Toronto Travel Glossary

Plain-language definitions of Toronto transit, neighbourhood, airport and trip-planning terms.

Use the search box to find a term. Definitions are simplified for visitors and may not cover every official technical meaning.

City Centre

Destination Toronto term for the central districts including the Entertainment District, Financial District and Downtown Yonge.

GO Transit

Regional rail and bus system connecting Toronto with the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and beyond.

Green P

City-linked municipal parking system in Toronto.

Harbourfront

Central waterfront area with public spaces, cultural venues and ferry access nearby.

One Fare

Ontario program integrating eligible transfers between TTC, GO and participating regional transit systems.

PATH

Downtown pedestrian network connecting offices, transit, shops and services; it is not a single straight tourist tunnel.

PRESTO

Fare payment system used on TTC, GO and many regional transit services.

Proof of payment

Evidence that the correct transit fare was paid; the payment card or device may be required during inspection.

ROM

Royal Ontario Museum.

AGO

Art Gallery of Ontario.

TTC

Toronto Transit Commission, operating subway, streetcar and bus service.

UP Express

Airport rail service between Pearson Airport and Union Station.

Union Station

Toronto’s central rail and transit hub.

Billy Bishop

Downtown airport on the Toronto Islands.

Pearson

Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga.

Old Town

Historic central area around St. Lawrence Market and nearby streets.

Distillery District

Pedestrian heritage district in former industrial buildings east of Old Town.

Kensington Market

Residential and commercial neighbourhood known for food, independent shops and multicultural history.

Yorkville

Central neighbourhood associated with luxury retail, galleries and hotels.

The Annex

Neighbourhood near the University of Toronto and Bloor Street.

Queen West

West-central street corridor associated with retail, art and music.

Ossington

West-end corridor known for dining and evening activity.

The Beaches

East-end lakefront neighbourhood and boardwalk area.

Rouge

Rouge National Urban Park in eastern Toronto.

Scarborough Bluffs

Lake Ontario escarpment and park areas; visitors must stay away from unstable cliff edges.

Toronto Islands

Island chain in Lake Ontario reached by ferry or water taxi.

Centre Island

Popular island destination with family-oriented facilities and paths.

Hanlan’s Point

Western Toronto Island ferry destination and park area.

Ward’s Island

Eastern ferry destination and residential island area.

Timed entry

Admission tied to a specific arrival time.

CityPASS

Commercial attraction bundle whose included venues and terms can change.

Streetcar

Rail transit vehicle operating on Toronto streets.

Two-hour transfer

TTC transfer period applied to eligible tap payments under current rules.

Fare capping

Automatic free travel after reaching a specified number of paid trips within the stated period.

Lake effect

Influence of Lake Ontario on temperature, wind, humidity and local conditions.

Ravine

Valley green-space system running through parts of Toronto.

Neighbourhood cluster

Nearby streets and attractions planned together to reduce backtracking.

Shoulder season

Travel period between peak summer and winter seasons.

Greenbelt

Protected regional landscape beyond central Toronto; not the same as a downtown park.

Greater Toronto Area

Toronto and surrounding municipalities, often abbreviated GTA.