How to Get from Toronto Airport to Downtown Toronto

Transit Options from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Downtown Toronto

Roughly 28 km (17 miles) separate Toronto Pearson International Airport from the downtown core. Despite that gap, the airport links up well with the city and gives arrivals a handful of ways to make the trip, each suited to a different budget and travel style. Travellers who want comfort and a door-to-door ride tend to pick a taxi or a private transfer. For the quickest public route, the UP Express rail line stands out. Those watching their spending can pair a bus with the TTC subway network, while a rental car works best for independent trips that reach beyond the city centre.

Overview: Transfers from YYZ to Downtown

By Taxi: Toronto Airport to Downtown Toronto

Cabs wait around the clock at the official ranks outside both terminals. Arriving into Terminal 1, follow the taxi signs on the Arrivals level near Door D. Over at Terminal 3, the stand also sits on the Arrivals level, close to Doors D, E, and F. Stick to the marked queue so an unlicensed driver cannot overcharge you.

With traffic flowing normally, the run into the centre tends to take 20 to 30 minutes. When the roads are busy, expect 40 to 60 minutes instead. City cabs use a meter, yet airport trips to the downtown area are usually quoted as an average fixed-cost ride, generally about 61 CA$ (44 USD / 41€), shifting a little with your exact drop-off point.

Both card and cash payments are widely taken, though it pays to confirm with the driver before you set off. A 10% to 15% gratuity is the norm for good service, but it remains optional.

Tip 1: Ride-sharing apps operate at Pearson as well.

Tip 2: Parties of more than 4 passengers, or anyone with oversized bags, may need a van, which typically adds about 15 CA$ (11 USD / 10€).

By Bus and Subway into Downtown

The cheapest way in is by public bus, though no single service runs straight from the terminal to the city centre. Instead, the buses feed into TTC subway stations, and from there you ride the subway the rest of the way downtown.

TTC Bus 52 (Lawrence West)

• Service: Every ~10 minutes
• Hours: From 06:00 am (08:00 am on Sundays) to 01:00 am
• Airport to Lawrence West Station: ~45 minutes
• Then: Subway Line 1 (Yonge–University) toward Finch to reach downtown (approx. +25 minutes)
• Total duration: ~60 minutes

TTC Bus 900 (Airport Express) + Subway

• Service: Every ~10 minutes
• Hours: From 06:00 am to 01:00 am (08:00 am start on Sundays)
• Features: Luggage racks
• Route: Airport to Kipling Station to Subway Line 2 (Bloor–Danforth), transfer at St George to Subway Line 1, then Union Station
• Total duration: ~70 minutes

Night Buses (Late Night Transfers)

Between roughly 01:30 am and 06:00 am (to 08:00 am on Sundays), TTC night buses keep running at a frequency of about 30 minutes. Popular pairings include:

• Bus 300 (Bloor–Danforth) + Bus 320 (Yonge Night Bus) to Union Station
• Bus 332 (Eglinton West) + Bus 320 to Union Station
• Total duration: ~90 minutes

Fares and Payment (TTC)

Whichever route you board from the airport, the TTC fare stays the same. Pay cash onboard and you will need to hand over the exact amount. PRESTO usually shaves a little off the price.

• Cash fare: ~3.35 CA$ (2.44 USD / 2.28€)
• PRESTO (card/ticket): ~3.30 CA$ (2.41 USD / 2.24€)
• PRESTO Card: Reloadable; purchase cost often listed as 4 CA$ (2.92 USD / 2.72€)
• Transfer window: PRESTO enables unlimited TTC rides within a 2-hour window

See current TTC fares on the official TTC fares page.

Tip 1: Bus stops at YYZ sit on the Ground level of T1 (Column R4) and the Arrivals level of T3 (C8–C12).

Tip 2: Youngsters aged 0–12 ride free on TTC services.

GO Transit Buses (Alternative Public Option)

Pearson is served by GO Transit too, though its stops sit at Terminal 1 only, typically around Columns Q2–Q4. A GO bus can carry you to major hubs where the TTC subway takes over.

• GO Bus 34: Airport to Yorkdale Terminal, then Subway Line 1 downtown
• GO Bus 40: Airport to Hwy 407 Bus Terminal, then TTC connections

Combined costs can climb to roughly 9.60 CA$ (7.10 USD / 6.50€) depending on the GO + TTC mix, and door-to-door time usually lands near 60 minutes.

Tip: PRESTO is valid on GO Transit as well, and contactless payment works on many services.

By Train on the UP Express

For the fastest public link between Pearson and the downtown core, the UP Express rail service wins out. It pulls away from the UP Express Station at Terminal 1, beside the Terminal Link Train zone (the free shuttle rail that joins T1 and T3).

• Frequency: Every 15 minutes
• Hours: From 05:27 am to 11:27 pm (from 06:27 am on Sundays/holidays)
• Duration: ~25 minutes to Union Station
• Onboard: Luggage racks, Wi-Fi, charging points, info screens

A standard adult fare runs roughly 12.35 CA$ (9 USD / 8.40€). Tapping a PRESTO Card brings it down, generally to about 9.25 CA$ (6.70 USD / 6.30€). See current fares on the official UP Express fares page.

You can buy tickets online, through the app, at station machines, or at the counters (note: counters may not take cash). Contactless payment goes through PRESTO-enabled devices. Children aged 0–12 travel free.

Car Rental from Toronto Airport to Downtown Toronto

Renting a car makes sense if your plans stretch past the centre or across Ontario. The drive in usually takes 25 to 35 minutes, although rush-hour congestion (07:00 am to 09:00 am and 03:00 pm to 08:00 pm) can stretch that out considerably.

Downtown parking is scarce and pricey, and free kerbside spaces are hard to come by. Should your hotel lack parking, booking a garage spot ahead is usually the simplest fix.

Private Airport Transfers from YYZ to Downtown Toronto

For the smoothest door-to-door experience out of Pearson, a private transfer leads the pack. These are booked ahead and generally bundle in meet-and-greet, help with bags, and a price fixed in advance. Plenty of operators also let you pick the vehicle class and add extras such as child seats.

Chasing a premium ride? Compare companies beforehand to land the best rate, since several private transfer firms serve the airport.

Fares change periodically — check current rates on the official source.