Airport Link Station Guide for Newcomers to Canada

If you are arriving in Canada for the first time, the moments after your plane lands can feel overwhelming.

You have just completed a long journey, you may be carrying everything you own, and suddenly you are standing in a foreign airport trying to figure out how to get to your final destination.

One of the most important things you can do before your flight even touches down is understand how the transit system waiting for you actually works.

This article focuses specifically on airport link stations: the rail or rapid transit connections that bring you from the terminal directly into the city.

You will learn what these stations are, why they matter for newcomers, how to use them confidently, and what mistakes to avoid on your very first day in Canada.

Disclaimer: TrueCanadianFinds.com provides general information for newcomers. The author is not a financial advisor or immigration consultant. This article is a curation of publicly available data and official sources. Always consult a professional for your specific situation

What Is an Airport Link Station?

An airport link station is a train or light rail stop located inside or directly connected to an airport terminal.

Instead of taking a taxi or rideshare to reach the city centre, you can board a train right at the airport and travel directly into downtown or to major transit hubs where you can connect onward.

In Canada, the most well-known examples include:

• Union Pearson Express (UP Express) — connecting Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Union Station in downtown Toronto
• Canada Line SkyTrain — connecting Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to downtown Vancouver
• Réseau express métropolitain (REM) — a newer light rail line connecting Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL) to the city

Each city has its own system, but the core idea is the same: a fast, affordable, and reliable train ride from the airport into the city.

Why This Matters Specifically for Newcomers

As a newcomer, your arrival day is unlike any other travel day. You may have large amounts of luggage, children with you, or a tight budget after paying immigration fees.

You may not know anyone locally who can pick you up. You might also be jet-lagged, anxious, or simply unsure of what to expect.

Understanding the airport link station before you land means:

• You will not be pressured into expensive taxis or unregulated rideshares at the arrivals hall
• You will move through the airport with confidence instead of confusion
• You will save money from your very first hour in Canada
• You will arrive at your temporary accommodation feeling calmer and more in control

That first impression of Canada matters for your confidence. Knowing your route removes one major source of stress.

10 Things to Know Before You Land

1. The Station May Be Inside the Terminal

Most airport link stations in Canada are physically connected to the arrivals level of the terminal.

At Toronto Pearson, the UP Express station is located inside Terminal 1 and can be reached without going outside. At Vancouver’s airport, the Canada Line station sits directly below the International Terminal building.

This means you do not need to take a shuttle bus or cross a parking lot. Follow the transit signage from baggage claim and you will find it. Look for signs that say “Train to City” or the specific service name.

2. You Will Need a Ticket or Card Before Boarding

Unlike some transit systems in other countries where you pay on the train, Canadian airport rail services require a valid ticket or fare card before you board.

You cannot simply walk onto the platform without paying first.

How to pay:

• Purchase a single-use ticket from the self-serve kiosks at the station
• Load a reloadable transit card (such as a PRESTO card in Toronto or a Compass Card in Vancouver)
• Pay by credit or debit card at the kiosk — most accept tap-to-pay

You do not need cash. In fact, many machines do not accept cash at all, so having a credit or debit card ready is important.

3. Fares Are Higher Than Regular Transit

Airport link services typically cost more than a standard city bus or subway ride. This is worth knowing so you are not surprised.

For example:

• The UP Express from Pearson to Union Station costs around $12.35 CAD for adults as of 2026 (discounted if you use a PRESTO card)
• The Canada Line airport fare from YVR adds a surcharge on top of the regular TransLink fare, bringing the total to approximately $4–$10 CAD depending on your destination

These prices are still significantly cheaper than a taxi, which can cost $50–$70 CAD or more for the same trip.

4. Travel Times Are Predictable and Fast

One of the biggest advantages of the airport train over a taxi is that the travel time is almost always reliable. Taxis get stuck in traffic. Trains do not.

• UP Express: approximately 25 minutes from Pearson to Union Station
• Canada Line: approximately 26 minutes from YVR to downtown Vancouver (Waterfront Station)
• REM: approximately 24 minutes from Trudeau Airport to downtown Montréal

If you have a connecting bus or someone waiting for you at the other end, you can plan your arrival time with confidence.

