Toronto

Lakefront neighbourhoods and global food

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Airports: YYZ · YTZ

Toronto at a glance

Toronto is a multicultural city on Lake Ontario, with major museums, neighbourhood restaurants and an extensive public-transport network. Downtown, the waterfront, Yorkville, the Annex, Queen West and the Distillery District sit in several areas rather than on one walking loop. Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hamilton, Blue Mountain and the Scarborough Bluffs work best as separate outings. The airports are Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop (YTZ).

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitLate spring to early autumn

AirportsYYZ · YTZ

Budget travelCheck current local costs / person / day

Milder months suit Harbourfront walks, the islands and neighbourhood markets. Winter is cold; keep indoor hours for the museums and the PATH network.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

UP Express to Union Station

About 28 minutes to Union Station

Standard UP Express fareTransport

Must-see sights

CN Tower

Toronto Islands

Royal Ontario Museum

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Take the elevator to the top of CN Tower for panoramic views over Lake Ontario and the city skyline.
Lunch: Try peameal bacon sandwiches at St Lawrence Market, the oldest continuously operating food market in Toronto.
Afternoon: Stroll through the Distillery District's Victorian industrial architecture, galleries and independent shops.
Evening: Walk along Harbourfront Centre and watch Lake Ontario from the water's edge at Queens Quay.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Downtown
A practical base near the tower, PATH and the waterfront. Yorkville and the Annex need a short ride.
Best for
First visits, the CN Tower and Harbourfront
Yorkville
A polished district north of Bloor. The Distillery District and Harbourfront need a separate journey.
Best for
Galleries, boutiques and a calmer stay
The Annex
Residential streets near Bloor Street West. Downtown sights are a short subway ride.
Best for
Casa Loma and neighbourhood restaurants
Queen West
A livelier street for boutiques and bars. Casa Loma and the islands still need a planned ride.
Best for
Independent shops and evening walks
Distillery District
Victorian industrial streets with galleries and shops. Most Downtown museums need a short ride.
Best for
A compact historic stay

Approximate budget

Mid-range
Check current local costs
per day, per person
Accommodation usually has the biggest effect on the daily budget.

Airports

YYZ
Toronto Pearson International Airport
27 km from city centre
YTZ
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
3 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

OptionTimePrice

YYZ

UP Express to Union StationYYZPearson Station is in Terminal 1, next to the Terminal Link Train that connects Terminals 1 and 3. From Terminal 3, take that train to Terminal 1 and follow the signs to the station. Check the timetable for first and last trains.
About 28 minutes to Union Station
Standard UP Express fare
Details
Pearson Station is in Terminal 1, next to the Terminal Link Train that connects Terminals 1 and 3. From Terminal 3, take that train to Terminal 1 and follow the signs to the station. Check the timetable for first and last trains.
TTC 900 Airport Express or 52A Lawrence WestYYZThe 900 Airport Express links Pearson with Kipling station on subway Line 2, and the 52A Lawrence West runs to Lawrence and Lawrence West stations on Line 1. Overnight service uses different routes, so check the TTC website.
Slower than UP Express; the time depends on the route and traffic
Standard TTC fare
Details
The 900 Airport Express links Pearson with Kipling station on subway Line 2, and the 52A Lawrence West runs to Lawrence and Lawrence West stations on Line 1. Overnight service uses different routes, so check the TTC website.
Taxi, limousine or rideshareYYZLicensed taxis, limousines and rideshare vehicles use designated pick-up areas at each terminal. Follow the airport signs rather than accepting offers inside the terminal.
A road journey to downtown, depending on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Licensed taxis, limousines and rideshare vehicles use designated pick-up areas at each terminal. Follow the airport signs rather than accepting offers inside the terminal.

YTZ

Free shuttle to Union StationYTZThe shuttle runs between the airport and Union Station, stopping on the west side of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, across from Union Station. Service is less frequent early in the morning and late in the evening.
About 15 minutes to Union Station, depending on traffic
Free
Details
The shuttle runs between the airport and Union Station, stopping on the west side of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, across from Union Station. Service is less frequent early in the morning and late in the evening.
Pedestrian tunnel or island ferryYTZThe tunnel connects the mainland terminal with the island terminal on foot, and the ferry leaves from the foot of Bathurst Street. TTC streetcars 509 and 511 serve the Bathurst Street area.
A short walk, or a ferry crossing of about 90 seconds
Free for pedestrians
Details
The tunnel connects the mainland terminal with the island terminal on foot, and the ferry leaves from the foot of Bathurst Street. TTC streetcars 509 and 511 serve the Bathurst Street area.
Taxi or rideshareYTZDrop-off and pick-up are at the kerb outside the mainland pavilion and ferry terminal. The airport is only a few kilometres from downtown.
A short road journey to downtown, depending on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Drop-off and pick-up are at the kerb outside the mainland pavilion and ferry terminal. The airport is only a few kilometres from downtown.

Getting around

OptionTimePrice

WalkingThe waterfront, St Lawrence Market and the Distillery District work on foot. Casa Loma, the islands and Yorkville need a separate ride.
Best around Downtown, Harbourfront, the Distillery District and Queen West
Free
Details
The waterfront, St Lawrence Market and the Distillery District work on foot. Casa Loma, the islands and Yorkville need a separate ride.
TTC subway, streetcar and busValidate tickets when required. A car is unnecessary in the centre. Check the last services before an evening return.
Useful across the city and toward the ferry terminal
Official TTC fare
Details
Validate tickets when required. A car is unnecessary in the centre. Check the last services before an evening return.

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Toronto at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Downtown

Yorkville

The Annex

Queen West

Distillery District

Approximate budget