Quick Answer
At a glance
- Best time
- May–Oct; Dec–Feb for winter
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
- Language
- English
- From the airport
- UP Express, C$12.35, 15-minute frequency
- Visa
- eTA (C$7) for most air arrivals
- Getting around
- TTC subway, streetcar, bus, C$3.30
Toronto is Canada’s biggest city and the easiest place to start a first trip to the country: international flights land at Pearson, a fast train runs downtown, and Niagara Falls and the train to Montréal are both within reach. The questions are when to come, where to sleep and what the big sights cost. Prices and times below were checked on 9 October 2026.
When is the best time to visit Toronto?
Toronto has four clear seasons. Summer is warm and humid, autumn is crisp and colourful, and winter is cold and snowy. The figures are Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991-2020 normals for the Toronto (City) station.
| Month | Average high / low | Precipitation | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 2.6°C / -2.7°C | 57.8 mm (about 26 cm of snow) | Holiday lights, skating, cold evenings |
| January | -0.3°C / -6.7°C | 64.6 mm (about 35 cm of snow) | The coldest month; lowest hotel prices |
| February | 0.6°C / -6.0°C | 53.9 mm (about 29 cm of snow) | Still deep winter; dress in layers |
| March | 5.1°C / -1.8°C | 52.8 mm | Thaw begins, quiet museums |
| April–May | 11.7–18.8°C / 3.9–10.0°C | 76–78 mm | Spring, patios open by May |
| June–August | 24.2–27.0°C / 15.3–18.1°C | 72–82 mm | Warm and busy; island and waterfront season |
| September–October | 14.6–22.0°C / 7.7–13.8°C | about 69 mm | Best balance of weather and crowds |
| November | 8.1°C / 2.3°C | 70.8 mm | Grey and cool, rinks open late in the month |
Coming in winter? Pack properly: our guides to winter boots for travel, packable down jackets and heated gloves cover what keeps you comfortable at -7°C. For the wider seasonal picture, see our Canada guide.
Where should you stay in Toronto?
Stay close to the subway, because Toronto’s sights spread from the lakefront to Bloor Street.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown and the Financial District | Union Station, the UP Express, the PATH, the CN Tower | Quiet in the evenings and at weekends |
| Entertainment District and King West | Theatres, restaurants, walking to the CN Tower and the waterfront | Busy and noisy at night |
| Old Town and St. Lawrence | St. Lawrence Market for food, historic streets, near the ferry terminal | Fewer subway stations close by |
| Yorkville and the Annex | The Royal Ontario Museum, quieter streets, Line 1 and Line 2 subway | Further from the lake and Union Station |
First trip, especially in winter? Downtown near Union Station is the simplest base: the airport train arrives there, and the PATH keeps you indoors on the coldest days. Compare Toronto hotel prices by area .
How do you get to and around Toronto?
Most international flights land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the train is the easiest way into the city.
Flying Air Canada? Our Air Canada power bank rules explain what you can carry. Heading on to Europe, see cheap flights from Toronto to Lisbon.
What should you not miss in Toronto?
| Sight | Price (2026) | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| CN Tower | C$47 plus tax for timed general admission (adult); The Top add-on from C$59 | Open 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., last entry 9 p.m.; the glass floor is on the Lower Observation Level |
| Royal Ontario Museum | Date-based prices, from around C$26 for October 2026 dates | Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on open days; closed on some Mondays |
| Art Gallery of Ontario | C$30 adult, C$15 ages 10–17; C$40 annual pass | Closed Mondays; open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays |
| Toronto Islands | Ferry C$9.57 adult return | Skyline views back to the city, beaches in summer |
| Nathan Phillips Square rink | Free skating; rentals available in winter | Outdoor rinks typically open in late November and close in March |
| St. Lawrence Market | Free to browse | Go hungry: it is the city’s best-known food market |
The CN Tower’s Main Observation Level sits at 346 metres, with the glass floor and outdoor terrace one level below at 342 metres; EdgeWalk, the hands-free walk around the outside, starts at C$199. At the AGO, note that free admission for under-25s applies to Ontario residents, not visitors. In winter, skating in front of City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square is free, and the City of Toronto rents skates there during the season.
