route.
- PRESTO — for managing your PRESTO card balance, or loading a virtual card into your phone’s wallet.
- Google Maps or Apple Maps — solid for trip planning with live TTC data built in.
When it runs
The subway runs roughly 6am to 2am Monday through Saturday, and 8am to 2am on Sundays (exact times vary a bit by station). Streetcars and most bus routes run similar hours.
Overnight, the Blue Night Network takes over — a grid of bus and streetcar routes running every 30 minutes or better, all night, from about 1:30am until the subway starts up again.
Accessibility
The TTC has been steadily adding elevators to subway stations under its Easier Access Program; by the end of 2026, every subway station is scheduled to have one except Old Mill, which is targeted for 2028. Wheel-Trans is the TTC’s door-to-door paratransit service for riders whose disability prevents them from using conventional transit — eligibility isn’t based on age or disability type, just on whether it affects your ability to ride.
Etiquette & local quirks
- Tap every time, even on transfers — it’s what proves you’ve paid if a fare inspector checks.
- Cash payers should hang onto their proof-of-payment slip or transfer for the whole trip.
- Newer streetcars use all-door boarding with a PRESTO reader by every door — you don’t have to board at the front.
- Line 6 Finch West has no onboard payment — tap before you get on the platform.
Good to know
- Fare enforcement: fare evasion (no proof-of-payment when asked) can mean a fine of up to $425.
- Watch for September 1, 2026: that’s when fare capping replaces most passes — see the alert at the top if you’re planning a trip around then.
- If you’re continuing beyond the city on GO Transit, a TTC fare discounts your GO trip and gives you a free transfer window onto GO — that reciprocal deal doesn’t extend to UP Express.