Is Toronto worth visiting? Is Toronto expensive? And everything else you need to know

Are you planning a trip to Toronto and wondering ‘is Toronto worth visiting’? Well good news this post is for you. We cover everything you need to know before you plan a trip to Canada’s largest city and answer the important questions like ‘is Toronto expensive’ and ‘what is there to do in Toronto’. And by the end of this post you will hopefully know if Toronto is indeed worth visiting.

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Before we answer the question ‘Is Toronto worth visiting’ here is some background

Toronto often gets confused as being the capital of Canada. It is not the capital of Canada, but it is the biggest city in the country. The population is around 3 million in the city alone, and almost 6.5 million in the Greater Toronto area.

It’s a very popular city to live in, and it is also incredibly multicultural. More than 50% of those living in Toronto were born somewhere else. And this is very much reflected in the culture and lifestyle in Toronto.

Is Toronto expensive?

Toronto isn’t the worst city we have been to when it comes to costs. I’m looking at you Copenhagen! That being said it is the most expensive city in Canada. Accommodation can be pricey particularly if you want to be in the Downtown area in the thick of it. Make sure you book this well in advance.

We would recommend budgeting around $200 a day (not including accommodation) per person for a mid range trip. This will cover attractions, meals out, drinks, and transport. You can definitely do things way cheaper though by eating at markets and avoiding some of the big paid for attractions in the city.

Here are some extra tips when it comes to money in Toronto.

• Currency– officially this is the Canadian Dollar but if you are travelling between Canada and US some places in Toronto will accept US dollars but they will usually do this like for like regardless of the exchange rate. Other places won’t accept USD at all.
• Tipping – Those of you from Europe or Australia (or just anywhere that isn’t North American really!) don’t forget to tip in Toronto. You should typically be tipping between 15-20% for food and $1 per drink at a bar for example.
• Tax– Taxes vary from province to province and aren’t usually included in an advertised price. If something is listed as being $20 it’s going to be $20 plus tax.

Do I need cash in Toronto?

Credit cards are widely accepted in Toronto, so you probably don’t need to bring tons of cash with you. It’s a big city and most places will accept card. You may want cash though to make tipping easier, or for use in smaller stores.

What language do they speak in Toronto?

In Toronto people speak English. There are some parts of Canada that are French speaking particularly in Quebec but Toronto is not one of them. That being said you may encounter people who do speak French, but most will also speak English.

Toronto is incredibly multicultural and there are over 160 languages spoken in the city.

Is Toronto easy to get to?

Most people arriving into Toronto, particularly from abroad will come via Pearson International Airport. A number of international and domestic airlines fly into this airport.From the airport you can easily get to the Downtown area on the Union Pearson Express. It takes 25 minutes and departs every 15 minutes, so you won’t need to wait long. Tickets are about $24.

Other ways to get to Toronto include the Greyhound, particularly if you are coming in from US cities, or the train. Both the bus and train stop centrally.

How long should I spend in Toronto?

Toronto is one of those cities that you could spend ages in because there is that much to do. The minimum time we would recommend is a weekend in Toronto, with 5 days being a good amount of time to get to grips with the city.

Is Toronto safe?

Considering its size and population Toronto is an incredibly safe city even at night. Like everywhere there are specific areas that you probably should avoid particularly late at night, but as a whole it is safe.

Take your usual precautions such as travelling home in groups at night, and just being generally cautious and you should be fine.

For the time I lived in Toronto I always felt safe, even as a lone female traveller.

Is Toronto worth visiting compared to other Canadian cities?

If you are wondering Toronto is worth visiting compared to other Canadian cities, the honest answer is yes. Of course this all depends on what you are after for your visit. Toronto is great because it is the largest Canadian city with so many different things happening.

It’s the perfect city break, and if you love cool bars, great food, and urban exploration Toronto is for you. Each Canadian city has it’s merits though so if you can visit them all then do it.

Is Toronto worth visiting compared to other North American cities?

