Information checked on 2 October 2026. Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton cannot be compared by a single fare alone: payment method, transfer validity, zones and airport routes affect the whole trip. List your routes and daily journeys, then check current prices against the local rules below.
Toronto’s TTC accepts PRESTO cards or tickets, contactless credit or debit cards and cash. PRESTO and contactless payments generally provide a two-hour transfer; use the same card, ticket or device throughout. Cash does not receive that two-hour transfer. Monthly fare capping also requires eligible payment methods; different cards, or a physical card and its mobile-wallet version, should not be assumed to combine. TTC fares and passes
Vancouver’s TransLink has three fare zones. Buses generally charge one zone; SkyTrain and SeaBus depend on zones crossed, time and day. A standard single fare lasts 90 minutes, but a cash paper bus transfer cannot transfer to SkyTrain or SeaBus. Keep the same Compass or contactless payment method and tap in and out on rail and SeaBus. For trips starting at YVR–Airport, Sea Island Centre or Templeton, check the Airport AddFare and exemptions. TransLink: zones, transfers and payment TransLink fares
Calgary Transit’s fare table gives cash single fares 90-minute validity and day passes validity until the end of that service day. Check adult, youth and senior products separately. Mobile options such as My Fare are distinct from cash and day-pass choices. Compare your actual journeys; Toronto’s two-hour transfer or another city’s fare cap is not a Calgary rule. Calgary Transit fares
In Edmonton, tap an Arc card or contactless credit or debit card when entering and exiting buses or LRT platforms, and use the same payment method for the applicable daily and monthly caps. Cash requires exact change; keep the transfer, valid for 90 minutes. Local ETS travel, regional travel and Route 747 airport service have different coverage, as do ordinary ETS and airport multi-day passes. Edmonton Transit fares
Before making a decision, fix the date and location, and then check the fare, transfer, area, payment medium and additional airport rules one by one; if one is missing, don’t make a “best” or “certain” conclusion.