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There are
many ways of getting around.
Here is a synopsis, but more details can be found on the
Official Website of the City of Toronto.
Walking
Starting at
the Royal York Hotel, you can walk underground 'On the Path',
which is a 10 km network of underground shopping malls connecting
many of the downtown office buildings and subway system. It is
especially useful in the Winter when there is snow or on rainy
and windy days when walking in the city is not a pleasure.
View or download the PATH
map - PDF format  (1.2
Mb)
Outside, there
are also many walking trails for those who want to get
their exercise after a day of sitting listening to people talk.
Try those along the waterfront.
Also, Toronto has many parks that are a pleasure to walk
in.
Driving
Ideally, our
suggestion is: Don't drive in Toronto. Especially not week-days
between 8 AM and 9 AM and certainly not between 4 pm and 6 PM
in or near the city when the commuter traffic is on the road.
There are a million people getting to and from work every day.
Taxis are much better than driving, but even they can't get anywhere
when there is gridlock! The (underground) Subway is ideal, though
also quite busy between 8-9 AM and between 5 and 6 PM. Even for
tours outside the city, you would prefer
a bus rather than trying to change lanes on 14 lane highways.
It can be very hard if you don't know your exit (and even if you
do know it:). Such are the pleasures of living in the city! You
can check here the cameras
viewing highway traffic density for the main highways - in
real time.
The
 -
Subway
The TTC (Toronto
Transit Commission) is North America's largest public transit
system after New York. It is fast, safe and clean! It is used
by Torontonians of all walks of life.
The subway
is the most important conveyance in Toronto. It is fast, because
it does not have to fight the ever-present traffic. It allows
us to do great distances, from where we can then switch over to
other modes of transportation the TTC provides. A great way to
get around and see museums or get to restaurants out of the centre
of the city.
The busy hours
are from 8 AM - 9 AM and from 5 PM - 6 PM, outside those times
it is quite pleasant.
 TTC
- Streetcars
(Trams) and Buses
Both streetcars
and buses belong to the TTC system. You can switch from one to
the other, including the subway, using a 'TRANSFER' ticket, which
you must pick up from a machine at the first station of bus you
start off from.
You can pay
cash fare but get no change. You can buy packs of tickets
or tokens (can't buy single tickets). Seniors and students get
discounts and use the cards. Most of us mortals use tokens. Warning:
A token may look like a dime, but it is worth more than a dollar!
So, don't waste it on coffee.
A special
deal:
the 'Day Pass' - with restrictions
on certain hours.
TTC
- 192 Airport Rocket
Provides fully-accessible bus service. Buses stop only at Kipling
station, Dundas Street & East Mall Crescent, Terminal 3 (Arrivals
Level), and Terminal 2 (Arrivals Level). Service operates from
approximately 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., seven days a week. One-way
travel time is approximately 20 minutes.
Taxies
& Limousines
At the Airport
you will find both. Limousines are usually better kept and roomier
than taxies. They cost about 15% more. In the city, you only find
taxies. Tips for good service are 15% of the fare.
(Airport
to Downtown Toronto Service)
Bus picks up
on the Arrivals Level of all terminals. All buses are wheelchair
accessible and also have front kneeling doors for easier access.
This is a 24 Hour service. Destinations include the downtown bus
terminal, as well as several major downtown hotels. Connecting
service to other downtown locations is also available for an additional
fee.
Fee schedule:
Downtown to TPIA $14.25 / return-$24.50 (Subject to change).
Students and
seniors receive 10% off one way fares.
For more information
call Pacific Western Airport Express at
(905) 564-6333 or toll free at (800) 387-6787 or visit the web
site of the Airport
Express.
Tour
Buses
You can take
some of the tours organized by Gray Line
Sightseeing Tours (416-594-3310). Or look for a different bus
line in the Yellow pages, for travel to locations outside of Toronto.
(Go Transit)
Go Transit
is a system of buses and trains specifically for commuters from
outside of Toronto, the 'Greater Toronto Area'. They only run
in the morning and in the evening.
You probably won't have any use for it unless you stay with relatives
in a neighboring community.
In that case you can get information at their website.
Taxis
The best way
to get a taxi is to have your hotel desk direct you to the nearest
taxi stand or call one up for you. Many hotels have a taxi stand
right next door. When elsewhere, you can call (via the Yellow
Pages) or hail a cab. The latter may work unless it is rush hour
and it rains :)
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