Toronto Travel FAQ

Downtown alone takes 3-4 days for CN Tower + Niagara + Distillery District + ROM core. 5+ days add Toronto Islands + Casa Loma + Yorkville + AGO. 7+ days add Niagara-on-the-Lake 1-night + Algonquin foliage (fall) full set. Eastern Canada loop (Toronto + Montreal + Quebec) needs 10+ days.

May-October (best) 15-27°C + 9-15 sunshine hours + peak festival season. June Pride + July Caribana + September TIFF + October foliage. Nov-Mar (winter) sub-zero + heavy snow + 3-4 sunshine hours + 30-40% hotel discounts + Christmas Market (late Nov-Dec 24, Distillery) + NHL Maple Leafs season. April + November (shoulder) best value.

Korean passport + eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization, CAD 7, 5 min online) required. Apply at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html. Valid 5 years or until passport expires, multiple entries, max 6 months per stay. Passport must be valid 6+ months.

One of Canada's safest major cities. Downtown + Yorkville + Distillery + Greektown safe to walk at night. Watch for petty theft at some downtown subway stations (Yonge-Dundas, Bloor-Yonge) + avoid solo walking after midnight. Plainclothes security + CCTV present.

Canadian English is the native language — 100% English OK. French is Canada's other official language but rarely heard in Toronto. Multicultural city (50%+ foreign-born, 200+ languages). Korean only in North York, Mississauga, Koreatown. Chinatown is 90% Chinese.

2 daily direct ICN→YYZ: Korean Air KE73 (18:00 dep, 14h), Air Canada AC062 (19:00, 14h). Off-season from CAD 1,000, summer (Jul-Aug) + winter holiday (Dec-Jan) CAD 1,800-2,800. 14 hours + 14-hour time difference (13 in summer) — next-day 19-20 ICN arrival (= 19:00 YYZ departure).

Toronto = city + multicultural + east + CN Tower + Niagara. Vancouver = nature + mountains + west + Stanley Park + Whistler. First Canada visit: nature → Vancouver, city/multicultural/Niagara → Toronto. Doing both = Toronto 5 nights + Vancouver 5 nights cross-Canada.

Canada mid-tier — 30% cheaper than NYC + 10% cheaper than Vancouver + 13% pricier than Montreal. Downtown 4-star CAD 250-500/night (USD 185-370). Lunch CAD 15-30, dinner CAD 35-70, TTC CAD 3.30. HST 13% + tip 15-20% adds 30%+ to displayed price.

Canada mid-tier. Budget CAD 100-150/day (USD 74-111) — hostel + cafe + TTC + museum. Mid-range CAD 250-400 (USD 185-296) — 4-star + restaurants + CN Tower + Niagara. Luxury CAD 600+ (USD 444+) — 5-star + Alo/Canoe/Edulis + Niagara-on-the-Lake 1-night.

Best to exchange Korean won → USD in Korea, then ATM CAD locally for best rate. Card accepted virtually everywhere — downtown 95%+ + Apple Pay/Google Pay. Carry CAD 100-200 cash for tips/food trucks. Visa + Mastercard universal; Amex limited at some restaurants.

Hostel CAD 45-80 (USD 33-59), boutique CAD 200-400 (USD 148-296), 4-star CAD 250-500 (USD 185-370), 5-star (Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La, St. Regis) CAD 500-1,500 (USD 370-1,110). Jul-Aug + September TIFF + Dec 25-Jan 1 rises 1.5-2x.

Canada tip culture strong + service charge separate. Cafe CAD 1-2 + restaurants 15-20% (lunch 15, dinner 18, fine dining 20) + Uber/taxi 10-15% + hotel bellhop CAD 2-5 + guided tours CAD 10-20. POS terminals offer 18/20/25% defaults.

PRESTO Card (Toronto transit card) covers TTC subway/streetcar/bus + UP Express. 1 trip CAD 3.30 + 1-day pass CAD 13.50 + 30-day pass CAD 156. Downtown + Distillery + Yorkville walkable. CAD 6 deposit.

