Toronto is the perfect destination for a short two-day visit as part of a wider exploration of Ontario and the rest of Canada. Cosmopolitan, eclectic, and always surprising, the city is filled to the brim with art, architecture, museums, galleries, restaurants, street culture, and historical monuments, all of which deliver an open invitation to try something unusual, learn something fascinating, eat something new, or discover a secret gem. Two days might not sound like much, but if you know where to go, a 48-hour culture binge of Toronto will leave you pleasantly exhausted and magnificently fulfilled!
Toronto: City of Expectations
As the capital of Ontario, and Canada’s most populous city, Toronto has a lot of expectations to live up to. Set on the northwestern shores of Lake Ontario, it genuinely does punch well above its weight in terms of pretty much everything — from its multicultural diversity and thriving economy and infrastructure, to its global cuisine and world-class arts and culture scene.
You may think that it couldn’t rival the hard-hitters of Europe (places like Barcelona and Paris) in terms of its museums, galleries, monuments, and cultural highlights, but if you’ve got 48 hours, we’d like to change your mind. Put on your walking shoes and take a breath, you’re going to be busy…
Day One
The CN Tower: You can’t miss Toronto’s most iconic structure (literally), which is renowned as a symbol of Canada and held the record as the world’s tallest free-standing structure for more than three decades. Head up to the observation deck and take in the sweeping views from an elevation of 346m, then when you’ve been suitably impressed, go a bit further!
The glass-walled SkyPod is not for the faint-hearted at 447m in the air, and you can actually feel the flex of the tower from up there. Want more? The EdgeWalk is the world’s highest “full circle, hands-free building walk”. Fully harnessed you will slowly make your way around the outer edge of the observation level, 116 stories up. If you’re brave enough, it’s a truly memorable experience.
The CN Tower is Toronto’s most visited attraction, so book ahead and get there early to beat the crowds.
Kensington Market: After the thrills of the CN Tower, wandering around this bustling market is just the ticket to bring you back to earth. Many tourists head to the popular and very busy St Lawrence Market, but for a unique experience, you can’t beat this quirky, bohemian district. Take a couple of hours to explore the vintage shops, multicultural food, street art installations, tiny galleries, and plant nurseries. It really is a slice of local life and a wonderful insight into a different side of the city. The bonus is it’s right next to Chinatown, so you can knock off two fantastic foodie highlights in one go.
The Royal Ontario Museum: Once fortified by a large lunch (or two) at the markets or Chinatown, you’ll be full of energy to explore the exhibits of Canada’s largest museum of culture and natural history. The building itself is an event, with its striking exterior architecture, and once inside you’ll be privy to a stunning collection of more than 18 million exhibits, comprising dinosaur skeletons, meteorites, Egyptian mummies, and art and artifacts from all over the world. Prepare to be wowed.
Day Two
Casa Loma: You may not be expecting a castle in the middle of Toronto, but think again! Casa Loma is an amazing Gothic Revival structure that will make your jaw drop with its scope and magnificence. Built in 1914, it’s a much-loved monument of the city and an important heritage landmark.
You can take a tour or wander around the lavish interiors yourself to explore its secret passages, stately rooms, and unique architecture, then head out to stroll the lush, immaculately kept gardens. Today the castle plays host to a steady stream of events throughout the year, and is also regularly used as a set for film and television shows.
Art Gallery of Ontario: Toronto does love to do things on an impressive scale, and the AGO is another example — it’s one of North America’s largest art museums, home to more than 95,000 works from around the globe. You’ll definitely need a few hours here, so the best advice is to do some research and make a priority list of what you’d like to see.
The huge collection claims to “offer visitors an unparalleled journey through the world of art”, and with exhibits from all over the world spanning centuries, it’s a claim it lives up to. The AGO has a well-earned reputation for providing a truly immersive experience, which takes you on a ride from the classic to the contemporary, covering virtually every artistic genre that exists.
The Old Town: Slow down the pace for your last cultural highlight and take a leisurely wander around Toronto’s Old Town in the early evening, before finding a restaurant for dinner. Old and new peacefully co-exist here, and it’s a fascinating juxtaposition of new, glass-fronted contemporary buildings sitting comfortably alongside the historic Flatiron Building, the Romanesque Gooderham Building, and other beautiful Victorian architecture.
Comprising an area of around ten blocks, this is where the roots of Toronto were planted, and to spend time here is to discover the real heart, soul, and heritage of the city. The aforementioned St Lawrence Market is located in this area (so you can get there after all!), as well as the famous Distillery Historic District, with its charming cobblestoned streets lined with boutiques and galleries.
