Toronto

Anyone heading to Toronto on business will find the city easily accessible by air, road, rail, and water. International visitors traveling by air will arrive at the Lester B. Pearson International Airport about 27 miles west of Toronto and connected to the city by highways 401, 409, and 427. Scheduled corporate and private flights also use Toronto City Centre Airport, a small airport on the Toronto Islands.

There are several ways to approach Toronto by road. Major roads from the west include highways 401, 402, and Queen Elizabeth Way, with highways 401 and 402 also providing entry from the east. From the north, highway 400 connects with highway 401. From the south, the main approach routes pass through either Detroit or Buffalo. Travelers coming from Buffalo can follow Queen Elizabeth Way, while highway 401 provides the most direct route from Detroit. Train travelers will arrive at Toronto's Union Station, within walking distance of the city's financial district, hotels, and shops. For those approaching by boat, Toronto has comprehensive boater services and docking facilities.

From January 2007, travelers entering Canada by air or sea have been required to show passports or PASS cards to re-enter the United States. From the beginning of 2008, this requirement will also apply to all visitors crossing the border into Canada by land. The PASS card is a form of identification for Americans that costs less than a passport and can be obtained more quickly.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) system makes it easy for business travelers to get around Toronto. If you're going to appointments within the city itself, you can use the TTC to travel by bus, streetcar, or subway or any combination of the three. You can use a single fare for a one-way journey in the city and can transfer from one method of transport to another during the trip. When you know you will be transferring, make sure you obtain a transfer at the time you pay your fare.

It is quite likely that your business interests will also require you to travel to outlying areas of Toronto and even beyond. For such trips, you can use Ontario's inter-regional train and bus service known as GO Transit. Buses and trains from this service leave the Union Station during the day at regular intervals. For appointments within walking distance of your accommodation, or to give yourself some exercise during your stay, try the Toronto underground walkway, PATH. This covers 27 kilometres and takes you through the city's unique network of underground pathways through the world's largest underground shopping complex.

Business travelers who prefer to take a taxi will find this easy in Toronto, where a variety of taxi companies operate metered vehicles. If you have your own car, you'll find Toronto's street system easy to follow and well signed. Be careful to read and follow directions for paying for parking to ensure your car is not towed away.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

When you have the chance to take time off during a business trip, you'll find Toronto has more than enough for you to see and do in your leisure hours. One way to find out what the city has to offer and to see many of its special sights at the same time is to take a tour. You can board a double decker bus for a hop-on hop-off journey around Toronto, join a walking tour, take to the skies in a sightseeing helicopter, or enjoy a harbour cruise and see the city from the water.

There are also many cultural attractions for business travelers in Toronto. Art galleries, museums, and theatres abound. Historical attractions are many and varied, including the opportunity to see heritage buildings, ride the Heritage Train from Unionville, and tour the campus of the University of Toronto that was founded in 1827.

When you have half a day or a day to spare in Toronto, there are many destinations where you can easily spend a few happy hours wandering around and relaxing. Head for the Rouge Valley and visit Toronto Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the world, or take time to visit the Ontario Space Centre with its fascinating insights into the world of science and technology. At both places you can use picnic spots or buy food from the on-site restaurants and snack bars.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

With more than 7,000 restaurants throughout Toronto, you'll never have to wonder where you will eat in the city. All you have to do is decide between the many types of cuisine they have to offer. As an extremely multicultural city, Toronto has eateries that provide the opportunity to sample food from around the world, with something to suit every taste and budget.

Wherever your business takes you, you will find a restaurant in the area. In downtown Toronto, you'll be within reach of the authentic Chinese cuisine of Chinatown, the bohemian cafes of Kensington Market, the fresh produce of St Lawrence Market, the trendy eateries of Queen St West, and the clubs and restaurants of the Entertainment District. Go to midtown Toronto and you'll find yourself enjoying some fine dining in the elegant Bloor/Yorkville area, sitting in a trendy bar in the Church Street area known as the Gay Village, or sampling Italian or Portuguese food in the College Street West neighbourhood known as Little Italy.

In east Toronto, you can savour the food offerings in Greektown and Little India, or relax in the laid-back atmosphere of The Beaches area in Queen Street East. West Toronto has more Italian restaurants and cafes and is also the home of an area known as Little Poland. Here, you'll find a number of eateries that specialize in the cuisine of Eastern Europe.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

There is a vast range of accommodation for business travelers in Toronto. The choice you make will depend on your needs, such as the budget available to you, the facilities you require, and the length of your stay in Toronto. From luxury hotels to budget properties, the city can provide you with a place to stay and the services you need.

