Getting Around Mississauga: A Visitor's Guide
Mississauga is a spread-out city, and navigating it without a car requires planning. However, several transit options connect different parts of the city and link to the Greater Toronto Area, making car-free travel possible for many visitors.
Public Transit: Buses
MiWay is Mississauga's municipal bus service and your primary option for getting around by transit. The system includes local routes with typical wait times of 15 to 45 minutes on weekdays, as well as express routes that serve major corridors.
The Mississauga Transitway is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that operates along a dedicated busway. It runs from Winston Churchill Boulevard to Cawthra Road adjacent to Highway 403, then continues along Eastgate Parkway and parallels Eglinton Avenue to its terminus at Renforth Drive. Several MiWay express routes use this system, offering faster travel than local buses.
MiWay also connects to adjacent transit systems. Routes serve the Toronto Transit Commission's Bloor–Danforth subway at Islington and Kipling stations in Toronto. Connections exist to Brampton Transit, Oakville Transit, York Region Transit, and other regional services, allowing you to reach destinations across the Greater Toronto Area.
Fares and Payment
- Cash fare: $4.50 for adults (ages 13+)
- Presto card fares: $3.50 for adults (20–64), $2.90 for youth (13–19)
- Children (0–12) ride free when travelling with an accompanying adult
- Seniors (65+) ride free with a valid senior Presto card
- A single fare allows two hours of travel on MiWay, including bus transfers and connections to other regional transit systems
MiWay accepts the Presto card, or you can tap a credit or debit card directly on the Presto reader.
Rail: GO Transit
Three GO Transit rail lines serve Mississauga, offering connections to the broader Greater Toronto Area and to Toronto Union Station.
The Milton line has six stations in Mississauga: Dixie GO Station, Cooksville GO Station, Erindale GO Station, Streetsville GO Station, Meadowvale GO Station, and Lisgar GO Station. All of these connect with MiWay bus service and regional GO buses. This line is primarily a rush-hour, peak-direction service—trains operate to Toronto during morning rush hours and return in the evening.
The Lakeshore West line serves two Mississauga stations: Port Credit GO Station and Clarkson GO Station. This line operates 18 hours per day, every day, with frequent service (30 minutes or better in each direction). Both stations connect with MiWay and GO Transit buses. Clarkson also has Oakville Transit service.
The Kitchener line has one stop in Mississauga at Malton GO Station. This station also serves VIA Rail intercity trains and has connections to regional GO buses and MiWay service.
GO Transit buses operate from the GO Bus Terminal at Square One, providing service to Toronto Union Station, Pearson Airport, Brampton, and other regional destinations. When using a Presto, credit, or debit card to transfer between MiWay and GO Transit, you receive free or refunded fares automatically.
Airport Rail Link
The Union Pearson Express is an airport rail link connecting Toronto Pearson International Airport (located in Mississauga) with Union Station in Downtown Toronto. It has one station in Mississauga at Pearson Airport's Terminal 1. This provides a direct rail connection to downtown Toronto without needing a car or taxi.
Future Rail: Hurontario LRT
The Hurontario LRT (also called the Hazel McCallion LRT) is currently under construction. This 18-kilometre light rail line will operate along Hurontario Street and connect with Cooksville GO Station and Port Credit GO Station. It will also intersect with planned bus rapid transit corridors, including the Dundas Street BRT and the 407 Transitway. This project will significantly improve transit options once completed, though service is not yet available.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Mississauga taxis are metered with rates starting at $4.25 plus $1.75 per kilometre or $0.50 per minute. Several operators serve the city 24/7. Taxis are available from stands at Pearson Airport terminals and can be called throughout the city. A short taxi ride will reach most parts of Mississauga from the airport.
Getting to Mississauga from Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Canada's largest airport and is located in Mississauga. Several options exist for reaching the city from the airport:
- Union Pearson Express: A direct rail link from Terminal 1 to Union Station in Toronto (a good option if heading downtown)
- MiWay buses: Local buses serve the airport and connect to the broader Mississauga transit system
- TTC buses: Routes 900 Airport Express and 952 Lawrence West Express connect the airport to Toronto subway stations
- Taxis: Available from taxi stands at all terminals; a short ride reaches most of Mississauga
- Rental car: If driving, major highways (401, 407, QEW, and 403) provide access to Mississauga and the region. Note that Highway 407 is a tolled road with high rates
Walkability and Cycling
Mississauga is very spread out, making walking impractical for most longer distances. However, the city has invested in cycling infrastructure. A cycling network includes cycle tracks separated by curbs, bicycle lanes with physical barriers, and multi-use trails within parks. The City Centre Transit Terminal at Square One and GO Transit stations are useful anchor points for transit-based trips.
For cycling enthusiasts, the network of trails and bike lanes continues to expand, providing an alternative for shorter trips.
Connections to Nearby Transit Systems
MiWay integrates with several regional transit providers:
- Brampton Transit: Serves Pearson Airport Terminal 1 and the Mississauga City Centre Transit Terminal
- Oakville Transit: Services Clarkson GO Station
- Milton Transit: Services Lisgar GO Station
- Toronto Transit Commission (TTC): Multiple bus routes connect to Toronto subway stations at Islington and Kipling
- York Region Transit: Serves areas in Northwest Toronto accessible from Mississauga
A single Presto, credit, or debit card tap typically covers transfers between these systems, simplifying travel across municipal boundaries.