What Hotels Are Close to Union Station in Toronto? The Easy-Arrival Guide
Table of Contents
Hotels Close to Union Station Toronto: Easy-Arrival Guide
What hotels are close to Union Station in Toronto? Six strong choices are Fairmont Royal York, Union Hotel, Delta Hotels Toronto, Le Germain Maple Leaf Square, InterContinental Toronto Centre and One King West.
A map shows distance. It does not show the wrong station exit, three level changes, a busy crossing or a suitcase wheel threatening early retirement.
I lived and worked in Toronto’s Financial District and walked through the PATH almost every day. This guide looks at real arrival effort, not a neat line drawn on Google Maps.
The goal is simple. Find a hotel that suits your luggage, mobility and plans, then book before a hockey game, concert or convention sends the rate into orbit.
Quick Comparison of Hotels Near Union Station Toronto
| Hotel | Best for | Arrival effort | Main advantage | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Royal York | Easiest arrival | Lowest | Across from Union Station | Standard rooms vary in size |
| Union Hotel | Boutique stay | Low | Short walk and walk-in showers | No fully AODA-compliant rooms |
| Delta Hotels Toronto | Best overall balance | Low to moderate | PATH access and modern rooms | Event crowds |
| Le Germain Maple Leaf Square | Games and concerts | Low to moderate | Beside Scotiabank Arena | Higher event-night rates |
| InterContinental Toronto Centre | Conventions and theatre | Moderate | Connected to the convention centre | Longer walk from the station |
| One King West | Longer stays | Moderate | Suite space and PATH access | More indoor navigation |
Arrival effort includes street crossings, luggage, level changes and route simplicity. Your platform, pace and hotel entrance will affect the walk.
What “Close to Union Station” Means With Luggage
I know the PATH well. I also know how easy it is to get turned around.
Follow the signs. Then follow them again. Somehow, you might still end up staring at an office tower lobby while wondering where the railway station went.
Still, the PATH is the best route on a rainy, snowy or bitterly cold Toronto day. Escalators and elevators help with level changes. There are usually commuters, security staff or shop workers nearby to steer you back on course.
The PATH links Union Station with hotels, transit, office towers, restaurants and attractions across downtown. GO Transit also provides signed barrier-free routes and directs passengers needing step-free access toward specific concourses and elevators.
Save the PATH and Union Station maps before your trip. Arrival day is a poor time to begin an underground scavenger hunt.
Fairmont Royal York: Best for the Easiest Arrival
Fairmont Royal York sits directly across Front Street from Union Station. It is the simplest choice after a VIA Rail journey or an airport ride on UP Express. The PATH also connects the station and hotel through an underground tunnel.
I once won a night at the Royal York in a contest. I was thrilled.
The bed was excellent. The room was not.
My standard room felt small, closer to a compact European hotel room than the grand railway-hotel fantasy I had built in my head. The Royal York offers many room categories, including larger and upgraded options, so my experience does not represent every room.
The lesson is simple. Do not assume a grand lobby guarantees a grand room. Check the room category, floor space, bathroom layout and bed type before booking.
My guide to the questions to ask when booking a hotel in Toronto covers shower type, room size, noise, accessibility and other details worth confirming before you pay.
Best for: The lowest-effort arrival.
Think twice when: Room size matters more than the address.
[Check current Fairmont Royal York rates]
Union Hotel: Best Boutique Choice
Old geezers like me might remember this property as the Strathcona Hotel.
The Strathcona operated on York Street from 1933 until 2023. After a major renovation, the building reopened in 2025 as Union Hotel, an independent boutique property with a far more modern look.
Union Hotel sits about a three-minute walk from Union Station. Its rooms include mini-fridges and walk-in rainfall showers, which removes the bathtub issue many mature travellers face.
There is an important accessibility warning. The historic building does not offer fully AODA-compliant guest rooms. Portable shower benches, handheld showerheads, toilet seat risers and staff assistance are available by advance request. Speak directly with the hotel before booking when mobility needs affect your room choice.
Best for: A smaller, stylish hotel close to the station.
Think twice when: You require a fully accessible guest room.
