Official visit to Toronto, Canada for 15 days...Need tips and advice

irfanlai

irfanlai

Adept
Hello All,

Well there is a planned work visit to Toronto, Canada from 24th June 2013 to Mid July. My company has sent my passport for Business visa application today. This will be my first visit outside the country, so needs some advice and some local fooding and lodging tips from people who have been to Canada or presently there.

I will be getting $160 as per day allowance in which we need to manage every of our expenses. There will be two people in this trip, one of my colleague with me. We are planning to take some packet foods from here to save some dollars.

Some of the queries-
1. I have never been out of the country so my passport is blank. So will I get the Canada visa? I heard for 1st timer its difficult to get visa in such countries.
2. Please advice on some decent Hotels for staying. Moderate pricing with decent facilities. Stay would be around for 15-20 days
(Facilities - Breakfast and Wi-Fi connectivity)
3. Suggest places to eat. Moderate pricing mostly Indian tadka and occasionally different cuisine.
4. Mode of travel there. We also plan to hire cabs for our work. So what are the options
5. Will $160 be enough for a day
5. What other things we should consider while we are there.
6. What stuffs we need to carry, basic idea.
 
So many foreign visit threads; we need a dedicated thread for such topics now.

P.S. sorry for hijacking.
 
@irfanlai @Mephistopheles is in Canada as per his profile. Contact him.

About your queries...

1. My passport was blank too and Canada was the first country i visited ever (not counting Nepal :p) and yes i did get my work permit.
2. Hotels no idea but i suggest you check hotels.com etc for ones near your office / client place. Wifi should be there. I suggest you both share a room and also if you book hotel yourself, select the room rate which has breakfast for 2 included.
3. No idea about Indian hotels in Toronto but in Mississauga, ON there is one restaurant on corner of Robert Speck Pkwy and Hurantario Rd. Don't remember name. It had Buffet lunch. Not for you i guess since Mississauga is like 1 Hr by bus from Toronto.
4. Toronto has decent transport i guess. Trains, Buses etc.
5. $160 - That depends on where you stay and what you eat and other expenses. Subjective.
6. Visit Niagara Falls for SURE.. DO NOT MISS IT. The view from Canada side is just awesome, not as much US side. Have seen both. You might have to take some sort of car or some tour to get there.
Another option is a casino bus which embarks from Mississauga and drops back in Mississauga. In 2008 i had paid 40$ return fare. This bus is actually for people intending to go to the Casino. But there are folks who just take a round in casino and go about watching the Niagara Falls. You need to show passport to get on this bus. Age check and all.
Visit CN Tower in Toronto, There is a museum too but did not interest me much.
Water front if interested.
6. Stuff to carry - woolen clothes / jacket, would get chilly now too. food stuff mostly dry, maggi packets if you get a room with kitchen setup. I would infact recommend such a room.
 
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@raksrules Thanks...I was expecting your reply.....

Even I am looking for such a room with kitchen setup as we will be carrying some packet foods and we will be sharing the room.
Niagra Falls is sure on the list.
 
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1. As rakrules said, my passport too was blank so that shouldn't be a worry.
2. Cant help you with hotels, never had to live in one in Toronto.
3. There are a lot of Indian restaurants in Toronto, cant recommend any as I haven't tried them. You can find Indian food for a variety of prices. @raksrules are you talking about Brar?
4. Cabs would be expensive, I suggest you either take the bus or the train service. FYI there is no bus service during the rush hours (i.e 5pm-8pm) in Toronto.
I'm not sure if it applies to all the buses or not, but atleast the one's I traveled in only accepted cash for the fare. The fare is $3.25 and you can take as many buses as you want for 2 hours with the same transit. Most people have a "Presto Card", its an alternative to paying in cash. Its a card in which you can load money so you dont have to worry about keeping change with you, you just tap this card once you get on the bus and you're good to go, but like I said I'm not too sure if Toronto transit buses accept presto cards. Also, the fare is cheaper if you have a presto card, its around $2.85 I think.
5. $160 could be enough, I'd suggest you not eat out then. Get a place where you can cook as well. Public transportation in Canada is quite expensive, so depends on how much you have to travel everyday. A decent meal shouldn't cost you more than $20 if you eat out.
6. Carry a light jacket. It should be quite warm during the time you'll be here, but the weather is really unpredictable. Also, before going out, always check the weather forecast. You can get all the Indian cooking stuff here so no need to carry that, although I'm not sure about Toronto but atleast in Brampton/Mississauga you can get everything. Its a 30-45 min bus ride from Toronto to Brampton. For inter-city transport, use "GO" transit. They accept presto cards. I think only TTC dont accept presto (which Im not 100% sure of btw), everybody else does.
7. Whenever in doubt about anything, just ask around. People would love to help you. Also, be ready to walk a lot, especially in Toronto.

