Visiting Toronto
We hope that your visit to Toronto will be an enjoyable one! On this page you will find an area map, as well as recommendations for accommodation, transportation, and for food near the Centre and in the university area. For general information on the city, please refer to our guide to Toronto’s attractions, consult Tourism Toronto for guides to area tours and festivals, or peruse BlogTO’s comprehensive restaurant guide.
Recommendations for Accommodation
The Anndore House (416-924-1222 or 1-888-553-1300) is a modern, upscale hotel about 10 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Prices start at $238 CAD/night.
Beverly Place Bed and Breakfast (416-977-0077) is a bed & breakfast in a restored Victorian building about 15 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Prices start at $125 CAD/night.
The Chelsea Hotel Toronto (1-800-243-5732) is a modern hotel about 20 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Prices start at $195 CAD/night.
The Kimpton Saint George Hotel (416-968-0010) is an upscale hotel about 10-15 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Contact your conference organizer to inquire about preferred rates. Prices start at $299 CAD/night.
The Madison Manor Boutique Hotel (416-922-5572 or 1-877-561-7048) is a bed & breakfast in a restored Victorian home about 20 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Prices start at $159 CAD/night.
The Town Inn Suites (416-964-3311 or 1-800-387-2755) is a modern, all-suite hotel about 10 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Prices start at $211 CAD/night.
The Victoria’s Mansion Guest House (416-921-4625) is a quiet lodging house about 10 minutes’ walk from the CRRS. Note that because of the property’s historic Victorian architecture, there is no on-site elevator. Prices start at $109 CAD/night.
Rentals at Campus Residences
One can also find more economical rates at various University of Toronto student residences. Victoria University Residence Services offers rooms in the Burwash Bed & Breakfast guest house during the Fall and Winter terms, and places in the Victoria student residences during the Summer term, all of which are only steps from CRRS.
Other residences on campus only slightly farther away (5 minute walk) can offer cheaper rates, like Massey Hall & New College. The Chestnut Residence provides another affordable option a little further away from the CRRS (20 minute walk).
Recommendations for Transportation
From Pearson International Airport
- Public Transit: The Airport Rocket provides all-day, regular accessible express bus service between Pearson International Airport and Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway. Travel time is about 45 minutes and would cost the value of a TTC fare ($3.25 CAD as of 2019). From Kipling Station, travel eastbound to St. George Station.
- Airport Taxis & Limos: Taxis to hotels in downtown Toronto cost between $50 CAD and $60 CAD, plus tip, and take about 40 mins. Limousines are comfortable sedans that operate similarly to taxis, but offer a higher standard of service and newer vehicles; limo travel to hotels in downtown Toronto costs between $55 CAD and $65 CAD, plus tip. The City of Toronto licenses the car services at Toronto Pearson International Airport to ensure safety standards and fare consistency. Rates are predetermined based on the time and distance to your destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Airport limos can be booked in advance (416-445-1999).
- Union-Pearson Express: The UP Express is a light rail line with trains running every 15 minutes, from 5am to 1am daily. Travel time to downtown is approx. 25 minutes, and costs $12.35 one way. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or in person from kiosks at any UP Express stop.
- Airport Express Shuttle: The Airport Express takes about 40 minutes to reach downtown Toronto and costs about $23.95 CAD one way (plus tip). The Airport Express Shuttle runs from the arrivals terminal at Pearson International Airport to downtown Toronto hotels every 20 minutes during peak periods, or 30 minutes during non-peak times. Call for more information (905-564-6333 or 905-564-3232).
From Billy Bishop Airport
- Public Transit: From the airport take Porter Airline’s complimentary shuttle to Union Station. From Union Station travel north on the University-Spadina line to St. George Station ($3.25 TTC fare).
- Taxis: There is a taxi rank immediately upon exiting the airport. Standard city rates will apply.
- Airport Shuttle: A complimentary express shuttle bus runs between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Downtown Toronto (Union Station). The shuttle is open to anyone going to the airport, whether or not they are travelling.
Recommendations for Food
Restaurants and Bars within walking distance of the University of Toronto
Amal, 131 Bloor St. W. 2nd Floor, 416-551-9929 ($$, Lebanese)
Bar Mercurio, 270 Bloor St. W., 416-960-3877 ($$$$, Italian)
Dimmi Bar & Trattoria, 140 Cumberland St., 416-975-1100 ($$, light Italian fare)
Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Ave., 416-964-2441 ($$, pub fare)
Dynasty Chinese Cuisine, 69 Yorkville Ave., 416-923-3323 ($$$, Chinese)
Fresh, 326 Bloor St. W., 416-599-4442 ($$, vegan)
Gatsby (in Windsor Arms Hotel), 18 St. Thomas St., 416-971-9666 ($$$$, upscale Canadian)
Harbord House, 150 Harbord St., 647-430-7365 ($$, pub fare)
Hemingway’s Restaurant & Bar, 142 Cumberland St., 416-968-2828 ($$, pub fare)
Host Fine Indian Cuisine, 14 Prince Arthur Ave., 416-962-4678 ($$, Indian)
Kasa Moto, 115 Yorkville Ave., 647-348-7000 ($$$, upscale Japanese on a rooftop patio)
Morton’s Steakhouse (inside Hyatt), 4 Avenue Rd., 416-925-0648 ($$$$, upscale steakhouse fare)
Opus, 37 Prince Andrew Ave., 416-921-3105 ($$$$)
The Oxley Public House, 121 Yorkville Ave., (647) 348-1300 ($$$, upscale pub fare)
Planta Yorkville, 1221 Bay St., 647-812-1221 ($$, plant-based dishes)
Sassafraz, 100 Cumberland St., 416-964-2222 ($$$$, French-inspired Canadian)
Sushi Inn, 120 Cumberland St., 416-923-9992 ($$, Japanese)
Trattoria Nervosa, 75 Yorkville Ave., (416) 961-4642 ($$$, Italian)
Utsav, 69 Yorkville Ave., 416-961-8349 ($$, Indian)
Yamato, 24 Bellair St., 416-927-0077 ($$, Japanese)
Cafes on and near Campus
Aroma Espresso Bar, 1110 Bay St.
b Espresso Bar, 273 Bloor Street West (located in the Royal Conservatory of Music)
L’ Espresso Bar Mercurio, 321 Bloor St. W.
Nespresso Boutique Bar, 159 Cumberland St.,
Second Cup Bloor and Spadina, 324 Bloor St. W.
Second Cup St. Joseph and Bay, 1000 Bay St. Unit 101
Starbucks Bloor and Bedford, 1 Bedford Rd.
Lunch on and near Campus
Calii Love, 1235 Bay St., 647-343-5683 ($$, poke bowls & breakfast – vegan and gluten-free offerings)
Clay Restaurant at the Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park, 416-586-8086 ($$)
Kupfert & Kim, 83 Critchley Lane, 416-925-1222 ($$, meatless & gluten-free)
Gallery Grill, Hart House, (416) 978-2445 ($$$)
Scaccia, Manulife Centre, Concourse level, 55 Bloor St. West, 416-963-9864 ($, Italian lunch fare)
Whole Foods Café (ground floor) and Supermarket (take the escalator), 87 Avenue Rd.