5. Luggage Space Is Available but Limited

Airport trains are designed with travellers in mind, so they do include luggage areas, overhead racks, and wider aisles than regular subway cars. However, they are not cargo vehicles.

If you are arriving with four large suitcases, two children, and a stroller, things will get tight, especially during busy travel periods.

Practical tips:

• Keep your carry-on bag with you at your seat
• Place large bags in the designated luggage racks near the doors
• Avoid blocking the aisle
• Travel during off-peak hours if possible (mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays) for more space

6. The Station Has Accessible Facilities

If you are travelling with young children, elderly parents, or anyone with mobility needs, Canadian airport link stations are required to meet accessibility standards. This includes:

• Elevators at the station and platform level
• Ramps and wide doors for wheelchairs and strollers
• Priority seating on the train
• Audio and visual announcements for each stop

Do not hesitate to ask a station attendant for help if you need assistance navigating the platform or boarding.

7. You Can Connect to the Full Transit Network

The airport link station does not just get you to one place, it connects you to the entire city transit network. At Union Station in Toronto, you can transfer to the subway, GO Transit commuter trains, and intercity buses.

At Waterfront Station in Vancouver, you connect to all three SkyTrain lines. At Montréal’s Gare Centrale, you connect to the métro.

This means you can reach almost any neighbourhood in the city using transit alone, starting from your very first moments in Canada.

8. Signage Is Bilingual but Can Still Be Confusing

In most Canadian airports, signs are posted in both English and French. However, airport layouts can still be confusing, especially when you are exhausted from a long flight.

What to look for:

• Green or blue transit signs with a train or rail icon
• Signs specifically naming the service (UP Express, Canada Line, REM)
• The word “Arrivals” will lead you toward baggage claim, and from there you follow transit signs

If you are ever unsure, stop and ask a uniformed airport employee or transit worker. They are used to helping newcomers and international travellers.

9. Download the Transit App Before You Land

While you are still on the plane (or before you leave your home country), download the transit app for the city you are arriving in.

These apps are free and work even with limited data.

• Toronto: TTC app, UP Express app, or Google Maps
• Vancouver: TransLink app or Google Maps
• Montréal: STM app, Chrono, or Google Maps

These apps show you real-time schedules, fare information, and step-by-step directions from the airport station to your destination. Having this ready on your phone before you land removes one more obstacle on arrival day.

10. There Are Waiting Areas If You Arrive Early

If your flight lands ahead of schedule or your ride to your temporary accommodation is not ready yet, you do not need to sit outside or rush.

The airport link station and surrounding terminal areas have seating, washrooms, and sometimes small food vendors where you can wait comfortably. There are also great accommodation options close to the airport link stops.

Most Canadian airports also have free Wi-Fi, so you can contact family, update your immigration documents, or simply rest before continuing your journey.

Common Mistakes Newcomers Make at Airport Link Stations

Forgetting to validate or tap your ticket: Simply buying a ticket is not always enough, some systems require you to tap a card reader or validate a paper ticket before boarding. Watch what other passengers do and follow their lead.

Assuming the first train outside is going to the city: Some exits lead to airport shuttle buses, hotel vans, or car rental areas and not the transit station. Always follow the specific transit signage.

Carrying too much in their hands: Juggling passports, phones, wallets, and luggage while navigating an unfamiliar station is stressful.

Pack a small accessible bag with your travel documents and payment method before you land so your hands are as free as possible.

Not checking the service schedule: Airport trains do not always run 24 hours. If your flight lands very late at night or very early in the morning, check the schedule in advance so you are not stranded at the station.

Conclusion

Before you do anything else, look up the specific airport link station for the Canadian city you are arriving in.

Visit the official transit authority website (Metrolinx for Toronto, TransLink for Vancouver, ARTM for Montréal), note the fare price, download the relevant app, and screenshot the route from the airport station to your first accommodation. Store it somewhere you can access without Wi-Fi.

That one step, done today, will make your arrival day measurably calmer and that matters more than you might realize when everything else feels new.