While Toronto is one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the world, it’s also the most expensive. First-time travelers might feel their head spin and their wallets sweat at the thought of planning a trip to the city, but there is no need to worry, you can still see Toronto even if you’re on a budget. While the city is home to luxurious five-star hotels and stunning rooftop patios that will see you back $15 a drink, there are plenty of free things to do in Toronto that I think will give you a much better experience in the city than if you had blown your entire savings.
Check out these affordable options in Toronto to beginning planning your dream budget vacation today.
When to Visit
The cheapest time to visit Toronto is the fall and springtime. Though winters tend to be brutal in Canada, they add a certain charm to the city that attracts a lot of tourists. Summer, of course, is high season so you can expect to pay a bit more. If you’re planning to visit Toronto during the summer months, I highly recommend booking as early as possible.
Where to Stay
As I said before, there are a ton of high-end hotel options in Toronto, but there are also more affordable options if you stay further outside of the downtown core. If you stay away from downtown, you can find three-star hotels for about $85 CAD per night. Hostels are another option for budget accommodation in Toronto. Dorm rooms begin around $25 CAD and private rooms around $55 CAD. For a city of six million people there are surprisingly few hostels, so be sure to book well in advance. My go-to accommodation option when staying in Toronto is Airbnb. You can stay in a beautiful apartment right downtown for around $75 CAD per night. Plus, if you use my link HERE you can save an additional $25 off your booking!
Getting Around
Toronto’s public transit is absolutely amazing and in my opinion, is the only way to get around in the city aside from walking. Driving in Toronto is maddening and often takes much longer thanks to traffic. The city is very walkable, especially with the PATH, an underground tunnel system that you can use to get around downtown no matter what the weather. A day pass for the transit system will only set you back $12 CAD, or you can purchase a weekly pass for about $42 ($33 for students). If you’re visiting in the summer months you might also want to consider renting a bike to get around, which costs about $25 per day.
Eating Out
Dining in Toronto can be expensive; it costs an average of about $20 for an entrée and a drink, though nicer restaurants might be closer to $32. If you decide to stay in an AirBnb with kitchen facilities, cooking your own food will only cost you about $50-$90 per week. The cheapest options for dining out in Toronto is what Torontonian’s refer to as “street meat”. These deliciously greasy hot dogs and sausages are sold on almost every corner downtown and will only set you back about $3-$6.
What to Do
Here are some of my favourite cheap or FREE things to do in the city!
Visit Allan Gardens – Cost: $0
These gardens are filled with beautiful plants and floral arrangements that will make for an insta-worthy photo shoot.
Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario – Cost: $0
Admission is free on Wednesday nights from 6pm-9pm
Check out Graffiti Alley – Cost: $0
This is another iconic photography destination in Toronto that will provide the perfect backdrop for unique photos.
Shop at the St. Lawrence Market – Cost: $0
This is one of the most historic markets in Toronto. Admission is free and if you do end up buying something, it will come at a bargain price!
Play Board Games at Snakes and Lattes – Cost: $5
This is one of my favourite spots in Toronto. They have an endless array of board games and a fun drink menu. Cover is $5 and drinks start as low as $2.
Visit Tilt Arcade – Cost: $5
If board games aren’t your thing, you can get competitive over video games at Tilt Arcade. Cover here is also only $5 and a brand new location is opening in March 2018.
Trivia Night at the Drake Hotel – Cost: $2
The Drake Hotel is one of the coolest spots to hangout in Toronto. They have great food and drinks and every month they host multiple trivia nights with only a $2 cover to get in and play.
Spend a day at Trillium Park – Cost: $0
This newly built park provides stunning views of the CN Tower and the Toronto skyline. Pack a lunch to have a picnic in the park and enjoy the community firepit next to the lake.
More Tips to Save Money
Get a City Pass – Tourists can purchase a City Pass for $72 and it includes admission to the ROM, CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, and the zoo
Take a Free Tour – The Heritage Toronto Walks are free and are offered from May-October every year. They’re the perfect way to learn about the city and no reservation is required!
Uber – If you decide not to take public transit, opt for an Uber instead of a taxi. Uber is very popular in Toronto and will save you a ton of money getting around the city. You can save $15 off your first ride with this code: 8whahsgvue
