The UP Express is the fastest scheduled way between downtown Toronto and Pearson Airport. Trains leave every 15 minutes and take about 25 to 28 minutes from Union Station to Terminal 1, with stops at Bloor, Mount Dennis and Weston. An adult one-way fare is $12.35, or $9.25 with PRESTO, and children 12 and under ride free. Here is everything you need to plan the trip.
According to Toronto Pearson’s published schedule:
| Direction | First train | Last train |
|---|---|---|
| Union to Pearson, weekdays | 4:55 a.m. | 1:00 a.m. |
| Union to Pearson, weekends/holidays | 6:00 a.m. | 1:00 a.m. |
| Pearson to Union, weekdays | 5:27 a.m. | 12:57 a.m. |
| Pearson to Union, weekends/holidays | 6:27 a.m. | 12:57 a.m. |
For very early flights on weekends, the first train may be too late; the TTC’s overnight buses are the fallback (see our guide to getting to Pearson). Always check the live schedule before you travel, as service changes happen during maintenance.
| Fare | Union-Pearson, one way |
|---|---|
| Adult, standard ticket | $12.35 |
| Adult, PRESTO | $9.25 |
| Adult return ticket | $24.70 |
| Senior (65+) | $6.20 |
| Child (12 and under) | Free |
| Union-Bloor/Weston, adult | $5.30 |
Youth and post-secondary students save 40% off the adult fare when paying with PRESTO. You can pay by:
Two adults travelling together pay $18.50 with PRESTO versus $24.70 with tickets. If you live in the GTA, a PRESTO card pays for itself quickly; see our PRESTO card guide.
You do not have to ride to the airport. Between Union and Bloor or Weston, the adult fare is $5.30 ($2.65 for seniors), which makes UP a quick option for west-end commuters, especially when paired with PRESTO.
The UP Express has its own platform at Union Station. Follow the “UP Express” signs from the GO concourse or the TTC subway, and allow a few extra minutes the first time.
The UP station is at Terminal 1, next to the Terminal Link train. Follow the “Train to City” signs. If you land at Terminal 3, take the free Terminal Link train to Terminal 1, then follow the same signs; allow about 10 extra minutes.
The UP line shares tracks with the Kitchener GO line between Union and Weston, so you can combine trips with GO; see our GO Transit guide.
Trains have space for luggage and are designed to be accessible. Seating is not reserved. During peak periods the first car can fill up quickly, so move toward the middle of the platform.
| Option | Typical time downtown | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| UP Express | about 25-28 min to Union | Downtown hotels, predictable timing |
| TTC 900 bus + Line 2 | longer, one transfer | Lowest cost (single TTC fare) |
| Taxi or rideshare | varies with traffic | Heavy luggage, groups, late night |
Highway traffic on the 427 and Gardiner can make road trips unpredictable at rush hour; the train avoids it.
UP Express opened on June 6, 2015, ahead of the Pan Am Games, as a dedicated link between Union Station and Pearson. Fares were cut in March 2016 to attract more riders, and contactless credit and debit payment arrived in 2021. Mount Dennis became the line’s newest stop in November 2025, connecting the airport train to Line 5 Eglinton and the Kitchener GO line.
No. It stops at Terminal 1. Use the free Terminal Link train between terminals.
UP Express sets its own fares. Check with Metrolinx whether a transfer discount applies to your trip.
Check the UP Express bike policy before travelling, as rules can depend on how busy trains are.
Last updated: November 2026
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