The massive metropolis hub of Toronto can be fully explored if you save at least two nights for it. The best time to visit Toronto is from late April to May and from September to October.
If you come before that, the weather is still too cold to move around, the streets are covered in snow, and attractions are closed.
Well, sounds depressing, huh? But regardless of winter or not, Toronto is still a pleasant and slow city to visit. If you have more time to spare, I highly recommend staying at least four nights so you don’t have to rush to attractions.
Spend a pleasant day biting your way through St. Lawrence Market with the tastiest foods, then hop to Casa Loma Museum later in the day, and immerse in retail therapy the next morning. And yeah, get ready to pack the most Pinterest-ready outfits out of the closet because Toronto street fashion is a real deal.
Now read on to collect some insightful tips on getting downtown from the airport, the best places to go, where to eat, and more.
Getting to Toronto from Airport
How to Get to Toronto Downtown from Pearson Airport by Bus
This is the cheapest and easiest way to get to Toronto downtown from Pearson Airport. Catch the bus No. 900 Airport Express at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 and get off at Kipling Metro Station. It leaves every 10 minutes from early morning until 2 am in an hour and 15 minutes ride. Aside from bus No. 900, you can also take Bus 52 E Lawrence West.
Night buses from Pearson Airport include 300 E Bloor-Danforth, 332 E Eglinton West, and 352 E Lawrence West.
If you want to go to the suburbs outside of Toronto, wait for bus No. 34 Finch Terminal, 40 – Richmond Hill Ctr, or 40 – Hamilton Go at Terminal 1.
How to Get to Toronto Downtown from Pearson Airport by Train
The train fare is on the steep side compared to the bus but it’s handy and fast in less than half an hour. Take the UP Express train that leaves every 15 minutes from 5:30 am to 1 am at Terminal 1. You can purchase the ticket at the vending machine at the airport or on the official website. It will take you off at Union Station.
How to Get to Toronto Downtown from Pearson Airport by Taxi or Limo
More expensive but the most comfortable, taxi from Pearson Airport to the city center is about 25 minutes. If you hate waiting time and self-navigating, get a taxi and it will drop you off right at your hotel in the downtown core.
The taxi is available at the designated pick-up area on the terminal curbs at the Arrivals Level (Doors D at Terminal 1; Doors D, E, and F at Terminal 3). Over there, you will look for the GTAA number plate on the bumper and decal on the window, ask for the flat rate, and start your trip. The final price will fluctuate depending on the distance and traffic.
Premium black limousines are more expensive with the rate being 10% higher than taxi fares. The airport limousines park at Door C, Terminal 1, and Door D, Terminal 3.
Can You Get Uber and Lyft at Pearson Airport?
Uber and Lyft are available in Toronto but the price is similar to a taxi. You can get one at Door A (Terminals 1 and 3).
How Do Tourists Get Around Toronto?
By Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Toronto develops a network of subways, busses, and streetcars called the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). You need to purchase either a ticket, token, or pass before getting on one. If you plan to use this public transport mass throughout the city, consider obtaining a TTC Day Pass. You don’t do cash when traveling on a TTC as the drivers don’t have change. City taxis are also everywhere as are Uber or Lyft services.
By Toronto PATH
Other than TTC, you can also get around using the city’s underground pedestrian network called PATH. This is my favorite way to walk around Toronto’s major stations and attractions when it snows. You need to obtain a map to navigate.
13 Best Things to Do in Toronto to Inspire Your Long Weekend Vacation
Check out the Coolest Artifacts at Casa Loma Museum
As a history buff myself, Casa Loma was one of the first places I visited on my first day in Toronto. Translated into “Castle on the Hill”, the museum once served as a mansion of Henry Pellatt, a Canadian tycoon dating back to the early 20th century.
Almost every artifact and compartment stays intact after all those years, promoting a fabulous Gothic Revival style. It has massive, beautiful grounds during the summer.
