COMPASSTransportation Guide for Conference Participants
Welcome to Toronto! This guide provides travel information for conference participants arriving at either Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
1. Union Pearson Express (UP Express) Train
- Route: Terminal 1 → Union Station (Downtown)
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes
- Duration: ~25 minutes
- Fare: CAD 12.35 (adult cash), ~CAD 9.25 with PRESTO, children under 12 ride free
- Hours: 5:30 AM – 1:00 AM daily
- From Union Station: Take TTC Line 1 – Yonge subway northbound to Queens Park Station, then walk 7 minutes to Bahen Centre
2. TTC (Bus + Subway)
- From Pearson Airport (YYZ):
- Take TTC Route 900 Airport Express to Kipling Station (Line 2 – Bloor-Danforth).
- Then take the subway eastbound to St. George Station.
- From there, it’s a 7-minute walk to the Bahen Centre for Information Technology.
- Note: The 900 Airport Express runs frequently until around 2:00 AM.
- Take TTC Route 900 Airport Express to Kipling Station (Line 2 – Bloor-Danforth).
- Late-Night Option:
- If you arrive after the 900 bus stops running, take Route 52A Lawrence West (a 24-hour bus) toward Lawrence Station.
- Transfer to a night bus (e.g., 320 Yonge) or the subway when it opens around 6:00 AM.
- If you arrive after the 900 bus stops running, take Route 52A Lawrence West (a 24-hour bus) toward Lawrence Station.
- Fare: CAD 3.30 per ride using a PRESTO card, contactless credit/debit, or exact cash (no change given).
One fare allows you to transfer between TTC vehicles within a 2-hour window. Read more about fares from here: https://www.ttc.ca/Fares-and-passes/How-to-buy-fares-and-passes - Travel Time: Around 75–90 minutes depending on traffic and connection times.
3. Taxi / Ride-share (Uber, Lyft)
- Available 24/7 from Terminal 1 & 3
- Fare: ~CAD 60–80
- Duration: ~30–45 minutes depending on traffic
- Most convenient option late at night
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
1. Complimentary Shuttle to Union Station
- Free shuttle every ~15 minutes
- Hours: ~5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- From Union: Take TTC Line 1 to Queens Park Station, then walk to Bahen Centre
- Fare: CAD 3.30
2. Pedestrian Tunnel or Ferry + TTC
- Walk via pedestrian tunnel (6 minutes) or take ferry (90 seconds) to mainland
- Streetcar 509 Harbourfront to Union Station, then subway to Museum Station
- After 1:00 AM, use night buses (301 Queen or 320 Yonge)
- Fare: CAD 3.30
- Duration: ~35–45 minutes
3. Taxi / Ride‑share
- Available 24/7 from the mainland terminal
- Fare: ~CAD 20–30
- Duration: ~15–20 minutes
- Recommended for late-night arrivals
4. Bike-Share or Cycling
- Use Bike Share Toronto (weather permitting)
- Duration: 25–35 minutes
- Fare: CAD 4.25/hour
Using PRESTO for Public Transit in Toronto
PRESTO is the official electronic fare payment system used across Toronto’s public transportation networks, including TTC (subway, bus, and streetcar), GO Transit, and the UP Express from Pearson Airport. It’s the most convenient way to pay for transit during your stay.
How to Use PRESTO:
- Simply tap a PRESTO card or use a contactless credit/debit card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) at subway station gates, on buses, or on streetcars.
- Each tap gives you unlimited travel for two hours across TTC services, allowing seamless transfers between subway, bus, and streetcar lines.
Where to Get a PRESTO Card:
- Pearson Airport: Available at the UP Express kiosk in Terminal 1.
- Subway Stations: Most major stations sell PRESTO cards.
- Retail Stores: Participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations across the city.
- Online & Mobile App: You can download the PRESTO app (iOS or Android) to check balances, load funds, and manage your card.
Fare:
- Standard adult fare is CAD 3.30 per ride on TTC and discounted fares apply on UP Express when using PRESTO.
- Children under 12 ride free.