Toronto Travel Answers

Last time we took a taxi from airport to city centre (about 8 months ago), the fare was about50 CDN so about12.50 per person. I don't think a bus to city centre would be that much cheaper and a lot more inonvenient. Also, there are a number of airport hotels, one about 5 km away from the airport with free shuttle, s the Quality Hotel and Suites Toronto Airport East which has a special (I used 1 June as a date) for99 for 2 double rooms! This was through Booking.com. The airport area is, like most cities pretty nondescript, but will save the hassle of travelling into the city centre. Choice of a first night hotel depends partly on your total length of stay. If it is a very short time I would advise to go straight into the city where you can go to the islands in the morning. If you were staying for a longer period then the "wasted" morning wouldn't be so important and would give you an earlier night. Just an aside; there are flights straight to the Island Airport from Chicago, so a flight from California to that airport is possible, but whether feasible or cost effective, you will have to check on. It will take you right into the city centre though. Hope this helps. Bruce

I travel to Toronto quite frequently on business, but tend to rent a car, so I'm not totally up on public transit. The time to deplane and clear customs sounds doable, if there are not a lot of international flights that land at the same time. The airport is at the extreme western edge of Toronto, and quite a distance from the downtown area. There are quite a number of airport hotel (I tend to stay at one of the Hilton Garden Inns) and they do run an airport shuttle. You can get a city bus (cash only) from the airport to one of the subway stations, and from there to downtown, but again, I've never used it, but it will be the least expensive way to go. Toronto is generally a safe city, but like any large cities, there are areas that are a bit sketchy, especially at night. I tend to stay in hotels that are a bit pricier than what you are looking at, so can't be of much help there. Lots of people do have luggage on the subway. Toronto Island ferries (at the foot of Bay St, I believe), right beside the Harbour Castle Westin hotel, a 5 minute walk from Union Station subway station. Suggestions for Toronto; I guess that depends on your interests. The theatre district is downtown, as is shopping, etc. etc.

Time to clear Immogration and Customs is about one hour but could be a bit more if you follow a large number of International flights. There are two Terminals. Limousine or taxi os about50. Google Toronto Airposrt Express for info on taking a bus for24. The site has a map showing where the bus drops off passengers at various hotels.Try some of the listed hotels for starters. You can also take the TTC Bus # 192 Airport Rocket to the Kipling subway station and then teh subway downtown. Bus to Kipling station 20 minutes, subway downtoen say 40 minutes. Cheapest way but a touch more complicated and you may need a subway transfer depending which hotel you go to.

Since there are 4 of us, Airport Bus at24 is more expensive than a taxi, so really not an option. I am okay with it taking time to get to downtown, just wondering about inconvenience/safety more than anything. As I said it will really be only 8pm/9pm our time, so we won't be sleepy anyway. We are staying for only 6 days (2 of which may be Niagra Falls) so would rather be in town that night if safety is not a factor.

As large cities go, Toronto is quite safe, especially in the downtown area, where there is a fair bit of pedestrian traffic. My daughter studied there for 4 years (at the University of Toronto) and lived right downtown. She had a part-time job that would often end at around midnight and she would do a 20 walk home alone to her apartment. As I said in a previous note, there are areas in any city that people might feel a bit uncomfortable in after dark, but you are unlikely to be visiting them as a tourist.

better take taxi if there are four of you. 10 PM is not that late. As for me I always take the Airport express coz I am traveling alone to Toronto. It's cozy, safe, friendly driver and Wifi ready.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Just came back from my trip. Ended up spending the night at an airport hotel. I forgot that it stays bright up north much longer, so if I had known that, I think I would have been okay with going right into town. Took public transportation, which was3 and got us within 3 blocks of our downtown hotel. It was easy and simple. I would suggest the Airport Rocket to Kipling Station and then on to whatever subway line your hotel is at (luckily ours was on Green so no transfer needed.). Thanks again for the responses! Also, customs was a breeze, in an out luckily in 15 min. not an hour like I had anticipated.

You were quite lucky getting through customs that quickly. Your plane must have gotten in when no other inbound international flights had landed ahead of you. I've been in situations where it has taken well over an hour getting through customs at Pearson.

Where is the bus terminal of this Airport rocket that goes to Kipling station?

The "Airport Rocket" is the Toronto city bus (TTC route 192)that links the airport and the subway. Bus stops are marked and are at ground level at Terminal 1 and at the arrivals level at Terminal 3

I used the one on terminal one. You have to walk towards the parking structure and you will see a shelter/bus seat. If you ask, people will tell you. Have exact Canadian change though!3. Total trip did take 45 min. (15-20 min. on bus), its not fast, but I was on vacation and had time to spare. When you get on the bus, take a transfer ticket just in case, but you'll not likely need it, because once you get to Kiplng, you can access the subway right away (no need to buy another ticket, since its considered a transfer).

Ill try the bus next time because it costs me 40 bucks using the airport express(round trip). But I think this is only advisable if you are traveling light.