Toronto, Canada

Toronto travel guide

North America's most multicultural city

Find flights to Toronto See fares from $89

Airports: YYZ Toronto Pearson International Airport · YTZ Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Region: Canada
Best time to visit: May–September is warm with festivals nearly every weekend (TIFF in September).
Shortest flight: 1h 40m from Chicago
Round trips from: $89 (live)
Time zone: America/Toronto

About Toronto

Toronto's downtown runs from the lakefront and CN Tower north through the Financial District to Queen West, Kensington Market and the University. Streetcars reach Little Italy, Greektown and Leslieville; the ferry crosses to the car-free Toronto Islands. Niagara Falls is 90 minutes by car or a scenic train.

Getting in: Pearson International is 15 miles northwest. The UP Express train reaches Union Station in 25 minutes (about C$12.35); taxis and rideshares cost C$50–$70. Billy Bishop airport, on an island by downtown, handles Porter's short-haul flights from some US cities. US citizens need a valid passport (or passport card by land/sea only) — no visa or eTA is required for Americans.

Stay downtown or in the Entertainment District for convenience, Queen West or Kensington for character, or the Annex for a quieter base near the university. Canadian dollars are typically worth about 25–30% less than US dollars, which makes hotels and restaurants feel cheaper. Tip 15–18%; tap-to-pay is universal.

Best time to visit

May–September is warm with festivals nearly every weekend (TIFF in September). Late spring and early fall have the best value; winter is cold but hotels are cheap.

Where to stay

Neighborhoods our travelers like: Downtown / Entertainment District, Queen West, Kensington Market, Distillery District, The Annex.

Flights to Toronto: typical round-trip fares

What economy round trips to YYZ usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.

From	Flight time	Typical fare	Lowest live fare	Actions
New York (JFK)	1h 40m	$228	$89 · Tue, Sep 29	Search dates →
Chicago (ORD)	1h 40m	$238	$89 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →
Boston (BOS)	1h 45m	$248	$89 · Mon, Oct 5	Search dates →
Los Angeles (LAX)	5h	$358	$223 · Wed, Oct 14	Search dates →
Miami (MIA)	3h 20m	$298	$112 · Wed, Dec 2	Search dates →
Denver (DEN)	3h 30m	$338	$147 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →

Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.

Airports in Toronto

What to do in Toronto

The places our editors send first-time visitors.

1
CN Tower
The 1,815-foot tower's glass floor and, for the brave, the EdgeWalk around the outside of the main pod.
2
Toronto Islands
A 15-minute ferry to beaches, bike paths and the best skyline view, with no cars.
3
St. Lawrence and Kensington markets
The 200-year-old food hall with peameal bacon sandwiches, and the bohemian market district a mile west.
4
Royal Ontario Museum and the AGO
Dinosaurs and world cultures at the ROM; Frank Gehry's Art Gallery of Ontario with the Group of Seven.
5
Niagara Falls
90 minutes away; the Hornblower boat, Journey Behind the Falls and the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Toronto weather by season

Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.

Winter

30° / 18°

Cold and snowy; cheapest hotels.

Spring

55° / 40°

Slow warm-up; pleasant by late May.

Summer

79° / 63°

Warm and lively; festival season.

Fall

58° / 45°

Crisp; TIFF and fall color.

Travel tips for Toronto

Take the UP Express from Pearson — faster than a taxi and a fraction of the cost.
Check Porter Airlines to Billy Bishop airport from Boston, New York, Chicago and Washington — it's steps from downtown.
Buy a PRESTO card or tap a credit card for the TTC streetcars and subway (C$3.30 a ride).
The Canadian dollar discount makes hotels and dining 20–30% cheaper than they look.
Winter visitors: the PATH network of underground walkways links most of downtown.

Toronto flights: frequently asked questions

Do Americans need a visa or eTA for Canada?

No. US citizens need only a valid passport for flights to Canada; no visa or Electronic Travel Authorization is required.

How do I get from Pearson airport to downtown Toronto?

The UP Express train runs every 15 minutes to Union Station in 25 minutes (about C$12). Taxis and rideshares take 30–60 minutes and cost C$50–$70.

Can I use US dollars in Toronto?

Some tourist businesses accept them at poor rates, but cards are accepted everywhere. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee and let the terminal charge in Canadian dollars.