Ontario - Canada Maps

Ontario facts

Capital: Toronto
Population: 14,223,942 (2021)
Date of Admission: 1867
Provincial Motto: Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains)
Provincial flower: white trillium
Time Zones: Central (CST) – (GMT − 6 hours) • Eastern (EST) – (GMT − 5 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km): 1,076,395
Total Area (Sq Mi): 415,599

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Location

Quick links: About, Major places, History, Geography, Climate, Google Maps, Facts, What to do, Accommodation, Pictures, Useful information, Further readings.

Ontario is a diverse province that includes the vast city of Toronto, the capital city of Ottawa, and the natural wonder of Niagara Falls. Ontario is famous for its varied landscapes, like the Canadian Shield, ancient forests, and more than 250,000 lakes. It is Canada’s second-largest province, with Quebec to the east and Manitoba to the west. Ontario is one of the most diverse, multicultural parts of Canada. It has a variety of industries and was once called “the economic powerhouse of Canada” for a good reason. In addition to cultivating crops, mining minerals, manufacturing automobiles, designing software and leading-edge technology, and much more, it’s also home to many festivals, including Caribbean Carnival, Oktoberfest, and the Canadian Aboriginal Festival. One-third of Canada’s population lives in Ontario.

About Ontario, Canada

The second largest Canadian province by area, Ontario, takes up the strip of land at the center of Canada. It borders Hudson Bay on its North and Quebec on the east. To its south is the St. Lawrence River-Great Lakes chain, and to its west is Manitoba. Ontario, the most populous Canadian province, is home to more than one-third of Canada’s population. Ontario is the wealthiest province in Canada, as well as the most advanced. It has a large share of the country’s natural resources, and its economy is more diversified than any other province. Its position in Canadian politics makes it seem like a boss to people living in other parts of Canada. The area is 1,072,370 square km / 415,599 square miles. Learn more about Ontario’s location here.

Principal cities and towns

The largest 10 cities in Ottawa by their population in 2016 are Toronto (2,731,571), Ottawa (934,243), Mississauga (721,599), Brampton (593,638), Hamilton (536,917), London (383,822), Markham (328,966), Vaughan (306,233), Kitchener (233,222), Windsor (217,188).

History

The earliest known inhabitants of the Ontario region were Iroquoian-speaking agricultural Huron, Tionontati, and Erie peoples that lived to the south and Algonquian-speaking hunting Algonquin, Ojibwa, and Cree peoples in the northern parts. The French explorer Étienne Brûlé was the first known European to travel among them during an expedition in 1610–1611. He was soon followed by Samuel de Champlain and other French explorers, fur traders, and missionaries. In 1648–1649, members of a league made up of Iroquoian-speaking people dispersed these southern tribes. In 1673, France established Fort Frontenac (Kingston today) to start the military protection of their fur empire. However, when most New France was given to Britain in 1763, no French colonization occurred in Ontario, except for a small farming settlement in Detroit.

The Quebec Act of 1774 established Ontario as an extension of a colony ruled by Quebec during the American Revolution; it was even used as a base for loyalists to attack the American frontier. In 1784, when the United States gained independence from Britain, the region was settled by approximately 10,000 loyalists and Iroquois tribes who had fought for Britain. The Constitutional Act or Canada Bill of 1791 came immediately after dividing Quebec into what would later become Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario). In Upper Canada, they received the English model of representative government and were granted substantial land endowments called the Crown and Clergy Reserves.

John Graves Simcoe, the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, tried to introduce legal and local laws. He also ensured that there were trunk roads and set the capital of Upper Canada. His policy of welcoming a massive amount of immigration from the United States was a cause for tension between the newcomers and loyalists who already lived there. This issue became worse during the War of 1812. After this war, many immigrants came from Ireland and Great Britain, with large amounts coming from Scotland.

