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
A passport is preferred for U.S. visitors entering Canada. U.S. citizens
should have their birth certificate or citizenship certificate as well
as a picture ID; permanent residents (who are not citizens) need their
alien-registration card and passport.
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
