CA
Toronto
Canada’s largest city, a diverse lakeside metropolis with great food, neighbourhoods and Niagara Falls nearby
Canada’s largest city, a diverse lakeside metropolis with great food, neighbourhoods and Niagara Falls nearby
A chain of small, mostly car-free islands a short ferry ride from downtown, with beaches, bike paths and the best views of the skyline.
Rent a bike on Centre Island.
Photo: Lucas George Wendt, CC BY-SA 4.0
A historic food market hall near the Old Town, known for the peameal bacon sandwich, cheese and bakery stalls. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Photo: shankar s., CC BY 2.0
A pedestrian area of restored Victorian industrial buildings, once a whisky distillery, now home to shops, galleries, restaurants and a popular winter market.
Photo: Chicken4War, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Horseshoe Falls on the Canada–US border are about 130km from Toronto. Boat trips go to the foot of the falls, and the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region is nearby.
Go by GO Train in summer, by car or on a tour.
Photo: Maksim Sokolov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toronto’s food reflects its diversity: try dim sum, Caribbean roti, Portuguese custard tarts, Korean barbecue in Koreatown and the peameal bacon sandwich at St Lawrence Market.
Kensington Market, Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue are good for casual dining and bars.
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is linked to Union Station downtown by the UP Express train in about 25 minutes. The subway, streetcars and buses (TTC) cover the city; the PATH underground walkway links downtown buildings.
Most visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada, including EU, UK and Australian citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs CAN$7 online. US citizens need only a valid passport. Some nationalities need a visitor visa instead. Check current rules before you travel.
Toronto is one of Canada’s most expensive cities, especially for hotels. Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAN$). Prices are usually shown without sales tax, which is added at the till, and tipping of 15–20% is expected in restaurants.
Waterfront, neighbourhoods and Niagara.
Go up the CN Tower, walk the Harbourfront and take the ferry to the Toronto Islands.
Visit St Lawrence Market and the Distillery District, then Kensington Market and Chinatown, and the Royal Ontario Museum.
Take a day trip to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
🛂 Entry rules: Canada eTA
Visa-exempt visitors flying to or through a Canadian airport, including UK, EU, Australian and Japanese citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It costs CA$7, is usually approved within minutes and lasts five years or until your passport expires.
You don’t need one if you arrive by land or sea, and US citizens and US green-card holders are exempt. Apply only on the Government of Canada website.
Official information: Government of Canada: apply for an eTA · Reviewed September 2026
Sales tax is added at the till, and restaurants expect a 15–20% tip.
Winters are cold; the PATH underground walkway helps you get around downtown.
Pay TTC fares by tapping a contactless card or phone.
Book Niagara boat trips and the CN Tower ahead in summer.
Quick answers for planning time in Toronto.
Most visa-exempt visitors arriving by air need an eTA (CAN$7, applied for online). US citizens do not need one; some other nationalities need a visa.
About 130km, or around one and a half hours by car.
The UP Express train runs to Union Station in about 25 minutes.
May to October; summer is warm and lively, and autumn brings colourful leaves.
About 553m; it has observation decks and an outdoor EdgeWalk.
English is the main language, but in Quebec French dominates; a translation app helps with menus and signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Canada travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.