Seek and find
With this practical information you can go to Toronto like a local
Every destination has its own unique character, and there are always things that are useful to know before you go. These days, I keep a list of everything I notice when I go to a new city so I can share it with you here as tips. So take advantage of these tips to immediately act like a local! You can find many more travel tips in the comprehensive Toronto Travel Guide, including fun things to do, the best restaurants, and other great hotspots. Have fun planning your trip!
First Time in Toronto? 21 Helpful Tips for Your Trip
The T is silent: If you don't want to look like an idiot in front of the locals in Toronto, pronounce Toronto as Torono. Without the T!
Canadian Dollar: In Canada, you pay with the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Download the XE currency app to easily convert all prices. I can't live without it when I travel! At the time of writing, 1 Canadian Dollar is equal to €0,66.
Lots of different neighborhoods: Toronto is a huge city and is divided into many smaller neighborhoods. It's also quite common among locals to refer to a section of a neighborhood by the name of a specific street, such as "the Ossington Strip" for the trendy part of town around Ossington Avenue. The best neighborhoods, in my opinion, are Kensington Market, West Queen West, Parkdale, and Trinity Bellwoods.
ESTA Visa: Just like for the US, you need an ESTA visa for Canada. Apply in time and be sure to bring a copy of the confirmation.
Coffee Shops: As crazy about coffee as I am? Good news, because Toronto has tons of great coffee spots where you can get a truly good cup of joe. You'll find Jimmy's locations all over the city. What started as a single location, it's now a household name.
[yourlbb.tv_cta]Getting there: From Amsterdam, it's about an 8,5-hour flight to Toronto. Jet Airways offers daily direct flights from Amsterdam to Toronto, starting at just €402. Traveling during the off-season is naturally the cheapest time to book.
Food from every corner of the world: Toronto is a multicultural city, and you can find virtually any cuisine imaginable. One of the best neighborhoods for street food is Kensington Market!
Best time to visit Toronto: It can get quite cold in Toronto in winter. Of course, you can dress accordingly, but if you're in the city, it's also nice to occasionally sit on a patio or relax in a park. The best time to visit Toronto is from March to October, but the most pleasant months are May, June, and September.
LCBO: Something we're completely unfamiliar with, but alcohol sales outside of bars and restaurants are regulated by the government, and you can only buy it at LCBO stores. So you can't buy alcohol in a regular supermarket. You must be 19 to drink, and don't forget your passport as ID.
Holidays in Canada: Besides all the national holidays we celebrate, Canada also has several other holidays: Victoria Day (the Monday before May 25th), Canada Day (July 1st), Labour Day (the first Monday in September), Thanksgiving (the second Monday in October), and Memorial Day (November 11th). Canadians have the day off, and this can make Toronto extra busy (making hotels more expensive, for example)!
Uber: There are Ubers in Toronto, and they're sometimes even cheaper than regular taxis. Of course, you do need Wi-Fi to order an Uber, so keep that in mind.
Nothing is as changeable as the weather: If you're traveling to Toronto, keep in mind that the weather can vary dramatically from day to day. Summers are incredibly hot and winters are freezing.
Sales tax: If you see something you want to buy in Toronto, don't count your chickens before they hatch. Almost everywhere you go, you'll be charged nearly 18% in various taxes.
Brunch is a big thing: On weekends, the locals go out for brunch. No doubt about it!
Toronto Time Zone: The time zone in Toronto is GMT-5 in winter and GMT-4 from the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November.
Happy hours: Especially in cities like New York, it can make a big difference if you go for drinks at a nice place that "just happens" to have happy hour. And that's actually true in Toronto too! If you want to go for drinks but don't want to pay top dollar for alcohol (which is already quite expensive), do some research to find a nice bar that has happy hour.
Tipping: It's very common in Toronto to tip 20% when dining out and 18% on all other restaurant bills. This makes tipping almost higher than in the US. Not tipping is considered very rude.
Last call is at 2 am: Want to hit a bar after dinner in Toronto? Don't go too late, as bars are required to close at 2 am. Tip: If you plan to go out, don't forget your passport to identify yourself (driver's licenses are often not accepted).
Power outlets in Toronto: Make sure you bring a universal adapter if you're traveling to Toronto. Otherwise, you won't get far with your Dutch chargers. The mains voltage in Canada is 110 volts, and you'll need an American plug. Tip: bring one universal adapter and a power strip so you can charge multiple items at once.
The Up Express: The Union Pearson Express (abbreviated to UP Express) provides a direct connection from Toronto Pearson Airport to Union Station in the heart of downtown. The journey takes 25 minutes, with trains departing every 15 minutes. A one-way ticket costs CAD 9.
Restaurants: There are over 7.000 restaurants in Toronto and of course I've listed my favorites that I visited during my last trip. Read more about 17 fun restaurants in Toronto here!
Best hotels: Toronto has several nice neighborhoods where you can stay, but if you like the trendier areas, the area around Queen Street West and Ossington Ave is recommended.
- Drake Hotel: Without a doubt, the hippest hotel in Toronto. With only 19 rooms and a fantastic rooftop bar where you can enjoy drinks after a day exploring the city.
- Shangri-La: If budget isn't an issue, you can't go wrong staying at the Shangri-La. If only for the Momofuku restaurant!
The King
Happy travels!
TIP: discover more great addresses and travel tips in my books THE AMSTERDAM CITY GUIDE & WANDERLUST!
PSSSST... did you know we have many more city guides?
WITH LOVE,
ANNE
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