Toronto Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Practical tips for Toronto

• Get a Presto card for the TTC or tap contactless directly on gates.

• Winters are cold — Toronto's PATH tunnels link most downtown attractions indoors.

• Tipping 15–20% is expected at restaurants and bars.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 911.

• One of North America's safest large cities — downtown safe day + night.

• TTC subway safe late; ridership thins after midnight.

• Winter (Dec–Feb) requires warm layers — –10°C with wind chill common.

• Emergency 911 (all services).

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 180 days. US citizens enter visa-free with passport. Visa-exempt nationals (UK, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia, NZ, GCC + others) need eTA CA$7 before boarding — apply at canada.ca/eta. Everyone else needs Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). US green-card holders enter with passport + green card.

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in Toronto. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.