Of course, two days is never really enough in any destination, but if you pack in these six highlights of Toronto you can be guaranteed a pretty decent glimpse into what makes it tick. And two days is probably just long enough to convince you that you’ll definitely be back…
Where to Stay
SoHo Hotel Toronto: With everything on your doorstep, this sophisticated luxury boutique hotel makes a wonderful base from which to explore the city, waterfront, and cultural highlights at a relaxed, easy pace. The spacious, indulgent rooms feature state-of-the-art comforts and technology, and personalised service from the friendly staff is a given. The high-end onsite facilities include a restaurant, bar, lap pool, fitness centre, and personal fitness coaches.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel: Offering world-class facilities and the promise of celebrity treatment, this stunning hotel takes accommodation in the city up a notch. In a fantastic location opposite Union Station, you can walk to a host of highlights then come home to the expansive onsite facilities. The designer rooms boast a host of luxury extras, and you can make use of three restaurants, a skylit indoor pool, gym, business centre, and multiple bars. A concierge is at your disposal and you can even take a tour of the Fairmont’s historic ballroom.
Shangri-La Toronto: Perfectly located to put many of the city sights within walking distance, this luxury hotel offers charm, comfort and convenience all rolled into one stylish package. Offering city views and high-end appointments, including coffee machine and luxurious soaking tub, the spacious contemporary rooms are just the beginning. Onsite amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant, fitness centre, yoga studio, sauna, juice bar and two bars. There’s nothing left to want!
How to Get There
If you’re planning a holiday to Toronto, you’ll need to book a flight to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), which entails a flight of just over eight hours from the UK. Various operators fly the route including Air Canada (which is the most popular), United, Lufthansa, and Finnair, to name a few. The cheapest time of the year to fly is usually January.
When you land in Toronto, for a quick and easy airport transfer to the city centre, pre-book one of Shuttle Direct’s services before you leave home. We’ll get you from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto without the stress of waiting for public transport or standing around in a taxi queue.
Overview
UK to YYZ Flight Time: 8 hour, 08 mins
YYZ to Toronto: 29 kilometres approx.
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 24 mins approx.
Types of Transfer
Because we know everyone has their own way of travelling, at Shuttle Direct we don’t expect you to take a one-size-fits-all service, and there are various options for your Toronto transfers.
Shuttle Bus: The most popular way to get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto city centre is on one of our shared shuttle buses. Clean, modern, safe and reliable, this is one of the best value services on the market. When your flight lands you’ll go to a designated place in the airport to meet your driver, then board the vehicle with the other passengers and be on your way. While it’s not door-to-door, we offer multiple drop-off points, so you can get as close as possible to your accommodation.
Taxi: The next best thing to a private Toronto transfer is pre-booking a local taxi with Shuttle Direct. The minute your flight lands your friendly driver will be waiting so you can set off without delay — no standing around in the long taxi queue with all the other travellers.
Minibus Transfer: Holidaying with a group of friends or family? Make your Toronto airport transfers easier by pre-booking one of our large capacity minibuses. Everyone gets to travel in one vehicle and it’s a convenient door-to-door service — say goodbye to those stressful logistics!
Private Transfer: If you’re looking to arrive in Toronto in style, and you don’t mind paying for it, one of our luxury private cars with a professional driver is your ideal way to get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto accommodation. As soon as you land, your friendly driver will meet you in the terminal and whisk you to the doorstep of your accommodation in a comfortable, high-end vehicle without delay.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Getting from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto city centre is easy when you pre-book a service with Shuttle Direct. To make your choice, decide whether your priority is cost or convenience and go from there.
Cost: If you’re looking to save your holiday budget for more important things, one of our popular shared shuttle buses from Toronto Pearson to Toronto centre will give you the economy you’re looking for. This service costs less because you share it with other passengers. It’s not door-to-door, but you can choose from multiple stops.
Convenience: If you want the convenience of a door-to-door service and you’re happy to pay a little more, a pre-booked local taxi or one of our luxury private services will suit your Toronto transfer needs. For those travelling with a group, we also offer a door-to-door minibus service.
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct we’ve earned our reputation as one of the world’s leading providers of onward ground transfers to and from a vast range of airports. Our affordable range comprises everything from budget-beating shared shuttle buses to top-of-the-range luxury private rides, so however you like to travel, we have you covered. With excellent communication, friendly local drivers, and safe, reliable vehicles, when you’ve booked with us, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Book your airport transfers with us as soon as you’ve booked your flights to Toronto.
