Toronto Transport

Toronto has one of the best public transportations systems anywhere. The city is served by both the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which operates the city's subway, streetcar, and bus systems, as well as GO Transit, which is run by the Government of Ontario.

Every weekday morning, Go Transit brings in a multitude of people by train from the outlying urban areas that have recently become part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Scarborough, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oshawa, Pickering, Oakville, and more.

So if you decide to stay outside of Toronto, you will not have ANY problem getting back and forth from the city. GO Trains start around 0530 and go to around midnight on many routes, all of which have connecting buses.

And to get around Toronto, you can truly rely on the TTC. The subway will get you across the city and back in a flash. The streetcars will give you a great look at Toronto and its various ethnic neighbourhoods. All operate late into the night, and when they stop, you can be sure you will se a taxi appear every few seconds.

But Toronto is also a walking city. An easy grid system and a centralized core of things to see and do means downtown is best explored by foot (but definitely not in the winter).

A walk up Yonge St (the longest street in the world at over 1900 km - don't worry, you won't need to walk far to gind somethng you like) beginning at the lake will take you past all the coolest shops, restaurants, and pubs, and a plethora of sights and sounds that you really don't see every day.

Other great walking streets include Queen, Dundas, and College. Walking is the best way to discover the special little things that Toronto has to offer, like markets, and parks, and street food that is out of this world.

Public Transportation
The Toronto Transit Commission, or TTC 416/393-4636 daily from 7am to 10pm for information , operates the subway, bus, streetcar, and light rapid transit LRT system.

Fares
You can buy a special day pass that's good for unlimited travel for one person after 9:30am on weekdays, and good for up to six people a maximum of two adults anytime on Sunday and holidays. There is no Saturday pass, and no multiple-day deals.

For surface transportation, you need a ticket, a token, or exact change. You can buy tickets and tokens at subway entrances and at authorized stores that display the sign TTC. Bus drivers do not sell tickets, nor will they make change. Always obtain a free transfer where you board the train or bus, in case you need it. In the subways, use the push-button machine just inside the entrance. On streetcars and buses, ask the driver for a transfer.

The Subway
It is fast, quiet, and clean: and very simple to use. There are two lines: Bloor-Danforth and Yonge-University-Spadina: that form a cross. The Bloor Street east-west line runs from Kipling Avenue in the west to Kennedy Road in the east where it connects with Scarborough Rapid Transit to Scarborough Centre and McCowan Rd.

The Yonge Street north-south line runs from Finch Avenue in the north to Union Station Front St. in the south. From there, it loops north along University Avenue and connects with the Bloor line at the St. George station. A Spadina extension runs north from St. George to Downsview station at Sheppard Avenue.

The light rapid transit LRT system connects downtown to Harbourfront. The fare is one ticket or token. It runs from Union Station along Queen's Quay to Spadina, with stops at Queen's Quay ferry docks, York Street, Simcoe Street, and Rees Street, then continues up Spadina to the Spadina subway station. The transfer from the subway to the LRT and vice versa at Union Station is free.

The subway operates Monday to Saturday 6am to 1:30am, Sunday 9am to 1:30am. From 1am to 5:30am, the Blue Night Network operates on basic surface routes. It runs about every 30 minutes. For route information, pick up a "Ride Guide" at subway entrances or call 416/393-4636. Multilingual information is available. You can also use the automated information service at 416/393-8663.

Buses & Streetcars:

Where the subway leaves off, buses and streetcars take over. They run east-west and north-south along the city's arteries. For complete TTC information, call 416/393-4636.