The Family Compact was a conservative oligarchy controlling the province from 1815 to 1840. Even when this group lost its majority in the elected legislative assembly twice, it continued to control the legislative council (the appointed upper house) and the lieutenant governor’s executive council (the governing body). The oligarchy favored the Anglican Church and Crown Clergy Reserves but also rapid economic growth. Its commitment of public funds, borrowed in Great Britain, to private infrastructure projects—such as the construction of the Welland Canal (to bypass Niagara Falls)—led to mounting opposition by reformers demanding “responsible government.” This meant that the government must enjoy the confidence of most members of the assemblée élue. Some proposed expanding the elective principle into the legislative council, but the local oligarchy and Britain resisted significant change. In 1837, a small radical minority led by 1837 unsuccessful uprisings in Lower Canada (also unsuccessful).

In 1841, Upper Canada joined Lower Canada to become one big province. The English East became known as Canada in the 1840s, and a responsible cabinet was formed. This led to the passage of its highly controversial Rebellion Losses Bill (1849) because it was designed to compensate those who had suffered losses during the revolt of 1837. This bill enraged Tories because they felt some of the rebels would be rewarded with compensation; it also signaled the end of their influence. When Lord Elgin signed this bill into law, an angry mob burned down Parliament buildings in Montreal. The incident demonstrated that the colonial government was now responsible: the assembly supported the bill, and Lord Elgin gave his assent despite his doubts and those of the British government. The present municipal governance and educational system were created in the 1850s, which also brought railway construction to a large scale, industrialization, and Toronto’s emergence as an economic competitor for Montreal.

Economic growth in Canada West led to a demand for the Hudson’s Bay Company to expand its territory. The need for colonial defense, trade improvement, and the political deadlock gripping the province contributed to the movement toward a new constitutional settlement: the Canadian Federation. Politicians from Canada West, such as John Macdonald and George Brown, mainly did this.

With federation, Canada West was formed into Ontario. The capital became located in Toronto, while Ottawa remained the federal capital. For a generation, Ontario had been led by Liberal Premier Oliver Mowat. He created a new province through his victory in a dispute with Manitoba and the federal government that doubled the size of Ontario and confirmed the supremacy of provincial governments within their constitutionally assigned powers.

With the harnessing of the Niagara Falls in 1882, Ontario entered into an energy revolution that eventually came to encompass the hydroelectric power potential of the northern part of the province and the St. Lawrence River, as well as coal-generated and nuclear thermal power. With significant discoveries of minerals, such as silver and gold, and the expansion of pulp and paper, Ontario’s forest industry became a major export staple in early 20th-century Canada. In addition, the government placed a ‘manufacturing condition’ on companies that were intended to force them to process products from Ontario before exporting them.

Toronto surpassed Montreal during the 1930s due to its rich business resources and collaboration from the city’s diverse community. With this mindset, Toronto succeeded in becoming Canada’s leading financial center.

In 1905, the Liberal Party of Canada ended 29 years of Conservative rule and gave Canada a new government. Though the party is often seen as wielding a liberal influence, its members were more inclined to intervene in the economy than their Liberal predecessors. The Tories formed the Hydroelectric Power Commission of Ontario, allowing for industry and agriculture development. The Tories also initiated a worker’s compensation law and granted greater autonomy to the University of Toronto.

In the early 20th century, Ontario became a flourishing province. Events that had significant impacts on the province include two world wars. In WWI, people were more military-friendly and patriotic; Kitchener was renamed “Berlin” during this time. The town even changed its name! Many young men from across the British Isles volunteered to fight in Canada – 68,000 people died or were wounded in conflicts during that war. While at home, industries flourished, and reforms started to grow. The Conservative government introduced prohibition because alcohol was perceived as an obstacle to industrial production and community development.

Hearst’s government was succeeded in 1919 by an uncomfortable coalition of the United Farmers of Ontario and the Independent Labour Party, led by Ernest C. Drury. However, prohibition proved too difficult for the government, so they held a referendum that year that approved its extension into 1927.

