Toronto Transportation Tips by freddie18 Top 5 Page for this destination

JumpOn JumpOff Tour Bus in Toronto

Tourists in other countries like Paris, France and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the HopOn HopOff Tour Bus will be surprised when they visit Toronto, Canada. Yes, our city has it's own JumpOn JumpOff Tour Bus. You really don't have to 'jump'...all you do is GetOn and GetOff the tour bus when you want to see any of the 30 tourist attractions in the city.

You will be treated to an open top antique double decker bus that stops at the best attractions, sites, shopping, dining, and events that Toronto has to offer. You will have a full historical narration from our knowledgeable tour guide.

Prices, taxes already included, are as follows for your reference.
NOTE: Prices are good at the time of writing this tip. Check the link below to confirm current ticket price.

Adult Cdn$33.00
Senior(65+)/Student Cdn$30.00
Child Cdn$20.00
Family (2 Adult & 2 Child) Cdn$95.00

Just to give you an idea, the duration of tour without getting off the bus is two hours and your unused tour tickets are valid "Everyday of Your Stay".

Come visit us, we'll show you around and see the "True Toronto"

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: Email: info@shopdinetour.com

Phone: 416 463 7467

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.sightseeingtoronto.com/tourinfo.php

The City Lights Cruises is a Nightmare!

Now that summertime is here again, it is about time to post a review of my worst cruise experience right in my own city of Toronto.

I was so excited when I got 16 tickets to go on a City Lights Cruises one end of summer. It's not my first time going on a cruise, but because it's sponsored by a company I work with, I am tempted to go for it. This cruise ship operates and offers dinner cruise in big cities in the US and Canada; New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, Boston and Toronto. Being a resident of Toronto and works in the downtown core, I opted to join the one offered in my city.

Anyways, there are a couple of information that I totally disagree with this cruise for the following reasons. These information are very visible in their website:

* This is not the Ultimate Party on the Water that I expect. I have been to several Toronto harbour cruises and most of them are even better than City Lights Cruises ..... even without the party.
* There is nothing good to discover. No good music to dance around and not enough crew on the boat who smile and welcome guests, with the exception of the Captain and the bartender.
* I did not see a luxury yacht before and after the 3-hour cruise. That is not luxurious to my standard.
* No best decor whatsoever. Please, give me at least one. Be specific.
* Hot buffet? I don't even remember I ate. I already mentioned, not worth it. Not even the snacks (e.g. cookies) that the server has to count while staring at your face making sure that it is your first time to get it. If he is not sure, he will ask.
* There is nothing to congratulate about, so I sent my concerns thru their email and sent another one to their website when I did not get an acknowlegement on my first. Well, their website did not say they will acknowledge receipt of complaints. All that they did say is ~ they love to hear from us whether we have questions, concerns, complaints or congratulations. In this case, they are right, they heard me and that's all they can do.
* I do not want to go into detail on how rude and unfriendly two or three of the crews were. It is totally unacceptable and obviously, not a customer-oriented environment.

As a traveller, it is easy for me to notice the kind of service that any tourism business renders. I will definitely compare with the others. A traveller like me will make a review, recommend and brag about the best cruise or tour ever. More importantly, I warn my friends, were it be my colleagues, friends online and my blogging friends all over the globe.

The City Lights Cruises should not only hear what I am trying to say. They should realize that the reason why I spend time writing my complaint is for them to listen, investigate and take action based on a very detailed information I sent. I just want to help them improve. I gave them two chances to respond.

If you happen to go with the City Lights Cruises whether in the US or Canada, let me know and give me your feedback. I welcome your comments. And maybe, you can give me tips on the best cruise you ever had. There's a lot of good cruises around. I surely don't want anyone of us make the same mistake.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.citylightscruises.com

Via Rail in Toronto is a Perfect 10

Some people think that it might be cheaper flying. I tell them it's not, if they travel with VIA. The price is affordable. They frequently have special promo. The price of the promo tickets does not even cover the taxes if you fly. As for the time it takes, yes the train ride is a solid 5-hour travel outside Canada, but a one hour flight can turn into 3 to 4 hours when you consider the time it takes to get through security and other formalities, not to mention the wait for your checked-in baggages. The Via trip is more relaxing, and the stations are located in city centres, unlike most airports which is located in the suburb. Booking tickets in advance will save you money with the supersaver fare. It gets sold out really quickly, so booking in advance is your best option.

In Via Rail, you have to stand in a long queue to board the train. It did not bother me at all. Last month, on my trip from Toronto to Kingston, it took less than five minutes for a long queue of passengers to board the train.

On my next trip, I am travelling on a business class ticket as adviced by some friends. "Do yourself a favour, dish out the extra dollars and take the business class, you won't regret it", says one of my friends. I want to try and maximize the benefits as much as I can using my Via Preference. Create a profile with Via Preference and be a member. You can accumulate one point for every dollar spent. I got my ticket from Toronto to Kingston for free redeeming my point using this programme. If you are a frequent traveller, take advantage of this, you will be glad you did.

I have travelled on VIA Rail quite a few times between Toronto, Kingston, Montreal and Ottawa and will continue to use their services in order to get between these cities. I really love this train. I can shell out the extra money for the comfort, the service, the speed, and the free WIFI. Personally, I prefer purchasing my train tickets online with VIA Rail. Their website, www.viarail.ca is user-friendly and easy to understand. The staff at the Union Station in Toronto are polite and very efficient whenever I pick up my tickets. The VIA crew are friendly, cheerful, helpful and very professional. Excellent job! Keep up the good work guys! What else can I say?

