This GO Transit guide explains everything you need to ride GO trains and buses across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. GO is the regional transit system run by Metrolinx, connecting Toronto with suburbs and cities such as Hamilton, Oshawa, Barrie, Kitchener and Niagara. Whether you commute daily or ride occasionally, here is how it works.
If you mostly travel within the city, start with our complete guide to riding the TTC.
GO Transit has two main services:
Union Station is the central hub, where GO lines connect with the TTC subway and the UP Express to Pearson Airport.
The GO rail network includes lines such as Lakeshore West, Lakeshore East, Kitchener, Barrie, Stouffville, Richmond Hill and Milton. Service levels differ: some lines run frequently all day, while others focus on rush-hour trips. Always check the schedule for your line, especially on weekends and evenings.
PRESTO is the fare card used across the GTA. Load money onto it, then tap on before boarding and tap off when you exit. Tapping off matters: GO fares are distance-based, and if you forget, you may be charged a higher default fare.
You can also tap a contactless credit card, debit card or phone at PRESTO readers. The same tap-on and tap-off rules apply.
Single-ride options can also be bought through official channels. Check GO Transit’s website for current fare types.
Under Ontario’s One Fare program, riders who pay with PRESTO, a credit or debit card or a mobile wallet can transfer between GO Transit and the TTC, as well as other participating GTA transit systems, without paying a second local fare. This makes trips that combine GO and the TTC much simpler. Check the TTC and GO websites for full eligibility details.
GO offers reduced fares for some groups, such as seniors and post-secondary students, generally through a PRESTO card set up with the right concession type. Children 12 and under ride GO for free. Confirm current eligibility on the official GO Transit website before you travel.
GO is a convenient car-free way to explore the region, including seasonal trains toward Niagara. For ideas, see our best day trips from Toronto guide.
For many suburban commuters, GO can be faster and less stressful than driving during rush hour, with no downtown parking costs. Factor transit into your monthly budget using our Toronto cost of living guide.
Yes. GO fares depend on distance, so tapping off ensures you pay the correct fare instead of a higher default amount.
Under the One Fare program, eligible riders paying with PRESTO, a credit or debit card or a mobile wallet can transfer between GO and the TTC without a second local fare.
Yes, children 12 and under ride GO Transit for free. Check the official website for any current conditions.
Most GO train lines start and end at Union Station, which connects to the TTC subway and the UP Express.
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