In the 1930s, the Great Depression took its toll on Ontario’s population and economy. Mining was the only industry that fared well, which made up for the hard times with increased profits. Mining was robust during this time, but it only accounted for 4% of employment. With unemployment at 20%, people could not collect property taxes from an average of 50 municipalities. That led to the creation 1935 of the Department of Municipal Affairs, which gave broad-ranging powers with primarily financial oversight.

The Depression discredited the Conservatives, and their defeat in 1934 meant that a farmer from western Ontario, Mitchell Hepburn, became Prime Minister. His initial cause for reform was moderate, but eventually, he became notorious for resisting militant labor unions affiliated with the new U.S.-based Congress of Industrial Organizations. On political and constitutional grounds, he also got into a dispute with Canadian Prime Minister William L. Mackenzie King. World War II’s outbreak added another dimension to those disputes as they believed Churchill’s government wasn’t committed to total war.

Living in a society where the decisions are made for you lessens one’s appreciation for freedom. This is why people joined the armed forces during World War I. The Commonwealth Air Training Plan was a critical wartime project that gave Ontario residents a reason to support their leaders, boosting employment opportunities and industrial growth.

The Second World War significantly impacted social life in Canada, especially in Ontario. The war also led to increased labor organization and growing support for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) as a social-democratic party that preached the message that the government should reward wartime sacrifices with improved social and health services. In 1943, the Liberals lost power, and a Conservative minority government rose from their defeat. But it wasn’t long before an upstart new left-wing party proclaimed itself as the real voice of the middle class in postwar Canada. Led by pragmatic leaders with roots in small and medium-sized towns—like George Drew, Leslie Frost, John Robarts, and William Davis—the CCF embodied moderate political philosophy and responded effectively to social change.

During the war, tax breaks and government-sponsored daycare were used to recruit women to work as employees. Neither plan lasted long after the war ended. Governments after 1945 encouraged married women to go back to home life to help with the ‘baby boom’ and suburban growth that put pressure on the educational system. An influx of mostly younger immigrants from Europe also led to heavy pressure on schools, which occurred in tandem with a prolonged period of economic growth wherein incomes and profits rose, and people’s earnings grew substantially.

The Conservative Party remained in power for over 40 years until the Liberals defeated them in 1985. The PCs, the New Democratic Party (successor to the CCF), and the Conservatives alternated in power through the end of the 20th century and into the 21st.

The conservative government made a controversial decision 1984 to extend total funding to the Roman Catholic separate school system. The government recognized this as an effort to recognize the shift of power from Canada’s traditional Protestant base. The increased immigration from eastern and southern Europe had increased Catholics in Ontario, especially in such cities as Toronto, Halifax, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Windsor. Even though some of the Conservative supporters were offended by the government’s action, critics of publicly funded religious education objected to what they viewed as an implication weakening of the public school system. The Supreme Court of Canada upheld this legislation because it took priority over the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom’s pre-existing rights. Later, in 1999, the UN found that this constituted religious discrimination because it did not offer to fund other minority religious groups. Issues surrounding public funding for religious schools remain contentious today.

In another area, a challenge in the Ontario courts led to a significant change in public policy. In 2003, the Ontario Superior Court found that Canadian law restricting marriage to the Union of a man and a woman violated the equality provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This was the first of several similar rulings in other provinces that prompted the government to pass the 2005 Civil Marriage Act, offering fully equal marriage to same-sex couples.

Geography

Ontario has two regions that are entirely different. The Northern region is typically defined as everything in Canada north of a line drawn from the Mattawa and Ottawa rivers (at the Quebec border, east of Lake Nipissing) southwest to the mouth of the French River, on Georgian Bay. This region covers approximately 900,000 square km / 350,000 square mi and is mostly Canadian Shield (characteristically marked with a profusion of lakes and rivers), muskeg (bogs), and densely forested rocky terrain. The Southern region is entirely different, consisting primarily of what was originally Vale-Canada (a vast lava plain) spread over 647,000 km / 250,000 square miles. Its rocks are typically younger than those in the north, it has more lakes in its scenery, and its vegetation may vary from thinly clumped trees to mixed forests found in many other regions.

