Transportation to BMO Field

You’re heading to BMO Field for a Toronto FC match or big event and need to figure out the best way to get there.

The stadium sits at Exhibition Place on Toronto’s waterfront, about 2 miles west of downtown.

Public transit usually beats driving on match days thanks to Toronto’s infamous traffic around Exhibition Place and the Gardiner Expressway.

Most fans rely on GO Transit trains or the TTC subway system, which avoid road congestion entirely.

You’ve got five solid options: GO Train from Union Station (7 minutes), TTC streetcar or subway with a short transfer, Uber or taxi (6-10 minutes from downtown), dedicated charter buses for groups, or driving if you’re willing to deal with parking hassles. Each works for different situations and budgets.

GO Train (Fastest from Downtown)

GO Transit runs trains from Union Station to Exhibition GO every 20-30 minutes, taking just 7 minutes.

The Exhibition GO station sits right outside BMO Field’s gates. This is your fastest option if you’re coming from downtown or anywhere along the Lakeshore East or West lines.

Fares cost $3-5 one way. On match days, trains run every 30 minutes until 1:00 AM to handle post-game crowds. Buy tickets through the GO Transit app or at the station.

  • One Heads-up: Exhibition GO Station currently has no elevator service due to ongoing upgrades, meaning customers with accessibility needs can’t use the pedestrian tunnel connecting platforms. If you need accessible service, call GO Transit at 416-869-3200 or 1-800-438-6646 at least 48 hours before your trip to arrange Dignity Transportation Shuttle service.

From Union Station, just follow signs to the GO platform, board any westbound Lakeshore train, and you’ll be at the stadium in under 10 minutes total.

TTC Subway and Streetcar

Toronto’s local transit network offers several routes to BMO Field, all using the flat $3 TTC fare.

A single fare includes 2 hours of unlimited transfers when paying with credit/debit tap, mobile wallet, or PRESTO card.

Starting Point Route Travel Time
Union Station (Line 1) 509 Harbourfront streetcar → 509/511 bus to Exhibition Loop 25-30 min
Bathurst Station (Line 2) 511 streetcar → 509/511 bus to Exhibition Loop 20-25 min
Dufferin Station (Line 2) 29 bus direct to Exhibition 15-20 min
  • From Union Station: Board the 509 Harbourfront streetcar toward Fleet Loop, then transfer to the 509/511 replacement bus toward Lake Shore and Bathurst. Exit at the Exhibition Loop stop and walk 5 minutes to the stadium.
  • From Bathurst Station: Take the 511 streetcar south toward Fleet Loop, transfer to the 509/511 bus, and walk from Exhibition Loop.
  • From Dufferin Station: Catch the 29 bus south directly to Exhibition. On match days, service increases with buses running every few minutes between Dufferin Station and the stadium.

The TTC works well if you’re already on the subway system or coming from neighborhoods not served by GO Transit. Just build in extra time for transfers and walking.

TTC Bus Routes

Multiple TTC bus lines serve BMO Field, with the nearest stop at East Liberty St at Lynn Williams St just a 2-minute walk from the stadium entrance.

Primary bus routes to BMO Field:

  • 29, 29A, 29C (Dufferin)
  • 63 (Ossington)
  • 307, 329, 363 (Night routes)
  • 509, 511 (Harbourfront/Bathurst)
  • 929 (Dufferin Express)

Most of these routes connect to subway stations, making them useful for the final leg of your journey.

Check the TTC website or Google Maps for real-time schedules, especially on match days when service gets boosted.

Uber and Taxi

Uber or taxi from downtown Toronto costs $9-13 and takes 6-10 minutes in normal traffic.

Both Uber and Lyft operate widely throughout Toronto and work as reliable alternatives if you prefer not to use public transit.

Match-day traffic changes the equation. Expect surge pricing from rideshare apps when thousands of fans are leaving at the same time.

If you’re taking Uber, consider getting dropped off a few blocks away and walking the last stretch to avoid traffic bottlenecks near the stadium gates.

For groups of 3-4 people splitting the fare, rideshare can cost about the same as GO Train tickets while offering door-to-door convenience.

Charter Shuttle Buses

For larger groups attending events, charter bus companies like Bus.com offer minibuses, coach buses, and school buses with amenities including AC, power outlets, WiFi, and onboard restrooms.

This option works well for corporate outings, fan clubs, or groups of 15+ people who want to travel together.

Charter buses help you avoid crowded public transit and expensive rideshare surge pricing on game days while keeping everyone together. Book in advance for best availability and pricing.

Driving and Parking

From the east, take Gardiner Expressway East toward Toronto, exit at Lake Shore Blvd West, turn left onto Ontario Drive.

