Toronto holidays

How to reach Toronto

• Flight time: There are non-stop flights to Toronto from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with the flight time around 8 hours. You can also find flights from Manchester and Glasgow, with flight times averaging 6 hours 45 minutes.

• Transfer time: From Toronto Pearson International Airport the UP Express train takes about 25 minutes to reach Union Station in downtown Toronto. The train runs every 15 minutes, from early morning to late night. You can also take a taxi, with a journey time of 20 to 30 minutes.

• Price: A one-way UP Express ticket will set you back around CAD12, while for a taxi from the airport to the city centre expect to pay CAD50–CAD60.

Best time to visit Toronto

Toronto is a wonderful city to visit year-long, but your experience will largely depend on what you expect from your Toronto holidays.

• June to August is Toronto’s summer and peak season, with average temperatures hovering around 20°C to 30°C, long, sunny days and moderate rainfall (around 70 to 90mm a month). It’s the perfect time for outdoor attractions and festivals.

• September to November is shoulder season, with cooler temperatures between 10°C and 20°C, 4 to 7 hours of sunshine and moderate rain. It’s a wonderful time to experience the city’s stunning autumn foliage, with fewer crowds around.

• December to February is Toronto’s winter and low season, with temperatures dropping to an average of –1°C to –10°C and heavy snow at times. It can still be a lovely time to come, eg. for skating at Nathan Phillips Square or participating in Toronto’s café life.

• March to May brings spring to Toronto, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C and fewer crowds. You can expect 50 to 70mm of rain but still you’ll experience 5 to 9 hours of sunshine a day as the city starts to bloom again.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: You’ll find that Toronto is incredibly diverse, with over 140 languages spoken, but English is the official language.

• Local habits and customs: Canadians are known for being polite and friendly. People often say “sorry” even if it’s not necessary. It’s customary to tip 15 to 20 percent in restaurants.

• Currency: Toronto uses the Canadian Dollar. ATMs are widely available, and major credit and debit cards are accepted.

• Getting around: Toronto has an extensive public transport system, including buses, trams and a metro. A single fare starts at CAD3.35, and buying a Presto card will save you money on multiple journeys. Taxis are also available.

• Electricity and plug types: Canada uses 120 volts, and plugs are Type A and B, so UK travellers need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Toronto is on Eastern Standard Time, which is GMT–5, and observes Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, which can be applied online.

Local dishes in Toronto

One of the highlights of holidays to Toronto is exploring the city’s diverse foodie scene, which reflects its multicultural population.

Some typical dishes

• Peameal Bacon Sandwich: If you want to eat like a local, try this savoury salt- and sugar-cured extra-lean ham, served piping hot on a bun. It’s a true Toronto classic!

• Butter Tarts: These little pastry shells, filled with a sticky mixture of butter, brown sugar, corn or maple syrup, are the subject of endless debates: should they be runny or chewy? Decide for yourself which you like best!

Meat dishes

• Tourtière: This spiced meat pie, filled with minced beef, pork or veal, can be found in many Toronto establishments and is difficult to resist.

• Beef Brisket: Toronto’s BBQ scene is growing, and slow-cooked beef brisket is a staple at many smokehouses around the city.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Maple-glazed Salmon: This is a perfect blend of Canadian flavours, namely sweet maple syrup combined with the richness of salmon, with the addition of soy sauce and garlic.

• East Coast Oysters: Fresh oysters from Canada’s eastern shores are popular in Toronto. For a tangy kick, try them with mignonette sauce.

Street food

• Poutine: Poutine are French fries covered in melted mozzarella cheese or cheese curds and gravy, a must-try during your visit to Toronto. Simple but delicious!

• Hot Dogs: Hot dog stands are found across the city, offering affordable appetising bites. You can customise your dog with various toppings, from mustard to sauerkraut. An ideal snack on the go!

Sweets and desserts

• BeaverTails: These deep-fried dough pastries, shaped like – you guessed it – a beaver’s tail, are topped with a variety of sweet toppings like cinnamon sugar, fruit or Nutella.

Local drinks

• Caesar: This savoury cocktail, made with vodka, clamato juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, is a Canadian classic you should try in Toronto.

