Practical information about Toronto

Getting to know Toronto can be fun and exciting but being in a new city means you will want to have all the latest information about your new destination at your fingertips. You want to know about the local currency, the climate, the electrical voltage for your appliances and which documents you need when entering the city.

In the event of an emergency, it's important to know the numbers to call and where to go for help. Knowing which emergency number to use prepares you for just about any unforeseen event and is handy to have on your phone list when you need it.

Keep this handy guide with you so that you can use it after you land in Toronto. You will find information about the average temperatures and rainfall in the city and how to call officials in the city. Check out the overview below on the things every traveller should know when travelling to Toronto!

Essential Toronto information for visitors

Police, Marine, Air Search and Rescue: The number for general police matters in Toronto is 911. You can call this number for fire, police and medical emergencies from anywhere in Toronto. If calling from a payphone you can dial 911 as a free call. If using a cellphone, you should be able to give the exact location of the emergency, so if you are unfamiliar with the area, ask before calling. Calls are free from a cell phone. For the Telephone Device for the Deaf press the spacebar announcer key several times until a response is received. If English is not your native language, stay on the line for translation services.

Average temperatures: The warmest month in Toronto is July with an average temperature of around 18°C. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of -6.7°C. The average yearly temperature is about 8°C. The summer months of June to September are warm and humid while winter is very windy and cold with snowfall.

Currency in Toronto: Toronto uses the Canadian dollar. This is also the national currency of Canada. To abbreviate it use the dollar sign ($), or CAD, or C$ so it is not confused with other dollar currencies. Canadian dollars are divided into 100 cents. The Canadian dollar compares favourably with the US dollar and Great British Pound. The currency is distributed by the Bank of Canada and available in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. They are sometimes called the loonie due to the image of a loon on the back. The Canadian dollar is a stable currency due to the relative economic stability of the region.

Time zone: Toronto local time is Eastern Daylight time (in the Eastern Standard Time zone). The city employs daylight savings time from March to November. Toronto is five hours behind GMT during Standard Time and four hours behind GMT during Daylight Saving Time.

Electricity: In Canada the supply voltage on electrical outlets is 120V and 60Hz. If the appliance is not dual voltage rated, you will need a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely. In Canada there are type A plugs, which have two flat parallel pins and a B plug type. This plug has flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.

Language: English is the main language spoken in Toronto. Citizens also speak French, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian and Italian.

**Required travel documents: **Canadian and U.S. citizens will need a valid passport when travelling by air between Canada and the United States. Canadian citizens that have citizenship in both countries must travel using a valid Canadian passport.

Tipping and taxes: In Canada diners tip approximately 20% of the bill. If service is bad you may withhold the tip or pay less. Sometimes diners pay much more for great service. Many restaurants charge 15-18% of the total bill when waitrons have to serve and accommodate larger groups.

Now you know the basics you're ready to go. Don't forget to browse the best Toronto flights and hotel deals on offer from BudgetAir Canada.