Getting Around Markham: A Visitor's Guide
Markham offers several transportation options for visitors, though like most Greater Toronto Area suburbs, travel by private automobile is common. The city benefits from its proximity to Toronto, which gives access to Toronto's transit network alongside local services. Understanding the different transit agencies and how they connect will help you navigate the city effectively.
Public Transit Overview
Three transit agencies operate within Markham: York Region Transit (YRT), Viva (a bus rapid transit service operated by YRT), the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and GO Transit. Each serves different parts of the city and offers different fare structures.
York Region Transit and Viva
York Region Transit serves Markham with bus routes on arterial roads laid out in a grid pattern. Viva operates express bus rapid transit routes with good service frequencies throughout the city.
Three Viva routes serve Markham's main corridors:
- Viva Blue runs north-south along Markham's western boundary, connecting to Finch Station on the TTC subway Line 1 Yonge-University in Toronto.
- Viva Purple operates east-west through Markham. You can transfer between Viva Blue and Purple at Richmond Hill Centre Terminal.
- Viva Pink connects Finch Station through Richmond Hill Centre Terminal to Unionville GO Station.
YRT fares apply to all York Region Transit, Viva, Brampton Transit, and TTC routes within York Region, with some exceptions. YRT also operates express routes (numbered 300–304) that travel from Markham to Finch Bus Terminal via Highway 407 and require a higher express fare.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Routes
Two TTC routes serve Markham and connect to Toronto's subway system at Finch Station:
- TTC Route 53 (Steeles East) runs along Markham's southern boundary with Toronto. This route offers frequent service during rush hours and has overnight service from 2 AM to 5 AM every 30 minutes.
- TTC Route 102D (Markham Rd) provides service from Warden Station on the TTC subway Line 2 Bloor-Danforth into York Region through Main Street Markham. It offers local service within Markham Village.
When using TTC routes that cross the municipal border, you pay the applicable fare for your boarding location and can transfer between systems. If paying by credit, debit, or Presto card, you need to tap off when crossing municipal borders to validate your two-hour transfer.
GO Transit
GO Transit provides both train and bus service to Markham. The Stouffville Line operates train service to multiple stations including Milliken, Unionville, Centennial, Markham, and Mount Joy. Trains run seven days per week from morning to mid-evening. GO buses operate on routes 70 and 71 when trains are not available, and additional routes serve other destinations.
Unionville GO Station is approximately 1.3 kilometres from Main Street Unionville's heritage district, while Markham GO Station is about 400 metres north of Markham Village. GO buses also provide connection points throughout the city, linking with YRT and other transit services.
Cycling Infrastructure
Markham has an extensive cycling network. The city designates cycling routes with three types of signs: diamond signs with bicycles (exclusive bicycle lanes), green signs with bicycles (shared lanes wide enough for comfortable sharing), and "Share the road" signs (narrow roads requiring shared use). Routes are classified as signed-only routes, bike lanes and paved shoulder bikeways, or multi-use trails separate from roadways.
Walkability and Local Streets
Markham follows a grid street layout typical of Greater Toronto Area suburbs. Main east-west local avenues include Stouffville Road, Elgin Mills Road East, Major Mackenzie Drive East, Highway 7, 14th Avenue, and Steeles Avenue East (the border with Toronto). Major north-south roads include Yonge Street, Bayview Avenue, Leslie Street, Woodbine Avenue, Warden Avenue, Kennedy Road, McCowan Road, and Markham Road (old Highway 48). Most businesses concentrate on Highway 7 and Steeles Avenue East.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not provide information about taxi services or ride-hailing options in Markham. It is advisable to inquire locally or contact your accommodation for current options.
Getting from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Markham
Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga is the nearest major airport. FlixBus offers service from the airport to Markham, as well as connections to other regional destinations including Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Kingston, and Ottawa.
For public transit access from the airport to Markham, you can take transit into Toronto and connect to Finch Station on the TTC subway Line 1 Yonge-University, then transfer to York Region Transit or Viva bus service into Markham.
Local Airports
Markham has two local airports: Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport (located at the city's west end) and Toronto/Markham Airport (located at the northeastern end). Both are small facilities offering domestic and regional flights. However, most visitors use Toronto Pearson International Airport for international travel.
Highway and Road Travel
Highway 404 runs north-south through Markham, connecting to the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto. Highway 407, a privately-operated toll road, runs east-west and provides another route through the region, though tolls apply. Highway 7 is a busy local east-west surface street offering a free alternative. Most travel in Markham is by private automobile on these highways and local arterial roads.