Getting Started on the Toronto Subway
The Toronto Subway is the fastest and most affordable way to get around Toronto. The network covers 109 stations across 5 lines and ~100 km of track, connecting the city's key neighbourhoods, transport hubs, and attractions. Around ~1.0 million journeys are made every day.
The Toronto subway is Canada's busiest rapid transit system. It opened on 30 March 1954 and is run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Three subway lines (Line 1 Yonge–University, Line 2 Bloor–Danforth and Line 4 Sheppard) are now joined by two light rail lines: Line 6 Finch West, which opened in December 2025, and Line 5 Eglinton, which opened in February 2026.
How to Pay
The best way to pay is with the PRESTO Card: faster boarding, no queue at the machine, and usually a discount on fares. How to pay for the TTC in 2026: PRESTO card, tapping a credit card or phone, the $3.30 fare, two-hour transfers, monthly fare capping, and when PRESTO is worth getting.
All payment options: PRESTO card · Credit or debit card (tap) · Apple Pay or Google Pay · PRESTO Ticket (single ride or day pass) · Cash (exact fare).
💡 Tap PRESTO, a credit or debit card, or your phone for the $3.30 fare ($3.35 in cash). Transfers within two hours are free, and after 47 paid fares in a calendar month, the rest of the month is free.
Peak hours: No peak surcharge. The same fare applies all day.
Getting from the Airport to Toronto
The UP Express links Pearson Airport with Union Station in about 25 minutes for $9.25 with PRESTO. Compare it with the cheaper TTC 900 Airport Express bus and with taxis. Journey time: ~25 min to Union Station by UP Express. Estimated fare: $9.25 with PRESTO or $12.35 standard (UP Express).
Full airport connection guide →
Key Stations
These are the most important and useful stations on the Toronto Subway for visitors:
Lines Overview
Essential Tips for Visitors
- Get a transit card: PRESTO Card is faster and cheaper than single-use tickets.
- Always tap in and out: tap your card at both entry and exit barriers to correctly calculate the fare and avoid overpaying.
- Travel off-peak: No peak surcharge. The same fare applies all day are the busiest times. Fares may be lower off-peak.
- Download the official app: real-time service status, route planning, and fare information from Toronto Transit Commission.
- Check operating hours: verify first and last train times before late-evening travel.
- Airport connection: see the airport guide for the fastest and cheapest way to/from the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Pearson Airport (YYZ) to downtown Toronto?
Take the UP Express from Terminal 1 to Union Station: about 25 minutes, $9.25 with PRESTO or $12.35 standard. At Union, connect to Line 1 for the rest of the city. The cheapest option is the TTC 900 Airport Express bus to Kipling station on Line 2, for a single TTC fare.
What is the PRESTO card?
PRESTO is the reloadable fare card used by the TTC, GO Transit, UP Express and other transit systems around Toronto. Load money online, at station machines or in the app, and tap it on every trip. For the TTC alone, you can simply tap a credit or debit card or your phone instead.
Can I use my bank card or phone on the TTC?
Yes. Tap a contactless credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay at subway gates, on buses and streetcars, and on the Line 5 and Line 6 platform machines. You pay the same $3.30 fare as with PRESTO, and it counts towards the monthly cap.
How does TTC fare capping work?
Once you have paid 47 TTC fares in a calendar month with the same PRESTO card, bank card or phone, the rest of your TTC trips that month are free. The count resets on the first day of each month. Cash and PRESTO Tickets do not count.
What time does the Toronto subway run?
The subway runs from about 6:00 until about 1:30 to 2:00 from Monday to Saturday, and from about 8:00 on Sundays. Blue Night buses cover the main routes overnight.
Which subway stop is closest to the CN Tower?
Union Station (Line 1). From there it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk west along Front Street, through the covered SkyWalk, to the CN Tower and Rogers Centre.
What is Line 5 Eglinton?
Line 5 Eglinton is a 19 km light rail line that opened in February 2026. It crosses midtown Toronto from Mount Dennis to Kennedy, with 25 stations and stops, and connects with Line 1 at Eglinton and Cedarvale and with Line 2 at Kennedy.
Is the Scarborough RT still operating?
No. Line 3 Scarborough closed permanently in 2023 and was replaced by buses. Line 2 is being extended into Scarborough to replace it.
Fare Guide
See the full Toronto Subway ticket prices guide for all fares, the PRESTO Card discount, and payment options.
Source: Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Wikipedia. Information is for general guidance, so verify with the operator before travel.