[Check current Union Hotel rates]
Delta Hotels Toronto: Best Overall Balance
Delta Hotels Toronto offers the strongest mix of arrival convenience, modern rooms and downtown location.
The hotel connects to the PATH and sits steps from Union Station, GO Transit, VIA Rail, the TTC and UP Express. It also places you close to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and Rogers Centre.
This is the hotel I would start with when you want more than the shortest walk. The indoor route helps in poor weather, and the location works well for sightseeing without a car.
The downside is activity. Baseball games, concerts and arena events bring crowds into the surrounding streets and PATH corridors. Ask for a quiet room away from elevators, connecting doors and busy public areas.
Best for: Modern comfort and easier indoor connections.
Think twice when: You dislike event crowds or want a peaceful neighbourhood atmosphere.
[Check current Delta Hotels Toronto rates]
Le Germain Maple Leaf Square: Best for Games and Concerts
Le Germain Maple Leaf Square suits travellers attending an event at Scotiabank Arena.
The hotel sits close to Union Station, Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and the waterfront. Its location lets you attend a game or concert, walk back to the hotel and avoid joining the late-night transit stampede.
The trade-off is predictable. Event nights bring crowds, noise and higher room rates. Check the sports and concert calendars before choosing your dates.
Request a quieter room when sleep matters more than hearing jubilant fans explain the entire game in the hallway.
Best for: Hockey, basketball, baseball and concert trips.
Think twice when: Your ideal evening involves silence by 9:30.
[Check current Le Germain Maple Leaf Square rates]
InterContinental Toronto Centre: Best for Conventions
InterContinental Toronto Centre sits farther west along Front Street. It works best when the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, theatre district or nearby attractions drive your hotel decision.
The hotel connects to the convention centre and sits near the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium and Scotiabank Arena. It also offers an indoor pool, spa and full-service facilities.
The walk from Union Station requires more effort than the Royal York or Union Hotel. That extra distance makes sense when you will spend most of your visit at a convention, theatre performance or attraction west of the station.
Best for: Conventions, theatre trips and full-service facilities.
Think twice when: The shortest possible station transfer is your top priority.
[Check current InterContinental Toronto Centre rates]
One King West: Best for Longer Stays
One King West sits at King and Yonge, roughly seven minutes from Union Station by street or PATH.
The hotel provides direct indoor PATH access, while King subway station sits steps away. Its suite-style rooms and food-preparation features suit longer stays better than a compact standard hotel room.
The indoor route is useful in poor weather, though it requires more navigation than crossing Front Street to the Royal York. The hotel also has a wheelchair-accessible entrance on Melinda Street.
Choose One King West when extra room and longer-stay comfort outweigh the shortest walk.
Best for: Longer visits, suite space and easy subway access.
Think twice when: You want to leave Union Station and see your hotel immediately.
[Check current One King West rates]
Before comparing live rates, read How Much Should I Budget for a Toronto Hotel?. It explains Toronto’s price swings, added taxes and why the cheapest room does not always produce the cheapest trip.
Which Hotel Works Best for Your Arrival?
Arriving by VIA Rail
Start with Fairmont Royal York for the simplest transfer.
Union Hotel offers a short outdoor walk. Delta works well when PATH access and a modern room matter more.
Arriving by GO Transit
Your platform and concourse affect the route. Passengers needing barrier-free access should check the latest Union Station map and elevator information before travel. GO directs travellers toward specific concourses for step-free platform access.
Arriving on UP Express
UP Express runs between Pearson Airport and Union Station in about 28 minutes. Royal York offers the easiest hotel transfer.
Royal York offers the easiest hotel transfer. Delta provides a strong alternative for travellers wanting modern rooms and PATH access. Still deciding between Pearson and downtown? My Toronto Airport Hotel vs Downtown comparison breaks down the trade-offs.
Arriving by Taxi or Rideshare
Ask the driver to use the hotel entrance.
Being dropped at Union Station adds corridors, crowds and unnecessary luggage wrestling. Save that energy for finding dinner.
Who Should Stay Near Union Station?
First-time visitors will also find my Visiting Toronto for the First Time guide useful for planning attractions, transit and a comfortable pace.
