TRANSIT OPTIONS

There are 191 bus routes and 14 streetcar routes in the Toronto area. Even though the majority of streetcar traffic mingles with other vehicles, new track has been laid in specific right-of-ways for better flow and limited disruption.

One piece of advice: Please be aware when exiting the streetcar by looking both ways before stepping off. Pedestrians travel safely all the time, but it’s always a good idea to notice road traffic before disembarking a streetcar to avoid some rogue vehicle that disobeyed their signal to stop. For streetcar schedules, visit TTC’s Streetcar Routes.

Tapping with a credit/debit/presto card is easy, however know that one card cannot tap for two people so each person should carry their own card.

There are 2 main subway routes in the Toronto area (expansions currently underway). The Yonge-University line is the most widely used (Yellow) and runs North and South, the Bloor line (Green) runs East and West. Subway trains run between 6:00am and 2:00am. Wait times between train arrivals are approximately 5 minutes, but delays can happen. The subway is considered generally safe and is a great way to get through the core of the city.

However, Toronto’s subway system is geographically limiting (as any Torontonian will attest to!) considering the vastness of the Greater Toronto Area, so it’s good to know other ways to get around the city.

The UP Express is a monorail system that takes passengers to and from Union (U) and Pearson Airport (P), hence UP express. It also stops at two stations in between: Bloor and Weston.

Generally, this mode is mostly used to get to and from the International Airport, but getting off at the Bloor station will get you close to High Park which is our beautiful, 400 acre park and a much loved spot, especially during Cherry Blossom season.

Click here for schedules and ticket information, but please know that tapping on and off is an option (just be sure to tap off so that you don’t get charged all the way to the last stop).

The Toronto Bike Share program (sponsored by Tangerine) is a really great way to get around the city. With ever-growing bike trails, cycling routes and 700 stations, this is very popular with us locals. You’ll need to download the app: Toronto Bike Share. Just create an account, choose the pass you want and unlock a bike.

The one problem you may have is wanting to return a bike and a station is full. However, stations are spaced quite close together so riding another 3-5 minutes can provide more parking options.

To find The Path, just look for the designation (pictured below) on any building or hallway in the core of the city.

The PATH connects a lot of our popular attractions and neighbourhoods such as the Eaton Centre, Yorkville, Roy Thompson Hall, The Theatre District, City Hall, Scotiabank Arena, Dundas Square…all while sporting our T-shirts in the middle of February. 

It is brightly lit, with many towering marbled sections, airy atriums, skylight spaces and garden oases. 

Because these maze-like routes can disorient its travellers, use our Video Maps as helpful tools. The PATH App is also a great navigational hack. 

The GO train system runs throughout Ontario with its hub at Toronto’s Union station. It’s a great way to reach the Greater Toronto Areas (such as Durham region, Burlington and Markham). One exciting new addition to their line-up is the 7-day a week run to Niagara Falls.

You can tap on and off for the GO Train service but be sure to tap off at your last stop, or you will be charged with the cost of riding the entire line.

Toronto has a multitude of vehicles through Uber and Lyft car services. This is considered a very safe way to travel throughout our city and the driver will probably give you tips on some popular hotspots.

Toronto’s most popular taxi cab service, which can also be used through an app is Beck’s Taxi and is also a very safe way to get around Toronto.

Toronto is a very walkable city! If you’re willing to put the steps into a 45-minute walking radius, you can get quite far and see lots of awesome destinations and neighbourhoods, many of which are very safe. As with most major cities, tourism areas are the safest to walk at night.

If you’d like to get to Toronto Island and visit Hanlan’s Point, Centre Island or Ward’s Island, there are two great ways to get there: Water taxis or the Toronto Ferry.

Water Taxis: If you walk along the Harbourfront from Yonge Street towards Spadina, you’ll see a variety of water taxis available. Fees run anywhere from $12 to $14 for one-way transport. However, once on the island, you can jump on the Toronto Ferry for a return trip for free.

Toronto Ferry: Visit the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal located at Bay St. and Queen’s Quay. Ferries run according to seasonal times, so it’s good to check their schedule before planning your trip.