Mountains to see in Ontario are Maple Mountain, Mount McKay, Ishpatina Ridge, Mount Ferguson, Devil Mountain, Tip Top Mountain, Ontario Peak, and Rib Mountain.

The Sudbury area is a region in the Canadian province of Ontario, which has been mined for its rich mineral deposits and hydroelectric power potential. It sits on the plateau, which has an average elevation of 460 meters / 1,500 feet, and contains Ishpatina Ridge, which rises to 693 meters / 2,274 feet near Lake Temagami.

Southern Ontario contains gentle hills and low-elevation plains. Its lowest area on the Ottawa River is only meters / 150 feet above sea level, and its highest point in the Blue Mountains south of Georgian Bay is just over 539 meters / 1,770 feet in elevation. An extension of the Canadian Shield known as the Frontenac Axis from eastern Southern Ontario crosses the St. Lawrence River east of Kingston, forming the Thousand Islands region along its border. Along the province’s southern edge lies a series of beautiful lake districts. These regions attract visitors because of their scenic beauty and lavish resorts.

The most significant features of the landscape are the Niagara Escarpment, which extends an impressive distance from Niagara Falls to the Bruce Peninsula; the roads and railways that pass through its dramatic valleys; and the nature trail that runs along much of its length. The geography of southern Ontario has been shaped largely by glacial activity, giving it a rolling appearance. The Ottawa and St. Lawrence lowlands in eastern Ontario and the flat lands at the western tip of Ontario’s peninsula don’t offer as many obstacles for landforms to grow against.

Amazing bodies of water in Ontario include Niagara Falls, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Lake Simcoe, Lake Nipissing, Ottawa River, Lake Muskoka, Rideau Canal, Welland Canal, and Lake Wilcox.

Northern Ontario contains parts of two major drainage basins—those of the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay. Running from Lake of the Woods to Kirkland Lake is a band of higher land that separates Northern Ontario from Southern Ontario. Major rivers in Northern Ontario are the Severn, the Winisk, and the Albany, while the Ottawa and French Rivers are major rivers in Southern Ontario.

The rivers in Southern Ontario are short and flow into the Great Lakes. The eastern portion of the region is drained chiefly by tributaries of the Ottawa River.

Northern Ontario is largely peaty and unsuitable for agriculture, except for two clay belts in the north near Timiskaming and Cochrane. Southern Ontario is mainly a gray-brown podzolic soil, although sand plains are found north of Lake Erie and along the eastern Lake Ontario shore.

National and Provincial Parks in Ontario are Georgian Bay Islands, Thousand Islands, Bruce Peninsula, and Algonquin.

Northern Ontario consists of the boreal forest, where the black and white spruce predominates. Numerous other species are also found there, including jack pine, tamarack, poplar, white birch, and balsam. The vegetation at the northern border is tundra with a few more species, such as the Arctic willow and cotton grasses. Southern Ontario has mostly hardwood forests with white and red pine stands on lighter soils.

Animal life consists of many animals, such as moose and black bears. Medium-sized mammals include deer and foxes, among other small mammals like skunks. There are also larger birds in the animal kingdom, including ducks, geese, and finches.

Climate

In Northern Ontario, the climate can vary from that of the districts close to the Great Lakes, which have more than 100 days without frost, to the challenging climate of the Hudson Bay area, where it can be cold for 40 days without snowfall. At Thunder Bay on Lake Superior, January means a mean temperature of -15 degrees Celsius / 5 degrees Fahrenheit; July means an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius / 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and there are about 700 millimeters / 28 inches of precipitation annually. There are less than 2,160 millimeters / 85 inches of snowfall per year.

The climate in Southern Ontario is generally favorable for agriculture, but local variations exist. The territory east of the moderating influence of the lakes tends to be colder and more humid than the southern and southwestern areas. Ottawa receives an average of just under 900 millimeters / 35 inches of rain and slightly less than 2,160 millimeters / 85 inches of snow yearly, compared with Toronto’s approximately 790 millimeters / 31 inches of rain and 1,370 millimeters / 54 inches of snow. In January, temperatures in most southern regions tend to be about −4 °C / 25 °F. In July, they are typically 22 °C / 72 °F. Temperatures in the Ottawa Valley, however, are −11 °M / 13 °F and 21 °C / 69 °F.

