Planning your way in—Getting to RSD14

Lodging near OCAD University

See the map below for nearby accommodations or visit the link to the map (on Google Maps).

Getting to downtown from the airport

If you are flying in from abroad, you’ll most likely arrive at Pearson International Airport (YYZ). From the airport, you’ll want to go to Union Station, the main public transportation hub in Toronto.

These are your options to get to Union Station:

• The UP Express train is the fastest. The trip from Pearson Airport to Union Station takes about 25 minutes. The fare is CAD$12.35 for one way, and tickets are sold at Presto vending machines located at the UP Express station. Look for the black vending machines with a green Presto logo. Payment for the fare can be made with a credit card or Canadian dollars.
• The TTC public system is a more budget-friendly option. First, take the 900 Airport Express bus from the airport to Kipling station, which takes about 20 minutes. Then, transfer to the Bloor-Danforth subway line (Line Two) from Kipling Station to Union Station. To use the TTC system, you will need to purchase a Presto card. See the section right below this one for more details.
• A taxi to downtown costs between $CAD 55 and $75, depending on your exact destination. In peak traffic hours, the drive is approximately one hour, and if the traffic is smooth, the transportation time is 30 minutes.
• You can also request Uber or Lyft rides at the airport. There are designated pick-up areas for those applications specifically.
• Some US flights arrive at another airport right in downtown Toronto. If you are arriving at Billy Bishop airport, then your walk to the downtown core is approximately 20 minutes.

Getting around Toronto with the TTC

Toronto’s Transit Commission’s (TTC) transit system is reliable, and it has streetcars, buses, and subways.

To ride the TTC, you will need a Presto card, which you can purchase at a Presto vending station at Pearson Airport when you arrive. You can also purchase a Presto card at Union Station, vending machines across the city, and the Shoppers Drug Mart chain of stores.

A single-ride fare is $3.35 CAD, and it includes a two-hour window to transfer into multiple lines. Click here for more information on fares.

Presto card works for GO regional transit and the UP Express, so it may be a good idea to get a Presto card from the start.

Alternative transport modes

Toronto is a bike-friendly city, and there are many Bike Share dock stations across downtown. This is a great option if you want to tour the city’s neighbourhoods and make frequent stops.

Tips on payment

Most places accept credit cards, including tap payment, so there’s no need to carry a lot of cash.
Hopefully, this gives you a sense of what to expect and how to plan your arrival in the city. We are excited for the international momentum building around RSD14, and we’re looking forward to an event full of connection and conversations filled with insights and care.

Contact us for support

Hopefully, this gives you a sense of what to expect and how to plan your arrival. If you have specific questions about your stay, please reach out to me at raulvalenz@gmail.com or Cheryl May at cheryl@systemic-design.org. We’re here to support your RSD14 experience.