Best Ways to Get from Pearson to Downtown Toronto
5 ways to get from Pearson Airport to Downtown Toronto:
UP Express Train
Price: 9.25to12.35
Time: 25 to 28 minutes
Best for: Fastest, solo travelers, budget
GO Bus Route 40
Price: 10.80to13.00
Time: 40 to 75 minutes
Best for: Budget, not in a hurry
Taxi
Price: 60to70
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Best for: Groups, heavy luggage
Uber
Price: 50to65
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Best for: Convenience, app users
Rental Car
Price: $50 per day plus gas
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Best for: Flexibility, freedom
Quick Answer: UP Express train is fastest at 25 minutes and cheapest at $9.25 with PRESTO card
Table of Contents
UP Express Train – Best Overall
UP Express (Union Pearson Express)
Travel Time: 25 to 28 minutes non stop to Union Station
Frequency: Every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
Operating Hours: 365 days a year
Fare:
PRESTO Card: 9.25forAdult,6.15 for Senior, Youth and Student
Tap or Single Ticket: 12.35forAdult,8.25 for Senior, Youth and Student
Children under 12: FREE
Schedule from Pearson to Union:
Monday to Friday: First train 5:27 AM, Last train 12:57 AM
Saturday and Sunday: First train 6:27 AM, Last train 12:57 AM
Schedule from Union to Pearson:
Monday to Friday: First train 4:55 AM, Last train 1:00 AM
Saturday and Sunday: First train 6:00 AM, Last train 1:00 AM
Night Service Warning: No trains between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Take Uber or taxi for late night flights.
Pickup at Pearson Airport: Terminal 1, Level 1. Follow blue Train to City signs.
If you arrive at Terminal 3: Take free Terminal Link train to Terminal 1. Then follow Train to City signs.
Dropoff at Downtown: Union Station at 65 Front Street West.
Luggage: 2 suitcases plus 1 carry on free. Luggage racks near doors.
Amenities: Free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, flight information displays.
Best For: Travelers who want the fastest and cheapest option.
GO Bus Route 40 – Budget Alternative
GO Transit Route 40
Travel Time: 40 to 75 minutes depending on traffic
Frequency: Every 30 to 60 minutes
Fare:
PRESTO Card: 10.80forAdult,7.20 for Senior, $8.10 for Youth
Tap or Cash: 13.00forAdult,8.70 for Senior, $9.75 for Youth
Children under 6: FREE
Pickup at Pearson Airport: Terminal 1, Ground Level, Column Q2 to Q4. Follow red GO Transit signs.
If you arrive at Terminal 3: Take free Terminal Link train to Terminal 1. Then go to Ground Level, Column Q2 to Q4.
Dropoff at Downtown: Union Station Bus Terminal.
Luggage: 2 suitcases free. Under bus storage available.
Best For: Budget travelers who are not in a hurry.
Taxi – Best for Groups and Heavy Luggage
Taxi
Price: 60to70 flat rate to downtown
Travel Time: 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic
Pickup Location: Designated taxi stands at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
Luggage: No limit. Trunk space available for multiple suitcases.
Best For: Groups of 2 to 4 people, travelers with heavy luggage, late night arrivals after 1:00 AM
How to Get a Taxi: Follow Taxi signs to the official taxi queue. Airport staff will assist you.
Uber – Best for Convenience
Uber
Price: 50to65. Dynamic pricing may apply during peak hours.
Travel Time: 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic
Pickup Location: Ride share pickup zones at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Follow Ride Share signs.
Luggage: No limit. Depends on vehicle size.
Best For: App users, convenience, groups, late night arrivals after 1:00 AM
How to Book: Open Uber app. Set pickup as Pearson Airport. Set destination as downtown Toronto or Union Station. Request ride.
Rental Car – Best for Flexibility
Rental Car
Price: 50to100 per day plus gas
Travel Time: 30 to 45 minutes driving
Distance: 25 kilometers from Pearson to downtown Toronto
Pickup Location: Rental car center at Pearson Airport. Connected by free Terminal Link train from both terminals.