Google Maps Ontario

Please click here for driving directions.

Google Street View is a feature of Google Maps that provides 360-degree panoramic images of many locations worldwide, including the province of Ontario. Here are a few exciting objects and locations that Google Street View in Ontario has captured:

The CN Tower: Google Street View has captured images of the CN Tower, an iconic landmark in the city of Toronto, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Niagara Falls: Google Street View has captured images of Niagara Falls, a group of three waterfalls located on the Niagara River, one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Royal Ontario Museum: Google Street View has captured images of the Royal Ontario Museum, a museum in Toronto dedicated to natural history, world cultures, and art.
The Parliament Buildings: Google Street View has captured images of the Parliament Buildings, a historic complex located in the city of Ottawa that serves as the seat of the federal government of Canada.
The Toronto Zoo: Google Street View has captured images of the Toronto Zoo, a famous zoological garden located in the city of Toronto that is home to various animals from around the world.
The Aga Khan Museum: Google Street View has captured images of the Aga Khan Museum, a museum in the city of Toronto dedicated to Islamic art and culture.
The Thousand Islands: Google Street View has captured images of the Thousand Islands, a group of small islands in the St. Lawrence River, a popular tourist destination.

Did you know?

Ontario is Canada’s second-largest province, at over 415,000 sq km / 1,000,000 sq mi. That’s more land area than the combined size of France and Spain.
Ontario is home to over 250,000 lakes, which hold about one-fifth of the world’s freshwater.
Pelee Island is the southern point of Canada. In addition, it is entirely or partially south of a whopping 27 different U.S. states!
Ontario’s Official Flag: The Red Ensign of the province includes the Union Jack, representing Ontario’s ties to Britain, and the Coat-of-Arms of the Province.
The white three-petalled flower called the trillium is the official flower of Ontario. They grow in profusion in early Spring on the wild woodland outskirts of the province.
Canada has a wide range of weather conditions, and Ontario does as well. In summer, the temperatures can soar up to 30°C / 86°F, while in the winter, they might drop below -40°C / -40°F.
Niagara Falls is one of the biggest draws to this region and one of North America’s most popular tourist attractions.
Toronto is Ontario’s capital and is among Canada’s largest cities, with over 3 million residents.
In Canada, roughly 25% of the population lives within 160 km / 99,41 mi of Toronto.
Toronto is a multicultural city, with residents speaking over 140 languages and 44% of residents having a first language that isn’t English or French.
Toronto is a melting pot of culture and diversity. Approximately half the population was born outside of Canada.
With its diverse culinary culture, Toronto has over 8,000 restaurants offering food from places worldwide.
Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada and the third-largest zoo in the world, housing 16,000 animals of 491 different species.
After 18 years of discussion, Queen Victoria signed the British North America Act in 1867 and chose Ottawa to be the capital of Canada.

Ottawa was chosen as the nation’s capital because it was close to English and French Canada.
Ottawa is the seventh coldest capital in the world. The other Cold Capitals include Ulaan-Baatar in Mongolia, Astana in Kazakhstan, Moscow, Helsinki, Reykjavik in Iceland, and Tallinn in Estonia.
During winter, the Rideau Canal in Canada becomes the world’s largest skating rink, 7.8 km / 4,84 mi.
Niagara Falls is a reservoir on the Niagara River, which includes three waterfalls: the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three falls.
The three waterfalls form the second-largest waterfall in the world (after Victoria Falls in Africa).
About 70 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of water go over the falls every minute.
The falls have been running for about 10,000 years, but they’ve had periods of hiatus in their history. In 1848, the falls stopped for about 30 hours when a large ice field from Lake Erie obstructed the river’s source.
Even though most people think Lake Ontario was called that because it borders the province of Ontario, that’s not true. It’s just the opposite – the province is named after the lake.
The bottom of the lake is so cold it’s used as a source of cooling for high-rises.
Although many lakes freeze in Canada’s winters, Lake Ontario is too massive and deep to freeze. The last time Lake Ontario froze over was in 1934.

