Guildwood Railway Station

Guildwood Station is a significant transport hub located in the eastern part of Toronto, in the Scarborough district. The station serves both GO Transit commuter trains (Lakeshore East line) and VIA Rail intercity services connecting Toronto with Ottawa and Montreal. Thanks to recent modernisation, the station offers passengers a contemporary level of comfort and convenient access to the platforms.

It is important for passengers to know that the station features a central platform, accessed via an underground tunnel equipped with lifts and stairs, making it fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. The main entrance to the station building is located on the Kingston Road side. Inside the station, navigation is straightforward; it is convenient to transfer here from local TTC buses to long-distance trains.

• Official carrier websites: viarail.ca (VIA Rail), gotransit.com (GO Transit)
• Customer service phone: +1 888-842-7245 (VIA Rail), +1 416-869-3200 (GO Transit)
• Address: 4105 Kingston Road, Scarborough, ON, M1E 2M3, Canada
• Ticket office hours: Daily, timings may vary (usually from early morning to evening); the waiting hall is open during train operation hours.
• Luggage storage: Luggage storage services may be limited; it is recommended to check with VIA Rail staff in advance.
• Accessibility: The station is fully equipped for passengers using wheelchairs (lifts, ramps, accessible toilets).

Getting to Guildwood Station is quite simple, as it is integrated into the Toronto transport network.

Public Transport: Buses from the city's TTC system operate here. The most popular routes are 86 Scarborough and 12 Kingston Road, which stop in the immediate vicinity of the entrance or enter the station loop. If you are travelling from central Toronto (Union Station), the fastest way is to take the GO Transit train (Lakeshore East line); the journey time will be approximately 25–30 minutes.

Taxi and Car: You can reach the station by taxi or Uber from the city centre in 30–40 minutes (depending on traffic). For car owners, there is a commuter car park, with entry accessible from Kingston Road.

At Guildwood Station, passengers are provided with a basic set of services for a comfortable wait for their journey. The modern station building houses a spacious and bright waiting hall with seating areas where one can shelter from the weather.

Tickets can be purchased at counters (operating according to schedule) or via self-service kiosks for topping up PRESTO cards and buying GO/VIA tickets. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station area. There are also public toilets and special facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including lifts for descending into the tunnel to the platforms. Please note that there may not be full luggage storage facilities, but there are zones for keeping luggage temporarily near you.

Inside the station building itself, the choice of food is limited: typically, there are only vending machines with drinks and light snacks (chocolate, crisps). If you require a full meal, it is worth arranging this in advance.

However, the station is conveniently located on a busy street. Just a few minutes' walk away, on Kingston Road, there is a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant — a convenient option for a quick bite and coffee before your journey. Further along the street, other cafes and eateries can be found. The average cost in the area is reasonable and typical for fast food establishments.

The history of Guildwood Station is inextricably linked to the development of commuter transport in the Greater Toronto Area. The station was opened in 1967, coinciding with the launch of the GO Transit system, becoming one of the original stops on the Lakeshore line.

A significant stage in the station's life was a large-scale reconstruction completed in the late 2010s. The old brick building was replaced by a modern, glazed terminal with improved infrastructure. This project aimed to increase capacity and ensure a barrier-free environment, confirming Guildwood's role as a key transport hub for the residents of eastern Scarborough.

When planning a trip via Guildwood Station, consider that the car park is very popular and on weekdays may fill up by 7:30 AM. If you are travelling on a VIA Rail train, it is recommended to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure to calmly pass through ticket checks and luggage weighing (if required).

To board GO Transit trains, do not forget to tap your PRESTO card on the validator before descending into the tunnel. In winter, the platforms can be windy, so wait for the train in the warm station building and go down to the platform 5–10 minutes before the train arrives. The station is equipped with surveillance cameras and emergency communication buttons for your safety.