Towering Toronto
See what Porter’s hometown has to offer, with non-stop flights from Washington, DC to Toronto.
From the heights of the CN Tower to the history of Casa Loma, Toronto is a city of many faces. Multi-faceted and multi-cultural, Toronto has something for everyone. Whether you’re reliving sports glory in the Hockey Hall of Fame or exploring ancient Egypt in the Royal Ontario Museum, there are things to do in Toronto for every taste and pace of trip from Washington, DC.
Once your plane touches down at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, dip your toes into the city with a visit to Toronto’s waterfront. Beach and relaxation are waiting just a short ferry ride away, on the Toronto Islands. If you stay on the mainland, you can catch some rays or just play catch in one of Toronto’s many parks. In every season, the expansive High Park attracts visitors with its history and natural beauty.
Turn your feet towards the Bata Shoe Museum to see one of Toronto’s most unique museums. Follow the evolution of footwear, from everyday to experimental, at the Bata, before walking over to the nearby Gardiner Museum. This speciality museum looks at ceramics from an artistic angle, from the ancient Americas to contemporary Canada.
Ceramics are just the start of the Aga Khan Museum’s vast array of Islamic art. Architectural features and illuminated manuscripts shine a light on Islamic styles as they evolve from the 8th-century to the present day.
A broader look at art is available at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Set in a sweeping Frank Gehry designed building, this collection contains many representative Canadian works, including paintings by Group of Seven members.
Take a peek into the city’s past at Fort York. This national historic site takes you back 200 years, to when the city was the site of a military fort (and Toronto was still called York). Just a short streetcar ride from Billy Bishop Airport, this fort and museum is the perfect start to your visit from Washington, DC.
Roncesvalles Village
A Roncy good time
Just a short streetcar ride from downtown, Roncesvalles Village offers the feel of a small town in the midst of Toronto.
If you’re looking for places to eat in Toronto, Roncesvalles’ restaurants offer a palate-pleasing variety of fare. From Polish paczki doughnuts to artisanal ice cream shops, the neighbourhood carries the perfect culinary mix of retro and refined.
Thirsty travellers from Washington, DC can wet their whistle in one of the many bars on Roncesvalles. Listen to the sound of live music that lights up the night at these establishments. If jazz is your jam, Roncy will be music to your ears.
Don’t just stay holed up in a local watering hole while you’re in Roncesvalles Village. Enjoy the outdoors in neighbouring High Park. Serving as the neighborhood's backyard, High Park features a variety of activities across its 400-acre area. During the spring months, wander through cherry blossom trees that will remind you of Washington on your way to some of the best things to do in High Park.
From the outdoor Amphitheatre to the High Park Zoo, High Park makes for an exciting afternoon. At the Colborne Lodge, you can explore a slice of life in old Toronto. This historic house dating back to 1837 now serves as a museum. Watercolours by original owner John Howard decorate the walls of this era accurate home. For founding High Park, John Howard and his wife, Jemima Meikle, are buried in Howard Tomb, overlooking the scenic Grenadier Pond.
Once you’ve returned from your journey 150 years back in time, take a walk along Roncesvalles retail streets. Locally made clothing and accessories are the area’s speciality, so you can wear your trip from Washington, DC to Toronto, long after you’ve gone home.
Distillery District
Cheers to Toronto’s history
Raise a glass to the historic and hip Distillery District while you’re in town from Washington, DC.
Brothers-in-law and business partners William Gooderham and James Worts began what was to become their distilling empire back in 1832. While business boomed for years, decline and neglect eventually left the distillery’s stately Victorian buildings in a state of derelict disrepair.
It wasn’t until 2003 that 47 of the original buildings were restored to their former glory, creating what we now know as the Distillery District. The Distillery District’s history is still alive in spirit in the area’s many brewery and bars.
Gooderam and Worts would be proud of the Mill Street Brewery, which revived the Distillery District’s brewing tradition. At the Mill Street Brew Pub, you can taste their award-winning beer alongside comfort food.
There’s more than booze brewing in the Distillery District. Tucked away in industrial buildings, independent coffee shops provide the perfect setting for a cozy afternoon during your visit from Washington, DC.
Canadian classics and experimental French food are served up together in the Distillery District’s restaurants. There are plenty of patio dining options, if you’re looking for an al fresco evening. Watch the bustling cobblestone streets, as you taste one of Toronto’s most culinary neighbourhoods.
Spice things up after dinner with a show from the Soulpepper Theatre. Year after year, this applause-worthy (and award winning) theatre company plays in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
Finish up your day in the Distillery District with a round of shopping in the area’s 80 shops and boutiques. From scented candles to sake, the Distillery District’s shops hold the best Artisanal goods in Toronto.
How to get to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in Terminal A.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 44 km / 28 mi from downtown Washington, DC.
Transportation to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Uber and Lyft are available at Washington Dulles International Airport. Exit on the arrivals level where all ride-sharing vehicles meet travellers.
The Silver Line Express shuttle bus provides service to the airport from Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station, on the Metro Silver Line. The fare is $5 USD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxis from downtown cost about $55 USD. Car service costs about $80 USD.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Transportation to Downtown
There are many options for transportation to downtown Toronto from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
The trip is just 3 km / 2 mi away.
Transportation to downtown Toronto
From the base of Bathurst, you can take the 511 streetcar to Bathurst subway station or the 509 streetcar to Union subway station. You can take the subway, GO Transit, PATH or UP Express to and from Union Station. TTC fare for subways, buses, and streetcars is $3.25 CAD.
Hertz is conveniently located in-terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the lower level.
Uber and Lyft pickup is available at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. To find your ride, head to the rideshare pickup curb outside of the mainland terminal. Fares from the airport to downtown Toronto start at $9 CAD.
You can choose to take the pedestrian tunnel to the mainland terminal of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, or the 90-second ferry ride that runs every 15 minutes across Toronto’s inner harbour.
Taxis to downtown cost about $10 CAD. Car service is about $40 CAD.
The shuttle pick-up is just outside the mainland terminal area, under the shuttle bus sign. The pick-up and drop-off location is by the west entrance of the Royal York Hotel on York Street. The shuttle bus offers comfortable and complimentary service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and downtown, approximately every 15 minutes. Times may vary due to traffic and road conditions.
The UP Express Train connects you between Union Station, Bloor Station, Weston Station and Pearson Airport. For ticket fares and schedules, visit upexpress.com
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) Parking
Offsite parking is available at the Queens Quay West location in a bright, clean, eight-story parking facility with 1,100 parking spaces available to passengers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The facility is monitored by a security team, and is equipped with video surveillance to provide a safe environment for the guests. The daily rate is $15 when prebooked, and free shuttle runs to and from the airport.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