What to do in Ontario

Ontario is a destination beyond sight and experience, with a significant range of activities, wonders, and breathtaking sights. One of the most incredible attractions is the CN Tower, which provides visitors with expansive views of Toronto. The ROM features significant collections that enrich visitors’ experience and exploration. The many other attractions are Casa Loma, Algonquin Provincial Park, and the National Gallery of Canada.

Ontario is the most visited place in Canada. Niagara Falls attracts millions of tourists annually with its beauty, unique location, and spectacular views overlooking the river and the falls. The natural beauty and activity are unbelievable around Ontario. People can experience that with amazing activities like taking part in activities inside historic buildings, swimming with sea turtles on a free, natural beach, relaxing at a spa, and visiting the amazing art on display.

Accommodation in Ontario

Quality budget-friendly accommodations are easy to find in Ontario when traveling on a budget. They offer basic amenities and clean rooms to meet their clients’ needs. Mid-range accommodations: Ontario boasts a vast number of hotels at reasonable prices. They offer a perfect combination of comfort and value for money. They also feature larger rooms than budget-friendly options. Luxury accommodations in Ontario feature large rooms with all the latest and most outstanding amenities. This includes swimming pools, saunas, jacuzzis, and other fashionable facilities.

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Tips for accommodations in Ontario

Our tips for accommodation in Ontario would be to consider staying in a traditional “cottage country” or a “resort town.” Ontario is home to many picturesque lakeside towns and cottage country regions, such as Muskoka, Haliburton, and the Kawarthas, that offer unique and authentic experiences. These regions often have various accommodation options, such as cottages, cabins, inns, and resorts that are nestled among the area’s natural beauty and offer comfortable and cozy stays.

Staying in a resort town like Collingwood, Blue Mountain, or Niagara-on-the-lake can provide an opportunity to experience the region’s natural beauty while also having access to amenities and activities such as skiing, hiking, and swimming.

Another tip would be to consider staying in a city like Toronto or Ottawa, where you will have access to a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels and hotels to luxury resorts and a variety of cultural and entertainment opportunities.

Budget-Friendly	Mid Range	High End
Fullerton Manor Inn, Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls	One King West Hotel and Residence, Financial District, Toronto	The St. Regis Toronto, Financial District
The Business Inn, Ottawa	Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, Downtown Ottawa	Fairmont Chateau Laurier Gold Experience
The Only Backpacker’s Inn, The Danforth, Toronto	Sterling Inn & Spa, Niagara Falls	Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa

Booking hotel accommodations in Ontario is easy and convenient thanks to online booking platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Still, travelers can find great deals on furnished apartments and private homes that offer room and board services using the room price comparison engine above. With so many options available, there’s sure to be an accommodation option that fits your needs and budget.

Pictures

Useful information

One of the most significant features of Ontario is its geographical diversity. Northern Ontario, or “North” for short, includes less than half of the province’s population compared to Central and Southern Ontario. This area, also known as “So-Called” Central Ontario, is characterized by its nature and seasonality. If you foster a love for the outdoors and find yourself traveling anytime shortly, consider hitting the road north from Toronto to explore the sights.

There are many ways to travel into and around Ontario, including by air, train, bus, car, and ferry. Find out how to navigate from one point to the next and become familiar with the companies and operators that can help you get there.

Public transportation

Toronto and Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is an efficient and convenient way to get around the city seven days a week. A subway system links to buses, streetcars, and a light-rail transit throughout the city and surrounding area; download RocketMan, one of Toronto’s favorite transit apps.

Presto cards use a contactless automated fare collection system to access the network of GTA public transportation.
Bike Share Toronto, whose bicycles are available to rent at kiosks across Toronto.
MiWay, Mississauga’s public transportation system.
Brampton Transit, for public transportation in Brampton.
Metrolinx transportation services provide integrated public transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas.

