About this tour
When Jake from our team caught the UP Express between Union Station and Pearson, it was dead straightforward—25 minutes, no fuss, no dodgy minivan small talk. This is Toronto's dedicated airport rail link: a proper train with Wi-Fi, luggage racks, air con, and the kind of reliability you want when catching a flight. The Interior SkyWalk lounge at Union Station lets you grab coffee and kill time before boarding. It's the no-brainer option if you're staying downtown or heading that way after landing.
Highlights
- 25-minute direct shot from Union Station to Pearson Terminal 1
- Dedicated luggage storage—no wrestling bags into overhead bins
- Level boarding for wheelchair users, genuinely smooth accessibility
- Free Wi-Fi means you can sort your inbox before takeoff
- Interior SkyWalk lounge at Union Station has decent coffee and snacks
- Runs seven days a week, predictable timetable on their website
- Air-conditioned and spacious—beats a cramped shuttle van
What to expect
The journey itself is low-key. You rock up to Union Station, find the UP Express platform (well signposted), and board a proper commuter train. Seats are standard but comfortable, there's legroom, and most people are either bleary-eyed tourists or local commuters in their own headspace. The 25 minutes fly. You'll pull into Pearson Terminal 1 right beside the Link Train that connects to Terminals 1 and 3, so if you need another terminal, you've got options.
The return trip from Pearson is equally smooth—board at the airport station, same 25-minute run back. The only real variable is timing: check schedules online before you go, because trains aren't frequent like a city bus. That said, Jake found the timetable reliable and the train never felt overcrowded. It's the adult way to move between the airport and downtown—no Uber surge pricing, no small-talk drivers, just you, your luggage, and your thoughts.
What travellers say
- Direct, 25-minute run cuts airport transfer stress in half
- Luggage racks and spacious seating beat cramped shuttle vans
- Genuine accessibility—level boarding, no ramps or staff assists needed
- Reliable timetable and Wi-Fi keep you connected and on track
- Costs significantly less than rideshare, especially during surge pricing
- Trains don't run every 5 minutes; check schedule before heading out
- Early-morning or late-night options may be limited depending on flight
- SkyWalk lounge is functional, not fancy—manage expectations on amenities
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely the fastest, cheapest, least-stressful way to move between downtown Toronto and the airport if you've got luggage. The train runs every 15 minutes during peak times, and accessibility is properly done—wheelchair users board level with the platform, no ramps or lifting required. Families with prams are fine, infants sit on laps, and it's all air-conditioned. Peak times are early mornings and late afternoons, but Jake didn't encounter chaos either way.
You need to check the live schedule before you leave for the airport—trains don't run as frequently as city transit, and if you miss one, you're waiting a bit. The pass is single-journey, so you'll buy a separate ticket each way. It's not a hidden-cost trap, but factor in the ticket price alongside your overall trip budget. The SkyWalk lounge is handy but small—don't expect fancy; it's coffee-and-chairs territory. If you're landing with a massive group, don't assume everyone will fit on one train. Bring a working phone or screenshot your ticket; they're digital.
Single tickets, Wi-Fi included, luggage racks included, wheelchair accessible throughout. Check upexpress.com for current schedules—they change seasonally. Suitable for all fitness levels. Strollers and prams welcome.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.