Toronto City Guide - Getting Around

Toronto has a well-developed public transport system, operated by two companies. Principal services in the city centre are run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) (tel: (416) 393 4636; website: www.ttc.ca) and include subway and rapid transit lines, as well as tram and bus routes.

Toronto's three subway lines operate Monday to Saturday 0600-0130 and Sunday 0900-0130. The arms of the U-shaped Yonge-University-Spadina subway extend from Union in the south to Finch and Downsview to the north. The Bloor-Danforth subway connects Etobicoke in the west with Scarborough in the east, where the Scarborough Rapid Transit basically provides an eastward extension to the line. The east-west Sheppard subway serves northeast Toronto.

Streetcars (trams) and buses operate throughout the city centre approximately 0500-0030/0100 Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 0900. These are supplemented by the ‘Blue Night Network' night services from 0130-0500.

Prepaid fares are cheaper and can be purchased at subway stations or from newsagents. These are often handier, as exact change is required on buses and trams. Transfers are available for switching between the subway, bus and tram. A day pass is available and is valid for two adults or an entire family on Sundays and holidays.

GO Transit (tel: (416) 869 3200 or 1 800 438 6646; website: www.gotransit.com) operates rail services from Union Station to suburban destinations to the east and west, as well as GO buses throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Tickets are available from GO train stations, bus terminals, transit ticket agencies and bus drivers. Ticket prices vary depending on distance travelled. Day passes are also available.

Within the city centre, taxis can be hailed at almost any time and also can be found at taxi ranks or ordered by telephone. Most taxis operate as part of one of Toronto's major dispatching companies - Diamond Taxi (tel: (416) 366 6868), Crown Taxi (tel: (416) 750 7878) or Co-op Cabs (tel: (416) 504 2667). Taxi drivers are commonly tipped around 15% of the fare.

Traffic is heaviest during the rush hours (0730-0930 and 1630-1930), particularly on the major motorways leading in and out of the city, which can make driving to the airport a longer than expected ordeal. Toronto is laid out on an easy-to-follow grid system, with a few notable exceptions, such as the Don Valley Parkway, snaking along the ravine east of the city centre. Yonge Street, allegedly the longest street in the world, is the city's main thoroughfare, bisecting the city centre into east and west. Its junction with Bloor Street forms the city's most major and central intersection.

Although there is a lot of street parking available, it is notoriously difficult for drivers to find a spot and many opt for the simpler although slightly more expensive option of parking in a private car park. Canpark (tel: (416) 482 2203) operates a number of 24-hour locations in the city centre.

All major North American car hire companies are represented in Toronto, along with a few local ones, at numerous locations throughout the city. Those with the most central locations and accepting international reservations include Budget, 141 Bay Street (tel: (416) 961 3932; website: www.budget.com), Discount, 730 Yonge Street (tel: (416) 921 1212; website: www.discountcar.com), Hertz, 135 Parliament Street (tel: (416) 363 3559; website: www.hertz.com), National, 65 Front Street West (tel: (416) 364 4191; website: www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty, 191 Parliament Street (tel: (416) 868 0350; website: www.thrifty.com).

Drivers must be at least 23 years old and pay by credit card. North American and European visitors may use national licences. Visitors from other countries are often required to have an International Driving Permit as well.

Bicycle hire in Toronto can be arranged through Cyclepath, 2106 Yonge Street (tel: (416) 487 1717; website: www.thecyclepath.com) and Wheel Excitement, 249 Queen's Quay West, Unit 110 (tel: (416) 260 9000; website: www.wheelexcitement.ca). Wheel Excitement also hires out rollerblades at the same rates. Maps and information on cycling in the city are available from the Toronto Cycling Committee (tel: (416) 392 7592; website: www.toronto.ca/cycling), which has a downloadable cycling map, and the Toronto Bicycling Network (tel: (416) 760 4191; website: www.tbn.on.ca). Riding a bicycle in the winter is not a good idea, due to possible icy road conditions (not to mention the cold).