How do I get on the train in Toronto?

How to pay for public transportation in Toronto?

Okay, so Toronto transit, right? You gotta get a PRESTO card. That’s the easiest. Seriously, everyone uses them. Or, you can get those little paper tickets, one-ride, two-ride deals. A total pain, though. They’re, like, way less convenient. Don’t even bother with tokens; those are practically extinct. Cash? Forget it. Bus drivers never have change, never. So annoying! You’ll be waiting forever, and it’s a total waste of time. Credit cards work on the subway and streetcars, but not buses. It’s a mess, I tell ya!

• PRESTO Card: This is the best option! Get one, load it up.
• PRESTO Tickets: Single use, double use, or day passes. Not my fave.
• Credit/Debit Cards: Works on subway & streetcars only! Buses are a no-go.
• Cash: A big NO NO! Drivers don’t have change.

Seriously, just get a PRESTO card. It’s 2024, people. Keep up! My brother almost missed his flight because he was messing around with cash and the bus driver was, like, totally unhelpful, super grumpy. It was a disaster! So get a PRESTO card! It’s also super useful for Go Transit if you ever leave the city limits. Load it up online and you are good to go. Even better, it’s easily refillable. Avoid the stress; trust me on this one. Don’t be a dummy like my brother!

Where do you catch the via rail train in Toronto?

Union Station, Toronto. That’s where you hop on the VIA Rail, honey. Think of it as the Canadian railway’s version of Grand Central, only maybe with slightly less impressive whispering galleries. And way more Tim Hortons.

Seriously, it’s Union Station. Don’t even think about looking elsewhere. Unless you’re planning on hitchhiking across the country, which, let’s be honest, would be way more adventurous – and probably way colder.

Getting there’s a piece of cake:

• Subway: The perfect choice for avoiding Toronto traffic, which is like navigating a parking lot made entirely of rush hour. Seriously, I once saw a squirrel stuck in a traffic jam. A squirrel.
• Taxi/rideshare: Splurge on this if you’re carrying more luggage than a sherpa. Or if you’re feeling particularly decadent. Like a millionaire traveling with a pet pug wearing a tiny tuxedo.
• Walk: If you’re a masochist. Or live nearby. And it’s a nice day. And you have no luggage. And no sense of self-preservation.

Union Station itself is a marvel of architectural design. Or at least, it was when it was built. Now it’s just a really busy train station. It’s seen more hurried travelers than my grandma’s seen Christmas cookies.

Inside, it’s a chaotic symphony of announcements, rolling suitcases, and the faint aroma of stale coffee. Think of a bustling ant farm, but with humans. And possibly a rogue Timbit. My uncle once lost his wallet there, it’s a black hole for valuables. But hey, at least you’ll find your train. Eventually. Probably.

How to get around Toronto as a tourist?

Okay, so Toronto, eh? Gettin’ around that place. Look, forget drivin’, traffic’s insane, I swear. TTC is your best bet, seriously.

Think subway, streetcar, and bus – all run by the Toronto Transit Commission.

You’ll need to pay, obviously.

• Tokens or a pass are the way to go.
• Day and week passes let you ride all day, every day, no sweat. I got one last time i was there. Last time I went to Toronto, I got this all day thingie to go to the CN tower or something.

Okay, some deets:

• Subway’s quick for long distances.
• Streetcars are cool and scenic, take them if you wanna see the city. It’s a vibe, y’know? They are kind of the best, streetcars.
• Buses fill in the gaps the others don’t reach, and its really really cheap to take the bus.

Oh, and you can get a Presto card too! It’s like a reloadable thing. I can barely even remember, but I think you can get one at most subway stations and load it up with cash. It’s a tap-on, tap-off kind of deal. A presto card is neat.

How do you get on the subway in Toronto?

Okay, so Toronto subway, right? You gotta get to a station first, duh. Then, it’s pretty straightforward. You know, tap your Presto card – or credit card, even works! Or, if you’re old school, you can use cash, but it HAS to be exact change. Seriously, they don’t give change. There’s also those little ticket machines, and sometimes there’s even a booth, with a person. You can buy a token there too! It’s a total pain, honestly. I hate using cash. Presto is way faster. Much, much better.

