Toronto Travel Guide
The appeal of multicultural Toronto, on the banks of Lake Ontario, is as much about its inspiring museums and galleries as it is about the expansive national parks and trails.
When is the best time to visit Toronto?
Toronto is comfortably warm in the summer months, from June to September, hovering in the mid-twenties throughout. If you like the idea of swimming, sailing, or stand-up paddleboarding, July is the perfect time to visit, as the famous Lake Ontario will be warm with gentle winds.
December sees the heaviest snowfalls of the year, making it the ideal location for winter sports.
Travelling to Toronto
If you’ve caught a flight, international or domestic, to Pearson International Airport, you can take the Union Pearson Express to Union Station in under half an hour. The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport services regional flights, and is minutes away from the centre of Toronto. Take the ferry on a route that lasts 90 seconds – one of the shortest ferry rides in the world – and find yourself on the outskirts of central Toronto, with access to streetcars that can take you further into the city. There is also a 15-minute shuttle bus that takes you from outside the airport to the centre of town, whose arrivals can be tracked online.
Getting around Toronto
Public Transport in Toronto
Getting around Toronto using public transport is so simple that there’s no need for a car. The TTC network, which includes subways, streetcars and buses, is never far off.
Streetcars and buses do not sell tickets, so you must prepurchase a PRESTO card and top it up at a vending machine, which can be found at a subway station. You can also get monthly passes, if you’re planning on staying in Toronto on an extended trip. You can purchase a one-ride, two-ride or day-ride ticket at these machines.
Cycle hire in Toronto
BikeShare Toronto gives you access to over 7,000 bicycles across the city, for as little as $15 for a 3-day pass. Passes can be bought at a station kiosk, or on the PBSC app.
Taxis in Toronto
Toronto taxis are a cheerful orange or yellow colour, making them easy to identify on the road. They are also fairly easy to hail in the downtown area, particularly around local destination spots and big office buildings. They are considered a little costlier than other cities, but many do offer flat rates to destinations like the airport.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
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The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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