Toronto CityPASS (CN Tower + ROM + Casa Loma + Aquarium + Zoo 5-pass CAD 99, 40% off, 9-day validity). Worth it if hitting all 5 + priority queue. Top family/anniversary pick.

Megabus/Coach Canada round-trip CAD 50 (best value, no pickup). GO Train May-Sep weekends only CAD 30 round-trip. Guided tour CAD 80-130 (round-trip + Hornblower CAD 33 + Niagara-on-the-Lake winery + lunch + guide) value + drinking OK. Rental CAD 70-100/day.

YYZ is 27 km from downtown. Options: 1) UP Express train (Union Station) 25 min CAD 12.35 — top pick. 2) Uber/Lyft taxi CAD 60, 30 min. 3) 192 Airport Rocket bus + subway CAD 3.30, 45 min. UP Express leads, every 15 min.

PRESTO Card recommended — TTC subway 3 lines + streetcar (world's largest system) + bus. Downtown walkable + subway + streetcar standard. Uber + Lyft both available (taxi has meter). 1-day pass CAD 13.50.

Distillery District: King St E streetcar (504) + walk, or Union Station 15-min walk. Toronto Islands: Jack Layton Ferry Terminal (Queens Quay, Union Station 10-min walk) + 13-min ferry CAD 9.11 round-trip. Centre Island, Hanlan's Point, Ward's Island 3 routes.

1.5 hours by car or 1h30 by shuttle. QEW Highway + 130 km. Megabus/Coach Canada round-trip CAD 50 value. Guided tour (round-trip + Hornblower + Niagara-on-the-Lake + lunch CAD 80-130) top pick. Rental CAD 70-100/day.

Niagara Falls + 30 min drive = 2-hour drive. 30+ wineries + Victorian English village + Shaw Festival (theatre, May-Oct). Shuttle tour CAD 130-200 (3-4 wineries). 1-night recommended (Prince of Wales Hotel CAD 350-700 + Sheraton on the Falls CAD 300-600).

Uber + Lyft legal since 2016 — now standard. Regular taxis use meter. Short trips CAD 15-25, airport-downtown CAD 60. Uber best for North York, Mississauga, Niagara/outskirts; downtown subway + walking usually enough.

Canada drives on the right, steering left. Same as Korea — easy. City driving discouraged — parking CAD 30-50/day + one-way streets. Rental only for QEW + Algonquin + Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Peameal Bacon Sandwich (St. Lawrence Market Carousel Bakery, 1803, CAD 8-12, Toronto signature), Poutine (Smoke's Poutinerie, Canada's #1, CAD 8-15, fries + cheese curds + gravy), Khao Soi (Pai Northern Thai, CN Travel Canada's #1 noodle, CAD 19), Aburi sushi (Miku, CAD 50-140), Butter Tart (Canadian signature dessert, CAD 3-6), Nanaimo Bar (BC 3-layer no-bake dessert, CAD 3-5).

Alo Restaurant (Patrick Kriss, 2 Michelin, CAD 200-350, Canada #1, opens 1st of month at 9 AM), Canoe Restaurant (TD Bank Tower 54th floor + Canada's #1 view, CAD 120-180), Edulis Restaurant (Spanish + Italian + Canadian fusion, CAD 80-150), Bymark Restaurant (Mark McEwan, Bymark Burger Canada #1, CAD 80-150).

Toronto's signature menu started at St. Lawrence Market in 1803. Carousel Bakery (2nd floor) is the origin. 'Peameal Bacon' is Canadian cornmeal-coated bacon. Tue-Sat only (Sun-Mon closed). Arrive at Sat 7 opening — 10+ queues 30 min. CAD 8-12 best value. Canadian signature not found in Korea.

