How to Spend a Day in Toronto as a Solo Traveler (Without Breaking the Bank!)

The capital city of Ontario, Toronto, is a perfect destination for a short getaway in Canada.

It's an excellent transit spot if you travel to other destinations in Canada like the capital city Ottawa or Niagara Falls. In fact, Toronto is the most popular city to go if you want to visit Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.

With Toronto being the main hub for several airlines in Canada, including the national carrier Air Canada, it also makes a great stopover whether you plan travel within Canada or internationally. 

While the city is also known as one of the places with the highest living in North America, it's still possible to spend a day in Toronto, Canada on a budget. Your travel expenses can get pretty steep when you visit Toronto for solo travel, but there are plenty of cheap things to do in Toronto!

And this time, Stefan from Stefan Round The World will share some of the best cheap or free things to do in Toronto so you can make the most of your trip in the city without breaking the bank!

Top 5 Fun Things to Do in Toronto for Solo Travelers

Despite being an expensive place to live, there are plenty of fun things to do in Toronto for $10 or less.

While you can easily sign up for some tours around the city like this bike tour around Toronto downtown or book a hop-on hop-off bus ticket for sightseeing around the city, exploring Toronto in a day can be easily arranged on your own. 

Whether you're a solo traveler planning to visit Toronto on a budget or you're just hoping to avoid overspending, here are some of the best ways to spend your time in the city for less than 10 bucks!

Explore the Botanical Gardens

There are two amazing botanical gardens in Toronto – the Edwards Gardens and the City of Toronto Botanical Gardens.

Both of these are free to enter although they rely on donations to keep operating. There are helpful guides at each of the gardens that can tell you everything you need to know about the plants and designs.

Edwards Gardens in Toronto, Ontario.
Edwards Gardens in Toronto, Ontario.

This is one of the best things to do in Toronto on a rainy day, or if you're traveling with kids and looking for a fun and unique experience. Most people donate $5 to $10 although you can explore for free if you're on a tight budget!

Hop on the Ferry to Centre Island

For just $8, you can grab a round trip ticket on the famous Toronto ferry ride to Centre Island.

From the ferry, you'll be able to enjoy amazing views of the Toronto skyline and rest your feet while the boat bounces over the waves.

There's a lot of things to do on Centre Island, from bike riding and trail walking to petting zoos and picnics.

Centre Island in Toronto, Canada.
Centre Island in Toronto, Canada.

The views from Centre Island are incredible and there's a number of quiet, public beaches where you can swim in Lake Ontario with the Toronto Skyline looming in the distance.

Don't forget to pack some snacks and bring a few drinks!

Visit Kensington Market

A visit to Toronto won't be complete without stopping by one of the most iconic areas in the city: Kensington Market.

If you're looking for the most authentic taste of Toronto, Kensington Market is where to go. It's a great place to stroll around, and you can find numerous local businesses to explore – from artisanal bakeries to vintage shops. Any shopaholic will love the experience of this market!

What's even better is that they sell many inexpensive items that you can grab for your own collection or as souvenirs for your loved ones back home. You can easily find some thrift shops where you can find the best hidden gems for clothing and souvenirs.

As the cherry on top, you can also order custom iron on patches to personalize the vintage clothes you got there!

Cafe Hop in the Fashion District

In Toronto, most coffee drinks cost $2 to $3, even at ritzy cafes. It's the Fashion District where you'll find some of the best cafes in Toronto.

Something I love doing is visiting two or three different cafes over the course of a few hours of walking around. At each one I grab a drink, sit on the patio or somewhere with the view, and relax while watching the city of Toronto pass by.

Cafe Crepe in Toronto, Canada.
Cafe Crepe in Toronto, Canada.

This can be a fun experience, especially if you're exploring the city and hoping to stick to a tight budget. $10 is more than enough to visit two or three cafes!

Grab Dinner at Frankie's

Frankie's is a classic Toronto institution and one of the best diners in town. Just about everything they serve is under $10 except for a few unique items.

Here at Frankie's, you can enjoy homemade burgers, huge omelettes, full plates of classic breakfast, tasty sandwiches, and everything else you would expect at a diner.

Why go somewhere fancy an upscale when you can have a better and tastier experience here at Frankie's?!


Contributor: Stefan from Stefan Round The World

Stefan created his blog so you can find plenty of helpful travel resources that'll help you make the most of your time abroad.


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