If you plan only a short stay in Toronto for business purposes, you may find it convenient to book accommodation close to the airport. You can stay in a hotel on the airport complex itself, or go just slightly further a field to Airport and Dixon Roads where various chain hotels are located. Like many other hotels in Toronto, these are particularly aware of the needs of the business traveler and can provide you with such facilities as Internet access. They also offer health clubs and pools where you can relax after a long day, and on-site restaurants so you don't have to worry about finding a place to eat.

In Toronto itself you will find all types of accommodation. Hotels, resorts, bed and breakfast establishments, and budget properties such as youth hostels are among the options available. Once again, you will have no trouble finding accommodation that understands the needs of business travelers and can cater for them.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

No matter how pressing your business matters are, you will be doing yourself a favour by putting aside some time to shop while you are in Toronto. From department stores to local markets, you'll find a fascinating range of outlets. If you fancy a touch of class, take a trip to the antique shops and designer boutiques of the picturesque Bloor-Yorkville area. For a spectacular setting, try the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto with its hundreds of stores. The Centre is part of the PATH underground shopping concourse with many retail outlets and restaurants.

For trendy shopping in a waterfront community setting, head for The Beaches, a former resort that is now popular with visitors and has Queen Street East as it main shopping strip. Bargain hunters should make a beeline for Fashion District on Spadina Avenue where you'll find many local designer fashions. Another favourite destination for keen shoppers is Kensington Market near Toronto's Chinatown where you can browse around the vintage clothing stores. For trendy clothes and accessories, head for the SoHo Strip of Queen Street West, one of Toronto's most fashionable areas, where you will find some of the most up-to-the-minute clothes and shoes.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

There's always something happening in Toronto, so whatever time of the year you are there, you will find something to interest you in the leisure time available. If you can plan your trip for whatever time of the year you like, you may find one of the city's many special events has particular interest for you. In that case, you can time your visit to coincide with the event.

A major international event that takes place each year is the Toronto International Film Festival. Open to the public, this is held in Toronto each September, starting on the first Monday and continuing for 10 days. A variety of downtown Toronto venues are used for screening more than 300 films during the festival.

If you enjoy street festivals, try to schedule your business trip to Toronto for some time between mid July and early August when the Caribana Festival takes place. Based on the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, it is one of the largest annual streets festivals in North America. Each year Caribana attracts more than one million people to the Lake Short Boulevard in Toronto and brings more than 100,000 tourists to the city.

Another popular Toronto festival is Pride Week. Held in mid June, this is one of the world's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) festivals. Events include cultural activities, street fairs, and entertainment, culminating in a huge street parade.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Taking time out during a business trip to relax and recharge your batteries can work wonders, leaving you refreshed and ready for the next day's work. While in Toronto, business travelers have the opportunity to enjoy the city's entertaining nightlife in a variety of ways. Whether you are looking for an amusing few hours in a comedy club, a karaoke night, a few drinks with friends, or some seriously energetic dancing, the city has something to offer you.

For a choice of clubs, try such areas as College Street, Bloor West, and Kensington Market, as well as Spadina Avenue, Yorkville, The Danforth, and Queen Street West. Whatever your taste, whether you prefer rock `n' roll, jazz, hip-hop, or any other type of music, you'll find something to suit you. If you're looking for a dance venue, you'll find a number of dance clubs in College Street, St Clair West, Yorkville, and the Yonge-Eglinton area. Theatre restaurants and comedy clubs can also be found, and if you feel like really relaxing with a song, try one of Toronto's many karaoke bars where you can match your vocal skills with the best of them.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

There are times when business travelers with special needs require assistance. For such travelers, help is readily available in Toronto. For people with physical disabilities, for example, the city has taken care to ensure that access to various places is as easy as possible. There are special parking privileges for people with the appropriate passes or plates that allow them to park in "no parking" zones, and curb cuts throughout the city area have been made to facilitate movement. The Toronto Transit Commission also provides Wheel-Trans, using accessible vehicles such as buses and vans to provide a door-to-door service for people with disabilities. This service needs to be booked a day in advance of needing it. Many Toronto venues, such as hotels and restaurants, are also well equipped with access for people with disabilities.

For members of the gay community, Toronto also provides special help in accordance with its standing as having one of the biggest gay communities in North America. The area of Toronto to the north and south of the Church and Wellesley Streets intersection is known as the Gay Village. Dance clubs, cafes, restaurants and community centres are all within easy reach of this area.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303