If you love Casa Loma’s charm but work on Bay Street, your daily commute matters. You want simple, predictable options you can tailor to your schedule. In this guide, you’ll see the fastest routes, real-world times, and cost tips so you can plan with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Pick your Bay Street stop first
Your best route depends on where you’re going on Bay. Targets like Bay & Bloor, Bay & Queen, King & Bay, or Bay & Front point you to different Line 1 stations. Choosing your exact cross street helps you decide where to get off and how to finish the last block or two.
Fastest option: Line 1 subway
Walking or busing to Dupont or St. Clair West, then heading south on Line 1, is usually the quickest and most reliable pattern. The train time from Dupont to Union is commonly around 12 minutes, with total door-to-door near 20 to 30 minutes depending on your walk and exit. Dupont and St. Clair West are marked accessible with elevators. Check station details before you go on the TTC’s Dupont Station page.
Surface bus and streetcar options
If you prefer surface routes or your start point is closer to Davenport or St. Clair, you have a few choices.
- 127 Davenport: Handy for the Casa Loma ridge and a feeder to Dupont Station. Check the 127 Davenport schedule.
- 19 Bay: Runs along Bay Street and serves many office addresses. See the 19 Bay schedule.
- 512 St. Clair: Useful along the St. Clair corridor if you want an eastward connection before heading south. Travel time varies with traffic and transfers.
What it costs on the TTC
With PRESTO pay-as-you-go, an adult ride is about CA$3.30. Paying cash is about CA$3.35. PRESTO includes a two-hour transfer window for multiple TTC boardings. Ontario’s One Fare program can reduce costs on trips that mix TTC with GO or regional transit when you tap with PRESTO or a contactless card. Review details on the TTC fares and passes page.
Bike from Casa Loma
Cycling can be fast and direct, often 15 to 25 minutes for the 4.5 to 5 km to Bay Street. The City upgraded cycle tracks on Davenport to improve the link into downtown and the Bay and University corridors. See the project overview for Davenport on the City of Toronto cycling page.
Prefer a flexible setup? Bike Share stations are near Casa Loma and dense around the core, including a superstation near King & Bay. Check dock and bike availability on Bike Share Toronto’s station page.
Walk to Bay Street
If you like a long walk, you can do it. Casa Loma to Bay Street is roughly 4.5 to 5.5 km, which typically takes 50 to 70 minutes depending on your pace and endpoints. For most commuters this is an occasional option rather than a daily plan. For area context, see this Casa Loma guide with orientation tips.
Drive, taxi, or ride-hail
Driving off-peak can take 10 to 15 minutes. During rush hour, expect 20 to 35 minutes or more. Ride-hail can be the fastest door-to-door outside peak times, but day-of traffic rules. For real-world time ranges, compare live navigation with examples on Rome2Rio’s route summary.
Parking near Bay Street is limited and often pricey. Typical daily parkade rates in the Bay and Union area commonly fall around CA$15 to CA$35, with monthly rates varying by building. Compare options on Parkopedia’s Brookfield Place listing.
Sample door-to-door itineraries
- Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace) to Bay & King: Walk 8 to 12 minutes to Dupont, ride Line 1 south about 10 to 12 minutes, then walk 3 to 6 minutes. Plan on 22 to 35 minutes total.
- Davenport & Bathurst to Bay & Queen: Bike via Davenport cycle tracks and dock near King & Bay in 18 to 28 minutes. Or take the 512 St. Clair east with a short walk or transfer in about 25 to 35 minutes.
- Casa Loma to Bay & Front (Union): Walk or bus to Dupont, ride to Union in around 12 minutes train time, then exit. Expect 25 to 35 minutes door-to-door. Driving may be 8 to 20 minutes off-peak, longer at rush.
Day-of planning checklist
- Pick your exact Bay Street cross street first to choose the right station and exit.
- Use PRESTO for the lowest TTC fare and easier transfers. See the TTC fares page.
- Check live TTC service and any St. Clair corridor work on the TTC construction updates page.
- If you bike, confirm route conditions and dock availability with Bike Share Toronto.
- If you drive, compare real-time parking prices and weigh them against transit costs.
Bottom line
For most Casa Loma to Bay Street commuters, Line 1 wins for speed and predictability. Cycling is a strong alternative in good weather, and driving can work off-peak if parking is sorted. Pick the right endpoint, check live conditions, and you can make the trip smooth every time.
Ready to align your next home with the commute that fits your life? Connect with Taylor Townley Real Estate for discreet, strategic guidance in Toronto’s central neighbourhoods.
FAQs
How long is the Casa Loma to Bay Street subway ride?
- If you reach Dupont or St. Clair West quickly, train time south is about 10 to 15 minutes, with total door-to-door often 20 to 30 minutes.
What does a TTC trip cost from Casa Loma?
- With PRESTO pay-as-you-go, the adult fare is about CA$3.30 and cash is about CA$3.35, with a two-hour transfer window.
Are there direct buses to Bay Street?
- The 19 Bay bus serves Bay Street and the 127 Davenport connects the Casa Loma ridge to Dupont, but many riders take the subway for speed and frequency.
Is cycling from Casa Loma to Bay Street practical?
- Yes, Davenport cycle tracks improve safety and directness, and most riders can cover the distance in 15 to 25 minutes in fair weather.
Is it worth driving downtown from Casa Loma?
- It can be convenient off-peak, but rush-hour traffic and parking costs are significant, so compare total time and monthly costs with transit.