From the north, take Highway 400 South to Highway 401 West, exit to Highway 427 South toward QEW, merge onto Gardiner Expressway East, then exit at Lake Shore Blvd West.

Parking payment options:

  • Lot 852 (south of stadium): Green P Parking App only, no cash/card
  • All other lots: Credit, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Green P app
  • No cash accepted anywhere at Exhibition Place

Download the Green P app at https://mobilepay.greenp.com/ and set up your account before arriving.

Lot 856 west of BMO Field along British Columbia Road offers reduced parking rates.

Lots fill quickly on match days, so arrive 90+ minutes early or expect to park farther away and walk.

Many fans park elsewhere in the city and take transit for the final stretch to bypass stadium-area congestion.

Parking near BMO Field in Toronto typically costs CAD $20–$40 on event days, with discounted rates available in Lot 856 west of the stadium. 

Public transit via GO Train or TTC streetcar is the most efficient way to avoid traffic and parking delays.

Estimated Cost

Category Typical Price (CAD) Details
Lot 852 (Green P Parking) $25–$30 South of stadium; payment via Green P app only — no cash or card.
Lot 856 (West of BMO Field) $20–$25 Reduced rates along British Columbia Road; fills quickly on match days.
Other Exhibition Place Lots $30–$40 Accept credit, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Green P app; no cash accepted.
Off‑Site Parking (Queen’s Quay or Liberty Village) $15–$25 10–15 min walk to stadium; cheaper but limited availability.
Rideshare (Downtown Toronto → BMO Field) $15–$25 Surge pricing likely after matches; pickup zones near Ontario Drive.
Public Transit (TTC Streetcar or GO Train) $3.35–$5.65 each way Fastest and most budget‑friendly option from Union Station.

Match-Day Strategy

The smart move is arriving early to grab food or drinks in Liberty Village, or staying later after the final whistle to let congestion clear out.

This approach saves time and stress while making the whole experience more enjoyable.

On match days, rely on GO Trains or subway since those services avoid road congestion and crowded choke points.

If possible, skip driving entirely unless you’ve pre-booked parking or are arriving hours early.

Travel Tips

Arrive Early: Parking lots fill 90 minutes before kickoff; plan to arrive 2 hours early for major events.

Public Transit: From Union Station, take the 509 Harbourfront Streetcar or 511 Bathurst Streetcar to Exhibition Loop — a 5‑minute walk to BMO Field. GO Train also stops at Exhibition Station right beside the stadium.

Driving Routes: Use Gardiner Expressway East → Lake Shore Blvd West → Ontario Drive for direct access; avoid Liberty Village streets during peak hours.

Payment Methods: No cash accepted anywhere at Exhibition Place — use credit/debit or mobile apps only.

Exit Strategy: After matches, traffic on Lake Shore Blvd and Gardiner ramps is heavy for 30–45 minutes; consider walking to Liberty Village for rideshare pickup.

Accessibility: Accessible parking available near Gate 3 and Gate 5; arrive early to secure spots.

FAQs

How early should I arrive at BMO Field?

Arrive 60-90 minutes before kickoff for regular season games, 90+ minutes for playoffs or special events. This gives you time to clear security, find your seats, and grab concessions without rushing.

Can I use a PRESTO card for all Toronto transit?

PRESTO works on TTC subway, streetcar, and bus routes but doesn’t cover GO Train fares. You’ll need separate payment for GO Transit or can tap credit/debit directly on GO readers.

Is there accessible transportation to BMO Field?

Exhibition GO Station currently lacks elevator service, so riders needing accessible transit should call GO Transit 48 hours ahead at 416-869-3200 to arrange shuttle service. TTC vehicles offer accessible options on most routes.

What’s the cheapest way to get to BMO Field?

TTC streetcar costs just $3 with 2 hours of transfers included when using PRESTO or tap payment. GO Train runs $3-5 but saves significant time if you’re starting from Union Station.

Where do Uber drivers drop off at BMO Field?

Rideshare pickup and drop-off happens along Princes’ Boulevard near the stadium entrances. On busy match days, consider getting dropped on Lake Shore Boulevard West and walking 5-10 minutes to avoid traffic jams.

Can I take the UP Express to BMO Field from the airport?

UP Express connects Pearson Airport to Union Station, where you can transfer to GO Train for the 7-minute ride to Exhibition GO. Total trip takes about 40 minutes airport to stadium.

M. Abdullah
M. Abdullah is a football content specialist and analyst at Surprise Sports. He specializes in tactical match coverage, global tournament tracking, and data-driven player profiles, evaluating both on-pitch performance and the off-pitch economics of the sport.