How to Get from Pearson Airport to Downtown Toronto

Getting from Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto is easy once you know your options. Pearson (YYZ) sits about 25 km northwest of downtown, and you’ve got four realistic ways in. Here’s each one, with what it costs in 2026.

Quick answer

Fastest: UP Express, about 25 minutes, $12.35 ($9.25 with PRESTO)
Cheapest: TTC 900 bus plus Line 2, $3.30, about an hour
Easiest with bags: flat-rate airport taxi
Late at night: taxi, rideshare or the TTC 300A night bus

Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto by UP Express (best for most people)

The Union Pearson Express is the dedicated airport train from Terminal 1 straight to Union Station downtown.

Time: about 25 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes
Fare: $12.35 one way, or $9.25 with PRESTO. You can also tap a contactless credit or debit card or your phone.
Kids 12 and under ride free
Roomy cars with luggage space, built for travellers

Landing at Terminal 3? Take the free Terminal Link train to Terminal 1 first. At Union, you’re connected to the subway, GO trains and the walk to the island ferry.

Hours: from Pearson, the first train leaves at 5

AM on weekdays and 6

AM on weekends and holidays. The last train to Union leaves at 12

AM.

Round trip? A return ticket is $24.70, and e-tickets are valid for a year, so you can buy your ride back now.

Best for: solo travellers, couples, anyone staying near downtown, and anyone landing in rush hour. The train skips traffic completely.

How to take the UP Express, step by step

Land and clear customs. If you’re at Terminal 3, ride the free Terminal Link train to Terminal 1.
Follow the signs for UP Express at Terminal 1. The station is connected to the terminal.
Tap to pay with PRESTO, a contactless card or your phone, or buy a ticket. Kids 12 and under don’t need one.
Board at platform level. There’s room for suitcases on board.
Ride about 25 minutes to Union, with stops at Weston and Bloor.
At Union, follow the signs to the TTC subway, GO trains or the street.

TTC bus and subway (cheapest)

The 900 Airport Express bus runs from Terminals 1 and 3 to Kipling station, about 20 to 25 minutes. From there, ride Line 2 into downtown.

Fare: one $3.30 TTC fare (tap a contactless card, phone or PRESTO), and the two-hour transfer covers the subway
Time: about an hour total, depending on connections
No special ticket needed. Just tap like any TTC ride.

Hours: the 900 runs from about 5

AM to 2 AM Monday to Saturday, and from about 8

AM on Sundays.

Other TTC routes: the 52A Lawrence West bus connects the airport to Line 1 at Lawrence or Lawrence West stations. It’s slower (50 to 75 minutes) but handy if you’re staying in the north end.

Best for: budget travellers and anyone not in a hurry. It’s the same system our TTC beginner’s guide covers.

Taxi (simplest with lots of luggage)

Licensed airport taxis wait outside both terminals and charge a flat rate based on where you’re going. No meter, no surge pricing, taxes included.

Fare: set by destination zone. Check the fare estimator on the Toronto Pearson site before you land.
Extras: $15 more for 4 or more checked bags (or an oversize piece), and $15 more for 5 or more people
Time: 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic

Best for: families with kids and suitcases, groups of 3 or 4 splitting the fare, and late-night arrivals when you’d rather not think.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

Uber and Lyft pick up at designated areas at both terminals.

Fare: varies, and surge pricing applies, so it can spike at peak times or in bad weather
Time: the same 30 to 45 minutes as a taxi

Best for: when the price in the app looks sane as you land. Always compare it with the taxi flat rate before you tap “confirm.”

Quick comparison

Option	Cost	Time	Best for
UP Express	$12.35 ($9.25 PRESTO)	~25 min	Most visitors
TTC bus and subway	$3.30	~60 min	Tight budgets
Taxi	Flat rate by zone	30 to 45 min	Groups, luggage
Rideshare	Varies, with surge	30 to 45 min	App loyalists

Accessibility

UP Express: trains board at platform level, with wheelchair spaces, accessible washrooms, visual and audible announcements, and priority seating. Call 1-844-438-6687 at least a day ahead if you need help.
Support persons: one support person rides UP Express free with an Access 2 Card or a transit agency support person card.
TTC: the 900 Airport Express is an accessible bus. Check that your subway stations have working elevators on the TTC site before you travel.
At the airport: Toronto Pearson runs a customer assistance program. Call 1-877-297-2227 to arrange help.

Common mistakes to avoid

Lining up at a ticket machine. Just tap PRESTO or your contactless card at the platform.
Taking a rideshare in a surge without checking the taxi flat rate first.
Forgetting the luggage surcharge. Taxis add $15 for 4 or more checked bags.
Mixing up airports. Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop (YTZ) are very different trips.

Arriving late at night

Red-eye or delayed flight? You’ve still got options.

Taxi or rideshare: both run around the clock. The taxi flat rate is the predictable choice.
TTC night buses: Route 300A Bloor-Danforth serves the airport overnight, roughly 2 AM to 5 AM, and connects along the Line 2 corridor.

Once you reach Union Station

Union is the hub for almost everything. From here:

Line 1 runs north through downtown to hotels on Yonge and University.
The CN Tower is about 10 minutes away through the enclosed SkyWalk.
The island ferry is a short walk south on Bay Street.

Good to know

Paying for UP Express: tap PRESTO or contactless at the platform. No need to queue at a machine.
Not staying downtown? The UP Express also stops at Weston and Bloor, handy for the west end.
Flying into Billy Bishop? That’s the island airport right by downtown, a much shorter trip. The airport runs a free shuttle to Union Station; check its site for current service.

First time in the city? Our Toronto travel tips answer the questions every visitor asks, and our YouTube walks show you around before you land.

Land, tap, ride. You’ll be downtown before you know it.

Quick answers

What is the cheapest way from Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto?

The TTC. Take the 900 Airport Express bus to Kipling station, then ride Line 2 downtown, all on one $3.30 fare thanks to the two-hour transfer. Plan on about an hour.

How much is the UP Express from Pearson to Union Station?

An adult one-way fare is $12.35, or $9.25 with PRESTO. Kids 12 and under ride free. The trip takes about 25 minutes.

What time does the UP Express stop running?

The last train from Pearson to Union leaves at 12:57 AM. The first train is 5:27 AM on weekdays and 6:27 AM on weekends and holidays.

How do you get downtown from Pearson late at night?

After the UP Express stops, take a flat-rate taxi or a rideshare, or use the TTC night bus network. Route 300A Bloor-Danforth serves the airport overnight.

Is the UP Express wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Trains board at platform level, every train has wheelchair spaces and accessible washrooms, and stations have ramps and elevators. One support person can ride free with an Access 2 Card or similar documentation.

Sources

Prices, hours and schedules change. Check the official site before you go. Spot something out of date? Email info@truecitytourism.com. Some links may be affiliate links. Disclosure.