Why rent a car in Toronto?
Toronto is a city in Ontario, in mideastern Canada. Overlooking Lake Ontario, this vibrant metropolis city is home to over a quarter of the Canadian population and has much to offer visitors. It’s also a great location for visiting nearby destinations by hire car, such as Niagara Falls, Mississauga and Hamilton.
How to get to and around Toronto?
If you’re arriving via Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport then it’s a two-mile drive by hire car to Toronto city centre. En route you could stop off at the Harbourfront Centre on Queen’s Quay, a lakeside area with art, theatre and events. If you’re arriving via Toronto Pearson International Airport then it’s a 17-mile drive by hire car to Toronto. On the way you could visit Centennial Park, a sprawling green space with various recreational facilities.
Hiring a car in Toronto city centre
Finding a hire car in Toronto is easy. You can rent a car from a range of providers at both Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport, as well as in the city centre. Parking facilities in the city include Green P Car Park 242, Toronto Parking Authority and Municipal Parking. Some metered parking spots are cash only, so make sure you always have money on you just in case. Toronto also has many good hotels to suit a range of budgets, including the Fairmont Royal York, the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre and the DoubleTree by Hilton. Many hotels offer free parking facilities so do check before booking.
What brands are available?
There are various hire car providers at both airports to suit your budget and preferences, including Economy, Hertz and Thrifty. Many offer extras like free cancellation, unlimited mileage and insurance included.
Must-sees within an easy drive of Toronto
There is much to see and do by hire car in Toronto. The city has a lot to offer by way of culture, architecture, dining and attractions. These include the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the iconic CN Tower with its revolving restaurant, and Casa Loma, an early 20th century Gothic Revival castle and gardens that’s open for visitors. Other attractions to visit by rental car in Toronto include St Lawrence Market, where you can sample an amazing range of artisan foods, the heritage area of the Distillery District, which has many great restaurants on offer, and the shores of Lake Ontario, which the city overlooks.
London, a university city in southwestern Ontario, is a 119-mile drive from Toronto by hire car. The city has a number of visitor attractions to enjoy, including Fanshawe Pioneer Village, an open-air museum with historic re-enactments of pioneer life, Eldon House, a 19th century mansion and gardens that’s open to visitors, and the London Regional Children's Museum, which has interactive exhibits. Other attractions include Victoria Park and Budweiser Gardens.
The unmissable Niagara Falls is an 80-mile drive away by rental car from Toronto. Bordering New York State, it’s often described as the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World. Niagara Falls is actually made up of three waterfalls: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and breathtaking Horseshoe Falls, the most powerful waterfall in North America.
Tips and tricks for driving in Toronto
Toronto is fascinating to explore by hire car. However, bear in mind that traffic can get very congested so give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Buses have right of way in the city and also watch out for one-way streets in the downtown area. Ontario can experience heavy ice and snow in winter so take extra care while driving during that time, especially on mountainous roads. Remember that Canada is right-hand drive.
Ready to plan your Toronto city break?
Feeling inspired to explore Toronto and the rest of Canada? Check out this
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