Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto

Toronto is a hugely popular destination on a holiday to Canada and being the fourth-largest city in North America, there is so much to see and do here.

It doesn’t matter whether it is your first-ever visit to the city or you just love Toronto so much that you visit every year, lots of people have questions about the city. In this guide, we answer the frequently asked questions about Toronto to save you spending hours of research looking for the answers elsewhere.

Answering FAQs about Toronto

•Where is Toronto located? Is Toronto in Ontario?

•What is Toronto famous for?

•Is Toronto expensive?

•Is it safe in Toronto?

•What is the time difference in Toronto?

•How far is Niagara Falls from Toronto?

•Why is Toronto called the 6?

•Where do Toronto Maple Leafs play and where do Toronto Raptors play?

•Which Toronto Island is the best to visit?

•Which Toronto museums are free?

Where is Toronto located? Is Toronto in Ontario?

These are two of the most frequently asked questions about Toronto and they both are asking about the location of the city.

Toronto is located on the north-western shore of Ontario Lake in the province of Ontario, which is in Eastern Canada. If you have booked flights to Toronto and are wondering how far it is to fly to the city, then it takes just under 8 hours from the UK.

What is Toronto famous for?

Toronto is famous for many things. From its bustling streets, famous waterfront skyline, and its renowned food scene to its iconic attractions which include the CN Tower, Toronto Zoo, and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, as well as being a gateway to the world-famous Niagara Falls.

Linda Hoang, a Canadian blogger who runs her own travel blog, says she really enjoyed visiting the CN Tower: “In Toronto, we took a 58-second glass elevator up 1,136 feet (346 metres) to the CN Tower’s LookOut Level, to look out over beautiful Toronto. We also stopped on the Glass Floor and checked out the Outdoor SkyTerrace (it’s pretty windy up there/out there!) I couldn’t convince Mike to do the EdgeWalk with me (that’s the attraction where you walk and lean out on the edge of the tower, eep!!!) but maybe that’s something we can try on our return visit.”

Toronto is also famous for being one of the world’s most multicultural cities as it is home to districts such as Chinatown, Koreatown, Greektown, Little Italy, and Little Portugal.

Shopping is something else that the city is associated with as it is home to the Eaton Center, which is the busiest shopping centre in North America, as well as Yorkville and its high-end boutiques. The shopping doesn’t stop there as you can visit iconic markets like Kensington Market and St. Lawrence Market which serve top-quality food, clothes and other goods that are perfect for a souvenir.

Toronto is home to several sports teams, and these include the 2019 NBA champions the Toronto Raptors, the ice hockey team Toronto Maple Leafs, and the baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays.

READ MORE: A guide to Toronto’s neighbourhoods

Is Toronto expensive?

Toronto is expensive to live in, with one study revealing that it is the 89^th costliest city in the world. Although the cost of living in the city is high, if you are looking for Toronto holidays and are on a budget then there are certain times of the year that are slightly cheaper than others. After the summer, flight prices tend to drop as Toronto is slightly cooler and quieter in the likes of autumn and during the winter months.

Even if you decide to visit Toronto at its busiest time during the summer you can still find some great deals on flights and hotels and with the various food markets in the city you can also pick up some cheap food during your visit.

Is it safe in Toronto?

Toronto is one of the safest cities in the world to visit so you can explore the city, its neighbourhoods and its attractions without having to worry about your safety.

In fact, according to the 2021 Safe Cities Index by The Economist, it is the second-safest city in the world behind only Copenhagen. This study looks at the digital security, health security, personal security, infrastructure security, and environmental security of cities across the globe.

READ MORE: Toronto vs Vancouver: which city should you visit?

What is the time difference in Toronto?

Another frequently asked question about Toronto is to do with the time difference. The United Kingdom is 5 hours ahead of Toronto, so if it is 11am in the United Kingdom then it is 6am in Toronto.

How far is Niagara Falls from Toronto?

Niagara Falls is one of the world’s biggest waterfalls and it is on the bucket list of many travellers. Toronto offers you the perfect gateway to this natural wonder as it is just 80 miles away from Toronto and is around a 1 hour and 45 minutes’ drive from the city. You can either drive with a car hire from Toronto, take the bus or get on a train from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

There are lots of ways you can experience Niagara Falls and Lauren Yakiwchuk, from Justin Plus Lauren, says she loved going on a cruise to the foot of the falls.

She says: “If there’s one truly iconic Niagara Falls experience, it’s the Niagara City Cruises boat tour (formerly Hornblower Niagara Cruises). It’s also the only boat tour operating in Niagara Falls, Canada. If you want to get as close as possible to the Falls by water, this is the tour to take. Pull that bright red rain poncho over your head and come experience Niagara Falls!”

If you are spending a few days at Niagara Falls you can venture to the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario’s wine region, or visit one of the attractions around the falls.

READ MORE: 48 hours in Niagara Falls

Why is Toronto called the 6?

Toronto is called the 6 thanks to rapper Drake, who refers to his hometown as the 6 when he named his album, ‘Views from the 6’.

The name is believed to have been created due to the area codes of the city, 416 and 647, and it is now a permanent part of Toronto’s identity.

READ MORE: Canada – a year in search

Where do Toronto Maple Leafs play and where do Toronto Raptors play?

Both these teams play at the Scotiabank Arena, previously known as Air Canada Centre, which is a multi-purpose arena located on Bay Street in the South Core district of Downtown Toronto.

Ice hockey team Toronto Maple Leafs and basketball team Toronto Raptors are two of the most well-known and best-supported teams in the city and naturally, visitors want to experience the buzz of attending a game which is why so many people want to find out about where they can watch them play.

READ MORE: A guide to Canada’s sports teams

Which Toronto Island is the best to visit?

The Toronto Islands are a must-visit when you are visiting the city and being just a 15-minute ferry from Toronto’s Queen’s Quay Terminal, they are really easy to get to, but which Toronto Island is the best to visit?

Made up of 15 islands all linked together by connecting bridges, the Toronto Islands offer you an assortment of attractions and activities.

Centre Island is without question the most popular section of the Toronto Islands. There are more ferries departing from downtown Toronto to Centre Island than any other part of the Toronto Islands and with its beach and one of the best views of the Toronto skyline, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that so many people head here.

You can rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard to enjoy the wildlife found in and around the lagoon and the open waters around the islands. The amusement park and Franklin Children’s Garden are perfect if you are on a family holiday in Toronto. If you love your history then a must-visit is the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse in the Great Lakes and the second oldest in all of Canada.

Which Toronto museums are free?

History buffs were delighted when the City of Toronto made general admission permanently free at 10 history museums and sites. The museums and historic sites which are now free to visit are:

•Colborne Lodge

•Fort York National Historic Site

•Gibson House Museum

•Mackenzie House

•Market Gallery

•Montgomery’s Inn

•Scarborough Museum

•Spadina Museum

•Todmorden Mills

•Zion Schoolhouse

This article looks at answering some of the most frequently asked questions about Toronto. From where its sports teams play to how far Niagara Falls is from the city, we hope this guide will help you to plan a holiday to Canada and a visit to Toronto. If you need more information, then our experts will be on hand to create the perfect trip for you. For more articles like this, check out the blog section of our website.