Toronto Public Transport Card - Presto Card
Toronto Public Transit Card Presto Card Usage Guide
1、 Presto Card Core Features
Universality: Suitable for Toronto TTC subway, buses, streetcars, as well as regional transportation systems such as GO Transit and UP Express.
Electronic payment: Supports physical cards and Google Wallet electronic cards (Android phones/watches can be directly swiped for transportation).
Free transfer: After swiping the card, you can transfer to TTC transportation unlimited times within 2 hours (you need to swipe the card every time you board/enter the station).
2、 Card purchase and activation
Purchase channels
Offline purchase:
Shoppers Drug Mart: Pay a $6 card purchase fee (no balance in the card), and support student discount processing.
Subway station self-service machines: Some stations offer free pick-up (limited to promotional activities).
Online purchase: Order on the official website or Presto App and ship to your home ($6 card purchase fee+shipping fee).
Student discount processing
Required materials: School T Card, current academic year's schedule Photo ID。
Location: Shoppers designated store or Sherborne Station customer service center.
Discount Content: Student Monthly Pass
one hundred and twenty-eight
, one-way ticket price
128, one-way ticket price 2.4 (identity binding required).
3、 Ticket price and type
Ticket type price (CAD) Applicable scenarios
One way ticket
three point one zero
(Adult)
/
3.10 (adults)/2.40 (students) daily commuting
Daily ticket $13.5 for unlimited rides per day (up to 5 children)
Monthly Pass
one hundred and fifty-six
(Adult)
/
156 (adults)/128 (students) long-term high-frequency use
4、 Recharge and Management
Recharge method
Instant recharge: Use Presto App or Google Wallet to bind your bank card and receive real-time payments.
Offline recharge: self-service machines at subway stations (cash/bank card), Shoppers stores (physical card only).
Automatic recharge: Set the balance to automatically deduct when it is below $10 (operated through the app or official website).
Balance requirement
Entry/boarding requires a card balance of ≥
three point one
It is recommended to maintain it for a long time
3.1 It is recommended to maintain at least 10 for a long time.
5、 Usage tips and precautions
✅ Efficient operation
Transfer rules: Do not swipe your card when exiting the subway station, and if transferring to a bus, you need to swipe your card again (without charging).
Multiple person travel: Each card is only valid for one person, and children need to apply for a separate card (free for those under 12 years old).
⚠️ Avoiding pitfalls tips
Lost handling: Immediately report the loss and transfer the balance (card replacement fee of $6).
Get off operation: Only need to swipe your card when getting on/off the bus, no operation is required when getting off the bus.
6、 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q1: Can Presto cards be used for airport express lines?
Support UP Express Airport Express, one-way ticket price
nine
(Save more than cash ticket purchase)
9 (saves 4 compared to cash ticket purchases).
Q2: How to bind Google Wallet electronic card?
Download the Presto App, select "Transfer to Mobile Wallet" and associate it with your Google account. The original physical card balance will be automatically transferred.
Q3: How to choose ticket types for short-term travel?
Recommend purchasing a daily ticket ($13.5), suitable for multi attraction tours in a single day (shared by 2 adults and 4 children).
Summary: Presto Card is an essential tool for smooth travel in Toronto, with three major advantages: convenient payment, cross system compatibility, and multiple discounts. Students and long-term residents are advised to bind their identities to enjoy discounts, while short-term tourists can flexibly use daily tickets or electronic cards to improve travel efficiency.