The Toronto Airport Train
The UP Express is the fast and effective train line linking the airport to the city of Toronto. It is by far the best value-for-money option, as well as one of the most preferred modes of transit from the airport. The train is accessible, offers free Wi-Fi, charging points, and live flight updates, and is equipped with folding tables and baggage racks. Overall, UP -the air-rail line- is considered a speedy and reliable part of Pearson airport’s ground transportation.
The Schedule and Route of the UP Express Train
The airport train leaves the UP Express Station and heads to the city center, linking Toronto Airport to downtown. Verily, it runs to Weston Station (providing connections with the GO Transit Kitchener Line), Bloor Station (where passengers can also change to the Kitchener Line or opt for the Bloor Danforth Subway Line 2) before reaching its terminus, the city’s major rail hub -the Union Station. From the Union Station, travelers can hop on the VIA Rail or the Yonge-University Subway Line 1. The UP’s traveling time to Weston Station is 11 minutes, to Bloor Station 17 minutes, and to Union Station 25 minutes. It runs on a frequent basis, with available routes almost every 15 minutes, from 05:27 am to 11:27 pm on weekdays and from 06:27 am to 11:27 pm on weekends and during public holidays.
Where is the Train Station at Toronto Pearson Airport?
Even though Toronto International Airport has two terminal buildings, only T1 houses a rail station. Thus, the airport’s train station is to be found in terminal 1, right next to the Terminal Link Station. The Terminal Link is the automated and free airport train, handling rides between terminals and to Viscount Station. Hence, if you want to reach the UP Express Station and are landing at terminal 1, all you’ll have to do is following the signs indicating “Train to city”. If arriving at terminal 3, you’ll have to use the Link Train to get to terminal 1. Fortunately, the Link Train runs around the clock.
Toronto Airport Train Ticket Fares and Prices
In general terms, Toronto airport train fares are calculated based on the traversed distance. Hence, they vary depending on the disembarking station. You can opt for one-way tickets or tickets for round trips. The one-way fare for the rail ride to Union Station is 12.35$/9 USD/8.40€ (the round trip costs 24.70$/18 USD/16.80€), whereas the price for the journey to Weston is 5.30$/3.90 USD/3.70€ and to Bloor Station 5.65$/4.12 USD/3.90€. Tickets are available online or through the relevant app. Alternatively, you can purchase them from the automatic ticket machines of the UP Express Station or from the UP Express Customer Service Counter located in the International Arrivals area of T1. However, only payments via bank cards are accepted. Conversely, automatic payment devices accept cash payments as well.
On the other hand, you can buy a rechargeable PRESTO Card costing 6$/4.37 USD/4.10€ and benefit from its perks. PRESTO Cards offer lower prices for rail tickets and are valid for the TTC and the Go Transit lines too. Moreover, they provide discounts for many of Toronto’s sights and events. Nevertheless, only one-way fares can be loaded to PRESTO Cards. They are available from the automatic payment devices of the station, online, or from the counter at Toronto airport terminal 1 (using only credit or debit cards). With the PRESTO Card, the ticket from Pearson Airport to Union Station is priced at 9.25$/6.70 USD/6.30€, whereas the Toronto airport train to Weston Station costs 4.71$/3.40 USD/3.20€. Finally, the price for the rail journey to Bloor Station is 5.02$/3.70 USD/3.47€. Please remember that you’ll have to tap your PRESTO Card once entering the Up Express Station and before exiting your destination station.
Last but not least, contactless payments have been recently accepted throughout the UP train network. Thus, you can use a contactless bank card or your mobile to pay for your rail fare. In that case, you’ll have to tap the card, the mobile, or even your smartwatch to one of the airport’s PRESTO payment devices.
Our Tip 1: PRESTO Cards aren’t personal. Hence, they can be used by multiple passengers, yet not at the same time.
Our Tip 2: Children between 0 and 12 years of age travel for free.
Our Tip 3: Families (2 adults with up to 3 children up to 19 years of age) can benefit from “The Park & Ride the UP”. They can leave their car at the airport for up to 24 hours and ride the UP to downtown Toronto paying a total fare of just 35$ (25.50 USD/24€).
FAQs
Are there trains at Toronto Airport?
The UP Express Train leaves the Toronto airport train station, connecting Pearson Airport to the city center. The air-rail line runs from 05:27 am to 11:27 pm on a 15-minute frequency and reaches downtown Toronto in just 25 minutes.
How much is the train from Toronto Airport?
A one-way ticket from Pearson Airport to Union Station costs 12.35$/9 USD/8.40€. On the other hand, with a PRESTO Card, the Toronto airport train fare is slightly lower, at 9.25$/6.70 USD/6.30€. Nevertheless, you’ll have to pay an additional 6$/4.37 USD/4.10€ to buy the rechargeable PRESTO Card.
How often does the train run from Pearson Airport to Union Station?
The UP Express operates from 05:27 am to 11:27 pm during the week and from 06:27 am to 11:27 pm on weekends and public holidays. Its routes are frequent. As a matter of fact, it runs every 15 minutes.