Toronto Transport Guide for World Cup 2026
Plan your trip
Toronto’s transit network is the most extensive of any Canadian city — the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) operates the subway, streetcar, and bus network within the city, while GO Transit connects Toronto to the surrounding region. For World Cup visitors, the combination of the TTC for daily movement and the 509 Harbourfront streetcar for BMO Field access covers most practical needs.
The TTC
The Toronto Transit Commission operates four subway lines, streetcar routes, and bus routes throughout the city.
Fare: $3.30 CAD per ride (flat fare). The PRESTO Card (the regional contactless transit card) works on TTC, GO Transit, and most other GTA transit agencies — available at subway stations and Shoppers Drug Mart locations. Loading PRESTO online or at machines before your first transit day is recommended.
The Subway Lines:
- Line 1 (Yonge-University): The primary north-south line — runs from Finch in the north to Union Station and continues to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Union Station (the central transit hub) and all the major downtown stops are on Line 1.
- Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth): The east-west backbone — connects Kipling in the west to Kennedy in the east, crossing Line 1 at Bloor-Yonge and Bay.
- Lines 3 and 4: The Scarborough RT and the Sheppard line — less relevant for World Cup visitors.
Operating hours: Subway runs approximately 6am–1:30am weekdays; later on Fridays/Saturdays. The Blue Night Network (overnight buses) covers major routes after subway hours.
Streetcars
Toronto’s surface streetcar network operates on most major downtown east-west corridors. The most relevant routes for World Cup visitors:
509 Harbourfront: From Union Station west to Exhibition Place (BMO Field). The match-day route — 15–20 minutes, running with enhanced frequency on event days. This is the primary transit connection to BMO Field.
504 King: King Street West from the east end to Dundas West — the primary route for Toronto’s restaurant corridor.
501 Queen: Queen Street West, covering the independent retail and bar district.
Fare: Same as subway ($3.30 CAD, PRESTO card or tokens). Streetcar stops are marked with overhead wires and red TTC signage.
GO Transit
GO Transit operates commuter rail and bus services connecting downtown Toronto (Union Station) with the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.
Exhibition GO Station: Adjacent to BMO Field — served by some GO lines with match-day enhancement service. The 5–10 minute journey from Union Station is faster than the streetcar on high-traffic match days.
Match Day Service: GO Transit adds stadium-specific trains from Union Station to Exhibition for major events at BMO Field. Check gotransit.com for schedules — these aren’t always on the regular timetable.
GO Fare: From Union Station to Exhibition GO: $3–5 CAD with PRESTO. GO fares are distance-based; tap PRESTO on and off at fare gates.
Union Pearson Express (Airport)
The dedicated rail link between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Union Station.
Details: Runs every 15 minutes; journey time 25 minutes; fare $12.35 CAD with PRESTO ($13.00 cash). Operates from approximately 5:30am to 1:00am.
The alternative: Taxi/rideshare from Pearson to downtown Toronto is $55–80 CAD depending on traffic (the 401 is one of the most congested highways in North America). The UPX is always the faster and cheaper option.
Getting to BMO Field
509 Harbourfront Streetcar (recommended): From Union Station, take the 509 west to Exhibition Place. Journey: 15–20 min. Fare: $3.30 CAD. Enhanced service on match days.
GO Transit Exhibition: From Union Station platforms, some GO trains stop at Exhibition GO Station adjacent to BMO Field. Faster on match days when streetcars are crowded.
Walking from downtown: 2.5 km from Union Station along the Harbourfront waterfront path — approximately 30 minutes. Pleasant on warm July evenings.
Driving: Lakeshore Boulevard West or the Gardiner Expressway to Exhibition Place. Parking $20–35 CAD. Traffic out after the match on Lakeshore/Gardiner is significant — transit is faster.
Rideshare and Taxis
Uber and Lyft both operate throughout Toronto. Surge pricing is common during large events and after late-night hours — the post-match surge from BMO Field can push prices to $25–45 CAD for a ride to downtown.
Taxis: Available at Union Station and major hotels; metered rates starting at $3.25 CAD plus $0.58/100m.
Practical Notes
- PRESTO Card: Buy at any subway station or Shoppers Drug Mart. Load a minimum $10 CAD. The card is the most efficient payment method on all transit.
- Cell service in subway: Toronto’s subway has wireless connectivity on most of the network — Google Maps works underground.
- Match day timing: Leave for BMO Field 75–90 minutes before kickoff. The 509 streetcar gets crowded; the Exhibition GO train on match days is faster.
- Bike Share Toronto: The city’s bike share (docked bikes, $7/day unlimited 30-min rides) is practical for flat downtown distances, including the Harbourfront approach to BMO Field.
Plan your trip