Again each North American city has its own merit and points of interest, but Toronto is definitely worth visiting. It’s got a similar feel to New York, although it is much smaller and way more chilled out. It’s also a lot safer and friendlier as a whole. Toronto is a beautiful city to visit and we highly recommend you give it a chance.

Can I use public transport in Toronto?

Public transport in Toronto is cheap and efficient. IT can seem slightly daunting at first but with a little help from GoogleMaps you should be on your way in no time.

The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) are in charge of public transport in the city. This includes streetcards, buses, and the subway. For short trips you are best off buying tokens for the streetcar and subway, just make sure you collect a transfer ticket if you are switching from subway to streetcar for example.

What is there to do in Toronto?

Wondering is Toronto worth visiting for attractions alone? Here are some of the top things to do in Toronto to help you decide.

And for more inspiration checkout our Toronto bucket list.

CN Tower

The CN Tower is very much synonymous with Toronto. It dominates the city skyline and is even lit up in different colours at night for special events.

It was built originally as a communication tower by the Canadian National Railway, and is now the top tourist attraction in the city.

A standard ticket will get you to the 114th floor, or you can go a bit higher by paying a little bit more. We don’t think it’s worth the extra as the views are awesome enough with the standard ticket.

Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are another must when visiting the city. For starters you get one of the best views of the Toronto skyline from here.

The islands are a bustling hive of activity in the summer months with cafes, rides, and much more. In the winter months you an only visit the smaller islands where people live, but don’t let that put you off because it’s such a beautiful place to explore. Obviously just be mindful that this is where people live so don’t just walk anywhere.

Eaton Centre

If you love shopping you should definitely visit the Eaton Centre. With over 230 stores, restaurants, and cafe there is a lot here to keep you entertained. Plus the inside is really cool with quirky sculptures and artworks.

Casa Loma

One of the only true castles in North America is Casa Loma. This grand bit of architecture is well worth a visit. Not only do you get incredible views of Toronto but you get to see the grandiose furnishings and features inside.

St Lawrence Market

If you get the chance you should do a food tour of St Lawrence Market. They sell a range of things like fresh seafood, fruit and veg, and also Canadian specialties like ice wine and maple syrup.

It’s also perfect for lunch where you can gorge on delights from all over the world, including Veranyki which is a Ukrainian dumpling.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Hockey is a HUGE deal in Canada and if you get the chance to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame you will get to experience this. Even if you aren’t into Hockey it’s really fun especially as there are some interactive games where you can test your own goalkeeping skills.

Hang out in Kensington Market

Kensington Market is very much the bohemian centre of Toronto. It’s got a super relaxed vibe, with a number of vintage and charity shops, cool bars, and great places to eat.

Is Toronto worth visiting for solo travellers?

Toronto is a really great city to visit if you are travelling solo. For starters there is tons to do so you won’t be bored. It’s also pretty safe, and the people are so friendly. I can guarantee that you will make friends in no time.

It’s big enough that you can keep yourself occupied as a solo traveller, but there are also tons of group tours you can do like food tours, and bar crawls,

Is Toronto worth visiting for couples?

Ok Toronto might not have Paris level romance vibes but it’s still a brilliant place for couple’s to visit. There are so many cool bars and restaurants perfect for date nights. In the summer you can sip cocktails from rooftop bars, and in the winter months you can get cosy whilst enjoying dinner in places like Little Italy.

Is Toronto worth visiting for families?

If you are planning a family holiday Toronto is a great option. As mentioned previously it’s a relatively safe city and is easy to get around, so you shouldn’t have any issues travelling as a family. There are so many cool things to do to keep the kids entertained, like enjoying the parks, museums, and of course the Toronto Islands.

In the winter months, you can keep the kids entertained with ice skating, or a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame. There really is something for the whole family in Toronto.

Is Toronto worth visiting for foodies?

Toronto is an incredible place to visit when it comes to food. As we mentioned earlier in this post it’s such a multicultural city. With that multiculturalism comes some amazing cuisine.

Whilst most people associate food in Toronto with Tim Horton’s and Poutine (which are both amazing by the way) there is so much more.

