Toronto 6 Day Itinerary
6 Days in Toronto: Enough Time to Add Niagara Without Rushing
Six days is the sweet spot where you can cover downtown properly, get through a couple of neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace, and still fit in a day trip to Niagara Falls without it eating your whole visit. Here’s how to spend the time, and what it’ll cost you.
Where to stay: budget travellers should look at HI Toronto Hostel. Mid-range, Hotel X Toronto or The Broadview Hotel both work well and put you within reach of transit. For luxury, the Fairmont Royal York sits right at Union Station, which is genuinely convenient for a trip this long since you’ll be coming and going a lot.
Getting around: get a PRESTO card on day one. A single fare is 3.30 CAD tapped, and a Day Pass is 13.50 for unlimited rides that day. Stick to the subway for anything longer than a 15-minute walk; the streetcars are slow and get stuck behind traffic constantly. Currency is the Canadian dollar, tipping 15-20% is standard at restaurants and bars, and pack for whatever season you’re visiting since Toronto swings hard between humid summers and brutal winters.
Day 1: Arrival and downtown basics
Take the UP Express from Pearson to Union Station, 28 minutes and 9.25 CAD with PRESTO. Once you’re settled, walk to the CN Tower (around 45 CAD general admission) and spend the afternoon along the Harbourfront by Lake Ontario. Dinner at Canoe if you want to start the trip with a splurge.
Day 2: Castle and museum
Casa Loma runs about 32 CAD and is worth the morning if grand old houses interest you. In the afternoon, the ROM has dynamic pricing (20-31 CAD adults, with free entry for 4-17 and half price for 18-24 through early September) so check current rates before buying. Evening, catch something at the Ed Mirvish Theatre or wander the Distillery District, then dinner at El Catrin for Mexican.
Day 3: Islands and Queen West
Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands in the morning, about 9.57 CAD round trip. It’s a better use of a few hours than most paid attractions downtown, cheap and genuinely scenic. Afternoon, browse Queen West’s boutiques toward Trinity Bellwoods. Dinner at Pai Northern Thai Kitchen.
Day 4: Niagara Falls day trip
This is where six days pays off. Take the GO train with the unlimited 24-hour WEGO bus bundle, 34 CAD round trip (40 for 48 hours if you want to stretch it), kids 3-12 ride for 9. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine region pairs well with the Falls if your tour includes it or you’re driving, about 1 hour 45 from Toronto by car. Don’t cram this into a shorter trip; the travel alone eats a good chunk of the day, so it only makes sense when you’ve got the time to spare, which you do here.
Day 5: Art and a quieter afternoon
The AGO’s general collection is often free or pay-what-you-can for visitors under 25, though check current rules since special exhibitions are ticketed on top. Afternoon, Allan Gardens Conservatory is a quiet, free stop if you need a break from paid attractions. Dinner at The Drake Hotel for something with a trendier edge.
Day 6: Market morning and departure
St. Lawrence Market in the morning for a proper food sampler, just remember the south building is closed Mondays so plan around that. Kensington Market in the afternoon for one last wander through vintage shops and street food before heading back to Pearson.
A few things worth knowing: the Hockey Hall of Fame is inside Brookfield Place, not its own building, so don’t waste time looking for a standalone entrance. And skip any Niagara tour operator advertising a suspiciously low flat rate, the cheap ones often exclude the boat cruise and top-of-falls access, so read the inclusions closely before booking.