Flight to Toronto (YYZ)

Flying to Toronto: tips and information for your trip

On the shores of Lake Ontario, the new world is forming; Toronto is a big city with big ideas. The most multicultural city in the world, over 60% of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada. From the greenery of High Park in the west to the sand-swept streets of the beaches in the east, Toronto has a neighbourhood for just about anyone. Presiding over it all is the CN Tower, its rotating platform and needle-tip point a symbol of the Toronto skyline. Down on the street, it’s all action. Including bars, restaurants, museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas and all the sports you could ever want, Toronto offers a slice of globalisation.

What to do in Toronto?

1. At the top of anyone’s list for a trip to Toronto should be the CN Tower. This famous building offers spectacular views out over the water and back into the city. Top tip: the restaurant is a little expensive, but admission to the viewing platform is free if you dine there.
   
   
2. Toronto has some of the best museums in the world. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is a fantastic storeroom for some of the best art the world has to offer. It has a particularly tremendous section on Canadian art, and great free tours.
   
   
3. Further north is the Royal Ontario Museum, a collection of excellent displays on the earth’s history. Take a picture with a T-Rex, or be stupefied by the size of the totems carved by the Nisga’a and Haida peoples.
4. In the west, High Park is Toronto’s biggest area of greenery. A popular place for dog walkers, these 400 acres of land provide lots of areas to explore.
   
   
5. In the east, the Beaches and Queen St. East are two of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods, with boutique shopping, restaurants and bars. Take a turn off of any of the side streets and find yourself feet first in the sands of Lake Ontario, the best place to soak in the Toronto sun.
   
   
6. If sports are more your thing, the city has great hockey, basketball, soccer and baseball teams. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
   
   
7. For a more leisurely pace, board game cafés have sprung up all over the city. Snakes & Lattes is a Toronto institution, with three stores and a great selection of beers and games.
   
   
8. Further afield, make sure you book a day trip to go and see Niagara Falls. Most routes take you on a spectacular tour of Lake Ontario and its wine regions, as well as an up-close and personal view of the majestic waterfall.

Practical information for your trip

• Flights land at Toronto Pearson International (YYZ). The airport is to the west of the city and is roughly an hour from downtown. The airport is divided amongst two main terminals, but travel between the two is easy and free via a sky rail. The sky rail has a direct connection with the overground railway line UP Express; trains depart every fifteen minutes, take half an hour to get into Union Station, and cost 12.35 Canadian dollars. Taxis can be found outside, and Toronto has good Uber service, alongside rival company Lyft. Buses also service the airport.
   
  
• Currency: Canadians use the Canadian dollar.
  
  
• Country Dialling Code: +1.
  
  
• Electric Sockets: require the American-style plug with two thin prongs.
  
  
• Travel information: When visiting, make sure you have a valid passport. Visitors from require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

Do’s and don’ts in Toronto

• Because of its multicultural nature, Toronto is a very open-minded place. Like most major Canadian cities, there is something for everyone, so don’t just be drawn in by the tourist attractions (though most of these are excellent in Toronto). Little Portugal and Little Italy are great places to walk around, while Kensington Market and Chinatown offer a vast array of experiences, both during the day and at night. Make sure to go out and explore.
  
  
• Torontonians are obsessed with their sports, so do try to go see a game. The Toronto Maple Leafs are perhaps the most famous hockey team, but their tickets are also very expensive. The Toronto Raptors (basketball), Toronto Blue Jays (baseball), Toronto Wolfpack (rugby) and Toronto FC (football) are all excellently supported, have fantastic stadiums and can be watched for much cheaper.
  
  
• The biggest faux pas a visitor can make in Toronto is to compare Canada to the United States. They are two very independent countries, and Canadians are proud of their heritage. This can be seen clearly on Canada Day, an annual celebration of everything Canuck.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

In large portions of Canada, French is the dominant language; while that is not the case in Toronto, most street signs, announcements and products will have both French and English instructions.

Cultural events

• February – Winterlicious. A large number of Toronto’s restaurants lower their prices for two weeks to encourage winter dining.
• May – Toronto Comics and Art Festival. Housed over three buildings at Yonge & Bloor, this free two-day event gives Hogtown’s comic book geekery its ultimate celebration.
• Summer - Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival. Held on the beautiful Toronto Islands, this is an event of the Asian community. Relax with some food from one of the many stands and watch all the teams speed along the waterfront.
• July 1^st – Canada Day. This holiday is a bit like St. Patrick’s Day, but with red and white everywhere rather than green. Street parties abound, so celebrate with the excellent local beer, some poutine and delicious beaver tail pastries.
• August – Jazz Festival at the Beaches. During this two-day street party, shops open their doors, the roads are closed, and bands, both local and international, come together in a non-stop uproar of sublime sound.

When to go to Toronto?

The Toronto weather in winter can be difficult. Snow and freezing rain are commonplace from late November until March, with temperatures dropping below 0 degrees Celsius. Most locals use the time to head out of the city and go snowboarding or skiing. When the snows get really heavy in the downtown area, the PATH does a good job of connecting some of the major tourist spots via an underground labyrinth of interconnected tunnels, so even in the winter there are still plenty of things to do.

However, late spring to early autumn is the best time to see the city in all its glory. Be warned that, at the height of summer -June to August - most locals spend their time indoors, in the air-conditioned buildings.

What to eat in Toronto?

• Toronto’s restaurant scene is as diverse as its population, but special mention must go to Chinatown, which has some of the finest dining experiences. The city is also great for vegans. The star of Canadian dining is the poutine (fries, cheese curds, and gravy). It is something all visitors should try before they leave; eat it early in your trip and you’ll not want anything else.
• Do be sure to visit Lawrence Market in the Distillery District. This long rectangular building hosts some of the best cheap eats in the city. Just outside of the market, you can also find the famous dog fountain, which is a great location for some holiday snaps.

Toronto treats you must try:

• Beaver tails – crispy pastry.
• Canadian beer – there are a whole host of local breweries in Toronto.
• Maple syrup – world famous and best served over pancakes or bacon.