If you’ve ever watched a bus “arrive” on the schedule… and then not arrive, you already know the problem. In Ontario, the apps people use most fall into three jobs: plan the trip, track what’s actually coming, and pay/manage fares.
This guide covers the popular public transit apps for navigating Ontario cities—not just one “best” pick—so you can choose what fits your routes.
Start with a 2-minute test
Before you download five apps, do this once:
- Write down three places you actually travel: home, school/work, and your most common weekend trip.
- In any app you’re testing, search those stops/stations and look for:
- live arrivals (not just timetables)
- alerts when something changes
- clear walking directions to the right stop entrance
- If your signal drops underground or in elevators, pick an app that still keeps the next steps readable.
That quick test beats guessing based on app ratings.
Popular Transit Apps
Here’s what each popular option is usually used for:
- Transit: real-time arrivals and “what’s happening right now” confidence
- Google Maps / Apple Maps: fast directions anywhere, great as a backup
- PRESTO app / Mobile Wallet: fares, loads, passes, balances
- Triplinx: multi-agency trip planning across the GTHA
- Citymapper: Toronto-focused navigation that many riders like
- Moovit: broad coverage across many agencies in one app
- TTC trackers: quick TTC stop times (Toronto-only)
- GO tools: GO schedules, stations, and digital fare options
Comparison Table: Popular transit apps in Ontario
| App | Best for | Works well in Ontario for | Key strength | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit | Daily commuting with real-time info | Toronto (TTC), Ottawa (OC Transpo), many cities | Live departures + vehicle tracking + alerts | Features can vary by city and settings |
| Google Maps | Simple directions, new places | Most Ontario cities | Fast routing and easy walking transfers | Detours/service changes aren’t always obvious |
| Apple Maps | Clean routing for common trips | Toronto and other supported regions | Clear UI and simple directions | Transit detail can vary by region |
| PRESTO app | Managing fares | PRESTO regions (GTHA + beyond) | Load funds, passes, check balance | Timing of loads can matter if you top up late |
| Triplinx | Regional planning | GTHA-wide trip planning | Strong for multi-agency planning | Some sudden service changes won’t show up in plans |
| Citymapper | Toronto-focused navigation | Toronto | Great for city transit navigation | Best value if you’re mainly Toronto-based |
| Moovit | Broad coverage, many agencies | GTA + Ottawa and many systems | Supports many agencies in one app | Interface can feel busy for some riders |
| TTC trackers (e.g., TTC Watch / Transit Now) | “When is my TTC vehicle coming?” | Toronto | Fast stop-based arrival views | Usually TTC-specific; less helpful outside TTC |
| GO tools | GO-only planning | GO Transit riders | GO planning + schedules + tickets/passes | Not a full city transit replacement |
Pick your simple 2-app setup
Most people only need two:
- Everyday commuter (Toronto or Ottawa): Transit + Google Maps
- GTHA rider mixing TTC + GO + local buses: Triplinx + Transit (add PRESTO if you reload often)
- Toronto-only rider: Citymapper or Transit + a TTC tracker
- GO-heavy rider: GO tools + Transit (for last-mile buses and timing)
If you like keeping things simple, choose one “real-time” app and one “directions” app. That covers 95% of trips.
City picks: Toronto, Ottawa, GTHA/GO
Toronto
If you ride the TTC, real-time detours matter because streetcars and buses can get re-routed fast. TTC has a page explaining how detours show up in the Transit app (with closed stops marked and the detour route drawn). Use Transit for the live view, and keep Maps as your backup.
If you only ride TTC and just want “next bus time,” a TTC tracker app can feel faster than a full trip planner.
For Toronto riders, the biggest setup step is getting your student status recognized. Our guide on TTC post-secondary Photo ID and PRESTO setup walks through what to bring and what to do at the station.
Ottawa
OC Transpo publicly calls Transit its preferred app for trip planning, departures, tracking, and service alerts. If you’re new to Ottawa transit, starting there is the least confusing path.
GTHA and GO Transit
Triplinx is built for “I’m using more than one agency today.” TTC’s trip planner is also powered by Triplinx, and TTC notes that unplanned changes and closures may not be included in trip plans—so it’s smart to pair Triplinx with a real-time app.
For GO, GO’s official tools are best for schedules, stations, and digital fare options. One important detail: GO e-tickets are not eligible for Ontario’s One Fare program, so frequent transfer riders usually prefer PRESTO/contactless taps.
If you’re a student using GO, follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for the GO post-secondary discount, how the approval gets loaded to your PRESTO, and when it expires so you don’t get charged adult fares by accident.
What surprises riders
These are the small details that cause the biggest headaches.
1) PRESTO top-ups aren’t always instant on a physical card.
Online loads to a physical PRESTO card can take 4–7 hours to be ready. If you reload right before leaving, you might still be short at the gate.
Turning 20 is when a lot of students accidentally start paying more—usually because their card is still set to the wrong fare type. This explains Youth vs Post-Secondary PRESTO fare types and what changes when you hit that age.
2) Mobile wallet rules differ by city.
PRESTO in Apple Wallet works across the GTHA, but it isn’t accepted on OC Transpo in Ottawa. If Ottawa is your main system, keep a physical PRESTO card.
3) Trip planners lag when service gets messy.
A planned route can look perfect at 8:00 a.m. Then a detour happens at 8:05. On those days, real-time tracking and agency alerts beat the “best route.”
