Markham

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is about 40 km west of Markham; drive the electronic-toll Highway 407 ETR, which bills rental cars later. Without a car, GO trains on the Stouffville line stop at Unionville and other Markham stations, and TTC buses run from Finch subway station. With a car, Highway 407 ETR is the fastest road from Pearson, but it is an electronic toll highway that bills rental cars later, so ask the hire company about charges; Highway 401 and then 404 is the free alternative and slower at rush hour. From downtown Toronto, drivers take the Don Valley Parkway, which becomes Highway 404 and runs north through the west side of Markham. On public transport, GO Transit's Stouffville line is the cleanest option from Union Station, stopping at Milliken, Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy, with trains seven days a week from morning to mid-evening and GO buses 70 and 71 covering other times.

GO Stouffville line

Union Station to Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy; Unionville is closest to the heritage district

Line 1 to Finch, then Viva

Viva Blue to Richmond Hill Centre, then Viva Purple east along Highway 7 through Unionville and Markville to Cornell

TTC route 53 Steeles East

Finch station to Pacific Mall; route 43 Kennedy runs north from Kennedy station

From Pearson by train

UP Express to Union Station, then the Stouffville line north

• Two Main Streets exist: tell drivers and ride-hail apps whether you mean Main Street Unionville or Main Street Markham.
• A TTC fare does not cover YRT or GO; pay separately or use a PRESTO card across all three.

Stay near Highway 7 and Highway 404, where most of Markham's business hotels sit around Commerce Valley and Downtown Markham; weekend rates are often lower than weekday ones. Unionville is the area closest to the historic Main Street, the millpond and the Stouffville line station.

Commerce Valley

Hilton Garden Inn and other business hotels just south of Highway 7 by Highway 404; quick for drivers, dull on foot

Highway 7 and Warden Avenue

The Hilton suites and conference hotel on the Viva Purple line; easy transit, surrounded by office parks

Downtown Markham

The new district around Highway 7 and Kennedy Road, with Monte Carlo Inns and restaurants within walking distance

Near Main Street Unionville

Few hotel rooms, but the heritage district is the nicest place to spend an evening

Drive around Markham, a grid of wide arterial roads where Steeles Avenue East marks the Toronto border and 14th Avenue, Highway 7, Major Mackenzie and Elgin Mills run east to west. Without a car, the Viva Purple rapid bus runs along Highway 7, and Highway 404 links the city north and south. Steeles Avenue East forms the southern border with Toronto; north of it the main east-west roads are 14th Avenue, Highway 7, Major Mackenzie and Elgin Mills, crossed by Woodbine, Warden, Kennedy, McCowan and Markham Road. Most shops and restaurants line Highway 7 and Steeles. Three transit agencies overlap here. York Region Transit runs local buses and the Viva rapid lines: Viva Blue on Yonge Street along the western edge and Viva Purple east along Highway 7 past Markville to Cornell Terminal. TTC buses cover Steeles, and GO trains run north-south on the Stouffville line. Walking works inside the old villages but rarely between sights.

Viva Purple

Frequent rapid buses along Highway 7 past Unionville and Markville to Cornell Terminal

YRT local buses

Local routes off the main arteries; check the YRT trip planner for the Markham Museum

Car

Easiest for Pacific Mall, the museum and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration

Taxi and ride-hail

Widely available; useful for evenings in Unionville

• Pacific Mall parking is chaotic on weekend afternoons; come before noon or ride the TTC 53.