How to Get to Subway from Union Station [2026 Guide]
Getting to the Toronto subway from inside Union Station is a quick indoor walk requiring 2 to 4 minutes of transfer time. You do not need to exit outdoors; simply walk through the concourse levels toward the lower north transit hall. The TTC adult fare is $3.30 CAD when tapping a PRESTO card, credit card, debit card, or mobile phone wallet ($3.35 CAD cash).
Follow the illuminated overhead signs displaying the red TTC logo, walk down into the Union Subway Concourse, tap through the fare gates, and step onto the Line 1 Yonge-University subway platforms.
Quick Summary of Travel Cost/Travel Time
| Route Leg & Connection | Duration & Grounded Rates |
|---|---|
| Via Rail / Great Hall to TTC Subway Concourse (Walking) | 2–4 min walk | Free ($0.00) |
| GO Transit Bay / York Concourse to TTC Subway (Walking) | 3–5 min walk | Free ($0.00) |
| UP Express Pearson Lounge to TTC Subway (Walking) | 4–6 min walk via Skywalk | Free ($0.00) |
| TTC Subway Fare Gate Access (Line 1 Yonge-University) | Instant tap | $3.30 CAD (Contactless/PRESTO) / $3.35 CAD (Cash) |
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🚶 Step 1: Follow the TTC Subway Signs
Once you arrive on the train platforms, VIA Rail hall, UP Express lounge, or GO Transit concourses (Bay Concourse or York Concourse), look upward for directional wayfinding signs. Follow the distinct signs displaying the iconic red TTC emblem, subway train pictograms, and labels for “Subway” or “Line 1 Yonge-University.” Move toward the north corridor facing Front Street and follow the pedestrian pathways leading into the central underground transit hub.
🚇 Step 2: Enter the Subway Station
Continue following the ramps and escalators descending into the dedicated Union TTC Subway Concourse. The subway entrance sits directly between the mainline railway concourses and the underground PATH pedestrian network. As you approach the entrance, you will arrive at the automated glass paddle fare gates.
Digital overhead display boards over the gates list real-time train arrivals and direction boards for northbound trains heading toward either Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (via University) or Finch (via Yonge).
💳 Step 3: Pay Your Fare
Tap your PRESTO card, contactless physical credit card, debit card, or mobile device (Apple Pay, Google Wallet) directly against the reader on any fare gate paddle. Standard adult fare is $3.30 CAD, which includes an automatic two-hour transfer window across all connecting TTC buses and streetcars.
If you prefer paying cash ($3.35 CAD) or require paper one-ride PRESTO tickets, purchase them at the automated fare-vending kiosks situated right beside the fare lines before stepping through.
🕑 Travel Time from Union Station to Subway
Walking between any regional arrival terminal inside Union Station and the subway turnstiles takes between 2 and 6 minutes. Arriving from the main Great Hall or Bay Concourse takes roughly 2 to 3 minutes, while passengers arriving via the UP Express train platform or Skywalk will take approximately 5 minutes.
Subway trains on Line 1 arrive every 2 to 4 minutes during peak commuting periods and every 4 to 6 minutes during off-peak hours and weekends.
♿ Accessibility
The path from Union Station to the TTC subway is completely barrier-free. Dedicated elevators link the VIA Rail Great Hall, GO Transit concourses, and street level directly down to the TTC fare gates. Once past the fare line, step-free access and modern elevators transport passengers straight down to the Line 1 center and side platforms.
Audible automated announcements, wide paddle gates for wheelchairs or luggage, and tactile ground pavers assist travelers requiring accessibility support.
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FAQs About How to Get to Subway from Union Station [2026 Guide]
Do I have to go outside to get to the subway from Union Station?
No, the connection between Union Station and the TTC subway is fully enclosed indoors. You can access the subway platforms directly through underground pedestrian concourses and the PATH system without stepping out onto city streets.
Can I tap my credit or debit card at the subway gates?
Yes, all TTC fare gates accept contactless debit and credit cards, as well as smartphones and smartwatches linked to digital wallets, charging the standard $3.30 CAD adult fare.
Which subway line runs through Union Station?
Union Station is served by TTC Line 1 (Yonge-University). From here, trains run northbound in two directions: northwest via University Avenue toward Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, and northeast via Yonge Street toward Finch Station.
Are the transfers from GO Transit or UP Express to the subway free?
Ontario’s One Fare program provides free transit transfers between GO Transit or UP Express and the TTC. When you tap the same payment method across connecting services, the TTC portion of your fare is automatically discounted or refunded.