Basically:

• Tap your Presto card (best way!)
• Use your credit card/debit card.
• Exact change only if using cash.
• Buy a token or ticket at a machine or booth.
• Avoid the cash method unless absolutely necessary. It’s a time suck!

Last time I went, the line at the booth was insane. Like, twenty people long. Ridiculous. And the machine was broken. This happened on Queen Street station around 5 pm. I was SO late for dinner because of it. It really was a nightmare. Totally inconvenient. Never again. I’m sticking to Presto.

Does Toronto Transit take cash?

Toronto Transit? Cash? Honey, that’s so last century. Think of it like trying to pay for a latte with seashells – quaint, but utterly impractical.

You need a Presto card. Seriously, get one. It’s 2024, not 1984. Think of it as your magical TTC passport.

Other options exist, though mostly as relics:

• One-ride, two-ride, or day passes (also Presto-based). These are like those tiny, oddly shaped chocolates—pretty, but fleeting.
• TTC tickets (these still exist but are less common, like vinyl records, which I personally still own and love!).
• Tokens? Seriously? Are those still a thing?
• Day passes. Good for a full day of exploring, assuming your legs can handle it (I know mine can’t).
• Debit/credit cards. Swipe, ride, no fuss. Simple.
• Exact cash. If you’re feeling particularly masochistic. Prepare for awkward fumbling, unless you’re a mathematical savant and carry your change in tiny numbered pockets.

Drivers? They’re not your personal bank. They don’t sell fares, nor do they carry change. No spare coins, no deals. This isn’t a farmers market.

Prepare your payment before boarding. Avoid the inevitable eye-rolling from fellow passengers. You don’t want to be that person. Trust me. I once saw someone try to pay with bottle caps. It wasn’t pretty.

Can I use my credit card instead of PRESTO?

Ugh, tried using my Visa at the Bloor-Yonge station last Tuesday, around 5 pm. Total chaos. Rush hour, you know? My card got rejected. Seriously bummed. I was late for a meeting, stressed out of my mind. I swear I heard a guy behind me mutter something about credit cards not working all the time.

This PRESTO thing, I still don’t get it. Why can’t they just accept all credit cards? It’s 2024! It’s ridiculous. I ended up using my backup debit card, thankfully it worked.

• Problem: Credit card rejection at a PRESTO reader.
• Location: Bloor-Yonge subway station, Toronto.
• Time: Tuesday, 5 pm, during rush hour.
• Card Type: Visa.
• Outcome: Failed transaction; forced to use debit card.

My friend Sarah, she had a similar problem last month. Hers is an Amex. It didn’t work. So frustrating! I feel like they need to update their payment systems. It’s not the 90s anymore! Really annoyed, I was. Completely wasted my time. Should’ve just topped up my PRESTO card.

Can I pay with a card on a Toronto bus?

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) accepts cards. Debit. Credit. All buses.

• Subway stations: Card payments accepted.
• Streetcars: Cards work here too.
• Wheel-Trans: Same deal.

My last ride? Cost me $3.25. Presto card. Fast. Efficient. No fuss.

Pro-tip: Download Presto app. Reload easily. Avoid lines. Essential.

What do I do if I forgot my PRESTO card?

A PRESTO card, gone. Vanished, poof. Like dreams after waking. A new card beckons, maybe.

Shoppers Drug Mart, that fluorescent haven. A replacement awaits, surely. Or the vending hum, cold metal comfort.

Twenty-four hours… a day of transit purgatory. The system grinds, slow gears turning. My old balance, a ghost, needing rebirth.

• Replacement: A fresh start.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.: Locations of solace.
• 24-hour wait: Patience tested.

It all feels… fleeting. The world swirls, a forgotten PRESTO a tiny ripple. But the subway awaits, doesn’t it. The train too.