CRRS

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.

Hotels near the CRRS

The Rex Hotel (416.598.2475) is a boutique hotel and live music venue located in the heart of Toronto’s busy downtown, a 10 minute walk away from some of Toronto’s greatest attractions.

Yorkville Royal Sonesta (416.960.5200) is an upscale hotel located in the heart of Toronto’s Culture Corridor on the renowned Mink Mile.

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 $419 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. CRRS has arranged a preferred rate at the Chelsea Hotel with rooms starting at $229 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 $487 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 $240 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 $301 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

Getting to the Conference

The TTC is Toronto’s public transit network of buses, subway trains, and streetcars. The closest TTC subway stations to the University of Toronto are St. George Station and Museum Station. Maps and schedules for the TTC are available online.

To travel on the TTC, you need either a PRESTO preloaded card; or single-ride, two-ride, or PRESTO day-pass tickets; or exact cash. Tickets can be purchased at fare vending machines in Toronto subway stations or in Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Toronto. Single fares cost $3.35 for an adult, $2.30 for seniors (65+) and $2.40 for youth (age 13-19). Single-ride, two-ride and day-pass tickets are sold at only TTC adult fare rates; they are not available at youth or senior rates. Children aged 0-12 ride free on the TTC.

A PRESTO card is a preloadable payment card that is valid on the TTC, as well as on the GO Transit, Union-Pearson Express, and 8 other public transit systems in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton. Presto cards cost $6, and can be purchased in person at TTC subway station fare vending machines, select UP Express stations (TVMs at Pearson, Union, and Weston stations only), and Shoppers Drug Mart retail stores. Funds can then be preloaded on the card to use for fare payment (a minimum load of $0.50c)

Go Transit is a regional transit service of trains and buses that connects the city of Toronto with cities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. The GO Transit hub in Toronto is at Union GO Station and Union GO Bus terminal.

Fares depend on the distance travelled between two specified points, called fare zones. Children 12 years and under are free. PRESTO cards are valid on the GO Transit, and you can also pay your fare by tapping your debit or credit card on the Presto fare device. Schedules and fare information are available online; tickets can be purchased online as well.

To get to the University of Toronto, walk from the GO Train platforms or the GO Bus Terminal at Union Station to the TTC subway, and take the University-Spadina line north to St. George Station (additional $3.35 TTC fare applies).

VIA Rail is Canada’s national passenger rail service, offering intercity rail services connecting large cities as well as smaller regions across Canada. The VIA Rail hub is at Union Station in Toronto, from where passengers can connect to the TTC or GO Transit. 

To get to the University of Toronto, walk from the VIA Rail platforms at Union Station to the TTC subway, and take the University-Spadina line north to St. George Station (additional $3.35 TTC fare applies).

Interior of the Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Pearson Airport is the major air hub for the Toronto metropolitan area and Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe. It is located North West of the Toronto city centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

By TTC:

TTC buses connect Pearson International Airport to the TTC subway lines, on which you can travel to downtown Toronto. There are TTC bus stops at both Terminal 1 (Ground level) and Terminal 3 (Arrivals level).

  • The 900S Airport Express provides all-day, regular accessible express bus service between Pearson International Airport and Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway. From Kipling Station, travel eastbound to St. George Station. Travel time is about 25 minutes from the airport to Kipling Station and a further half hour from Kipling to St. George station. The cost of the total trip is a TTC fare ($3.35 TTC fare)
  • The 952 and 52A Lawrence West bus routes provide all-day, regular accessible bus service between Pearson Airport and Lawrence Station with a connecting stop to the subway at Lawrence West Station. From Lawrence West Station, travel south on the subway to St. George Station. The trip should take around 45 minutes. ($3.35 TTC fare)

Schedules and ticket information for TTC buses from Pearson airport can be found online.

Union-Pearson Express: The UP Express is a light-rail line between Pearson Airport and Union Station downtown with stops in between at Weston Station and Bloor GO station. Trains run every 15 minutes, from 5am to 1am daily. The UP Express station at Pearson Airport is at Terminal 1. To travel between Terminal 3 and Terminal 1, please take the Terminal Link Train.

To get to the University of Toronto, get off at the Bloor GO station ($5.65 one way; $11.30 return) and walk (approx. 4 minutes) to Dundas West Station on the TTC subway. Head east to St. George Station (additional $3.35 TTC fare required).

Tickets for the UP Express can be purchased online in advance, or in person from kiosks at any UP Express stop. PRESTO cards are valid on the UP Express, and you can also now pay your fare by tapping the PRESTO payment device at UP Express stations with your debit or credit card.

Schedules and further information can be found here.

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).

A number of further options to get to and from the airport are listed on Pearson’s website.

Billy Bishop Airport runways with the CN town in the backgorund

Billy Bishop Airport is a regional airport located on Toronto Island. Its central location is in close proximity to the University of Toronto’s St. George campus and Toronto’s downtown area.

  • Public Transit (ferry, shuttle bus, and subway): From the airport terminal, you can cross to the mainland by either taking the ferry (free for pedestrians) or walking through the pedestrian tunnel. Catch the complimentary shuttle bus from the mainland in front of the Main Terminal / Passenger Access Tunnel Building to downtown on the west side of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (across from Union Station). The shuttle is open to anyone going to the airport, whether or not they are travelling. Walk from the shuttle drop-off point to Union subway station and travel north on the University-Spadina line to either Museum Station or St. George Station ($3.35 TTC fare).
  • Taxis: There is a taxi stand immediately upon exiting the airport, just outside the ferry terminal. Standard city rates will apply.

Parking Information

Parking close to the venue is available for $16 per day from 8am to 7pm. You must purchase the parking spot at the front desk of Margaret Addison Hall (the pin on the map shows where the entrance is, from the driveway)  on a first come first serve basis.
Annesley Hall – 8 spaces
MAH (Margaret Addison Hall) Quad – 6 Spaces
MAH North – 12 Spaces 

For further assistance, we recommend searching for available parking options around Victoria College, Toronto on the Parkopedia website.

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.