Toronto on a Budget: Art, Eats, and Adventure

Experience Toronto's charm without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

A trip to Toronto, Canada on a limited budget can still be exciting and enjoyable. There are many free or low-cost activities, such as visiting the CN Tower, exploring the waterfront, and browsing Queen Street West's trendy shops and galleries. Economical accommodation options like hostels, Airbnb and less popular hotels are also available.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

City Sights and Street Eats

  • Check into the Travelodge Hotel Toronto, located near the exciting Queens Street West neighborhood
  • Grab a coffee and pastry at the trendy Dark Horse Espresso Bar
  • Admire the panoramic views of the city from the top of the CN Tower
  • Take a stroll through the sprawling Kensington Market and sample international street food
  • Catch a live show or movie at the historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
  • End the day with a slice of the signature Hawaiian pizza from the infamous Pizza Pizza chain
Day 2

Art, History, and a Classic Canadian Brunch

  • Start the day with a hearty breakfast at the quirky Saving Gigi, featuring dishes like Montreal-style bagels and crepes
  • Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario to see works by Canadian and international artists, including a major collection by the famed Group of Seven
  • Learn about the city's history at the interactive and multimedia-filled Museum of Toronto
  • Walk along the picturesque waterfront and stop for a refreshing drink at Amsterdam BrewHouse
  • Finish off the trip with a taste of Canadian cuisine at the charming diner Lakeview Restaurant, featuring classics like poutine and butter tart pie.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Toronto by plane is to fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport, which has connections to many major cities around the world.

Car

Driving to Toronto is a viable option from various cities across North America. From New York City, it takes approximately 8 hours to reach Toronto via I-90E and over the Niagara Falls border crossing.

Train

There is the VIA Rail train service from Montreal to Toronto that provides scenic views of the countryside and the journey takes approximately 4-5 hours.

Boat

There are currently no direct boat routes to Toronto, however, you can take a ferry from Rochester, NY to Toronto Island Airport and then take a short flight to Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport.

Bus

Taking a coach bus from New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal is a popular way to get to Toronto. Bus companies like Greyhound and Megabus provide direct services to Toronto's Bus Terminal.

Destination

Toronto

Toronto - the city that's always bragging about being the centre of the universe, but at least they make a mean poutine and apologize for it afterwards.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

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