Hope you enjoy your stay here, let me know if you have any other questions.

EDIT: Seems like you can use presto in Toronto, but not on all routes. More info: http://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Fare_information/Presto_Fare_System/index.jsp
 
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No it was not brar. I dont remember the name but it had the word India in it.
It has the Royal Bank of Canada near to it IIRC.
Near the Walmart and Square mall.
 
Toronto is a brilliant city!

Travel - Get the TTC weekly pass. Works on buses and trains. $40 or so and unlimited rides. The transit system is extensive and there should be no need to use cabs in Toronto (unless you are travelling way outside the city).

Places to eat - Don't restrict yourself to Indian cuisine. Toronto has a huge number of good eating places in all price ranges. If you are looking to save money, go to the University of Toronto area and just walk around. You will find inexpensive places from all cuisines that cater to the student crowd. Go to the Junction area for slightly more expensive restaurants/shops. Personal suggestion, visit this place, Xoxocava, for amazing exotic chocolates and ice creams.

Things to take - Nothing much. You won't be allowed to cook in a hotel anyway. Just the clothes you need should be sufficient.

Things to do - The CN tower is a decent tourist spot to visit. If Toronto FC is playing a football match, try to go watch it. Small and homely stadium and the local crowd is amazing without getting rowdy.
 
1. No issues
2. You Google for online rates and get a 2 bed one with ur friend. Thats ur best option.
All will have Wifi. Most will have laundry facility. And some will have Breakfast included. Toast, cheese, Fruits, juice like that.
No idea abt Toronto. Can only tell abt Montreal. :D. Google is ur friend. Call em up direct.
Some have buffets and all. But its not a big deal for me. Coz, how much u gonna eat honestly?
3. Well. this is a hit or miss. You can take packet foods. But my suggestion is try local food. then only go to ur food.
since its a short visit. Focus on enjoying the place rather than saving. My opinion. dont take it.
Look for ones with pantry. I havent seen one or heard used by friends. Soo...
4. Look out for bus routes and monthly or weekly pass. Cabs not so good idea.
5. Yes Sir. Very much. Take like 7~12$ each timeif u are going fast food route or 13~20$ if you are going restaurants.
The prices I give are what i know. it may be less or more for you.
Your cost will be Accomodation and Travel. Accomodation you are lucky coz u have a partner to share. Sweeet!!!
5. Travel a alot. Again. First visit and short visit. Please dont think just in saving mode.
Lots of people make this mistake and just sit in the hotel. Its a mistake according to me.
You will get ur monthly sal in india r8? Be happy with that.
Niagra from Canada side baby. Strip clubs also. :p
6. Toronto may be bit chilly. Get a jacket. :D.
 
Brampton definitely has a strip club with free entry (need to buy something inside, water is also fine).
Don't ask me how I know. ;)
 
Thanks everyone for their replies. We will definitely try the food there and explore places. We are planning few times we can have packet food and other time local food.

