Need advice, first time to Toronto

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eliquid

eliquid

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Hey guys need some advice...

For the first time, I have to travel out of the US.

This is the also the first time for me to be flying as well.

I know I need a passport, but what can you tell a first time flyer/international traveler?

Some concerns are:

1. Losing luggage on flight
2. Money ( currency exchange - do this before or after flight? how about using credit cards? )

Some things also hit me.. what the best way to spend 2-3 days in Toronto?

P.S. As you can tell, I dont travel much!
 


barman said:
Party like a rock start in Toronto.. has a great night life.
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Toronto is not bad, you gotta check out the nightlife in montreal. it's "different" :)

as for the other stuff:

1. Get Passport
2. Cash and money, you can use any ATM anywhere and credit cards all work. You are not going to timbuktu here. Exchang emoney is a small currency exchange stand, NOT at the bank and NOT at the airport.
 
I think you'd be better off exchanging your money in the US although I'm not sure, you should call a bank or two over there and in Toronto. Some toronto banks TD canada trust, royal bank, scotiabank, tons more but that should do. Few days ago I got like 92 cents for the US dollar (yes that's 92 cents canadian for 1 US dollar) here but it's been fluctuating so much so I don't know what they'll give you.

As for spending your time it really depends what you want to do. There's tons of good bars and clubs in the downtown area. Here's a site you may want to check out: Toronto Nightclubs Toronto Clubs, Clubcrawlers.com

If you're looking to do more sight seeing rather than partying you should definitely check out the CN tower, just don't shit yourself when you stand on that glass floor 350 meters above.

You'll find a shit ton of fancy restaurants and such for eating wherever you go and if you want some fine Chinese food Spadina is the place. For shopping Eaton Centre at Yonge and Queen and there's a bunch of stores around that area too, but to be honest save your money, shit is more expensive here than in the US even though our dollar is stronger.

For the most part people are pretty friendly although you may come across a few dicks. Also be prepared to see lots of homeless people.
 
Toronto is great, not much different from the U.S. at all. If you're into the night life, look up the Guvernment, The Guvernment, probably one of the best known clubs there. As far as everything else goes, stick around Young St/Queen St, pretty much where it's happening. They actually accept USD at a lot of stores there.
 
HairyHun said:
...Exchang emoney is a small currency exchange stand, NOT at the bank and NOT at the airport.
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Not sure if I agree with that, I think banks tend to give better rates. Some of the exchange places gouge you. I've never really used them so I'm not 100% sure on this but at my bank (TD) their rate is usually 2 cents less, so if it's at .94 like today I think you would get .92 which isn't bad in my opinion. I have a US account that gives me a preferred rate which is about 1 penny above so I'd be getting .93 if it was .94.

elucidex - stores will gouge you. e.g beer store's rate is like 90 cents or less when the dollar is .94.
 
m0rtal you're right, i seem to remember that now

best bet is to just use your debit card or get money out of an ATM, easiest at least.
 
Get on the passport thing soon. It takes awhile I think, I recently got one and I think the wait is like 30-60 days or something. And when you go in to get a passport have a passport photo with you, you can get them at walgreens
 
since you're flying you'll definately need a passport. shoudl get one soon if you're planning on going to fly anytime soon.

as for spending time up here, what are your interests, and where are you commin from? lots to take into consideration ie. asian food, shopping, sites, clubs etc.

too bad you weren't in now, i'd probably be able to squeeze u in line bypass and vip w/ me a guverment tonite lol
 
Make sure you pack lots of shorts and short sleeve shirts. They are having a heat wave there now.
 
Thanks Guys.. lots of info here.

I am coming from Kentucky ( Louisville ) and I am into everything.. all kinds of food, entertainment, etc..

My biggest worries are getting up there are getting stuck. Meaning stuck with no money ( exchange rates, debit cards ), clothes ( if they got lost during my trip on the plane ), or have nothing to do.

I have to go to Frankfort to get my certified birth certificate on Monday and then going to the POST OFFICE to do my passport with expedited service.

Thanks for all your help. I should be up there right after Thanksgiving.
 
I think I will not take cash with me. Some people suggested I can just used Credit Cards/ATM, so I feel safer with that.

I'll just take my debit card ( mastercard/visa ) and use it up there as to not worry about exchange rates and such. If I need cash, I will just use ATM. I don't mind the ATM fee as I plan to use it very little for that there. But good to know I can use the CC's there and not worry about exchange rates.

I just don't want to miss anything I shouldn't. It would be like going to Philly and not having a cheesesteak at Geno's or going to Chicago and not seeing the Cubs play while eating a pizza.
 
Make sure you have some Canadian dollars with you there.

Visit the Niagara Falls while you're there.
I liked it there, going to visit again next year
 
Tdot - the skinny

Eliquid,

Toronto (aka tdot) is a legendary Canadian city, but a bit "wanna be" New Yorkish. I've lived here on and off for about 3 years now. The downtown core is great to visit, because of the concentrated districts. The Entertainment District is the highlight downtown with over 300 clubs, lounges, bars and restaurants in a 10 block radius. It's pretty crazy on the weekends, especially in the summer, but good to go year round. Toronto is one the most diverse cities I've lived in with about 48% of the population being ethnic.

All you need is a valid passport, a return ticket out of Canada and a non-sketchy reason to be here in order to get through customs without a hitch.

As for getting CDN money, you don't need a lot here, your credit card will work in most places. Bring some Canadian money, but convert it back home at a bank for the best rate. Note: Your dollar is actually worth less than ours now, as the canuck dollar has appreciated over 25% against USD in the last few months. Sucks for you guys.

Notes: Our girls our way hotter (and classier) than yours, and don't respond well to whistles and phrases like "show me your tits". You'll need a little more tact than that to score up here. Money is the universal language though. Also our beer is a lot stronger than yours, I recommend trying Sleeman Honey Brown Lager when you get up here, just pace yourself

;)

If you are looking for specific things to do here, ping me on AIM and i'll hook you up with the places you want to check off.

Geofferson
 
geofferson said:
Notes: Our girls our way hotter (and classier) than yours, and don't respond well to whistles and phrases like "show me your tits".
Click to expand...

I get ass at least 6 times a week thanks to that awesome pickup line. Of course it only works on American girls.:anon.sml:
 
eliquid said:
Some concerns are:

1. Losing luggage on flight
2. Money ( currency exchange - do this before or after flight? how about using credit cards? )

Some things also hit me.. what the best way to spend 2-3 days in Toronto?

P.S. As you can tell, I dont travel much!
Click to expand...

eliquid said:
My biggest worries are getting up there are getting stuck. Meaning stuck with no money ( exchange rates, debit cards ), clothes ( if they got lost during my trip on the plane ), or have nothing to do.
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Do you really need to check baggage for a 2-3 day trip? I don't check anything for multi-week international trips. Checking baggage, waiting for it after arrival, and just having the possibility of it being lost really sucks. I will only take whatever fits in my 22" rollerboard and laptop backpack which can both be carried on to most flights.
 
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