Getting Here
Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, farther south
than Minnesota and much of Michigan, Toronto is one of the most
accessible cities in North America by road, air, rail. We are only
a one hour drive away for about five million Canadians, and within
a 90-minute flight for 60 per cent of the U.S. population
Entering Canada
As of June 1, 2009, everyone from every country that comes
to Canada by
air, land and sea needs a passport or equivalent travel document.
Permanent residents (who are not citizens) need their alien-registration
card and passport. (Some exceptions apply to children's passport
requirements)
http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadatraveloverview/qt/uscitizenborder.htm
Citizens from all countries other than the US must have a valid
passport, and in some cases a visitor visa may be required.
Customs Information
Canadian customs regulations apply for all personal and business
travel into Canada. For most travelers, they may clear customs with
their personal goods and belongings at the airport in Toronto. Please
check your local customs regulations if you are planning on taking
Canadian purchases home with you.
Arriving by Air
Toronto City Centre Airport
Located on the western tip of a series of islands in Toronto Harbour,
the island airport handles scheduled, private and corporate flights.
Major airlines operating from the island include Air Ontario, Trans
Capital Airlines and Grand Aviation. Call 416-203-6942.
Air Canada and many US and
international carriers provide direct flights to Toronto's Lester
B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ) from major cities in
North and South America, Europe, the Orient, and the Pacific Rim.
Lester B. Pearson International Airport is located just west of
the city, the airport is accessible from highways 401, 427 and 409.
You can check the status of your flight schedule here.
Transporation From the Airport
The downtown Toronto hotels are approximately 13 km (8 miles)
from Lester B. Pearson International Airport.
Bus service to and from Airport by Public Tansit
The TTC, Toronto's public transit, also provides Airport
Service and is the least expensive method of getting to
and from downtown Toronto.
Here's bus service from the Airport to TTC Kipling Station
take "192 Airport Rocket"
Service all day, every day, between Kipling Station and Pearson
Airport.
Provides fully-accessible bus service. Buses stop only at Kipling
station, Terminal 3 (Arrivals Level), and Terminal 2 (Arrivals
Level). Ask a transportation officer fo rthe location of the
bus stop.
Service operates from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.,
seven days a week. One-way travel time to the subway is approx.
20 minutes.
The closest subway station to Fields is 'Spadina' , at the Spadina
Station take the street car South to College Street. Fields
is east on College at 222 College Street.
See this link for maps and schedules: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/ttc/service_to_airport.htm
By Limousine/Taxi: Limousines are marginally cheaper
than taxis for the trip downtown. Both the Taxis and the Limousines
can be located immediately outside any airport terminal on the
Arrivals Level. You can reserve a Limousine by:
Airport Services (1-800-263-6135)
Air Flight Services (1-800-268-6843)
The trip downtown could take from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
The fixed-rate taxi/limo fares to downtown are about CAD$50
to Fields.
By the Airport Express Bus: The airporter bus travels
from the airport to the Delta Chelsea hotel. From there you
can transfer to the Mid-Town connector or a taxi which will
take you to the University of Toronto campus, Victoria University,
Massey College and the Quality Hotel on Bloor. Kiosks are located
outside any airport terminal on the Arrivals level. (Terminal
#1-Post #7; Terminal #2-Post #7; Terminal #3-Post #29). The
tickets cost $12.50 one-way or $21.50 return. These buses will
take at least 50 minutes to get downtown, depending on traffic.
In order to transfer to the Public Transportation Subway System
(locally known as the TTC) you can take the Airport Express
to Islington Station.
See: http://www.torontoairportexpress.com/
Arriving by Car
Whether approaching Toronto by car or by bus, the traveller will
reach Toronto by one of several major routes paralleling the shore
of Lake Ontario. Highways 401 and 2, and the Queen Elizabeth Way,
enter Toronto from the west. Highways 401 and 2 also enter Toronto
from the east. Hwy 400 runs from the north and connects with Hwy
401. Major bus routes converge in Toronto. Out-of-town buses arrive
and depart from the Bus Terminal, located at 610 Bay St. Service
to/from points all over Ontario, Canada and the U.S. National and
regional bus lines serve the Greater Toronto area. Call (416) 393-7911
for bus company fares and schedules.
Arriving by Rail
Toronto is served by the VIA Rail
System, the network that provides all rail service throughout
Canada (with connections to the Amtrak system through Niagara Falls,
New York). Trains arrive at Union Station in downtown Toronto.Union
Station is located on Front Street, between Bay and University (across
the street from the Royal York Hotel). The station is right on Toronto's
subway line ( locally known as the TTC), and is within walking distance
of Rogers Centre,the
CN Tower, the financial district
and many downtown hotels, shops and restaurants. There are also
taxis available outside Union Station
Arriving by Bus:
Buses arrive at the downtown Toronto Bus Terminal at Bay and Dundas.
You can connect directly with the Public Transportation Subway System
(locally known as the TTC) and travel to your hotel. There are also
taxis available outside the Bus Terminal.
Public Transit
Currency
Money may be exchanged at a favorable rate at Banks and Hotels.Shops
and restaurants will often accept U.S. currency, but at a less favorable
exchange rate.
Sales Taxes and Visitor Tax Refund
Most items in Ontario, except food, are subject to both a 8% Provincial
Sales Tax (PST) and a 7% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Non-residents
of Canada, however, may claim a rebate for the GST paid on accommodation
and most consumer goods taken out of the country. The GST Rebate
Guide for Visitors, which includes the rebate form, will be supplied
in the registration package. Please ensure that you retain all your
receipts so that you can claim your rebate at a Duty Free Shop as
you leave the country.
Attractions and other information
Toronto Tourism
Toronto.com
Yellow Pages
Weather
