25 minutes downtown-to-YYZ with the Union Pearson Express
The Union Pearson Express runs every 15 minutes between Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport, with a travel time of about 25 minutes end to end. Trains start around 05:30 and run until roughly 01:00, but check the exact timetable if you have a very early or very late flight. This is the most predictable way to move between downtown and YYZ, since it runs on its own rail line separate from most city traffic.
At Pearson, the UP Express station sits beside Terminal 1, connected by a short indoor walkway with clear signage marked “Train to City” on Level 2 of T1. If you land in Terminal 3, follow the signs to the free Terminal Link train and ride to Terminal 1, which usually adds 5–10 minutes. Factor that in if your flight arrives at T3 and you’re trying to hit a specific departure time.
From Union Station, the UP Express platform is in the SkyWalk area on the western side of the station, signed as “UP Express/Pearson Airport” and linked to GO Transit and TTC subway Line 1. The ride covers three stops: Union, Bloor, Weston, then Pearson at Terminal 1. If you’re staying near Bloor or Weston, boarding at those intermediate stations can shave 10–15 minutes off your transfer compared with backtracking to Union.
Standard adult fares sit in the CAD $12–$15 range from Union to Pearson if you tap a PRESTO card, with slightly higher prices for single-use tickets bought from the machines at the station. Kids under 12 ride free as of current policy, and there are return and group fare options that can cut the per-person cost if you’re not traveling solo. Tickets and PRESTO top-ups are available from multiple machines at both Union and Pearson platforms.
On board, trains have 2+2 seating, luggage racks at several doors, and overhead space suitable for carry‑on bags up to typical airline cabin-size limits. There are power outlets at many seats and free Wi‑Fi across the train, which is handy if you need to re-check an Air Canada or WestJet booking for a Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 flight while en route. Doors are level with the platform, so rolling large suitcases on and off is straightforward.
One practical tip: if your flight lands during rush hour (roughly 07:30–09:30 or 16:00–18:30), default to the UP Express instead of rideshare or taxi; even at CAD $12–$15, the 25‑minute timetable usually beats sitting 45–70 minutes on Highway 427 and the Gardiner.