Few more doubts.
a. In Toronto which area we should prefer to stay which has good commuting connectivity with food facility at nearby places.

b. We are looking for a Hotel where we can get Kitchen facility in the room. So can we get such kind of room
 
Rule of thumb is u look for places close to ur work since u don't have a car. Savings and all come last, again. Coz if u find a cheap place in some corner with less bus routes and all.. u are screwed. But if u can find proper bus routes say every hour or 30 minutes.. you are good. You can use google map with route suggestions for an idea. Thats how people do ;). Or the transit company local app.
 
m-jeri said:
Rule of thumb is u look for places close to ur work since u don't have a car. Savings and all come last, again. Coz if u find a cheap place in some corner with less bus routes and all.. u are screwed. But if u can find proper bus routes say every hour or 30 minutes.. you are good. You can use google map with route suggestions for an idea. Thats how people do ;). Or the transit company local app.
Click to expand...

My work location will be my Hotel room where we will stay and only for 4 days of drive work for which we will have to hire a cab. So we can take any Hotel at any location, we are not bonded to any office.
 
irfanlai said:
Thanks everyone for their replies. We will definitely try the food there and explore places. We are planning few times we can have packet food and other time local food.

Few more doubts.
a. In Toronto which area we should prefer to stay which has good commuting connectivity with food facility at nearby places.

b. We are looking for a Hotel where we can get Kitchen facility in the room. So can we get such kind of room
Click to expand...


If you want a Hotel with a kitchen facility, you have two options.

Youth Hostel - really inexpensive with a common kitchen. Disadvantage is that it will be noisy. Like living in a dorm and you will have to share a room with some unknown person. (If you are travelling with others, them might let you take the same room). Will cost <$50 per day.

Extened stay motels - usually suites with an attacked kitchenette. Have to book for longer periods (usually 2 weeks plus, if I remember correctly). Will be at a slightly higher cost than normal motels/hotels.
 
Search for 'extended stay' hotel. It probably has kitchen too.
Btw can you get me a Canada fridge magnet in case you ever visit a place where they sell souvenirs ? I am serious here. I lost the one I had bought and I need one now.
I have lot of other fridge magnets at my home but this is lost.
Only and only if you happen to visit a place where you also get souvenirs.
 
Most Important - We need LTE network coverage where we are staying....So I hope LTE network is available all over the city (LTE network of all mobile operators)



raksrules said:
Search for 'extended stay' hotel. It probably has kitchen too.
Btw can you get me a Canada fridge magnet in case you ever visit a place where they sell souvenirs ? I am serious here. I lost the one I had bought and I need one now.
I have lot of other fridge magnets at my home but this is lost.
Only and only if you happen to visit a place where you also get souvenirs.
Click to expand...

Yes sure will get it.....Will let you know once all is confirm....
 
I checked on Tripadvisor for Hotels and I got this "Special Lodging". So how good are these special lodging, if 2-3 people want to book a room for 2 weeks.
What are the other options if I am looking for Special lodging/Furnished home/Apartment for stay.

Please suggest.
 
@irfanlai

Don't go to actually search for the magnet, only and only if you visit someplace and see some store selling those then only buy, should cost under 5$ i suppose. I shall PM you on this.

Btw one place for timepass is the Square One Mall. It is mighty big.
Here is how you reach there...

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...jlA-ylhdNxDYD8riDF4OELYE28BXg&mra=ls&t=m&z=16

I have no idea about Indian restaurant but one i know and have been is called The Host. It is on the Hurantario Road itself near the crossing of Robert Speck Pkwy.
Here is the address: 33 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON L5B 2N5, Canada
It has buffet in morning from what i remember and it is bit pricey i think.
 
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South Indian Food: +43° 35' 28.90", -79° 38' 8.74"

Also incase you require some Indian stuff like groceries or anything, then i guess the nearest for you are..

Put these in google maps. I know the Map might not show anything written over them but there is a Indian store there.
These are 2 of them with the second one being bigger.

+43° 34' 44.22", -79° 36' 57.39"
+43° 34' 52.76", -79° 36' 50.90"

In case you want to visit ICICI Bank Canada, Mississauga Branch it is here.. :p

43.580566, -79.617154‎
+43° 34' 50.04", -79° 37' 1.75"
The Casino Bus for Niagara Falls used to start from here.... (one of the stops i think)
+43° 35' 27.64", -79° 38' 25.63"
Might have changed now, ask the Tim Hortans Cafe people and they might know. In case you plan to go in this bus, you will require your passport to be shown as proof of age.
 
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