One of the coolest things everyone loves to do there (especially with kids) is climbing some very narrow stairs that lead you all the way to the top opening out to a wonderful view of the surrounding areas from the two towers including the iconic CN Tower at a distance.
Christmas and Halloween are some of the best times to visit Casa Loma as they put on some exciting, colorful decorations throughout.
Take a Stroll around the University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Coming up next is the St. George Campus swathing around the University of Toronto, one of the top-rated universities in North America established in 1827 during the British colonial period.
Once part of the Church of England, the University finally parted in 1850 and soon was renamed the University of Toronto as you see it today.
A short stroll around the campus opens out to many marvelous British colonial buildings soaked in a viticulture old atmosphere. Some of my favorite buildings are Trinity College and Hart House. Plus, the hidden staircases and grand hallways are some of the best attractions themselves, promoting a Harry Potter-like atmosphere.
Visit CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium
It goes without saying that the CN Tower is the most talked-about attraction that defines the reputation of Toronto. Standing vividly as an architectural wonder offering some of the most magnificent panoramic views, the CN Tower reaches 553 meters tall and has been around since 1976.
Located on the ground floor of the CN Tower, the Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the best places to visit for families with kids. Put a bright smile on your kids’ faces with a few hours of rocking the largest aquarium in North America, hosting about 20,000 species of marine creatures. From there, you can take a short walk to the nearby Union Station to see the largest station in Canada going all the way back to 1907 steeped in classic, marvelous architecture.
Get a Sense of the Old and New Toronto at the City Hall
Pressed against the peaceful backdrop of the high blue sky, the quirky, beyond-imagination architecture of Toronto City Hall stands amidst a bunch of towering skyscrapers, promoting sharply contrasts with the Romanesque Architecture of the adjacent Old City Hall.
The Old and New Halls are opposite one another, overlooking Nathan Phillips Square on the right side of the building. Rain or shine, Nathan Phillips Square is a bustling gathering hub of locals and travelers. My favorite part of the hall is the old one as it’s soaked in distinguished Romanesque architecture. Inside the Old City Hall, there’s a 340-foot clock tower garnished with gargoyles.
Chill out at Yonge-Dundas Square
Yonge-Dundas Square rings true to the fact that everyone believes this is a little reminder of Times Square in New York. It’s modern, busy, and full of sounds with people chatting, singing, laughing, and dancing.
Other than a dining and shopping hub, Yonge-Dundas Square is a great place to enjoy the modern vibe of Toronto and watch the world go by. Time and again, the City Sightseeing Toronto Hop-Off-Hop-On tour bus comes over, waiting for the next turn of travelers.
Snap Some Shots at the Colorful Kensington Market
Walking westward, Kensington Market pops out as a colorful, sprawling part of town where photographers flock here daily to capture some quirky, quaint, little corners of the neighborhood.
Emerging as a hub of the immigrant working class, Kensington Market today transforms into a diverse neighborhood hosting a heap of immigrant communities. The little streets of Baldwin, St. Andrew, or Kensington Ave are lined up with low-ceiling shops, artists’ hubs, and workspaces. Dotted around the neighborhood are some upscale cafes and restaurants, delivering a funky and eclectic vibe to daily life.
Grab a Yummy Bite at St. Lawrence Market
Shopping time! Well, it’s not technically clothing and accessories, but St. Lawrence Market is a lot more fun with all the freshest local produce nestled inside a large, red-brick building. The market can be found on Front Street East and Jarvis Street to the east of the Old Toronto district.
Going strong since 1803, St. Lawrence Market opens a door to the local daily life as you can see people traverse up and down the lines browsing for what to cook for the upcoming week. From fish to fruits, from meat to flowers, the market is open daily from Tuesday to Saturday with more than 100 vendors waiting for you at every turn.
If you don’t feel like buying anything, you can grab a bite at one of the indoor eateries or sign up for a cooking class at the Market Kitchen.
