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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Royal Ontario Museum Summary
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| Public website: | www.rom.on.ca |
Canada – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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) |
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| 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 Royal Ontario Museum, Canada
Closed on some Mondays outside the summer and holiday periods, check opening days before visiting
Don't miss
- 🦖 Explore dinosaur fossils and ancient earth history
- 💎 Discover rare gems and minerals in Earth's Treasures
- 🌏 Walk through global cultural galleries including Egypt and Asia
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's largest natural history and world culture museum, boasting over six million objects in its collection. Founded in 1914, the museum features diverse exhibits encompassing paleontology, archaeology, art and cultural heritage from around the world.
The impressive architecture recently expanded by the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, a dramatic and modern addition, blends seamlessly with the classic, historic facade. Visitors can wander through galleries that showcase everything from towering dinosaur skeletons to ancient artifacts and contemporary art installations.
Families find the ROM particularly engaging, thanks to its interactive galleries and special programming for kids. While the museum is vast and can feel overwhelming, clear signage and guided tours help navigate the extensive exhibits.
Some visitors note that weekends and holidays bring significant crowds, so planning a weekday visit is ideal, alongside booking tickets online to avoid lines. The museum café and gift shop provide added convenience during your visit.
Knowledge before you go
- Book tickets online in advance. Popular exhibits often sell out quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking across multiple floors and galleries.
- Visit early weekday mornings to avoid peak crowds and enjoy a relaxed experience.
- Join a guided highlights tour first to prioritize must-see dinosaur fossils and Egyptian artifacts efficiently.
How to travel to Royal Ontario Museum
Located near the University of Toronto, the museum is accessible via taxi or public transit from Toronto Pearson Airport, approximately a 30-minute journey. The nearest subway stations are Museum and St. George on the Toronto Transit Commission network, making it highly convenient from across the city.
Access summary
- From Toronto Pearson (YYZ): UP Express to downtown, then TTC, 40–50 minutes.
- From downtown Toronto hotels: Subway to Museum or St. George station, 10–20 minutes.
- From Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ): Ferry or tunnel plus TTC/ride-share, around 30–40 minutes.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Royal Ontario Museum
Downtown Toronto offers an array of accommodations, from luxury hotels to boutique guesthouses, providing easy access to the ROM and nearby attractions.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
One King West Hotel and Residence
Fairmont Royal York
Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre
The Novotel Toronto Center Hotel
Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre By IHG
Hilton Toronto
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown
Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
Comfort Opulence Suites & Residence
Packing recommendations for Royal Ontario Museum
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🧥
Light jacket
for cooler weather
🎒
Small rucksack
🧶
Light jumper
🔋
Power bank
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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.
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.
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
The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto is generally safe, with well‑trained staff and secure entrances. Crime rates are low, but visitors should keep valuables close, avoid isolated areas after hours and follow museum guidelines for crowd control and emergency exits.
Accessibility
The Royal Ontario Museum offers accessible entrances, elevators and wheelchair‑friendly exhibits, plus audio guides in multiple languages. However, some older galleries have narrow aisles and the main lobby can be crowded during peak times. Advance planning for guided tours is advisable.
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