Chinatown (Spadina Ave): Pho 88 (Vietnamese, CAD 12-25), Mother's Dumplings (dumplings, CAD 12-25), Wah Sing (Cantonese + dim sum, CAD 25-50) — value + variety. Yorkville: One Restaurant (The Hazelton, CAD 60-140), Café Boulud (Four Seasons, CAD 50-120) — luxury + Michelin. Value → Chinatown, luxury → Yorkville.

Koreatown (Bloor + Christie, 5 min subway): Sura Korean Cuisine (Hanjeongsik, CAD 25-50), Mr. Kim's (Korean snacks, CAD 15-35), Korean Grill House (all-you-can-eat BBQ, CAD 25-50). North York (Yonge + Finch, 30 min subway): H Mart + 30+ Korean restaurants + Galleria Supermarket. Both Koreatown + North York available.

Danforth Ave Greektown (Pan on the Danforth, 1986, CAD 30-60) is top pick. August 'Taste of the Danforth' festival (1.3M attendees, world's #1 Greek) + Saganaki Cheese fire show (CAD 14) top pick. Subway Pape or Chester station.

Inniskillin Wines (1975, 1989 world's first ice wine origin, tasting CAD 30-60), Peller Estates (tasting CAD 30-60, Canada's #1 wine), Trius (tasting CAD 25-50, Canada's #1 sparkling). 30+ wineries + guided shuttle tour (CAD 130-200, 3-4 wineries, drinking OK). 1-night recommended.

Brookfield Place + food court (CAD 12-25, quick lunch) + 'Bymark Restaurant' (TD Centre, Mark McEwan, Bymark Burger, CAD 80-150). Evenings 'Real Sports Bar & Grill' (sports bar, CAD 25-50) next to Scotiabank Arena top pick. Before/after Maple Leafs + Raptors games.

First-time visitors: Downtown Financial District (CN Tower + Rogers Centre + St. Lawrence walking distance), Yorkville (luxury shopping + Michelin) top picks. Distillery District (Victorian + trendy + CAD 200-400/night) + Liberty Village (trendy + condos + 15-min streetcar) + North York (Korean + value + 30-min subway). First-timers → Downtown or Yorkville.

5-star: The Ritz-Carlton Toronto (downtown Financial District, CAD 600-1,500, top honeymoon pick), Shangri-La Hotel Toronto (University Ave, CAD 550-1,300), Fairmont Royal York (1929, Union Station, CAD 350-900, top classic). 4-star: Hyatt Regency Toronto (King + Entertainment, CAD 250-500), Pan Pacific Toronto (Yorkdale, CAD 200-400). Boutique: 1 Hotel Toronto, The Broadview Hotel. Book 1-2+ months ahead Jul-Aug, Sep TIFF, Dec-Jan.

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (Yorkville, CAD 700-1,800, celebrity + honeymoon pick, Café Boulud, Forbes 5-star), The Hazelton Hotel (boutique 5-star, CAD 700-1,500, Silver Screening Room private cinema, celebrity), Park Hyatt Toronto (2021 renovation, The Roof Lounge since 1936, Toronto's #1 cocktails, CAD 550-1,300), InterContinental Toronto Yorkville (business + family, CAD 400-800). Book 1-2 months ahead.

Downtown family-friendly: 1) Hyatt Regency Toronto (downtown, full pool + family rooms, CAD 250-500/night). 2) Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel (inside Rogers Centre, CAD 350-700/night, MLB game frontal). 3) Fairmont Royal York (1929 classic + full pool, CAD 350-900). 4) Westin Harbour Castle (waterfront + ferry frontal, CAD 300-600). Downtown (family + CN Tower + Toronto Islands + walking).

Active, CAD 100-300/night. Liberty Village + Distillery District + Kensington Market preferred. But Ontario 'short-term rental restrictions' + 'Vacancy Decontrol' have shrunk supply. Booking.com + Airbnb both work; only book 'Verified' hosts.