You have incredible neighbourhoods like Little Italy, and Chinatown all with their own dishes and restaurants waiting to be eaten. You also have international street food found in places like St Lawrence’s Market. But honestly this is just the beginning. If you lover your food you will love Toronto that is for sure.

Is Toronto worth visiting for the nightlife?

Take this from me – the nightlife in Toronto is amazing. There is so much to keep you entertained from world class clubs, dive bars, and hidden cocktail lounges. Whatever your ideal night out includes Toronto probably has it. And for any LGBTQ+ travellers Church-Wellesley Village has an amazing entertainment scene.

Just remember that the legal drinking age in Toronto is 19, unlike the UK and Europe which are 18.

Is Toronto worth visiting for nature lovers?

Toronto is of course a massive city, so if you want to get out and be one with nature then you will need to get out of the downtown area. That being said there are a number of green spaces in Toronto such as High Park, and Trinity Bellwoods Park. You also have the Toronto Islands which are great for green space and nature, as well as the beaches along Lake Ontario.

Is Toronto worth visiting for history buffs?

Personally I wouldn’t say that Toronto is a must see place for history buffs. Sure it has places you can visit to learn about history such as the Royal Ontario Museum or Casa Loma, but it’s not as interesting as say Europe when it comes to readily available history tours.

Is Toronto worth visiting for culture lovers?

The thing that I love about Toronto is that is is so multicultural. This in turn means that all these nationalities and immigrants in turn have shaped the culture of the city. There are influences from all around the world in Toronto and if you have an interest in culture Toronto is the perfect place to visit.

Is Toronto worth visiting in the summer?

Toronto really comes alive in the summer months. The weather is warm, and people start to enjoy life outdoors. Bars and restaurants serve food and drinks al fresco, and the main Toronto islands open up.

Between June – September temperatures in Toronto range from around 20 – 35 degrees Celsius.

The only downside to visiting in the summer months is the fact that it gets really busy. Tourists flock to the city and this pushes up the cost of things like accommodation. Just make sure you book well in advance.

To really make the most of Toronto we highly recommend visiting between May – September.

Is Toronto worth visiting in the winter?

Winters in Toronto are cold. Very cold. On average you are looking at temperatures at a high of 3 degrees Celsius and a low of minus 7. That being said it can get even colder once you factor in wind chill.

People in Toronto are used to this though so don’t panic things will still be open. You can still enjoy the tourist attractions and bars and restaurants. Although the main Toronto islands do close, but you can still visit the smaller islands where people live.

If you are visiting Toronto in winter just make sure you are dressed appropriately. Thermals will be your best friend. Also on the plus side you won’t have to line up for hours to see the main attractions like the CN Tower.

I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to visit Toronto in the winter unless you really like the cold.

What to pack when visiting Toronto?

Apart from your usual holiday packing list here are some of the bits we recommend packing when visiting Toronto. As mentioned above the weather can go from one extreme to the other depending on the seasons so we have broken this down in to summer and winter ideas.

Summer

Sunglasses

Cool clothes

Sunscreen

Cardigan or a light jacket for cooler evenings

Winter

A decent coat (like really decent)

Scarf, gloves, winter hat

Thermals

Snow boots

Layers

Lip balm and moisturiser for dry skin

Wool/thermal socks

What should I know before visiting Toronto?

Here are some final things you should know before you visit Toronto:

• Dress appropriately particularly in the winter months
• Learn how to use the TTC as it’s cheap and reliable for getting around the city
• The downtown core is quite walkable particularly when it’s great weather
• If you visit in winter make use of the PATH network

So is Toronto worth visiting?

Hopefully we have helped you answer the question is Toronto worth visiting, and the answer is a resounding yes. Toronto really is a fantastic city to visit, and I know I’m biased having lived there, but it is great. It’s safe, it’s easy to get around, the people are friendly and it’s just really cool. So if you haven’t already take this as a sign to book your next trip to Toronto.

And if you have found this article useful make sure you pin it for later.

Happy Travels!