This area works well when:
- You arrive by VIA Rail, GO Transit or UP Express.
- You are visiting Toronto for only a few days.
- You want to explore downtown without renting a car.
- You are attending a game, concert or convention.
- You value an afternoon hotel break between activities.
- You prefer fewer arrival-day logistics.
Choose another neighbourhood when you want quieter residential streets, lower hotel prices or easier access to Yorkville, Midtown or North York. My Toronto Hotels by Neighbourhood guide compares those areas by price, transit, walkability and traveller type.
My Toronto Hotels by Neighbourhood guide compares those alternatives without turning your holiday into a transit-planning seminar.
Once you have checked in, my Toronto Streetcar Sightseeing Tour offers an inexpensive, low-walking way to explore the city from Union Station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hotel is directly across from Union Station?
Fairmont Royal York sits directly across Front Street from Union Station. An underground PATH tunnel also links the station and hotel.
Is Union Hotel the former Strathcona Hotel?
Yes. The former Strathcona closed in 2023, underwent a major renovation and reopened as Union Hotel in 2025.
Is the PATH easy to use with luggage?
The PATH protects you from rain, snow, heat and cold. Elevators and escalators help with level changes. The signage takes attention, and wrong turns happen. Save a map and ask for directions early rather than marching confidently toward the wrong office tower.
Which hotel is best after arriving on UP Express?
Fairmont Royal York wins for the easiest transfer. Delta Hotels Toronto is the stronger modern alternative with PATH access.
Are hotels near Union Station noisy?
Noise depends on the hotel, room location and event calendar. Properties close to Scotiabank Arena and Rogers Centre experience heavier foot traffic around games and concerts. Ask for a room away from elevators, bars, connecting doors and busy streets.
My Final Picks
For the easiest arrival, choose Fairmont Royal York.
For the best modern balance, choose Delta Hotels Toronto.
For a boutique stay, choose the refurbished Union Hotel, formerly the Strathcona.
For a game or concert, choose Le Germain Maple Leaf Square.
For a convention, choose InterContinental Toronto Centre.
For a longer visit, choose One King West.
Compare rates for your exact dates. Check the room size, shower type, cancellation terms and event calendar.
Then book through the hotel links above once you find the right room. Your future self, standing at Union Station with luggage and a cranky knee, will thank you.
Other Of My Posts You Might Like:
Questions to Ask When Booking a Hotel in Toronto
How Much Should I Budget for a Toronto Hotel?
Toronto Airport Hotel vs Downtown: Where Should You Stay?
Visiting Toronto for the First Time
Toronto Hotels by Neighbourhood
Toronto Streetcar Sightseeing Tour
Some Links to Some of My Reference Material for You to Use:
City of Toronto: PATH Downtown Pedestrian Walkway
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/visitor-toronto/path-torontos-downtown-pedestrian-walkway
The City confirms Union Station and nine hotels link into the PATH network. It also provides the official PATH map.
GO Transit: Union Station Access
https://www.gotransit.com/en/the-future-and-go/union-station/station-access
This page explains concourses, elevators, accessible routes and how to reach platforms through Union Station.
UP Express: Union Station
https://www.upexpress.com/en/up-express-stations/union-station
The official station page covers schedules, station access, connections, luggage storage and the 28-minute Pearson journey.
Please note: the opinions expressed in this post should never be construed as advice. The thoughts are based on my experiences and those of my friends and family. Whether traveling, exercising or other activity it is always a matter of personal preference. Find what you like and enjoy and share if you want with us all!
Also: If considering a change in diet, exercise, nutrition and or supplements, you must consult your medical practitioner to make sure that what you are about to embark upon doesn’t interfere with your current treatments.
Photo acknowledgements
Where the image contains my watermark of Al Murray Photography, I hold the copyright to that image. If interested in purchasing images or license agreements, please visit: https://almurrayphotography.com/ or you can contact me via email at: althephotographer101@gmail.com
Other images are sourced via “Unsplash.” Please visit and show them some love. Below I will list the artists whose work I am using. I will, from time to time, use AI to enhance one of my own images or create images that suit the subject matter.