Cheap flights to Toronto, Canada

Toronto Travel Guide

Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the largest city in Canada. A cosmopolitan conglomeration of cultures, you can walk—and eat—your way around the world. The Irish, Greek, Indian, Chinese, Brazilian, Portuguese and Polish communities (to name just a few of the 100 or so groups who call Toronto home) have brought their traditions, food, languages and music with them, making the city a delight for all the senses.

For travelers arriving on flights to Toronto, there are many things to do! Toronto is thriving. For example, The Distillery District is a commercial and residential neighborhood that has been revitalized; the old red-brick buildings and warehouses are now galleries, artist studios, boutiques, cafes and brasseries. Near Chinatown, the Art Gallery of Ontario has been transformed by Frank Gehry. In Yorkeville, the Royal Ontario Museum has been spruced up with a new wing by Daniel Libeskind. The Gardiner Museum stands across from the museum; it’s Canada’s only ceramics museum.

When the city gets too busy, Dundas Square or the Beaches offer a respite. A ten-minute ferry journey from Harbourfront Centre will deliver you to the Toronto Islands.

Toronto hugs the shore of Lake Ontario, providing a scenic backdrop to the modern downtown area. The soaring CN Tower is an eye-catching landmark and you’ll surely want to take the glass elevator to the top of this 1,640-foot tall wonder for a spectacular view of the city and lake. The most populous city of Canada has a bold mix of culture, architectural diversity and nightlife. It hums with the excitement of a modern cosmopolitan center, yet its history dates to the late 1700s. Head downtown to explore the financial district’s modern architecture. While there, do not miss the PATH, a unique underground shopping area consisting of more than 1,200 businesses.

From sporting events to world-class theater to diverse cuisine, Toronto offers it all. You could spend days visiting the city’s museums (the Art Gallery of Ontario houses a magnificent collection of art, while the Royal Ontario Museum exhibits cultural and natural history from around the globe). Toronto even has its own castle, Casa Loma, and quaint Victorian neighborhoods that invite you to stroll their quiet streets, while the many parks provide relaxation after a busy day.

Getting to and around the city of Toronto

There are a few options for getting from the airport to downtown Toronto. Option one is a ride-hailing service. You can meet drivers at the airport at either Terminal 1, Door A, or Terminal 3, Door B. You can also request a coach service (approximately $26 one way), which seems pricey, but it’s a much better alternative than a taxi. Depending on traffic you’ll probably find the journey from the airport to the center of Toronto to take about 30 minutes to an hour. If you’re really on a budget, or just want to experience some true local transport, you can take the Toronto Rocket, a passenger train used on the Toronto Subway system. Ride the Toronto Rocket to the Kipling Subway Station and then take the subway all around the city.

Toronto’s public transport consists of a connected network of subways, buses and streetcars that offer safe, efficient and reliable transport. With all of those options, you can get anywhere in the city. The subway has four lines, and buses and streetcars can be boarded at every major subway stop. After 1:30am the Blue Night Network services the main streets and the Request Stop Program allows people to get off the bus anywhere between stops. Cabs are easy to find and you can take ferries to the Toronto Islands. While renting a car is an option, keep in mind that there is a lot of traffic and parking is expensive.

Tips for your stay in Toronto

• One of the top film festivals in the world—the Toronto International Film Festival—is held in September throughout 23 venues in downtown Toronto. Up to 400 films are screened.
• Visit the CN Tower, one of the highest freestanding structures in the world. Walk along its glass floor or book a table in its revolving restaurant and look out hundreds of miles. If you are feeling really adventurous, the CN Tower offers an outdoor edge walk.
• Travel along Yonge Street (pronounced Young Street), which stretches nearly 54 miles from the heart of the shopping district to the University of Toronto.
• Try the InfoToGo visitor system that makes getting around Toronto extremely easy. With more than 20 sites at various points around the city, you’ll find maps specifically designed for each area including historical locations and public transportation stops.
• Yes, castles do exist in North America! Casa Loma is Canada’s most famous with 98 rooms and is set on five acres of manicured estate gardens that are in full bloom from May through October.
• The “Biggest Underground Shopping Complex” according to the Guinness World Record is Toronto’s underground city, PATH. The “city” has more than 17 miles of indoor pedestrian walkways linking hotels, shopping, dining and major attractions all underground.

If you require transportation to Toronto Pearson International Airport from your hotel or lodging accommodations, options include taxis and ride-sharing services such as Lyft or Uber and shuttle vans that drive back and forth from the airport. The UP Express Bus offers rides to the airport and  services Union Station in downtown Toronto. When booking a taxi or ride-sharing service, it’s a good idea to schedule your ride at least 24 hours in advance so you’re not rushing through ticket lines and security checkpoints. Shuttle van services such as Super Shuttle and Aeroport Taxi take reservations in advance as well, and schedule your pick-up times based on your flight time.

For more information on navigating the Toronto Pearson International Airport, check out our detailed online airport guide:

Airport Guide to Lester B. Pearson International (YYZ)