Visit St. James Cathedral
Right by St. Lawrence Market, St. James Cathedral is a popular historical attraction with gorgeous architecture. Wrapped around by a set of beautiful stained glass windows, the cathedral is dotted with a tower piercing through the sky. It’s a stone’s throw away from the Union Station. You can also get here directly from the airport via the UP Express train.
Tackle The Distillery Historic District
Not far away from St. James Cathedral, the Distillery Historic District is another exciting part of Toronto you can cover by foot. The whole neighborhood is soaked in a dramatic color of red bricks plastering the walls and the walkways. There is a performing art center here as well as a heap of bistros, bars, and shopping opportunities to wind down at the end of the day. Thanks to its spectacular beauty, the Distillery Historic District is insanely popular for photography.
Walk on the Sand along Sugar Beach
Kissing the southern edge of Toronto, Canada’s Sugar Beach is a completely fresh place to break away from the chaotic city streets. The little sandy beach is located adjacent to the Redpath Sugar Refinery in Toronto’s eastern East Bayfront. And that’s the reason why it was named as such.
Canada’s Sugar Beach is clean, quaint, and peaceful even though there’s an absence of water sports. Well, in fact, this is not the place you wanna come to swim or anything but it’s still a gorgeous oasis right on the waterfront. The pink umbrellas make it even more Instagrammable, especially on sunny days.
Take a Ferry to Center Island
If you take the ferry from the Center Island Ferry Station right next to the Sugar Beach, you’ll soon reach Toronto’s Center Island. Embrace this chance to plan an escape from city life and enjoy a range of outdoor activities there.
Center Island is a hub of leisure pursuits itself, ranging from the thrilling rides at the Centreville Amusement Park to Far Enough Farm and an extensive network of hiking trails.
Get a Boat Ride around Lake Ontario
Pressed against Center Island, Lake Ontario is one of the biggest lakes in North America, covering 18,960 square kilometers. There is no direct ferry or water taxi to Lake Ontario but you can take a scenic voyage touring around the lake when the air is crisp.
Otherwise, you can check out plenty of beaches and parks along the lake. Alternatively, you can take on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, a US National Scenic Byway on a car or bicycle.
Conquer the Best Restaurants in Toronto
- Alo is an exquisite Michelin-starred restaurant offering a tasting menu in two of its dining rooms. It’s tucked on top of a refurbished Victorian building, divided into The Bar and the main dining room.
- Don Alfonso 1890 is another Michelin-starred restaurant dishing up drool-worthy Italian cuisine on the edge of Lake Ontario on the well-curated Signature and À La Carte menus.
- Grey Gardens’s main thrill in life is everything seafood-related served alongside a range of fine wines to pepper your dining experience with a high note.
2 Best Areas to Stay in Toronto
Toronto’s Financial District: Best Area to Stay Near Union Station
This is the best place for first-time travelers to benefit from the proximity of Union Station. Staying around this area allows you to see as much of Toronto as possible and keep track of the city’s iconic attractions. The Financial District is also a great base to enjoy your retail therapy. The district around Union Station inherits the best of Old Toronto’s essence.
Best hotel in Toronto’s Financial District: Fairmont Royal York Gold Experience
West Queen West: Best Area to Stay for Young Travelers and Artistic Souls
Do you know that Toronto’s West Queen West was voted as one of the world’s 15 coolest neighborhoods by Vogue Magazine? Well, if your main thrills in life are boutique shopping and celebrating vibrant cafes and bars, then West Queen West is the best area to stay in Toronto. It’s home to Graffiti Alley, a heap of eccentric bars and small art galleries flooded by a rich Bohemian color. This is where you see the young travelers wishing to share the best of both worlds.
Modern and funky as it seems, West Queen West is still a part of old Toronto with a generous share of historic buildings dating back to a century ago.
Best hotel in Toronto’s West Queen West: Gladstone House
