Maarten van den Heuvel, Unsplash License

Toronto

A vibrant mix of cultures and skyline

Toronto stands out as a major city in Canada with over five million residents. It has diverse neighborhoods where many languages are spoken, reflecting its multicultural population. The downtown area features high-rise buildings alongside parks and waterfront spaces along Lake Ontario. Public transit connects different parts of the city efficiently, making it easy to travel without a car. Toronto is home to cultural institutions such as museums, galleries and performance venues. It also hosts major sports teams and annual festivals that attract visitors from across Canada and beyond.

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City in Canada

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.1

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language, and nearly everyone speaks it fluently. French is official but less common. Many locals also speak languages like Mandarin, Spanish, or Italian due to the city’s diversity.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Toronto Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for multicultural city life and entertainment. Visit major museums, enjoy diverse food districts, watch sports events and take in skyline views from tall observation towers.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Large cities

Festivals

Fine dining

Museums

Art

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

Canada – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Canadian Dollar (CAD) £1 ≈ CA$1.87
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in urban areas. Most businesses accept credit and debit cards, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay are popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Canada, with a typical tip of 10-20% in restaurants. Tipping is also expected in taxis and for hotel staff, usually 1-2 CAD for bellhops and housekeepers.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by province, but it's often allowed in designated areas such as festivals or certain parks.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public spaces and in most outdoor spaces in urban areas. Some provinces have stricter laws than others.

Canada Day (July)	The country celebrates with fireworks and festivals. Expect crowded tourist spots and high demand for accommodations.
Thanksgiving (October)	A major family holiday with many businesses closed, especially in rural areas.
Christmas (December)	Festive markets and winter activities are popular, but expect higher accommodation prices and busy cities.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Other:	Canada is vast, so be prepared for long distances between cities and varying weather conditions depending on the region.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Toronto, Canada

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

❄️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) runs for about ten days in early to mid September

Toronto Islands ferries and most patios and outdoor attractions run mainly May to October

Niagara Falls, a popular day trip, is best visited May to October, with most boat tours closed in winter

Don't miss

🌆 Take in skyline views from the top of CN Tower
🏺 Explore historic Distillery District’s cobblestone lanes and galleries
🐠 Visit Ripley’s Aquarium and walk through the underwater tunnel
⛵ Stroll along the Toronto Islands and enjoy the city views
🏒 Cheer at a hockey game in Scotiabank Arena
🍜 Discover diverse cuisines in Kensington Market’s vibrant food stalls

You've been here?

Why travel to Toronto?

Toronto is a city that never gets boring. From the iconic CN Tower to the charming Distillery District, it blends modern city life with history and culture. It’s a paradise for food lovers, offering everything from high-end dining to street food from around the world. Plus, it’s a great base for exploring nearby natural wonders like Niagara Falls.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Distillery District
A historic neighborhood in Toronto's Distillery District features cobblestone streets, preserved Victorian architecture and charming gas lamps. The area offers unique boutiques, art galleries and a vibrant culinary scene within its pedestrian-friendly layout.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 CN Tower
The iconic CN Tower dominates Toronto's skyline, offering breathtaking views from its observation decks. This architectural marvel stands as a global symbol of engineering excellence and urban ambition in Canada's vibrant capital city.
2 Royal Ontario Museum
A world-class museum in Toronto's downtown core, featuring extensive natural history collections and interactive science exhibits. The building itself is an architectural landmark, housing galleries that explore everything from ancient civilizations to modern technology.
3 Art Gallery of Ontario
A landmark Toronto institution showcasing Canadian and international art within a striking modern building. The gallery features rotating exhibitions, educational programs and a vibrant atmosphere that draws visitors from across the city.
4 Casa Loma
A historic Victorian mansion in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighborhood, Casa Loma offers panoramic city views and lush gardens. Built in 1914, it now hosts tours, events and a museum of early 20th‑century life.
5 Distillery District
6 Hockey Hall of Fame
7 Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
8 Ontario Science Centre

🎡Places for activities

1 Scotiabank Arena
2 Rogers Centre
3 Harbourfront Centre
4 Toronto Music Garden
5 The Bentway
6 Toronto Zoo
7 Nathan Phillips Square
8 Downsview Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Toronto Islands
A secluded escape just minutes from downtown Toronto’s glass towers, the Toronto Islands offer sandy beaches and lush parkland. Visitors can cycle across bridges, picnic by Lake Ontario or enjoy quiet sunsets without the city’s bustle.
2 High Park
A vibrant, multicultural neighborhood in Toronto's High Park area. The district features historic architecture, diverse dining options and easy access to the park's trails and zoo for nature lovers seeking urban green spaces.
3 Evergreen Brick Works
4 Trinity Bellwoods Park
5 Rouge National Urban Park
6 Bluffers Park Road
7 Park Lawn Road
8 Tommy Thompson Park

