Public Transit in Vancouver and Toronto
Canada has good public transit in its major cities. Here's everything you need to get around Vancouver and Toronto with ease.
In Vancouver — TransLink & Compass Card
TransLink network includes:
- 🚌 Bus — extensive network across Metro Vancouver
- 🚇 SkyTrain — 3 lines: Expo Line, Millennium Line, Canada Line
- ⛴️ SeaBus — ferry connecting Vancouver and North Vancouver
- 🚋 West Coast Express — commuter rail to the Fraser Valley
Compass Card
A reloadable tap card that works on all TransLink services.
How to get one:
- Buy at Compass Vending Machines at any SkyTrain station ($6 card fee)
- Order online at compasscard.ca
- Available at London Drugs and 7-Eleven
How to load:
- At ticket machines at SkyTrain stations
- Via the Compass app or compasscard.ca
- Set up auto-load with a credit/debit card
Fares (2025)
| Type | Compass Price | Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip (Zone 1) | $2.45 | $3.25 |
| Single trip (Zone 2) | $3.55 | $4.50 |
| Single trip (Zone 3) | $4.65 | $5.50 |
| DayPass | $11.25 | — |
| Monthly Pass (Zone 1) | $109 | — |
💡 Tip: Using a Compass Card is significantly cheaper than cash. Students can register for a U-Pass through their school for unlimited transit at ~$50/month.
Useful Apps
- TransLink Trip Planner — plan your journey
- Google Maps — works well with TransLink schedules
- Moovit — good alternative to Google Maps
In Toronto — TTC, GO Transit & Presto Card
TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) network:
- 🚇 Subway — 4 lines (Lines 1–4)
- 🚃 Streetcar — runs along major downtown streets
- 🚌 Bus — covers all of Toronto
GO Transit
- Regional trains and buses connecting Toronto to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Great for Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Oshawa, and beyond
Presto Card
Works on TTC, GO Transit, and many other Ontario transit systems.
How to get one:
- At Presto Vending Machines at subway stations ($6 card fee)
- At Shoppers Drug Mart
- Register online at prestocard.ca
How to load:
- At machines in subway stations or Shoppers Drug Mart
- Via the Presto app or prestocard.ca
- Set up auto-load
TTC Fares (2025)
| Type | Presto Price | Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip | $3.30 | $3.35 |
| Monthly Pass | $156 | — |
| Student Monthly | $128 | — |
💡 Tip: Register as Post-Secondary on your Presto card for the student discount. You'll need to verify your enrollment at a Toronto-area school.
Transit Tips for Newcomers
- 🗺️ Google Maps is very accurate for both TransLink and TTC — select "Transit" when getting directions
- 🌧️ Vancouver is rainy — use the TransLink app to check exact bus arrival times
- 🚲 Both cities have bike-share: Mobi (Vancouver) and Bike Share Toronto — rent bikes by the hour
- 🚗 Both Uber and Lyft operate in both cities
Updated: 2025. Fares may change — check translink.ca and ttc.ca for the latest.