Overview
According to topschoolsintheusa, Ontario is Canada’s largest province in terms of population. The two largest cities are Ottawa (the capital of Canada) and Toronto (the capital of Ontario). Toronto in particular is known as one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in North America, due in part to its high immigrant population. Toronto has countless galleries, museums and shops, but also historical buildings like the Old City Hall from 1899 and the innovative architecture of skyscrapers like the CN Tower. Northern and western Ontario consists mainly of uninhabited wilderness: lakes, swamps and forests. The province has six national parks and over 300 nature reserves. Oddly enough, Ontario also has areas where you’ll find more polar bears than people – unbelievable given the huge urban centers. Ontario borders four of North America’s five Great Lakes. The famous, spectacular Niagara Falls are located partly in Ontario and partly in New York State, USA.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Direct flights from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Toronto are offered by: Air Canada (AC) and Lufthansa (LH) from Frankfurt/M. and Munich; Air Canada (AC) and Swiss (CH) from Zurich; Austrian Airlines (OS) from Vienna. Airlines operating in Ontario include Bearskin Airlines (JV), Air Creebec (YN) and Jazz Aviation (QK). All major Ontario cities are served.
Flight times
from Toronto to the following major Canadian cities (approximate hours and minutes): Air Train Car/Bus Niagara Falls – 2.00 1.30 Ottawa 1.00 4.00 5.00 Windsor 1.10 4.30 4.30 London 0.40 2.15 2.30 Sudbury 1.05 8.00 5.00 Sault Ste. Mary 1.25 – 7.
Arrival by car
Several bridges connect the US and Canada at Cornwall, Fort Erie, Sarnia, Windsor, Sault-Ste.-Marie, Fort Frances, Rainy River and Niagara Falls. There is a tunnel between Windsor and Detroit. The road network is excellent on the Great Lakes; however, it is not directly connected to the north of the province. Highway connections are consistently good. Bus: Coach Canada operates buses to most Ontario cities. Gray Line offers Niagara Falls tours from Toronto. Greyhound USA connects Toronto to Buffalo in New York State and to New York City. Flixbus travels between Toronto and Ottawa, between Niagara Falls and Toronto via St. Catherines, and between Waterloo and Toronto. Rental cars are available at all Ottawa and Toronto hotels, main train stations and airports. The driver must be over 21 years old. Seatbelt obligation. Tolls: The Express Toll Road (ETR) near Toronto, from Burlington to Pickering, is a toll along its entire length of 107 km. It is signposted with a blue background, in contrast to the otherwise green signage. The toll is determined by video surveillance and a transmitter in the vehicle and subsequently billed. Documents: The German national driving license is valid for 6 months in Canada. However, it is recommended that you carry your international driver’s license with you. All other nationalities require the International Driving Permit.
Arrival by train
VIA Rail connects Toronto to western Canada, Toronto, Windsor and Ottawa to Montréal, Quebec City in Quebec and Halifax in Nova Scotia. VIA Rail and Amtrak operate trains to the United States, from Toronto to New York via Niagara Falls and to Chicago via Cleveland. VIA Rail also connects all major cities in the province. Most trains operate in the densely populated south of the province. The railway connects Toronto to Moosonee on Hudson Bay via Huntsville and North Bay. More information is available from any regional tourist office.
rail passes
The Canrailpass and the Canrailpass – Corridor are also valid in Ontario. For more information on Rail Passes, contact Via Rail Canada or CRD.
Arrival by ship
The only port on James Bay with a southbound rail link is Moosonee, which also serves limited air service. The main ports for passenger traffic to the USA are Windsor (to Detroit/Lake St. Clair); Sarnia (to Port Huron/Lake St Clair); Leamington (to Sandusky/Lake Erie); Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall and Ogdensburg (via the St. Lawrence River to the US) and Wolfe Island to New York. Niagara Cruises offers boat tours to Niagara Falls.