I've had nothing but friendly service in the 10 years using VIA Rail. With this review, I am giving VIA Rail a perfect 10 as I agree with them, its "A more human way to travel."

Mode: AROUND

Phone: 1 888 842 7245

Type: Train

Website: http://www.viarail.ca

Toronto Ferry Boat

This is the Toronto Island Ferry Boat. The destinations are the three islands which you surely enjoy, Ward's Island, Hanlan's Point, and the Centre Island. The latter is the best for family relaxation, so go for it? There are many other things you can do at the Centre Island aside from relaxation. There is also an Amusement Park for the children. They will surely love it!

You need to board at the Toronto Ferry Docks. It will take approximately 20-30 minutes trip to Centre Island which cost Cdn$6.50 return ticket for Adults. Other prices are: Student and Seniors Cdn$4.00; Juniors under 14 Cdn$3.00. Children under 2 is Free. For monthly passes and schedule of trips to the islands, visit the link I provided below.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip to the islands.

Mode: TO

Phone: 416 392 8193

Type: Ship/Boat

Ferry Boat Loading Docks at Centre Island

The photo shows where to board and disembark while you are at the Centre Island. If you are coming from downtown Toronto, Ferry Docks is located at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay, just West of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The ferry is huge enough with its two-deck which is open to view the beautiful downtown Toronto skyline.

Schedules, maps and direction to the Centre Island can be found on the link I provided below.
Spring - April 17, 2009
Summer - May 30, 2009
Fall - September 8, 2009
Winter - October 13, 2009

Have a safe and enjoyable trip

Mode: TO

Phone: 416 392 8193

Type: Ship/Boat

TTC Subway Sign in Toronto

If you are visiting Toronto or just new here, I would like to help you find our train station easily. In any street in Greater Toronto Area (GTA), you will see the sign board off the sidewalk exactly like the photo I posted here. If you are looking for the train station and you see this sign, then you are in the right direction. Pay your fare on the ticket booth and proceed to the subway train platform. I also posted photos of the subway platform here.

This signboard also means that the TTC buses are also available in most stations. For complete and detailed information about the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), please visit their website or call them and speak in any of its 70 languages.

Toronto subway train is the fastest and convenient way of going around the downtown and the Greater Toronto Area.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: 416 393 4636

Type: Train

Website: http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/

On Foot

Toronto is a city of neighborhoods, each maintaining its own unique identity. There are a series of trails throughout the city's parks, gardens and beaches. You may check the website below for the routes. Many Toronto pedestrians weather the winter chill with help from PATH, a navigable maze of underground walkways and shopping arcades that runs directly beneath the downtown core. The 27-kilometre PATH connects five subway stations, six major hotels, and some of Toronto's main attractions like the Union Station, Roy Thomson Hall, Air Canada Centre, CN Tower, Eaton Centre and City Hall. You may check the maps which is available online on the website I provided below.

You may spend the whole day on the above attractions. Enjoy!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

Website: http://www.toronto.ca

Toronto Taxi

Taking a cab in Toronto is as easy as 1-2-3. There are a host of cab companies in Toronto, but all charge the same base rate of about $4 and charge $0.25 for each additional 0.17 kilometre or $0.40 $0.50 a minute. The easiest cab number to remember is 416-Taxicab, which will connect you to all taxi and airport limousine companies.

Toronto taxi cab fare from Pearson airport to downtown is usually about $50. Standard flat rates to and from the airport are also available. In the downtown area, Toronto taxis can be waved down on the street easily. Some of the taxis in Toronto are: Beck Taxi, City Taxi, Co-op Taxi, Crown Taxi, Diamond Taxi, and Royal Taxi.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: 416-TAXICAB

Type: Car/Motor Home

Streetcars of Toronto

Streetcar route is generally concentrated only in downtown core. It travels through and loops around some of Toronto's most distinct and vibrant neighborhodds. Most streetcars start at around 5:00 AM until 1:30 AM from Monday to Friday. Route and destination schedule is often posted at most major route intersections.

This celebrated streetcar was hailed as one of the ten greatest trolley rides along with tram routes in Berlin, San Francisco, and Hong Kong.

Come along with me. Let's hop on and I will show you why.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

Subway Station -Downsview

I am using this subway station everyday from Monday to Friday on my way to my job in downtown Toronto. Downsview subway station is in the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the subway train system of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and was opened in 1996. It is also the station for TTC for Greater Toronto Area and Viva bus on the Orange line of York Region's Viva bus rapid transit system.

Downsview subway station is huge and convenient to start the trip in the morning.
TTC routes serving the station include:

* 84 Sheppard West, running along Sheppard Avenue, and connecting with Sheppard-Yonge station.
* 101 Parc Downsview Park, limited summer service to Downsview Park
* 105 Dufferin North, on Dufferin Street via Wilson Heights into York Region.
* 106 York University, a local stopping route to York University.
* 107 Keele North, on Keele Street into York Region.
* 108(A) Downsview, serving the Jane and Finch community.
* 117 Alness, serving industrial areas near Dufferin and Steeles.
* 196(A) York University Rocket, an express route to the York University’s main (Keele) campus, Service from Sheppard-Yonge station (196B) now outside peak periods as well.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www3.ttc.ca/