Canary Yellow Canoe Tour
Gordon Lightfoot in Toronto
GETTING AROUND
A "Red Rocket"
viewed through the foliage
Copyright © 1999 by Frank Hood
Chances are pretty good that you've already made your travel arrangements and do not need additional information about planes, trains or automobiles in that regard! So, what is on this page is information to give you a bit more insight into how to get from "here to there".
BY PLANE
The only exception to the statement above might be for those arriving at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto (Etobicoke, actually). The airport is not huge in comparison to other international airports such as LAX (California), Kennedy (New York), Dallas-Ft. Worth (Texas) or Logan (Boston). However, it is close to the downtown area.
Use this map to help you find the terminal at which your airline will be arriving or leaving.
After landing and getting through Customs (see Arriving Passenger Information), if you don't have someone meeting you, there are taxis and limousines to carry you to your destination. You may want to check with your hotel to see if they have a courtesy shuttle service to and/or from the airport. It may also be possible to take one of the hotel buses, even if you are not staying at their establishment. The best idea is to ask!
To my knowledge, there is no public transportation directly from the airport to the downtown core as in some other cities with an international airport. However, I have been told that it is possible (if you are willing to make transfers) to take a bus or two which will get you there. You'll probably need to be familiar with the city (or be very adventurous) if you want to use this option!
BY TRAIN
An arrival in Toronto by train would most likely mean disembarking at Union Station. This terminal is the hub for public transportation in the GTA. It is at Union Station (or nearby) that you can get a train, subway, streetcar or bus. The most common long distance trains are run by VIA Rail, but Amtrack does have a scheduled run to Toronto. For a site detailing what's available, see the Canadian Passenger Rail Services site.
The TTC
Unless you are planning on taking what is left of the Trans Canadian Railway on your way to Toronto, travel by rail is not the optimal way to find your way to the city. However, it is a pretty good way to get around the city! The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) has a list of links to the various transit companies on its site. But, if you're planning on doing most of your sightseeing within the city limits, the subway and streetcar will take you to many attractions.
Here, for your convenience, are the fares:
If you're planning on using the TTC a lot, it might be a good idea to use tokens/tickets...or get a day pass. It might also be a good idea to get one of the booklets offered by the TTC about their service. They would be more helpful towards deciding what's best for you.
Government of Ontario Trains
The GO Transit (Government of Ontario) trains service interregional areas of the province. These trains (and buses) are the main method of public transportation used by commuters into the city. For that reason, they are often very crowded during rush hours...and long afterwards! The buses also connect Toronto with the communities outside the Greater Toronto Area. If you will be staying outside the city and need to get into the city, this may be a good way to get there. I suggest you see the Go Transit site for more information and for schedules and fares.
Old Towne Tours
Old Towne Tours has been recommended to us as "worth the trip". They call themselves sightseeing and transportation specialists, offering not only tours around the City of Toronto, but to Niagara Falls. They have won Toronto Tourism Awards on many occasions and are now part of Swiftrans Services.
BY AUTOMOBILE
Driving around Toronto can be a challenge to the visitor. Many of the streets are one-way, so unless you are familiar with the layout, you could find yourself driving in circles! To add to the confusion, some of the streets have streetcars running down the center.
The main east-west highway through the City is the Gardiner Expressway. It runs along the southern edge of Toronto with exits to the major downtown streets, including Yonge, Jarvis and Bay. However, there are other highways which have exits which will get you to the downtown area: Hwy 401, Hwy 427, Don Valley Parkway. If Toronto highways are a bit intimidating to the new arrival, you may want to look for alternative routes such as Lakeshore Drive. The City is laid out in a grid-like fashion and a good map will help you find your way. (But, be sure to watch for the one-way streets!)
ON FOOT
If you plan to walk around Toronto, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes! Although it's grid-like pattern makes getting around fairly simple, be prepared for a good hike. Attractions within the city can somewhat spread apart, although a good number are within the main downtown core. It may be preferable to see if the subway or streetcar passes near where you may want to go (for example, the Royal Ontario Museum is located at the "Museum" stop on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.)
Toronto has a Downtown Walkway called PATH which links 10 kilometres of underground shopping, services and entertainment. Signs and maps can be found around the downtown area indicating the entrances to this subterranean world. Follow the multi-coloured PATH logo to find your way around. (Especially beneficial in cold and wet weather!) A brochure may be downloaded from the City of Toronto Downtown Walkway page.
Suggested sites for additional information
Girl Talk Toronto has a mini city guide which lists some information not found on some of the other web sites. It's set up in conjunction with Tourism Toronto, which has a link to it on its home page. A-Know-Before-You-Go Fact sheet lists hints, tips, transit and trivia for the woman traveler...and those on a tight budget!
The Tourism Toronto website. Here you will be able to find much more information, including places to stay, places to eat, things to do and what it will all cost you!
The Toronto.com website. Lots of information about Toronto and the surrounding towns. Searchable.
The Toronto Life web site. An online version of the magazine which includes reviews of the hottest spots in town!
The Canadian Resource Page website. An extensive collection of links to all things Canadian, including government, tourism, arts and entertainment.