Using public transit

Getting around Canada's cities relies on electronic fare cards and regional transit networks that vary by location. Whether you are in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or travelling between cities, understanding how each system works will save you time and money during your first weeks and months.

City Transit Systems and Tap Cards

Canada's major metropolitan areas each operate independent public transit systems with their own electronic fare cards. The three most important regional systems for expats and students are Presto in Ontario, Compass in Vancouver, and OPUS in Montreal. These cards use contactless tap technology to automatically deduct fares and apply transfers within two-hour windows.

Presto (Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Ottawa)

Presto is the unified payment card for Toronto's TTC subway and buses, GO Transit commuter trains, the UP Express airport service, and regional transit across Ontario's 905 area. The physical card costs $4 and can be loaded with funds online, at subway station vending machines, or at Shoppers Drug Mart. You can also add Presto to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for free to avoid carrying a physical card. When you tap your card on the green reader upon boarding, the system automatically deducts the lowest available fare and applies a free two-hour transfer to connecting transit within that window. In Toronto, a single TTC adult tap costs $3.30. Starting September 1, 2026, TTC will replace monthly passes with fare capping—once you have paid for 47 trips in a calendar month, the rest of that month is free.

Compass Card (Metro Vancouver)

Vancouver's Compass Card carries a $6 refundable deposit and must be loaded with either stored value or monthly passes. The system divides the region into three fare zones; a single trip costs $2.70 to $5.10 for adults depending on zones crossed, or a flat $2.70 for all-day bus travel. Unlike Presto, Compass requires you to tap both entering and exiting rail or SeaBus to ensure you are charged the correct zone-based fare. A monthly pass ranges from $111.60 for one zone to $201.55 for three zones. The Compass Card can be purchased at vending machines at SkyTrain and SeaBus stations or at retailers including Shoppers Drug Mart and convenience stores throughout the city.

OPUS Card (Montreal)

Montreal's OPUS card differs from Presto and Compass because it stores actual transit passes and tickets rather than stored value. A new OPUS card costs about $6 and can last up to seven years, though some versions expire sooner depending on the fare type. You load passes onto the card at vending machines in Metro stations or at retailers where transit fares are sold. OPUS cards with photo identification are required to access reduced fares (children, students, seniors) and cost more than standard cards. As of April 2024, you can reload OPUS fares directly through your phone using NFC technology.

Monthly Passes and Transfers

Monthly passes offer unlimited travel for a set calendar month and are ideal if you commute daily. In Toronto, post-secondary student monthly passes remain available at discounted rates. In Vancouver, monthly passes are loaded onto your Compass Card and provide unlimited travel within chosen zones. In Montreal, OPUS passes can cover unlimited monthly travel on the metro and buses. Most systems also offer day passes for tourists or occasional users—Toronto's TTC day pass is $13.50, and Vancouver's is $12.55 for adults.

Transfers between different transit agencies in the same city are automatic when using Presto in Ontario. Toronto's One Fare Program, launched in February 2024, allows free transfers between TTC and GO Transit when tapping the same payment method within two hours. Similar integration programs exist across Vancouver and Montreal, encouraging multi-modal journeys without extra charges.

Student and Concession Fares

Full-time post-secondary students across Canada can access significant fare discounts, but activation requires proof of enrollment and often involves additional steps. In Ontario, GO Transit offers 40% off standard adult fares for full-time students who obtain a GO Transit Student ID. TTC post-secondary students must apply for a TTC Photo ID Card (costing about $5–$7) and have their student fare type set at a Shoppers Drug Mart or TTC outlet before the discount applies. Note that TTC post-secondary riders pay full adult fares for single trips; the discount applies only to monthly passes. In Vancouver, post-secondary students pay a U-Pass BC fee (currently $46–$47 per month) embedded in their student fees, which provides unlimited travel across all transit zones. Montreal offers student discounts through OPUS cards with photo identification.

Children, seniors, youth (typically 13–19 years old), and low-income residents also qualify for discounts. Children 12 and under ride free on most systems with proof of age. Seniors aged 65+ receive reduced fares in Toronto and other cities. Toronto's Fair Pass program provides a 36% discount on TTC fares for low-income residents. International students should apply for these discounts in their first week on campus—missing deadlines can mean paying full adult rates for an entire semester.

Commuter and Regional Rail

GO Transit operates commuter trains and buses throughout Ontario's Golden Horseshoe region and connects directly with local city transit at major hubs such as Union Station in Toronto. GO trains link Toronto to Hamilton, Niagara Falls, and communities as far as Barrie and Peterborough. GO Transit fares are distance-based and calculated when you tap on and off; using Presto saves at least 15% compared to paper tickets. The UP Express provides a dedicated rail service from Toronto Union Station to Pearson Airport, with Presto fares discounted to about $9.25 for adults (versus $12.35 cash).

VIA Rail Canada operates Canada's national intercity and long-distance rail network, connecting major cities including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. The Quebec City–Windsor Corridor is VIA Rail's busiest route, carrying the majority of the approximately 4.1 million passengers annually. VIA Rail also offers iconic routes such as The Canadian, a trans-continental train running several times weekly between Toronto and Vancouver through Winnipeg and Edmonton. Fares vary by distance, route, and advance booking; youth (age-based) and student fares are available but require valid ID at purchase or on board. West Coast Express in Metro Vancouver provides commuter rail service complemented by bus and SkyTrain connections.

Intercity Buses

Several intercity bus operators connect Canadian cities with fixed routes and scheduled service. Greyhound Canada historically dominated this market but now operates alongside FlixBus, Megabus, and regional carriers. These buses often cost less than VIA Rail for similar routes and may offer student discounts (up to 20% with a Student Advantage Card). For detailed schedules, fares, and comparisons, check operator websites directly or use booking platforms that aggregate multiple carriers.

Practical Tips for Newcomers

• Register your Presto, Compass, or OPUS card online immediately after purchase. This protects your balance if the card is lost or stolen and unlocks autoload features.
• Always tap both entering and exiting when required by the system (especially on Vancouver SkyTrain and Montreal Metro). Failure to tap correctly results in underpayment fines.
• Keep sufficient funds on your card before tapping. As of March 2, 2026, Toronto Presto cards must have enough funds for the full fare; negative balances are no longer allowed.
• Request student discounts during your first week on campus. Most systems require annual reapplication in September.
• Carry proof of payment when traveling. A tapped card, digital receipt, or paper transfer serves as proof; fare inspectors can fine riders without valid proof.
• Use contactless credit or debit cards as a backup. You can tap any Visa, Mastercard, or Interac Debit card directly at Presto, Compass, or OPUS readers without purchasing a card, though you will not receive monthly pass discounts.