Dec 31 NYE Nathan Phillips Square + Harbourfront fireworks — book 1+ year ahead, 1.5-2x rates. Jul-Aug peak 1.5-2x + September TIFF 1.5x + Dec-Jan Christmas/NYE 2x. Best value November + Jan-Mar + April + October. For NYE fireworks, Nathan Phillips Square is the prime spot.

Spring (Mar-May, 4-18°C, cherry blossoms, rain) best shoulder. Summer (Jun-Sep, 18-27°C, humidity + thunderstorms, peak festival season) best. Fall (Oct-Nov, 1-14°C, foliage, wet season starts) value. Winter (Dec-Feb, -7-1°C, heavy snow, 3-4 sunshine hours, Christmas Market, NHL Maple Leafs) low season + value. Possible -25°C cold snaps + humid continental.

Temperatures 18-27°C + 65-70% humidity + 9-10 sunshine hours + 11 rainy days/month. Korean midsummer (Jul-Aug) heat-wave escape top pick. But hotels 1.5-2x + July Caribana Saturday 50%+ + September TIFF 1.5x. Best value May/early June/October (shoulder).

Temperatures -10-1°C + 50cm/month snowfall + 3-4 sunshine hours + possible -25°C cold snaps. Use PATH underground city (30km) + museums + Maple Leafs + Christmas Market (late Nov-Dec 24, Distillery District). Hotels 30-40% off + value. Heavy down parka + waterproof boots + anti-slip essential.

Late April-early May 'High Park Sakura Festival' peak. 1959 Japanese government gifted 2,000 trees + Canada's #1 cherry blossom spot. Exact bloom dates vary annually — check 'High Park Sakura' Facebook group or 'Sakura in High Park' website.

Sep 25-Oct 15 foliage peak + Canada's #1 foliage + 1893 founded Algonquin Provincial Park (3-hour drive, 6-hour round-trip day trip possible). Lookout Trail (2km, top photo) + Visitor Centre. Jul-Oct only top pick.

TIFF: First Thursday-second Sunday of September (11 days, celebrities, world's #1 film festival, 300+ films, 600,000+ attendees) + hotels 1.5x. Caribana: Last weekend of July to first weekend of August (NA #1 Caribbean festival, founded 1967, 1M attendees) + Saturday hotels 50%+.

5 essentials: CN Tower (553m, 1976, 31 years world #1, CAD 45, 342m glass floor, EdgeWalk CAD 200), Niagara Falls (1.5h drive, Canadian Horseshoe, Hornblower cruise May-Oct CAD 33), Toronto Islands (13-min ferry, CAD 9.11, CN Tower frontal photo), Distillery District (1832, cobblestone, free, Nov-Dec Christmas Market 700,000 visitors), Royal Ontario Museum (Canada's largest, CAD 26, Crystal Galleries, free first Tuesday). All walkable + TTC + shuttle.

553m + 1976 + 31 years world #1 (until Burj Khalifa 2007). 342m glass floor + 356m EdgeWalk (CAD 200, book 2-4 weeks ahead, harness-only outdoor walkway) + 360 Revolving Restaurant (72-min loop, CAD 80-150, entry included). Top at sunset. Toronto's #1 signature.

May-Oct only (Nov-Apr closed) + boat to foot of falls + mist + CAD 33, 30 min + free poncho. You WILL get soaked. Canadian Horseshoe Falls (51m drop, 168,000m³/min, far more impressive than US side). Camera waterproof bag essential. Day tour CAD 80-130 recommended.

Lake Ontario + 13-min ferry + downtown + CN Tower frontal photo top pick. Centre Island (family + Centreville amusement park + Far Enough Farm petting zoo, May-Oct) + Hanlan's Point (nude beach, Canada's #1, 20+) + Ward's Island (residential, locals). Free + ferry CAD 9.11. May-Sep sunset 20:30 + last ferry 22:00.