Rental Companies: Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, National
Dropoff: Return rental car at Pearson or one way dropoff to downtown locations.
Driving Directions: From Pearson take Hwy 427 South. Then take Gardiner Expressway East to downtown.
Parking Downtown: Limited and expensive. Most hotels charge 30to50 per night.
Best For: Travelers who want flexibility to explore the city, families, returning rental car.
Where to Catch Each Option at Pearson
Terminal 1 Pickup Locations
UP Express Train: Terminal 1, Level 1. Follow blue Train to City signs.
GO Bus: Ground Level, Column Q2 to Q4. Follow red GO signs.
Taxi: Taxi stands outside arrivals.
Uber: Ride share pickup zone.
Rental Car: Take free Terminal Link train to rental car center.
Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
Step by Step for Terminal 3 Passengers:
First, take the free Terminal Link train from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. The train takes 2 minutes. Then from Terminal 1, follow signs to your chosen option.
UP Express Train from Terminal 3: Terminal Link train to Terminal 1. Then Level 1. Then blue Train to City signs.
GO Bus from Terminal 3: Terminal Link train to Terminal 1. Then Ground Level. Then Column Q2 to Q4.
Taxi from Terminal 3: Taxi stands available at Terminal 3 arrivals directly.
Uber from Terminal 3: Ride share pickup zone at Terminal 3 arrivals directly.
Rental Car from Terminal 3: Terminal Link train to Terminal 1. Then rental car center.
Pro Tip: The free Terminal Link train runs every few minutes and connects both terminals.
Comparison – Which Option is Best for You?
UP Express Train
Price: 9.25to12.35
Time: 25 to 28 minutes
Luggage: 2 bags free
Best for: Fastest, solo travelers, budget
GO Bus Route 40
Price: 10.80to13.00
Time: 40 to 75 minutes
Luggage: 2 bags free
Best for: Budget, not in a hurry
Taxi
Price: 60to70
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Luggage: No limit
Best for: Groups, heavy luggage
Uber
Price: 50to65
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Luggage: No limit
Best for: Convenience
Rental Car
Price: $50 per day plus gas
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Luggage: Full trunk
Best for: Flexibility
Quick Decision Guide
Traveling alone and want fastest: UP Express Train at 25 minutes and $9.25
Traveling alone and want cheapest: UP Express Train at $9.25 with PRESTO
Traveling with 2 to 4 people: Uber or Taxi at 50to70 total
Have heavy luggage more than 2 bags: Uber or Taxi
Flight lands after 1:00 AM: Uber or Taxi because no trains after 1:00 AM
On a tight budget: UP Express Train or GO Bus
Want flexibility to explore city: Rental Car
Bottom Line
Cheapest option: UP Express Train at $9.25 with PRESTO
Fastest option: UP Express Train at 25 minutes
Best for groups: Uber or Taxi at 50to70 total
Best for late night after 1:00 AM: Uber or Taxi
Distance from Pearson to downtown: 25 kilometers or 15 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
UP Express train is the easiest way. It takes 25 minutes, costs $9.25 with PRESTO, and runs every 15 minutes. Follow blue Train to City signs at Terminal 1.
UP Express train costs 9.25withPRESTOcardor9.25withPRESTOcardor12.35 with tap or single ticket. Children under 12 ride free.
Taxi costs 60to60to70 flat rate to downtown. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Uber costs 50to50to65. Dynamic pricing may apply during peak hours. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes.
UP Express train with PRESTO card at 9.25isthecheapestway.GOBusis9.25isthecheapestway.GOBusis10.80 with PRESTO.
UP Express train at 25 minutes is the fastest way. Taxi and Uber take 30 to 45 minutes.
Yes. The Terminal Link train that connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 is completely free. It runs every few minutes.
No. UP Express is not free. Adult fare is 9.25withPRESTOor9.25withPRESTOor12.35 with tap. Children under 12 ride free.