Getting Around Ontario
Ontario is Canada's most populous province, with the majority of its population concentrated in the south. As a visitor, your transportation options will depend largely on which region you're exploring and your personal preferences. Southern Ontario, home to major cities like Toronto and Ottawa, offers multiple interconnected transport modes. Northern Ontario, by contrast, is vast and sparsely populated, requiring different strategies for getting around.
Arriving at the Main Airport
Most international visitors arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), located in Mississauga just outside Toronto. This is Canada's busiest airport and a major hub for Canadian and North American carriers, with nonstop flights to major European and East Asian cities.
From Pearson, you have several options for reaching the city:
- Car rental is readily available if you're over 23 years old (easier if over 25), making it convenient if you plan to explore beyond Toronto
- Public transit connections link the airport to downtown Toronto
- Ride-hailing services operate from the airport
- Shuttle buses and taxis are available
If you're heading to Eastern Ontario or the Ottawa Valley, consider flying into Ottawa instead, which receives daily direct flights from major American hubs and Canadian cities. Montreal's Trudeau Airport is another option for eastern destinations—it's just two hours from Ottawa by road or train, and buses operate directly from the airport to Ottawa as well as via Via Rail's nearby Dorval station.
For Northwestern Ontario destinations, Thunder Bay International Airport is the best entry point, with Air Canada and WestJet service from major Canadian cities.
By Car
The car is the most convenient way to explore Ontario, particularly if you're venturing beyond Southern Ontario. The province has an extensive highway network, though road conditions and accessibility vary significantly by region.
Ontario's highways are numbered rather than lettered. Controlled-access highways (numbered 400–427 and the Queen Elizabeth Way) typically allow speeds of 100–110 km/h. Other provincial highways generally have posted speeds of 80 km/h. Roadways are usually in good condition, though in Northern Ontario roads become increasingly sparse—the car is essential there for getting from place to place on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17 or Highway 11). However, even by car you cannot access the northern half of Ontario; roads are the exception rather than the rule in those remote areas.
Speed limit signs are posted in metric. Traffic laws are enforced on provincial highways by the Ontario Provincial Police, particularly on controlled-access highways. Lane discipline varies, so exercise caution.
Public Transit in Major Cities
Southern Ontario's major cities operate public transit systems that serve local travel. Toronto, being the province's largest city, has the most developed network. These systems typically combine buses, streetcars, and rapid transit options to move residents and visitors around the city and connecting regions.
Ottawa, as the nation's capital, also has organized public transit serving the city. For intercity travel within Ontario, public transit connections exist between major population centers, though service frequencies and coverage areas vary.
Regional Buses
Several intercity bus operators connect Ontario's towns and cities:
- Flixbus operates routes from US border cities (like Buffalo and Detroit) to Ontario destinations including Toronto, Ottawa, and Windsor, taking over much of the service previously provided by Greyhound
- Greyhound still operates select cross-border services (such as from New York City via Buffalo to Toronto, typically departing late evening and early morning with journey times around 12 hours)
- Megabus (Coach Canada) provides service from Montreal to Toronto via Kingston
- Ontario Northland operates primarily in Northern Ontario, with routes extending from Winnipeg to Toronto and Ottawa
- Orléans Express connects Montreal to Ottawa
These services allow budget-conscious travelers to reach Ontario from neighboring provinces and the United States without a car.
Trains
Via Rail Canada operates passenger train service across Ontario and into the province from other regions:
- The Canadian runs between Vancouver and Toronto via major western cities, with two to three trains per week
- Routes connect Quebec City and Ottawa via Montreal (several daily trains)
- Routes link Montreal and Toronto via Kingston (several daily trains)
- Routes join Ottawa and Toronto via Kingston (several daily trains)
- Service operates between Toronto and Windsor via London (several daily trains)
Amtrak operates the Maple Leaf Train between Toronto and New York City, stopping in Oakville, Aldershot, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo.
For visitors arriving at major US airports near Ontario (such as Montreal's Trudeau Airport), rail connections provide an alternative to buses. Via Rail's stations near airports and in city centers make train travel convenient for some routes.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis operate in Ontario's major cities and are available at airports, hotels, and major transit hubs. Ride-hailing services are also available and can be convenient for getting around urban areas and from airports to your destination.
Walkability
Walkability varies significantly across Ontario. In central Toronto and Ottawa, downtown neighborhoods contain attractions and services within walking distance. For example, central Ottawa areas such as the Byward Market, Centretown, Parliament Hill, and the National Gallery are pedestrian-friendly and interconnected.
However, much of Ontario—particularly outside city centers and throughout Northern Ontario—is car-dependent. Distances between attractions and services are often too great for walking to be practical.
Cycling
In some areas, cycling is a viable option. Ottawa and surrounding regions have cycling paths that can connect to major attractions. Some border crossings, such as the seasonal ferry route from Cape Vincent, New York to Wolfe Island, Ontario, permit bicycles, though you should confirm capacity and any restrictions before traveling.
Reaching Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is vast and sparsely populated. In most cases, the Trans-Canada Highway (either Highway 17 or Highway 11) is the primary driving route. However, for regions north of Lake Nipigon, road access becomes extremely limited. In these areas, plane and train become nearly essential for travel between communities. Ontario Northland buses provide some regional service, but air travel is often the most practical option for accessing remote northern destinations.