Whether it be on the GO train or GO bus, you can travel to almost anywhere in the GTA and Golden Horseshoe with the regional public transit service.
Doing it on a budget means you'll have to stick to transit stops that are a bit closer to the city.
You won't be missing out though because there are a lot of incredible things to do in Toronto and nearby cities and towns.
Here's what you need to know about destinations you can get to with GO Transit from Union Station for cheap, including how much the fare costs and what you can do there!
Rouge
You can take the Lakeshore East GO train to the Rouge Hill station in Scarborough's Rouge neighbourhood.
It costs $7.90 one-way for an e-ticket or $6.65 if you pay with PRESTO. That's $15.80 or $13.30 roundtrip.
Once you're there, you can get on the Waterfront Trail near the station and head to Rouge Beach.
Also, continuing on the trail takes you to Lookout Bridge for views of the lake.
If you head down Lawrence Avenue East you'll get to the Boardwalk Trail — a short one-kilometre hike — located in Rouge National Urban Park that overlooks the marsh.
Admission to the national park bordering Toronto, Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge is free!
Port Credit
Just a short GO train ride on the Lakeshore West line takes you to Port Credit, a neighbourhood in Mississauga located along the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Getting there costs $7.15 with an e-ticket or $6.02 with PRESTO — that's $14.30 or $12.04 roundtrip.
You can explore the Port Credit Memorial Park, the Port Credit Lighthouse, a boardwalk that takes you over the river, waterfront paths, and more.
There are also restaurants and shops including Snug Harbour Seafood Bar and Grill, Posta Italbar Cucina, El Jefe, Pump House Grille Co, Scoops Ice Cream, and Archtop Coffee Bar & Market.
Oakville
The Lakeshore West GO train stops in Oakville, a town just west of Mississauga.
It costs $9.70 for an e-ticket and $8.16 for a tap with PRESTO which works out to $19.40 or $16.32 both ways.
Since the GO station is close to the downtown, you can explore the charming main street of this lakeside town.
You can dine at restaurants like Colossus Greek Taverna, Piano Piano, Riyasat Indian Restaurant & Bar, and more or grab a coffee and sweet treat at Tribeca Coffee Co., Black Forest Pastry Shop, La Diperie, and more spots.
There are a lot more shops and local businesses along the street.
Just beyond Oakville's downtown is Lake Ontario and a bunch of parks, including Lakeside Park, that offer an escape into nature.
Scarborough
Taking the Lakeshore East GO train from Union Station to Scarborough Station transports you to a beautiful natural landscape in the city.
It costs $4.40 for an e-ticket or $3.70 when you use a PRESTO card which works out to just $8.80 or $7.40 roundtrip.
You can explore the expansive Scarborough Bluffs, within walking distance from the GO station, and the waters of Lake Ontario beyond it.
There is Bluffers Park, Scarboro Crescent Park, Bluffers Park Lookout, Bluffers Park Beach, and more to experience in this area.
Unionville
Getting on the Stouffville line train at Union Station in Toronto takes you to Unionville, a charming historic small town in Markham.
It costs $9.25 for an e-ticket but is cheaper — just $7.78 — if you use a PRESTO card.
That works out to $18.50 or $15.56 roundtrip.
There are lots of shops (Crock A Doodle pottery, Tucci Armadio clothing), things to do (McKay Art Centre, The Stiver House) and restaurants (Unionville Arms Pub & Grill, Il Postino, Watercolour Mediterranean Restaurant) in the town.
Also, Unionville is where the Gilmore Girls pilot was filmed and you can see spots from the show's first episode including:
- the red brick church from the opening shot of the series at 150 Main Street Unionville
- where Lorelai crossed the street to get to Luke's Diner at 154 Main Street Unionville
- Luke's Diner at 156 Main Street Unionville
Maple
You can take the GO train on the Barrie line and head up to Maple.
It costs $8.15 for an e-ticket or $6.86 if you tap for PRESTO. That's $16.30 or $13.72 both ways.
Maple, a neighbourhood in Vaughan, was originally a village from the 1800s but it now offers a mix of city and county living.
If you want to get out of Toronto and explore nature without going too far, this is for you.
After getting off the train, you can head to the Maple Nature Reserve since it's close to the Maple GO Station.
This nature reserve has a 3.2-kilometre looped trail that takes you through 35 hectares of unique flora and fauna.
Streetsville
You can take the 21E or 21B GO bus from Union Station to the Streestville GO Station for pretty cheap.
It costs $9.80 for an e-ticket and $8.25 for PRESTO which works out to $19.60 or $16.50 both ways.
Streetsville is a neighbourhood in Mississauga along the Credit River.
At Queen Street East and Main Street, there is the Streetsville Village Square where you can take in the small town-like charm or sit and relax after a meal.
Local restaurants include Goodfellas Wood Oven Pizza, Burger Factory, Stavro's Greek Restaurant & Lounge, and El Mariachi Tacos and Churros.
You can get ice cream at La Diperie or Murphys Ice Cream Parlour and wander through the main part of Streetsville too.
There's also a riverside trail nearby if you want a little nature escape.
Mimico
Just a short trip on a Lakeshore West train takes you to Mimico, a neighbourhood near the lake in Etobicoke.
Since it's close to Toronto's downtown, it only costs $4.40 for an e-ticket and $3.70 when you pay for a ticket with a PRESTO card.
That works out to just $8.80 or $7.40 roundtrip.
Mimico GO Station is close to local shops like Sanremo Bakery, Birds & Beans Café, Two Brothers Shawarma, Barrel House Korchma, and more.
You can also get to Mimico Waterfront Park and Humber Bay Park for spectacular views of the lake and the Toronto skyline.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
