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.

Quick cost comparison: airport to your destination

Overview: Transfers from YYZ to Downtown

By Taxi or Rideshare to Downtown

A metered airport cab or a rideshare from either terminal reaches the downtown core in about 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Airport-to-downtown trips are usually quoted as a fixed fare of roughly 61 CA$ (44 USD / 41€), varying slightly with your exact drop-off. Larger groups or oversized bags may need a van, which typically adds about 15 CA$.

For terminal pickup points, licensed-rank advice and payment details, see our full Toronto airport taxi guide.

By Bus and Subway into Downtown

Public transit is the cheapest way in, roughly 3.30 to 9.60 CA$ (2.41 to 7.10 USD). No single bus runs straight to the core: TTC routes such as the 52 (Lawrence West) or the 900 Airport Express feed into subway stations, where Line 1 or Line 2 carries you to Union Station in about 60 to 90 minutes total. GO Transit and TTC night buses are alternatives, and PRESTO is valid across all of them.

Full route breakdowns, stop columns, night-bus pairings and current TTC fares are in our Toronto airport bus and shuttle guide.

By Train on the UP Express

The UP Express is the fastest public link: departures every 15 minutes from the Terminal 1 station, about 25 minutes straight to Union Station, with luggage racks, Wi-Fi and charging onboard. A standard adult fare is roughly 12.35 CA$ (9 USD), dropping to about 9.25 CA$ with PRESTO. From Union Station the TTC subway reaches the rest of downtown.

Schedules, station location and payment options are in our UP Express train guide.

Getting to Union Station Specifically

Union Station is the downtown terminus of the UP Express, so the train is the direct airport-to-Union-Station route, about 25 minutes with no transfers. By taxi or private transfer it is a standard downtown drop-off; by TTC, the 900 Airport Express via Kipling and Line 1 ends there too.

Car Rental to Downtown

A rental car makes sense only if your trip reaches beyond the centre. The drive in is 25 to 35 minutes, but downtown parking is scarce and expensive, so book a garage spot ahead if your hotel has none. Rush hours (07:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 20:00) add significant time.

Rental desk locations and pickup logistics are in our Toronto airport car rental guide.

Private Airport Transfers to Downtown

A pre-booked private transfer is the smoothest door-to-door option: a price fixed in advance, meet-and-greet, luggage help and a choice of vehicle class. It suits families, late arrivals, or anyone who wants zero hassle after a long flight.

Compare operators and rates in our Toronto airport transfers guide.

Comparing your options on price? See our breakdown of the cheapest way from Toronto Pearson to downtown.