The PRESTO card Toronto is the city’s primary transit fare card — a $4 reloadable card that pays your fares on the TTC subway, streetcars, and buses, the UP Express airport train, GO Transit commuter trains, and most of southern Ontario’s regional transit systems with a single tap. For tourists, the PRESTO card Toronto is one of the easiest ways to handle local transit without dealing with cash or paper tickets, plus it earns you small discounts (UP Express drops from $12.35 to $9.25 with PRESTO). Below, you’ll find where to pick one up, how to top it up, what each system charges, and how to skip the plastic entirely by loading PRESTO into Apple Wallet or Google Pay — plus a frank look at when a tourist is better off just tapping a credit card. The card is the thread that ties Toronto’s transit together, and our guide to getting around Toronto shows where each of those systems fits.
For the official PRESTO card website, see PRESTO’s official site.
PRESTO Card Toronto: What Is It?
The PRESTO card Toronto is a contactless reloadable smart card used to pay public transit fares across southern Ontario. It works on:
TTC Toronto: Subway, streetcar, and bus.
UP Express: Airport train (Pearson to Union Station).
GO Transit: Commuter trains and buses across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Regional Transit: Mississauga MiWay, Brampton Transit, York Region Transit (YRT), Durham Region Transit, Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), Burlington Transit, and Oakville Transit.
One PRESTO card Toronto covers nearly every public transit system in the GTA and southern Ontario. Tap-on, tap-off; the system handles transfers and discounts automatically.
PRESTO Card Toronto: How to Buy
Where to Buy
Subway Stations: All TTC subway stations have Fare Vending Machines that sell PRESTO cards. $4 for the card; you can load funds at the same machine.
Shoppers Drug Mart: Most Toronto Shoppers Drug Mart locations sell PRESTO cards. Convenient if you’re buying near your hotel.
Loblaws: Selected Loblaws grocery stores sell PRESTO cards.
Online: Order through prestocard.ca and have it shipped (typically 5–7 days).
UP Express: The UP Express station at Pearson Terminal 1 also sells PRESTO cards (useful if you want to start using PRESTO for your airport ride).
Cost
$4 for the card itself. Then load whatever amount you want on top. The $4 card cost is non-refundable; if you’re visiting Toronto for less than 4–5 days, the savings from using PRESTO might not justify the card cost — consider tap-to-pay or PRESTO Tickets instead.
PRESTO Card Toronto: How to Load Funds
In Person
Subway station Fare Vending Machines, Shoppers Drug Mart locations, and Loblaws all sell loads. Pay with cash, debit, or credit. Loaded balance is immediately available.
Online
Through prestocard.ca. Wait for the funds to transfer (usually within a few hours, but can take up to 24 hours). For TTC use, online card loads are usually ready within a few hours; give yourself extra time if you’re cutting it close.
PRESTO App
The official PRESTO app (Apple App Store and Google Play) lets you load funds directly. Faster than the website — usually within minutes.
Auto-Renew
Set up your PRESTO card to auto-load when the balance drops below a set threshold. Useful for residents but rarely necessary for tourists.
PRESTO Card Toronto: Fares
TTC (Toronto Transit Commission)
Adult: $3.30 per tap with PRESTO. Includes 2-hour transfer for unlimited rides on subway, streetcar, and bus in any direction.
Senior (65+): $2.40. Youth (13–19): $2.40. Children under 12: Free.
UP Express
Adult Pearson to Union: $9.25 with PRESTO (vs $12.35 without). Saves $3.10 per trip.
GO Transit
Distance-based. Tap on at start, tap off at destination. PRESTO automatically calculates the correct fare.
Other Regional Transit
Each system has its own fare structure. PRESTO handles transfers between systems automatically (e.g., GO + TTC, MiWay + TTC).
PRESTO Card Toronto: Digital Version
You can load a digital PRESTO card free in Apple Wallet (iPhone) or Google Pay (Android). Same fare structure as the physical card; same multi-system functionality. The digital version requires age 13+.
