UP Express UP Express: FREE Rides on Family Day Weekend (February 13 to 15) FREE Rides on Family Day Weekend!

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If you're in the Greater Toronto Area and need a trip to Union Station or Pearson International Airport this Family Day weekend (February 13 to 15), skip the bus or taxi and take a trip on the UP Express, as they'll be offering FREE trips that entire weekend! Not only is this a great deal for travelers, but it can also make a nifty family outing for rail-fans and kids, as trains are always neat no matter how old you are.

The UP Express began service in June 2015 and promises a 25-minute trip between Union Station and Pearson International Airport. There are two stops in between (Bloor and Weston), meaning you can even use it for a free trip to either of those areas to save on transit or gas! A one-way fare from Union to Pearson is normally $27.50 for adults and this free weekend is a great opportunity to experience the service first-hand.

While the service has struggled due to poor ridership and a high price relative to alternative transit, it has been lauded for its fast service, convenience and friendly staff.

Specific terms such as rider limits or if tickets need to be booked in advance have yet to be disclosed, but we'll update this post as more details are released.

Thanks to our resident RFD forums wizard TomRFD for originally posting this deal in our Freebies forum!

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  • Gundam
    • Too bad I am not flying out that weekend
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  • Too itchy
    • That's during the NBA all star game weekend. With the taxi protest happening during that weekend, I wonder if the NBA players will just take the Union Pearson Express train all the way down to union station? It'd be sick to get an autograph with them while you're on the train ...LOL!
    • Report Post
  • sprung
    • Gundam wrote: ↑Too bad I am not flying out that weekend
      Also works great if you need to get to/from downtown or other short hops. For example, headed to the Junction? Take UP from Union to Bloor station and exit there. Nobody can force you to stay on train to airport :)

      FYI - it is pet friendly too. Took a dog on it the last time they had free rides

      "Each guest may bring a maximum of two dogs, cats, or other small animals on board free of charge. Dogs must be on a leash or in a carrier. Cats and other small animals must be in a pet carrier that allows room for the pet to stand or lie down with comfort. "

      I'm gonna use it to hit high park area for a hike. Perfect! Wonder how they'll feel about a nice, muddy dog on board...
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  • 501
    • Thanks I still havent rode this
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  • goat
    • sprung wrote: ↑Also works great if you need to get to/from downtown or other short hops. For example, headed to the Junction? Take UP from Union to Bloor station and exit there. Nobody can force you to stay on train to airport :)
      I've taken this exact route. Union to Junction in 6 minutes was nice!
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  • pingwinki
    • That's great. I will be coming home on the 14th and can use it.
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  • smoraes
    • haha peeps think the rich go in cheap taxis - nba guys will take limos and they not on strike :) will see lots of escalades and hummers and stretch hummers and other classic/fancy limos like you see bringing in the singers at muchmusic awards and the like :)
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  • fyrefly
    • sprung wrote: ↑I'm gonna use it to hit high park area for a hike. Perfect! Wonder how they'll feel about a nice, muddy dog on board...
      This is why we can't have nice things.

      But thanks OP. Coming back on the 15th so a free train home will be great!
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  • Smart86
    • How sad, all that money put into it and the ship is starting to sink. I guess they thought people will spend else since our dollar is doing great.... Everyone should boycott it and send the greedy B a clear message, but we know the yuppies will still go, anything for free
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  • dealmooch
    • Not sure why this is showing up for me when I don't live in Toronto.
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  • foodyforlife
    • Metrolinx is dumb. They are studying "ways" to increase ridership. Thousands spent on doing a study. Sheesh.

      Solution: DROP THE PRICE. Idiots.
    • Report Post
  • theflyingsquirrel
    • foodyforlife wrote: ↑Metrolinx is dumb. They are studying "ways" to increase ridership. Thousands spent on doing a study. Sheesh.

      Solution: DROP THE PRICE. Idiots.
      I think just included it within TTC.
      Everyone who paid a fair with TTC can use it.

      That will definitely increase the ridership.
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  • Cjohnson202
    • I took it for a flight in January with the BOGO offer. Came to $27.50 for round trip, which was alright. The ride was nice and relaxing and was very simple. I enjoyed it. With that said, I couldn't imagine to spending much more than that though...$30 each way? no thanks
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  • eric91
    • Do you have to get a ticket or something in advance or just show up to the place on those days?
    • Report Post
  • Mayoo
    • Free rides this weekend

      McCuaig said a lack of awareness about the service explains much of the low ridership. He also said getting travellers to switch from their regular mode of transportation has proven difficult.

      "We need to get more people to try the service, we believe that as people try the service, they'll fall in love with it," he said. McCuaig is hoping that love affair will begin this Valentine's Day weekend, when Metrolinx will offer free rides on the troubled airport train.
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  • mike229
    • Sorry to say but reposted!
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  • ChappyHappy
    • UP is too expensive for the average person.

      TTC is $3 in like 60mins.
      UP is $27 in like 25mins.

      Seems like most dont see the point in paying an extra $24 to save 35mins.
    • Report Post
  • smuncky
    • ChappyHappy wrote: ↑UP is too expensive for the average person.

      TTC is $3 in like 60mins.
      UP is $27 in like 25mins.

      Seems like most dont see the point in paying an extra $24 to save 35mins.
      it's $19 w/ presto.
    • Report Post
  • ChappyHappy
    • smuncky wrote: ↑it's $19 w/ presto.
      I know. I didnt want to mention it because I would've used $19 if they pushed Presto 12+ years ago.
      We'd be using less credit card tap and more Presto for most of our purchases.

      It's still $15 to save 35mins.
      Ionno. I'd say $15 without Presto is more acceptable. But that's just me.
    • Report Post
  • ManCaveGamer
    • anything worth doing near the airport?

      can you take the UP express train from Union to Bloor station free instead to get from downtown to west end fast?
      ChappyHappy wrote: ↑UP is too expensive for the average person.

      TTC is $3 in like 60mins.
      UP is $27 in like 25mins.

      Seems like most dont see the point in paying an extra $24 to save 35mins.
      more like 1 hour and half (90 min) to get from Pearson to Union station by bus and subway
    • Report Post

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