Ottawa

OC Transpo, for public transit services around Ottawa.
Bird Canada, Lime, and Neuron websites are for e-scooter rentals in Ottawa.

Bus

Several bus lines offer service throughout Ontario. They include:

Ontario Northland, with routes from Toronto to Central and Northern Ontario.
Coach Canada provides travel between many Ontario cities, including Beamsville, Cambridge, Hamilton, and Toronto, and from Windsor to Montreal along Highway 401.
Parkbus, with routes between Toronto and Ottawa and various provincial and national parks.
GO Transit is the regional public transit service for the Greater Toronto, Hamilton, and Niagara areas.
Megabus, with routes between various Ontario cities, including Kingston, London, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Toronto, and Cornwall.
Flixbus features connections between Toronto and Ottawa and Toronto and Waterloo, with stops in Mississauga, Kitchener, and Guelph.

Electric vehicle (EV)

Vehicles that run on electricity are becoming more popular, and Ontario has plenty of places to charge them. You can find fast-charging stations throughout the province, at many gas stations and carpool lots, at hotels, shopping centers, and other public places.

Ferry

You’ve come so far; you can’t stop now! Keep your journey going with a ferry across the province. Some ferries will have cars available for crossing as well. Check each ferry company’s website for more information.

MS Chi-Cheemaun, which runs between Tobermory and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island
Glenora Ferry, which connects Glenora and Adolphustown in Eastern Ontario
Pelee Island Ferries, which run between Leamington or Kingsville and Pelee Island in Southern Ontario
Toronto Island Ferry, which departs from the downtown Toronto docks and services the Toronto Islands
Wolfe Island Ferry, which connects Kingston and Wolfe Island in Eastern Ontario

Taxis and airport shuttles

Taxi and airport shuttle services offer transportation to and from major airports in Ontario, some with door-to-door service. Learn about the long-distance shuttle service at Toronto Pearson Airport. Some of the most popular service providers include:

Airways Tra nsit, with service in the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario.
Coach Canada, in the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario.
Niagara Airbus, in the Greater Toronto Area and Niagara.
Red Car Service, in the Greater Toronto Area.
Ontario Coachway, in Southeastern Ontario.
Uber, in Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Hamilton.
Lyft, in Toronto and Ottawa.
Detroit Metro Shuttle Service is a Sarnia-based company providing service between Toronto, London, and Detroit.

International Airports in Ontario

Ontario has several international gateways, but Toronto and Ottawa are the two main gateway airports. They serve most of the major airlines and charter companies in Canada. Here is a list of Ontario’s major airports:

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Toronto
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), Toronto
Ottawa International Airport (YOW), Ottawa
John C. Munro International Airport (YHM), Hamilton
London International Airport (YXU), London
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF), Waterloo
Windsor International Airport (YQG), Windsor

Domestic airports in Ontario

Although international airports provide flight services all over the world, domestic airports can also offer solutions locally.

Thunder Bay Airport (YQT), Thunder Bay
Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM), Sault Ste. Marie
Greater Sudbury Airport (YSB), Sudbury
Jack Garland Airport (YYB), North Bay
Victor M. Power Airport (YTS), Timmins
Norman Rogers Airport (YGK), Kingston
Chris Hadfield Airport (YZR), Sarnia
Kenora Airport (YQK), Kenora

Train

Train travel can be convenient for shorter trips, such as from one city to another or from one province to the next. Train providers include:

VIA Rail Canada – VIA Rail provides a passenger rail service in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, and Southwestern Ontario. Express trains serve most routes in the area for those who need to travel shorter distances between cities.
Union Pearson Express is a high-speed, air-rail link connecting the country’s two busiest transportation sources — Toronto Pearson International Airport and Union Station, located in Toronto.
GO Transit covers regional public transit in Greater Toronto, Hamilton, and Niagara. The Niagara Parks Travel Package includes a round-trip GO Transit fare plus a connecting two-day WEGO bus ticket!

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