Vaughan sits just north of Toronto in York Region, and much of what a visitor comes for is spread across a wide, car-oriented city rather than concentrated in a single downtown. The historic hamlets that once dotted the township — Thornhill, Woodbridge, Kleinburg, Maple and Concord among them — are now the names that organise the city for anyone choosing where to sleep.
For a traveller, the practical question is which of these areas puts you closest to what you plan to do, and how you will get around. Some areas sit on the subway and rapidway network, others are strung along the highways. This guide covers the areas where lodging is actually found, who each one suits, and what to expect at different price levels.
Best areas to stay in Vaughan
1. Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
This is the cluster of accommodation around the Highway 400 and Highway 407 interchange, and it is the most convenient base for most visitors. It sits near Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station and the Viva Rapidway, which makes it the easiest part of the city to use without a car.
You find a concentration of hotels here rather than a single option, which gives you the widest choice in the city. It suits first-time visitors and anyone planning to combine Vaughan with trips into Toronto, since the subway connection does the work for you.
2. Vaughan Mills
The area around Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, right beside Highway 400, is a straightforward base if shopping is on your agenda or if you want quick access to the highway for onward travel. Lodging here sits directly next to the shopping centre and the highway.
It suits visitors who are driving and want to be on the road network quickly, and those who prefer to have shops and services within walking distance of where they sleep.
3. Woodbridge
Woodbridge has a spread of accommodation along Highway 7 and Highway 27, with several options at the Highway 7 and Highway 27 intersection and one further west at Highway 7 and Highway 50. The area is near Highway 427, which makes it useful for drivers heading toward Toronto or the airport corridor.
It suits travellers with a car who want a range of choices and easy highway access. Note that this is a highway-oriented area, so expect to drive to most destinations rather than walk.
4. South Vaughan
At the southern border of the city with Toronto, on Steeles Avenue at Highway 400, you find accommodation sitting right at the edge of the city. These places are near York University and Pioneer Village subway station, which gives you a transit link into Toronto.
It suits visitors whose plans centre on the university, on northern Toronto, or on using the subway to reach the city. One practical point: there is only a northbound exit onto Steeles here, so plan your driving approach accordingly.
5. Thornhill
Thornhill sits close to Steeles Avenue and Toronto, and the accommodation here is on the border between Markham and Vaughan. It suits visitors who want to be near the Toronto boundary and the amenities along Yonge Street.
Because it straddles the municipal border, check which side of the line you are on if a specific address matters to your plans.
6. Concord
Concord has limited lodging, with a motel on Highway 7 that has access to the Viva Rapidway. It suits budget-conscious travellers or those who simply need a bed with rapid transit nearby.
It is a smaller, more utilitarian base than the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre cluster, so treat it as a practical stop rather than a place to spend your days.
7. Kleinburg
Kleinburg has only one place to stay, and it actually sits in Woodbridge, though closer to Kleinburg, at the intersection of Highway 27 and Major Mackenzie Drive. It suits visitors who specifically want to be near Kleinburg and its surroundings.
Because there is just the one option, book early if Kleinburg is your priority, and be aware that you will be relying on a car to get around.
8. Maple
Maple is home to Vaughan City Hall, but there are no hotels in Maple. It is worth knowing this so you do not plan a stay around an area that has no lodging.
If Maple is where you need to be, base yourself in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre cluster or Concord and travel in.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Motels and simpler properties, including options in Concord and Woodbridge, typically at highway-side locations. Expect basic rooms and a need for a car or rapid transit to reach the rest of the city.
- Mid-range: The bulk of Vaughan's lodging falls here, concentrated in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre cluster, Vaughan Mills, Woodbridge and South Vaughan. These are the practical, comfortable choices for most visitors.
- Splurge: Vaughan's accommodation tops out at the upper end of the mid-range rather than offering true luxury properties. If you want a higher tier, you would generally look toward Toronto.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre area. It has the largest concentration of lodging in the city and sits near Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station and the Viva Rapidway, so you can reach Toronto and move around Vaughan without depending entirely on a car. That combination of choice and connectivity makes it the simplest starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to stay in Vaughan?
It depends on where you base yourself. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre cluster is near the subway and rapidway, and Concord has rapidway access, so a car is not essential there. Areas like Woodbridge, Kleinburg and Vaughan Mills are highway-oriented, and a car makes them far more practical.
Which areas of Vaughan have the most places to stay?
The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre cluster around the Highway 400 and Highway 407 interchange has the largest concentration, followed by Woodbridge along Highway 7 and Highway 27. Vaughan Mills and South Vaughan each have a small number of options.
Can I stay in Vaughan and visit Toronto easily?
Yes, if you choose the right base. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre area connects to the subway, and South Vaughan is near Pioneer Village subway station, so both give you a transit route into Toronto. Thornhill is also close to Steeles Avenue and the Toronto boundary.
Is there anywhere to stay in Maple or Kleinburg?
There are no hotels in Maple. Kleinburg has only one place to stay, and it is technically located in Woodbridge, closer to Kleinburg, at Highway 27 and Major Mackenzie Drive.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.