Setting Up Digital PRESTO
iPhone: Open Apple Wallet, tap “Add a Card,” choose Transit, search PRESTO. Free; activate by adding funds via the PRESTO app or Apple Wallet.
Android: Same process via Google Pay. Search PRESTO; add funds via the PRESTO app.
Pros & Cons of Digital PRESTO
Pros: Free (no $4 card cost), always with you (your phone), faster top-ups, harder to lose. Cons: Requires phone battery; some readers can be finicky with Apple Pay/Google Pay.
For tourists with Apple Wallet or Google Pay already in use, digital PRESTO is often the better choice. For tourists wanting a simple physical card, the $4 plastic version remains popular.
PRESTO Card Toronto: How to Use
On the TTC Subway
Tap your PRESTO card on the green PRESTO reader at the entrance gate. The gate opens. Enter the platform.
On Streetcars and Buses
Tap on the PRESTO reader as you board. The reader beeps and shows the fare deducted. Find a seat.
On UP Express
Tap on at the platform reader at Pearson Terminal 1 or Union Station before boarding the train.
On GO Transit
Tap on at start of journey AND tap off at destination. The system calculates distance-based fare. If you forget to tap off, you may be charged the maximum fare.
Transfers
The 2-hour TTC transfer is automatic. Tap once when you start, and any subsequent TTC tap within 2 hours is included free. Cross-system transfers (TTC to GO, etc.) are also handled automatically.
PRESTO Card Toronto: For Tourists
Should Tourists Buy a PRESTO Card?
Yes if: You’re visiting for 4+ days and making 1–3 transit trips per day. The card pays for itself quickly through the UP Express discount alone if you’re using the train.
No if: You’re visiting for 1–2 days only and just need a few rides. Use tap-to-pay with your contactless credit card instead — same TTC fare ($3.30 adult), no card to buy.
Maybe if: You want a TTC day pass for one day of heavy transit. Use a PRESTO Ticket day pass ($13.50) instead of a full card — same convenience, no $4 card cost.
PRESTO Ticket vs. PRESTO Card
The PRESTO Ticket is a paper-based fare media with limited reloads (single fare or day pass). PRESTO Card is the reloadable plastic or digital card with unlimited reloads. For tourists making 4+ trips, the PRESTO Card is more convenient. For tourists who just want a TTC day pass, the PRESTO Ticket day pass works perfectly.
Tap-to-Pay Alternative
Toronto’s TTC accepts contactless tap-to-pay credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) at all subway gates, streetcar readers, and bus readers. Charged at the standard $3.30 adult fare with 2-hour transfer included. For most tourists, this is the simplest option — no card to buy or load.
PRESTO Card Toronto: Tips
Don’t buy a PRESTO card if you’ll only be in Toronto for 1–2 days. Tap-to-pay is simpler.
UP Express discount. $9.25 with PRESTO vs $12.35 without — saves $3.10 per ride.
Load enough. You can’t go below $0 on PRESTO; load enough at the start to cover your visit.
Refund unused balance. If you have leftover balance at end of trip, you can refund through PRESTO online or keep the card for a future visit (no expiration).
Keep your card or phone accessible. Transit officers may ask for proof of fare on streetcars.
Digital PRESTO works. Apple Wallet and Google Pay versions are widely accepted now.
Children under 12 ride TTC free. No PRESTO needed for them.
Save your receipt. If you have issues with auto-charges or tap-off failures, the receipt helps with refunds.
Pay attention to GO Transit tap-off. Forgetting to tap off on GO results in maximum fare charged.
PRESTO Card Toronto: Cost Examples
Tourist visiting 4 days, 2 trips per day on TTC: 8 trips × $3.30 = $26.40. Plus $4 card cost. Total: $30.40. Plus UP Express round-trip with PRESTO: $18.50. Grand total: $48.90.
Same tourist using tap-to-pay credit card: 8 trips × $3.30 = $26.40. Plus UP Express round-trip without PRESTO: $24.70. Grand total: $51.10. (Save $2.20 vs PRESTO.)