Ferry provider
– The City of Toronto operates the Toronto Islands Ferries. – Owen Sound Transportation Co. operate the Tobermory – South Bay Mouth route. – Pelee Island Ferries connect Pelee Island to Kingsville and Sandusky (Ohio, USA). – Operated by the Province of Ontario, the Wolfe Islander operates between Kingston and Wolfe Island. – The Horne’s Ferry shuttles between Wolfe Island and Cape Vincent (New York, USA).
Passport and visa regulations
Entry with children
Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Language
Overview
Mostly English.
Public Holidays
Overview
As in the rest of Canada.
Contact addresses
Tourism Toronto
207 Queens Quay West, Suite 405
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
+1 (416) 203 26 00.
http://www.seetorontonow.de
http://www.seetorontonow.de Ontario Tourism
c/o Lieb Management & Beteiligungs GmbH
(also responsible for Austria and Switzerland)
Bavariaring 38
Munich
Germany
+49 (89) 689 06 38 0.
http://www.ontariotravel.net/ger/home
http://www.ontariotravel.net/ger/home
Business
Business contacts
Ontario Chamber of Commerce Suite 505, 180 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8 Tel: (416) 482 52 22 Fax: (416) 482 58 79 Email: info@occ.on.ca Web: http://occ.on.ca Toronto Convention & Visitor AssociationPO Box 126, Suite 590, 207 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 Tel: (416) 203 26 00. Fax: (416) 203 67 53. E- Mail: toronto@torcvb.com Internet: www.torontotourism.comNiagara Falls Tourism Marketing Dept., 5515 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 3X4Tel: (905) 356 60 61. Fax: (905) 356 55 67. Email : info@niagarafallstourism.com Internet: www.niagarafallstourism.comThe New City of Hamilton Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4Y5Tel: (905) 546 24 89. Fax: (905) 546 41 07.Email: info@hamilton.ca Web: www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/Cityand Government/business/development/default.asp Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority Suite 1800, 130 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 Tel: (613 ) 237 51 50. Fax: (613) 237 73 39. Email: ottawainformation@ottawatourism.ca Web: www.ottawatourism.caapproxapprox
Shopping
Overview
There are large shopping centers in the suburbs and the underground shopping paradise Eaton Center in the city center. Art galleries, boutiques and antique shops are housed in renovated Victorian buildings in each district. Yorkville offers fashionable boutiques, upscale toy shops and thrift stores. In the neglected Queen Street Strip, rarity, comic and antique shops have settled alongside punk fashion stores. Ottawa also has a good selection of craft shops.
Nightlife
Introduction
All kinds of entertainment are offered in both major cities. From cozy clubs with solo pianists to South American combos, dance and rock bands and famous international artists, there is something for every taste. There are theaters with a classical repertoire in both cities.
Culinary
Overview
There is a wide range of international restaurants in Ottawa and Toronto. Toronto is considered one of the continent’s foodie cities. Drinks: Foreign spirits are also available in the bars and restaurants. Ontario has many vineyards and produces much of the local wine. The Niagara Wine Festival takes place every year. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 19 years. Spirits are sold in provincial government shops. You can buy local beer in Brewer’s Retail and wine in winery shops. The serving times are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Alcohol is only sold with meals on Sundays.
Accommodation
Hotels
Room prices depend on the hotel class. There are international class hotels in Toronto and Ottawa. The Hotel Association can be contacted at the following address: Ontario Accommodation Association, 347 Pido Road, Unit 2, RR6 Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6X7. (Tel: (705) 745 49 82. Web: www.ontarioaccommodation.com).
Camping
The forest and lake area in the north of the province is best explored by camper vans, which can be rented everywhere. For more information contact Ontario Tourism (see addresses) or the Ontario Private Campground Association, 220 Royal Crest Ct., Unit 20, Markham, Ontario L3R 9Y2. (Tel: (905) 947 9500. Web: www.campgrounds.org).
Climate
Best travel time
Summers are very warm, spring and autumn are cooler. Winters are cold with snowfall.
Country data
Area (sq km)
1076395
Population
14,659,616
Population density (per square km)
13
Population statistics year
2019
