Updated Summer 2023

One of the best way to get around downtown Toronto is by bike. Rental stations are everywhere, with the closest at King Street West and Bay Street.

The Hotel Victoria is close to shopping, dining, history, architecture and other Toronto hot spots. But to enjoy everything offered by Toronto and its surrounding areas, you may want to venture a little bit further.

Take the TTC

The King Street subway station is steps away from the Victoria Hotel. From there you can travel anywhere in the Toronto system for a $3.35 cash fare (remember to grab a transfer for any connecting buses or streetcars your chosen journey will require)… or better yet get a PRESTO card from the station or from Shoppers Drug Mart right next door. Suggested destinations: Yorkdale Mall, Ontario Science Centre, the Aga Khan Museum.

Borrow a Bike

As we said, Toronto is definitely a two-wheel city. Bike Share rents sturdy-framed bikes from about 360 Bike Share stations scattered throughout the city. The bikes can be taken from any station and returned to any other station. There is a $1.00 unlock fee, then a $7.20 per hour fee ($0.12 per minute) for classic bikes, or $7.00 for a day pass, plus deposit. E-Bikes are also available for a $1.00 unlock fee, then $12.00 per hour ($0.20 per minute). From the Victoria, we suggest: * Ride south on Yonge Street to Harbourfront for shops and snacks and galleries, then take your bike on the ferry to cruise the Toronto Islands. * Take Queen Street West to Trinity Bellwoods park. Bring food from one (or more) of the area’s many cafes, cake shops and restaurants and have a picnic. And on Tuesdays from May to October, the south end of the park features a Farmers’ Market.

* Ride north on Church Street to Bloor Street. Just west of there is our Mink Mile, the place to enjoy the city’s fanciest shops including Tiffany, D&G, Louis Vuitton, Holt Renfrew and Hermès.

Hire a Driver

The ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft both operate all over Toronto and, except for Uber’s higher surge pricing, there’s not a lot of difference in service, app quality, timeliness or cost. As for other livery services, it’s sometimes hard to flag a taxi on the city streets, but if you’re inclined to go old school, you can always call one. Suggested destinations: Pinkerton’s in Leslieville and Nest on College Street

Rent a Car

Join Zipcar online and pick up a handsome MINI Cooper Countryman (or a Nissan Altima) at the Commerce Court, just behind Hotel Victoria. Alternately, you can rent from a selection of traditional companies including Avis and Enterprise right near Union Station (south to Front Street and a block or so west). Suggested destinations: Canada’s Wonderland, Jackson-Triggs Winery, Spencer Gorge.

Hit the road! There’s lots to explore in and around Toronto!