🛍️Shopping

1 St. Lawrence Market
A historic food hall in Toronto's St. Lawrence Market offers diverse global cuisines, artisanal goods and a vibrant atmosphere that draws locals and tourists alike to this culinary landmark.
2 Pacific Mall
3 CF Sherway Gardens
4 Yorkdale Shopping Centre
5 CF Toronto Eaton Centre
6 Kensington Market
7 Queen Street West
8 Two Bloor West
9 The Bridle Path

🎈Events

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
Caribana Festival
Pride Toronto
Winterlicious & Summerlicious
Cavalcade of Lights
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)
Toronto Christmas Market
Doors Open Toronto
NXNE Music Festival
Toronto Raptors & Maple Leafs games

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy a PRESTO card for easy access to TTC subways, buses and streetcars.
Downtown is walkable, but distances are larger than they look – factor in subway rides, weather and construction detours.
Weather changes fast; pack layers, a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes for exploring neighborhoods and waterfront trails.
Explore beyond CN Tower: stroll Kensington Market and Queen Street West for indie shops, global food, street art and local nightlife.

How to travel to Toronto

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the main airport with global connections. Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) is a smaller option for domestic and nearby US flights. Union Station connects Toronto to other Canadian cities via train and bus.

Access summary

From Pearson Airport (YYZ): UP Express train to Union Station, about 25–30 minutes.
From Montreal: Frequent direct flights or trains to Toronto, usually 1–5 hours.
From Niagara Falls: GO Transit buses/trains or tours, typically around 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Toronto

Toronto has a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels in downtown to budget-friendly stays in the suburbs. Airbnb is popular and boutique hotels can be found in neighborhoods like Queen West and the Distillery District.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

One King West Hotel and Residence

9.2

Fairmont Royal York

9.3

Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre

8.7

The Novotel Toronto Center Hotel

9.1

Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre By IHG

8.4

Hilton Toronto

8.7

Crowne Plaza Toronto North York By Ihg

8.3

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

8.8

Monte Carlo Inn & Suites Downtown Markham

8.2

DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Toronto

Public transport (TTC) is the best way to get around, with subways, buses and streetcars covering most areas. Biking and walking are good in downtown and Uber/taxis are available. Ferries take you to the Toronto Islands.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-1 %

Daily expenses in Toronto are around 1% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-10 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CAD) is 10% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£75	£155	£386
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£75	£150
🍝 Food per day	£31	£73	£212
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11
☕ Cappuccino	£3.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.75

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£55
🤧 Cold medication	£8.50
💇 Basic haircut	£18

Safety information overview

General safety

Toronto is generally safe, but like any big city, petty theft and scams exist. Avoid certain areas late at night and be aware of your surroundings in crowded places.

Health & Medical

High-quality healthcare is available, but costs can be high for non-residents. Pharmacies are easy to find and emergency services are reliable. Travel insurance is recommended.

Accessibility

Public transit and many public buildings are accessible, but some older areas have limited accommodations. Sidewalks are well-maintained, though winter snow can be challenging.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and of excellent quality. Public drinking fountains are available in parks and public spaces and most restaurants provide free tap water.

Packing recommendations for Toronto

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🚰

Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

if needed

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Montreal

Ottawa

Niagara Falls

New York (state)

Niagara Falls (Ontario)

Algonquin Provincial Park

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Summary:	Coldest month, snowy and icy winds
Temperature:	-7 – -2 °C
Water temp.:	3 °C
Snow:	6 cm (Frequent light snow)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Very cold, snow, outdoor sightseeing unpleasant
Temperature:	-7 – -1 °C
Water temp.:	2 °C
Snow:	6 cm (Frequent light snow)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Cold and grey, slowly thawing
Temperature:	-2 – 3 °C
Water temp.:	2 °C
Snow:	3 cm (Occasional light snow)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Cool and changeable, spring starting
Temperature:	3 – 9 °C
Water temp.:	4 °C
Rain:	36 mm (Frequent light drizzle)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and sunny, parks in bloom
Temperature:	9 – 15 °C
Water temp.:	6 °C
Rain:	48 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists