Getting Around: Public Transit in Major Canadian Cities
Outside the smallest towns, Canadian cities have solid public transit, and many newcomers go car-free for their first year while they get their bearings.
The big systems
Toronto's TTC combines subway, streetcars, and buses. Montreal's STM runs a clean, extensive metro. Vancouver's TransLink includes the driverless SkyTrain, buses, and a passenger ferry. Calgary and Edmonton both run light rail alongside buses.
How to pay
Most large systems use a reloadable smart card — Presto in the Toronto region, OPUS in Montreal, Compass in Vancouver. Increasingly you can also tap a credit or debit card directly at the gate, which is the easiest option for a new arrival.
Passes and fares
If you commute daily, a monthly pass usually pays for itself. Students and seniors get discounted fares, and many systems offer free transfers within a set time window, so plan errands in a single trip.
Cycling and walking
Bike-share networks and expanding protected lanes make cycling practical in warmer months, and dense downtown cores are very walkable. Combining transit with a short walk or ride covers most daily trips.
Download your city's official transit app for live arrivals — it turns an unfamiliar network into something you can navigate on day one.