How to Get Around in Toronto – Your Options for Traversing a Dynamic City

 There will be many good ways to get around the charming city of Toronto in Canada. To use the surface public transportation – including streetcars and buses – you will need either a Presto Card, a ticket, a token or the exact fare in change. You will enjoy several benefits by availing yourself of a Presto Card for your travels as well. The basic options for getting around Toronto are described below.

Aaron Davis, Toronto Skyline Summer 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0

By Subway

You will find that the Toronto subway would be a great means of getting around the city, as it happens to be clean and easy to use. The two principal subway lines would be the Bloor-Danforth line and the Yonge-University-Spadina line; there also are two lesser lines, namely Sheppard in the city’s northern region and Scarborough in the city’s north-eastern area. You will find that the subway functions from 6 am to 1:30 am Monday through Saturday and from 8 am to 1:30 am on Sunday. Additionally, the Blue Night Network service runs on the basic routes from 1 am to 5 am.

By Bus / Streetcar

Travelling by bus or streetcar will also be a good choice in the city. You will find that these services run on the north-south and east-west axes along the arteries of the city. An accommodation choice to consider that you could easily reach by bus, as well as subway, would be Pan Pacific Toronto which may be regarded as one of the conveniently located hotels in North York, Toronto. As you pay the fare for the subway, bus or streetcar you should always take care to obtain a transfer to avoid paying again when switching to another transportation mode. You will find that taking a streetcar would be an interesting experience as you explore the attractions of the city as well.

By Taxi and Rideshare

As you might expect, travelling by taxi would be a convenient and comfortable way of getting about in Toronto, but will be expensive just as it would be in many other cities. When riding a taxi, you will be obliged to pay the base fare as well as an added charge for additional distances. It would be possible to hail taxis on the roads, find them near large hotels and obtain them by calling the major taxi companies. Alternatively, you may also use Uber or Lyft to hail rides in Toronto.

By Ferry

Many people opt to take day trip excursions to the Toronto Islands by ferry to enjoy the striking city views and various outdoor pursuits. Keep in mind that the ferries would depart from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal; you will find that ferries to the Toronto Island Park happen to be run by the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.

By Car

Although Toronto happens to be an expansive city, travelling by rental car will not always be the best option. You may experience traffic jams during rush hours and roadwork in the warmer months, while parking could be expensive. However, if you still desire to rent a car to get about, making arrangements ahead of time would be prudent; you will find that several car rental firms have outlets at the international airport. It would also be advisable to make sure that you will have adequate insurance before renting a car. Naturally, you will be expected to follow the relevant traffic rules when driving in Toronto.

By Bicycle

As Toronto is a rather flat city, exploring it by bicycle will be a reasonably good option that is eco-friendly too. In recent years, the cycling culture has caught on, with separate bicycle lanes on some main roads. Cycling enthusiasts could also make use of the mixed-use trails which extend through the city. Cyclists will additionally have the chance to easily explore the Toronto Islands, a locality where cars are prohibited.