Casa Loma (1914, 98 rooms Gothic Revival, Toronto's only castle, CAD 40, 5-min subway, secret tunnels + gardens, Nov-Dec 'Christmas at Casa Loma') + Royal Ontario Museum (Canada's largest, 2007 Crystal Galleries, CAD 26, 6M+ collection, free first Tuesday). Both top picks + Yorkville combo.

1832 Gooderham + Worts distillery → 2003 renovation. Victorian industrial cobblestone + red brick + pedestrian-only + 40+ boutiques. Nov 30-Dec 24 'Toronto Christmas Market' (700,000 visitors + 50,000 LEDs + 12m Christmas tree + German-style + 1865 Gooderham Building clock tower) is top. Free entry + some weekend evenings CAD 8.

Founded 1943 + inside Brookfield Place. NHL #1 + Stanley Cup + hall of famers + interactive shoot + family favorite. Canadian identity = hockey. Similar feeling to Korean baseball stadium. CAD 28 + Maple Leafs game (Sep-Apr season, CAD 80-500) + museum combo.

Sep 25-Oct 15 foliage peak + Canada's #1 foliage + 1893 founded + 7,653km² protected area. 3-hour drive + 6-hour round-trip = 9-hour day trip possible. Lookout Trail (2km, top photo) + Visitor Centre. Jul-Oct only top pick. Watch for bears + coyotes signs.

1) Frequent 'Sorry' — automatic on bumps/mistakes. 2) Strict queues — no cutting. 3) No fingers at table — fork/knife essential. 4) Tip 15-20% mandatory (service comp). 5) Marijuana legal (2018) but no public smoking, no hotel-room smoking, no export from Canada. 6) Hockey + Tim Hortons = Canadian identity.

1) Confusing 'Toronto = Canada capital' (Ottawa is capital). 2) Forgetting tips (15-20% mandatory). 3) Niagara Hornblower May-Oct only (Nov-Apr closed) — check season. 4) Missing CN Tower EdgeWalk advance booking (2-4 weeks needed). 5) Niagara-on-the-Lake day trip (tiring — 1-night is correct). 6) Forgetting eTA (5-min before departure). 7) Not knowing 'Peameal Bacon' Sun-Mon closed at St. Lawrence Market.

Emergency 911 (police, ambulance, fire). Korean Consulate +1 416-920-3809 (Toronto), Embassy +1 613-244-5010 (Ottawa). 24-hour emergency room at Toronto General Hospital. Travel insurance + international card essential (1 hospital visit CAD 1,000+).

Strong tip culture. Restaurants lunch 15%, dinner 18%, fine dining 20%. Cafe CAD 1-2. Uber/taxi 10-15%. Hotel bellhop CAD 2-5. Housekeeping CAD 2-5/day. Guided tours CAD 10-20. Salon/massage 15%. POS auto options (18/20/25%). HST 13% + tip = 30%+ on top of menu price.

Canada ranks world top-5 safest. Walking at night safe. Watch for petty theft at some downtown subway stations (Yonge-Dundas, Bloor-Yonge) + avoid solo walking after midnight. Downtown + Yorkville + Distillery + Greektown 24-hour safe. TTC subway + streetcar safe at night.

Type A/B 110V/60Hz (same as USA, different from Korea's 220V). Korean adapter won't work — borrow from hotel or bring Korean universal adapter. Laptops + phones usually accept 100-240V automatically — just need the plug shape.

Maple Syrup (St. Lawrence Market or supermarket, CAD 15-50, OK to import to Korea), Butter Tart (Canadian signature dessert, CAD 3-6), Nanaimo Bar (BC 3-layer, CAD 3-5), Tim Hortons mug/T-shirt, Toronto Maple Leafs/Raptors gear (NHL Shop, Scotiabank Arena, CAD 30-80), Canada Goose down parka (CAD 800-2,000), Roots (Canadian hoodie, CAD 28+), Hudson's Bay striped blanket.