Best things to do in Toronto

Whether you’re here for the city’s iconic skyline, rich history or exciting museums, there’s no shortage of things to explore during your Toronto holidays.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• CN Tower: One of Toronto’s iconic landmarks, the 533-metre CN Tower offers fabulous views of the city and Lake Ontario. Just take a lift to the top or pluck up your courage and walk around the outside of the tower at dizzying heights as part of the thrilling EdgeWalk (not for the faint-hearted, though!).

• Toronto Islands: A short ferry ride from the city to the Toronto Islands will reward you with incredible views of the city’s downtown skyline. If you’re after spending some time more actively, you can rent a bike or kayak to explore the area.

The best districts

• Distillery District: The Distillery District is home to Toronto’s most original and diverse arts centre, sited in the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery, an appealing industrial “village” on Mill Street. The area is also packed with boutiques and some of Toronto’s best restaurants.

• Kensington Market: Likely the most ethnically diverse part of town, combining Portuguese, West Indian and Jewish Canadians, this area is perfect for those looking to experience Toronto’s vibrant multicultural side.

• Yorkville: Yorkville was “alternative” back in the 1960s. Today, the alternative vibe is long gone, but the district holds some of Toronto’s most showy clothing shops and art galleries.

Parks and gardens

• High Park: Well worth a detour is High Park, the city’s largest park and home to a rare stand of black oak savannah and unusual plants such as blazing star and the sassafras tree.

• Toronto Music Garden: One of the most imaginative arrivals on the waterfront, the garden on Queens Quay West was conceived by internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and is based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite No. 1 for Unaccompanied Cello. Each of the six dance movements within the suite corresponds to a different section in the garden.

Historical monuments

• Casa Loma: A folly to outdo almost any other, Casa Loma is undoubtedly Toronto’s most bizarre attraction, an enormous towered and turreted Gothic Revival-style mansion. Be sure to visit this grand house inside, as its eight dozen rooms don’t fail to disappoint!

• Fort York: Modern-day Toronto traces its origins to Fort York, a colonial stockade built in 1793 on the shores of Lake Ontario to bolster British control of the Great Lakes. Today’s fort is the reconstruction which offers visitors a chance to delve into Toronto’s colonial past.

• St Lawrence Market: St Lawrence Market, easily the city’s best food and drink market, is housed in a capacious red-brick building dating to 1844. Wander through the stalls for fresh produce, artisanal goods and some of the best peameal bacon sandwiches in the city.

Day trips in the area

• Niagara Falls: Just a 90-minute drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls is Canada’s major show-stopper and an absolute must-visit. Take in the breathtaking views from various vantage points, or hop on a boat tour to get up close and feel the spray of the falls.

• The Blue Mountains: The Blue Mountains, just a 2-hour drive north of Toronto, provide the best ski runs in Ontario but they are also great for a summer getaway.

• Stratford: Located about a 2-hour drive west of Toronto, this likeable country town rises head and shoulders above its neighbours as the host of the Stratford Festival, one of the most prestigious theatrical occasions in North America.

Activities for families in Toronto

Toronto is a fantastic destination for families, with plenty of activities to keep both kids and adults entertained.

• Toronto Zoo: Set on the hilly edge of the Rouge Valley, Toronto Zoo encompasses a sprawling site that does its best to place animals in their own environments. No doubt the zoo, which boasts over 5,000 animals, is a hit with kids of all ages.

• Ontario Science Centre: Perfect for rainy days, the Ontario Science Centre showcases dozens of interactive science displays that encourage children to explore the wonders of science and technology. One of the most popular exhibits is The Human Edge, where visitors can discern the inner workings of human biology through life-sized three-dimensional displays and various quizzes and games.

• Centre Island: Head to Centre Island for beaches, bike rentals, and even an amusement park – Centreville. The ferry ride over is an adventure in itself, offering great views of the city.

Free things to do in Toronto

Toronto may be an expensive city, but luckily there are plenty of free things you can do without spending a cent.

• Free museums: Many of Toronto’s museums offer free entry on certain days. The Art Gallery of Ontario is free on the first Wednesday of each month between 6 and 9 pm, and the Royal Ontario Museum offers free admission to its permanent galleries on the third Tuesday of every month between 4:30 and 8:30 pm.

• Free festivals: Toronto hosts a number of free festivals, including the Beaches International Jazz Festival in July and Nuit Blanche, an all-night art event held every autumn.

• Walking tours: Several companies offer free tours on a variety of topics that can range from musical history to architecture to the social development of city neighbourhoods.