North America › Canada › Toronto › Ontario › CN Tower

CN Tower

Scroll
Iconic Toronto skyline landmark

The CN Tower stands in downtown Toronto as a tall, sleek structure built to reach high into the sky. Completed in 1976, it became one of the world’s tallest free-standing towers at the time. Visitors can ride elevators up to observation decks for wide views over Lake Ontario and the city’s busy streets. The tower also holds restaurants, a glass floor and seasonal light displays that change with holidays. It serves as both an engineering achievement and a popular spot for tourists looking for panoramic sightlines of Toronto.

Landmark in Toronto
Climate zone: Hot continental

Hot continental: Humid continental climates with hot summers, cold winters and year-round precipitation, common in mid-latitude interior landmasses.

See climate table
Ticket price: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
Safety: 8.0
General Safety:8
Accessibility:8
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English and French are widely spoken in Toronto, and visitor staff at the CN Tower provide excellent English-language service and support.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
CN Tower Summary
World-class for skyline views and city panoramas. Ride high-speed elevators to observation decks, walk the glass floor and enjoy dining above Toronto.
Opening hours:
Mon-Sun:10:00 - 21:00
Public website: www.cntower.ca
Canada – Quick facts
Power Grid: 120 V, 60 Hz
Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
Diagram of a Type A power plug
Type B:
Diagram of a Type B power plug

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 CN Tower, Canada
❄️
Jan
❄️
Feb
❄️
Mar
🌤️
Apr
🌤️
May
☀️
Jun
☀️
Jul
☀️
Aug
☀️
Sep
🌤️
Oct
🌤️
Nov
❄️
Dec
High season: June - Sep.
Shoulder season: April - May, Oct., Dec.
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
EdgeWalk outdoor walk runs only in milder months, usually spring to autumn, weather permitting
Fog or low cloud can hide the view, so book flexible tickets and check visibility

CN Tower is a remarkable engineering feat standing 553 meters tall, once the tallest freestanding structure in the world. Visitors enjoy multiple observation levels, including a glass floor that lets you look straight down to the city streets below and the thrilling EdgeWalk experience, where you can walk hands-free on the tower’s exterior.

The tower also houses the 360 Restaurant, a revolving dining space offering spectacular city views. The venue is popular for its panoramic vistas, especially at sunset and nighttime, when the city lights come alive.

The CN Tower has become a cultural icon of Toronto, featured in numerous films and photographs. However, it can get crowded especially during peak tourist seasons and weekends. Booking tickets in advance is recommended to avoid long lines. The cost can be considered steep compared to some other attractions, but the unforgettable views make it worthwhile.

Security checks similar to airports are in place for visitor safety and some areas may require comfortable walking. The tower’s setting near the waterfront also offers beautiful photo opportunities and nearby attractions to explore.

Knowledge before you go

  • Book timed tickets online to skip ticket lines.
  • Visit at sunset for day-to-night Toronto skyline views from 346m LookOut level.
  • Test nerve on glass floor looking 342m straight down; SkyPod extra for 447m height.
  • World's tallest freestanding structure from 1976-2007; built by Canadian National Railway on downtown rail lands.

How to travel to CN Tower

The CN Tower is located in downtown Toronto, easily accessible from Toronto Pearson International Airport by taxi, which takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Public transit options include taking the UP Express train to Union Station, from where the tower is a short walk away. Local streetcars and buses also serve the area.

Access summary

  • From Toronto Pearson (YYZ): UP Express to Union, then 10–15 minute walk.
  • From downtown Toronto hotels: Walk or short TTC/ride-share, about 5–20 minutes.
  • From Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ): Short ferry or tunnel, then 20–25 minute walk.

Where to stay near CN Tower

Downtown Toronto offers a wide range of hotels, from luxury to budget-friendly, many within walking distance of the CN Tower, perfect for visitors wanting central access to key city attractions.

Packing recommendations for CN Tower

Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.

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 the region 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.

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Toronto’s CN Tower is very safe for visitors. The area has low crime rates, excellent street lighting and frequent police patrols. Follow standard precautions: keep valuables secure, stay in well‑lit zones and avoid isolated back alleys after dark.
Accessi­bility
8
Toronto’s CN Tower offers excellent accessibility: elevators, wheelchair‑friendly restrooms and audio descriptions are available. However, the observation deck’s narrow walkways can be crowded and some older signage is not fully compliant with visual impairments. Plan ahead for peak times.
Was this page helpful?
Feedback