What day trips can you take from Toronto?
- Niagara Falls. GO Transit runs trains from Union Station to Niagara Falls GO all year, with separate weekday and weekend schedules, and children 12 and under ride free. The station is in the north end of Niagara Falls, so add a local bus or a long walk to the falls, and check for track work before you go.
- The Toronto Islands. A short ferry ride from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal; quiet in winter, busy in summer.
- Montréal and Québec City. Too far for a day trip, but VIA Rail makes them an easy onward leg: Montréal is about five hours away.
What goes wrong on a Toronto trip?
- Underestimating the cold. January averages -0.3°C by day and -6.7°C at night, and wind off the lake makes it feel colder. Dress in layers and use the PATH.
- Planning museums for a Monday. The AGO is closed on Mondays and the ROM closes on some Mondays; check before you go.
- Forgetting the tax. Prices exclude Ontario’s 13% HST, and CN Tower prices are quoted before tax too. Tipping is expected in sit-down restaurants.
- Ending up far from the falls. Niagara Falls GO is not next to the waterfalls; plan the last leg.
- Using a copycat eTA site. Visa-exempt visitors flying in need an eTA, which costs C$7 on the official canada.ca site. US citizens are exempt.
For data on arrival, compare plans in our best eSIM for travel guide.
How many days do you need in Toronto?
Three to four days covers it: one day downtown for the CN Tower and the waterfront, one for the ROM and the AGO, half a day on the Toronto Islands, and a day trip to Niagara Falls. Add days to continue by train to Montréal and Québec City, or cross the border to New York.
Sources
Climate figures come from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991-2020 normals for Toronto (City); airport train fares and frequency from UP Express; city transit fares from the TTC; prices and hours from the CN Tower, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum; the PATH, skating and ferry details from the City of Toronto; Niagara Falls service from GO Transit; eTA rules from the Government of Canada. The full list is in the sources box at the end of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Toronto?
May to October is the best time for most trips. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991-2020 normals give Toronto average highs of 18.8°C in May, 27.0°C in July and 14.6°C in October. Late September and October add autumn colour, and December to February suits a winter city break if you dress for highs around 0°C.
How cold is Toronto in winter?
Cold. Toronto averages a high of -0.3°C and a low of -6.7°C in January and a high of 0.6°C in February, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada, with about 35 cm of snow in January and 29 cm in February. The PATH, a walkway of more than 30 km under downtown, lets you reach many shops, food courts and Union Station without going outside.
How do I get from Toronto Pearson Airport to downtown?
Take the UP Express train from Terminal 1 to Union Station. An adult one-way ticket costs C$12.35, trains run every 15 minutes, and the trip takes around 25 to 30 minutes. From Union Station you can walk through the PATH or connect to the TTC subway, where a ride costs C$3.30 with a card or C$3.35 in cash.
How much does the CN Tower cost?
A timed general admission ticket to the CN Tower costs C$47 for an adult (14 to 64), plus tax. It covers the Main Observation Level at 346 metres and the Lower Observation Level with the glass floor. The Top plus timed general admission costs C$59, and EdgeWalk starts at C$199. The observation levels are open from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m.
Can you visit Niagara Falls from Toronto without a car?
Yes. GO Transit runs trains from Union Station to Niagara Falls GO all year, with weekday and weekend schedules, and children 12 and under ride free. Niagara Falls GO is in the north end of the city, so plan a local bus or a walk to the falls themselves, and check the GO schedule before you travel, because track work can change trips.
How many days do you need in Toronto?
Three to four days covers Toronto well: one day downtown for the CN Tower and the waterfront, one for the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario, half a day on the Toronto Islands, and a full day trip to Niagara Falls. Add more days if you continue by train to Montréal or Québec City.
Start planning your Toronto trip
If a package already covers your hotel, you can skip this part. If you are booking separately, compare a few dates: January and November tend to be the cheapest months to stay, while summer weekends and fall colour season fill first.
Find cheap flights to Toronto | Compare Toronto hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our Canada travel guide, the USA guide and the hotels hub.
