Toronto travel tips: Hotels and flights to Toronto

Why visit Toronto?

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and one that many visitors think of as its premier tourist destination. Of course, the outback of Canada is also worth visiting, but if you like city breaks, then Toronto should be on your wish list. For one thing, the city is a great place for foodies. Its cuisine has a world-class reputation, and you'll find amazing restaurants in Toronto.

Don't think that an urban adventure in Toronto would mean missing out on the great Canadian outdoors, either. There are plenty of hiking trails in the Don Valley, not far from central Toronto. The city also has emblematic waterfronts to enjoy. High Park also gives the city a very outdoor ambience, so you won't need to feel trapped in your hotel room when holidaying there.

Toronto is often regarded as a safe city. Although it is like any other urban environment – and the usual precautions should be taken – this is largely true. As such, it is a good destination for family holidays as well as solo trips.

Tips on family trips to Toronto

Family flights to Toronto are often best booked three months or more in advance. When flights are usually close to being fully booked, last-minute deals for four or more are rare. This is often the case between Europe and Canada, so you're not guaranteed to find such low-cost deals if you're travelling together.

Generally speaking, hotels in Toronto are warm and inviting. They are nearly always family-friendly and will have cots or adjoining rooms if you have older kids. If you want interconnecting rooms, then it is worth booking in advance because these can be in short supply in city centre hotels.

Families should note that there are some great islands worth exploring, not far from the city centre. Just head to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, located at Bay Street and Queens Quay. From there, you can reach Centre Island, a great place to hire bikes and explore. You'll find some superb beaches and picnic areas on the island that are worth spending a sunny day on.

If it is raining and you need to keep kids entertained, then check out Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. This place is packed with marine life, including sharks. There is even an underwater tunnel you can walk through, which feels like you're inhabiting their world. There are also several child-friendly cinemas and indoor play parks for rainy days.

FAQs about Toronto holidays

Q: Which month is the cheapest to fly to Toronto?

A: Depending on where you are travelling from, the best time to book flights to Toronto is in the New Year. This is largely due to the colder climate in the country in January. As soon as the temperatures start to rise, so does the cost of airfare for flights to Toronto.

Q: What is the cheapest way to get from London to Toronto?

A: In most cases, the cheapest way to get from London to Toronto is by booking early-morning or late-evening flights, which are the least popular. Sometimes, booking a flight to a European air hub, such as Amsterdam, results in cheaper airfare. If you don't mind a stopover, then Lisbon in Portugal and Reykjavik in Iceland are both places worth looking into.

Q: What day of the week is the cheapest to book flights in Canada?

A: This depends because flights to Canada are generally more expensive in the run up to Christmas, Easter and the school summer holidays. That said, outside of those times, flying on a Sunday is often the best way to secure the most favourable pricing and best flight deals.