Same tourist using a TTC day pass on heavy day plus tap-to-pay other days: 1 day pass at $13.50, 4 single fares = $13.20. Plus UP Express: $24.70. Grand total: $51.40.
Conclusion: For a 4-day visit with UP Express, PRESTO saves you about $2 vs tap-to-pay. Marginal but worth it for the convenience of one card across all systems.
PRESTO Card Toronto: For GO Transit
If you’re planning day trips to Niagara Falls, Hamilton, or other GTA destinations, PRESTO is the standard fare card on GO Transit commuter trains and buses. Distance-based fares are calculated automatically when you tap on (origin) and tap off (destination).
GO Transit also offers GO Transit Day Passes for unlimited travel within zones, available on the PRESTO card. Useful for Niagara Falls or Hamilton round-trips.
PRESTO Card Toronto: Coming Changes
TTC Fare Capping (September 2026)
Starting September 1, 2026, the TTC will introduce monthly fare capping for adults, youths, seniors, and Fair Pass customers using PRESTO. Once you’ve spent the equivalent of a monthly pass in fares, additional rides that month are free. This replaces the existing monthly pass system.
Mobile-First Future
PRESTO continues to expand digital wallet and app capabilities. Most new features (auto-renewal, balance alerts, trip planning) are app-first.
Frequently Asked Questions: PRESTO Card Toronto
What is a PRESTO card?
The PRESTO card Toronto is a contactless reloadable smart card used to pay public transit fares on the TTC, UP Express, GO Transit, and most southern Ontario regional transit systems.
How much is a PRESTO card?
The PRESTO card costs $4. You then load funds on top. The $4 card cost is non-refundable.
Where do I buy a PRESTO card in Toronto?
Subway station Fare Vending Machines, Shoppers Drug Mart locations, selected Loblaws stores, the UP Express station at Pearson Terminal 1, and online through prestocard.ca all sell PRESTO cards.
Do tourists need a PRESTO card?
Not necessarily. For 1–2 day visits, tap-to-pay with a contactless credit card is simpler. For 4+ day visits with multiple transit trips, a PRESTO card or digital PRESTO in Apple Wallet/Google Pay is more convenient.
How much is the TTC fare with PRESTO?
$3.30 single adult fare. Includes 2-hour transfer for unlimited TTC rides on subway, streetcar, and bus in any direction.
Can I use my PRESTO card on the UP Express?
Yes — PRESTO card adult fare on UP Express Pearson to Union is $9.25 (vs $12.35 without PRESTO). Saves $3.10 per ride.
Does PRESTO work on Apple Pay?
Yes. You can add a digital PRESTO card to Apple Wallet (iPhone) or Google Pay (Android) for free. Same fare structure as physical card; works on all PRESTO-accepting transit systems.
Can I refund my PRESTO balance?
Yes — unused PRESTO balance can be refunded through PRESTO online. Or keep the card for future Toronto visits (no expiration).
Where can I load my PRESTO card?
Subway Fare Vending Machines, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, online at prestocard.ca, or through the PRESTO app. App and station-machine loads are available immediately; online loads take a few hours.
What’s the difference between a PRESTO Card and a PRESTO Ticket?
The PRESTO Card is a $4 reloadable plastic or digital card with unlimited fares. The PRESTO Ticket is a paper-based fare media with limited reloads (single fare or day pass) and no $4 card fee.
Plan Your PRESTO Card Toronto Use
For a visitor here several days and riding regularly, PRESTO earns its keep — the UP Express discount alone tends to cover the $4 before your trip is over. Staying only a day or two? Skip the card and tap a contactless credit card instead. Riding hard on a single day? A $13.50 PRESTO Ticket day pass beats stacking up single fares. Whichever route you pick, tapping your way around Toronto is about as painless as transit gets in a big city.
To see where the card actually gets you, our overview of getting around Toronto and the dedicated TTC guide cover day-to-day travel. The UP Express guide details the discounted airport run, and our Pearson-to-downtown breakdown weighs it against taxis and rideshares.