Travel Tips for Toronto, Canada

Cost: €€ (expensive)

Safety: 4/5 for solo female travellers

Toronto had always been high up on my list of places to visit, and I finally did so in May 2022. I must say this was a great time of year to visit as the weather was fabulous and there were plenty of marketplaces, patio restaurants and lots of cultural events. 

As the largest city in Canada, Toronto is a vibrant, diverse and cultural city, with a thriving business hub and bustling nightlife. There is something on offer for everyone.

I spent most of my time in downtown Toronto, which has historic and waterfront neighbourhoods. I would recommend 4 days in this city, and if you plan wisely you will fit a lot in. I felt safe exploring this city during the day, however not as much during the night.

How to get there

You can fly direct from Dublin to Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) via Aer Lingus or Air Canada, and the flight length is about 8 hours.

As I was already visiting New York City, I flew from JFK to Toronto Airport via Air Canada. The flight took 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Language, Currency & Weather

While English is the main language in Toronto, there is a large French-speaking community there. The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar, but I primarily used my visa debit card or Apple Pay.

The best time to visit Toronto is spring (February to May) or summer (June to mid-September) as the weather is most suitable for completing activities or exploring the city. Temperatures range between -2 and 16 degrees Celsius in Spring, and 15 to 20 degrees Celsius in summer.

In winter, you will need to be prepared for snow and rain, with temperatures dropping between -1 and -10 degrees Celsius. I would advise bringing very warm clothing if you’re travelling this time of year.

Public Transport

Toronto is really well served by public transport, and it’s very easy to navigate. Throughout the city and suburbs, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) runs three modes of transport; the subway, streetcar and bus.

I would recommend buying a Toronto public transport card called the PRESTO Card, which is available at the subway stations.

The buses are very frequent, as is the subway. Streetcars are a great way to get around downtown Toronto, and give you another option to see the city.

You can also take The Toronto Island Ferry between the mainland and the Toronto Islands. You can buy tickets for the ferry at the terminals.

Where To Stay

Accommodation in Toronto is very expensive, so I opted to stay outside the city in an Airbnb in Birchcliff Village/Beaches East. It was a lovely neighbourhood, and I took the subway and/or bus in to the city.

If you are looking for luxury and wishing to stay in the city, I would recommend the Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto or the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in the Financial District.

If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, I would advise you to book Town Inn Suites Hotel or Holiday Inn Express Toronto, North York.

If you are on a budget, there are a few hostels to choose from, including Samesun Toronto and The Clarence Park.

Where To Go & What To Do

As there is so much to do and see in Toronto, it’s hard to explore everything in just a few days. However, I managed to visit most of the main attractions, and I explored the city mainly by foot. In my opinion, a guided walking tour of the city is brilliant, however you also have the option to join bus or bike tours.

My favourite sight to visit was the CN Tower, with its 335-foot antenna that is used to broadcast television, radio, and provide cell signal. It has a number of observation decks, a restaurant and the EdgeWalk. Visit the Toronto Music Garden too, which is very unique and has great views of the tower.

I also enjoyed the Art Gallery of Ontario which has works by Rembrandt and Pablo Picasso, as well as the Casa Loma museum, which is a 98-room château built in 1914. If you only have time for one museum while in the city, pop in to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) which covers pretty much everything from natural and cultural history to fine arts and design.

Head down Graffiti Alley and view the amazing work by the city’s street artists or visit Toronto’s largest public park (400 acres) that provides so many activities, including a zoo, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, ice skating rinks and playgrounds.

Meanwhile if you’re interested in sport, stop by the Hockey Hall of Fame, a museum that houses the Stanley Cup.

If you have time, travel on the ferry to the Toronto Islands, which are located offshore from downtown Toronto. The islands have beaches, parks, gardens, yacht clubs and cafés. You have the option to go kayaking or partake in outdoor yoga classes (weather permitting).

While I was in Toronto, I booked a day trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, which in my opinion is essential. I experienced the amazing waterfalls, stunning views and joined the Hornblower boat cruise. This was definitely the highlight of my trip.

What & Where To Eat

Toronto has lots of food, brewery and wine tasting tours, which I would highly recommend so you get a flavour of the different cuisines in the city.

I stopped by St. Lawrence Market, which is considered the most famous market in Toronto. This old building was part of the Old City Hall, and has stalls selling meats, cheeses and so much more.

Kensington Market is another great spot to check out. It’s not actually a market, it is a food neighbourhood in downtown Toronto full of many different cuisines, vintage shops and artists’ studios in Victorian-style houses.

If you fancy visiting some distilleries or pubs, then Distillery District is the place for you. The area also has great restaurants and art galleries.

For dinner, Michelin Star restaurant Alo is delicious, with very friendly staff. Meanwhile, Harriet’s Rooftop is a really cool spot for some sushi and a cocktail, as well as taking in some gorgeous views!

For brunch, I would highly recommend 1 Kitchen Toronto as my experience there was great and the food was super.

Enjoy exploring Toronto!