Toronto Magazine - Premier 2008 - 118

Visitor resources TRANSPORTATION By airplane, car or train — no matter how you plan on travelling, it’s easy to go to Toronto. Toronto Pearson International Airport handles more than 1,000 daily flights and welcomes more than 25 million passengers each year. For travellers driving from the U.S., Toronto is about 90 minutes from the border at Niagara Falls. Whether by VIA Rail or Amtrak, all trains heading into Toronto arrive at Union Station. Upon arrival, you’ll find that Toronto is easy to navigate. From ToronTo pearson inTernaTional airporT Toronto Pearson International Airport (airport code YYZ) is Canada’s largest airport. The impressive new Terminal 1 features spas, fine dining, baggagetracking systems and captivating public art. BUses Providing transportation to downtown hotels, the Airport Express Aeroport provides service to six major downtown hotels as well as the downtown bus terminal. Prices start at $17 one way and $28 return. sHUTTles Check with your hotel if it offers a shuttle service, whether for free or at a nominal charge, from Pearson International Airport. TaXis/limoUsines Airport taxis and limousines are available from the arrivals level of each terminal. Some rates are predetermined by destination. A taxi to the downtown core costs approx. $45. DriVinG From your terminal, follow the signs to Highway 427 South. Take the 427 to the Gardiner Expressway. Follow the Gardiner East right into downtown Toronto. For more information on airport transportation, visit www.gtaa.com or call 416-AIR-PORT (247-7678). throughout the region. Lakeshore service runs daily; other lines offer limited service. BUses GO buses serve the downtown Toronto terminal, just east of Union Station. Some buses serve other locations, such as the subway stations at Yorkdale, York Mills and Finch, as well as the Scarborough Town Centre. For schedules, routes and more information, visit www.gotransit.com. Bloor-Yorkville 55 Bloor St. W., Ste. 220; 416-928-3553 www.bloor-yorkville.com Toronto’s premier shopping, dining and tourist district. High-fashion retailers, unique boutiques, sidewalk cafés, haute cuisine, galleries, museums, spas and salons. Home of Santé: The Toronto International Wine Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Church-Wellesley Village 481A Church St.; 416-393-6363 www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca The entertainment and social hub of Toronto’s gay community and central location for the annual Pride Week activities. Offers an array of thriving restaurants, bars and lounges that cater predominantly to the weekend and night-time crowd. Corso italia 647-223-9064 www.torontocorsoitalia.com Known for what’s hot in European fashion. Top-of-the-line boutiques, cafés, restaurants, trendy gelaterias and cappuccino houses offering the best of Italy, Portugal and France. The Distillery Historic District 55 Mill St, Bldg. 58, Ste. 200 416-364-1177 www.thedistillerydistrict.com Toronto’s newest centre for arts, culture, food and entertainment. This national historic site includes 44 heritage buildings and numerous brick-lined courtyards. Explore the district’s many restaurants, art galleries, artisan boutiques, specialty retail stores and cafés. Downtown Yonge 40 Dundas St. W., Ste. 220 416-597-0255 www.downtownyonge.com Home to the Eaton Centre, YongeDundas Square, Toronto Life Square, eight hotels, 150 bars and restaurants, 600 retail stores and live theatre, this urban experience offers something for everyone. The eglinton Way 533 Eglinton Ave. W. Ste. 200 416-487-3294 www.theeglintonway.com Eglinton Ave. W. from Oriole Parkway to Chaplin Cres. includes a myriad of shops, exciting restaurants and many services all enhanced by the friendliest people in town. Open year-round, including Sundays, excluding statutory holidays. Gerrard india Bazaar 1426 Gerrard St. E.; 416-465-8513 www.gerrardindiabazaar.com The largest ethnic market of Indian goods, fashions, fabrics, jewellery and food in North America. The Bazaar is open year-round. Rediscover the riches of the Orient. GreekTown on the Danforth 396 Danforth Ave., Ste. 201 416-469-5634 www.greektowntoronto.com, www. Photo: iStockPhoto.com TORONTO DETAILS pUBliC TransiT Whether you’re travelling within downtown or commuting to and from other parts of the city, you’ll find Toronto well served by a number of inexpensive public transit options. TTC (ToronTo TransiT Commission) The TTC operates bus, streetcar, subway and light rapid transit (LRT) routes within the City of Toronto. For more information, including routes and schedules, visit www. ttc.ca or call 416-393-4636. Fares Cash fares: $2.75 for adults, $1.85 for seniors (65 years of age and older) and 70¢ for children (12 years of age and under). Tickets and tokens can be purchased in multiples of 5 and 10 at a discounted price and are available at subway stations. They are not available from bus and streetcar drivers. Please note that bus and streetcar drivers cannot provide change, so use exact cash fare or tickets/tokens. passes The Day Pass and the Family/Group Pass each costs $8.50 per day. TransFers Transferring is permitted for an uninterrupted trip, as many times as required, between any combination of surface routes and subways. However, you must get a transfer where you pay your fare. TaXes The 5% goods and services tax (GST) is charged on most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. And, as Toronto is part of the Province of Ontario, purchases made in the city are also subject to the 7% provincial sales tax (PST). CUrrenCY Toronto’s currency is the Canadian dollar. For denominations under $5, coins are used, including the “loonie” (a gold-coloured $1 coin) and the “toonie” (a gold-and-silvercoloured $2 coin). GraTUiTies/ Tips If you’re happy with the service you receive, a 15-20% tip on the pre-tax bill is a standard expression of appreciation when dining out in the city. Tips are also expected for services such as haircuts, shoeshines and taxi rides. liQUor laWs The legal drinking age in the province of Ontario is 19. Please drink responsibly. marriaGe liCenCes Couples, including same-sex couples, who wish to be married in Ontario must first apply for a marriage licence at City Hall or at one of our regional Civic Centres. There is a $130 fee and both partners must provide passports along with one other piece of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s licence. PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS Please note any person entering the U.S. by air requires a valid passport, Air NEXUS card or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As of January 31, 2008 adult travellers entering the U.S. by land or sea (including ferries) must present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. For more information on these new requirements, visit http://travel.state.gov. NEIGHBOURHOODS The Beach 62 Columbine Ave.; 416-693-2242 www.beachesbia.com Close to paradise and downtown Toronto. Enjoy Toronto’s favourite lakeside community with small-town charm. Stroll the scenic 3 km boardwalk and enjoy unique shops, bustling cafés and cozy restaurants. Hop on the Queen streetcar heading east. Go TransiT GO Transit operates trains and buses to and from suburbs and outlying areas. Fares GO fares are determined by the distance travelled. Trains GO trains serve Union Station (at Front and Bay streets) and travel in all directions 118 toronto | 2008

Toronto Magazine - Premier 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Toronto Magazine - Premier 2008