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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Travelling to Toronto

16 replies

Fairylights7 · 14/04/2023 21:57

Hi, we have been invited by family friends to stay with them near Toronto next year. It's so kind of then but will be a bit of a stretch so thinking now how we keep a lid on spiralling costs. Has anyone got any tips on best and cheapest flights from the UK (we are in the Midlands) - thanks

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 15/04/2023 00:03

@Fairylights7
If I’m brutally honest - fly direct. Choice from Heathrow is usually BA or Air Canada. BA is better! You could always look at going via Ireland but the more flights, the greater the odds are for something going wrong! I appreciate your concerns and you might get cheap flights but start looking 11 months before you go. Decide if you want to spend hours hanging around for non direct flights.

somewhereovertherain · 15/04/2023 07:17

We found westjet out of Gatwick to be cheapest the first time.

second trip to the west coast we used air Canada.

can’t say found it particularly expensive of planned well we did 17-18 nights from for under £5k - car hire, flights, hotels etc. Flying in July.

somewhereovertherain · 15/04/2023 07:18

TizerorFizz · 15/04/2023 00:03

@Fairylights7
If I’m brutally honest - fly direct. Choice from Heathrow is usually BA or Air Canada. BA is better! You could always look at going via Ireland but the more flights, the greater the odds are for something going wrong! I appreciate your concerns and you might get cheap flights but start looking 11 months before you go. Decide if you want to spend hours hanging around for non direct flights.

BA are awful.

Seainasive · 15/04/2023 07:20

I think there are direct flights from Manchester too. Not sure how prices compare though.

Londonnight · 15/04/2023 07:55

I fly to Toronto a fair bit to visit family. I fly direct from Manchester [ I'm Midlands also } Air Canada or Air Transat fly direct from Manchester.
I wouldn't fly BA as I have nothing but issues with them. Also with BA unless you drive to Heathrow, you will have to take a flight from Manchester and then change at Heathrow. Last time I did this with BA, the flight from Manchester was delayed, meaning the connecting flight was missed!

Cubeagsnog · 15/04/2023 08:03

We fly out to see family a lot, and usually book AirTransat who fly from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. We tend to book as soon as flights are released and paid under £2k for 5 of us to travel this summer.

Have also had an occasional bargain with BA, usually through their January sale.

Original poster
Fairylights7 · 15/04/2023 08:42

Thanks everyone, really helpful info. We don’t fly til next August so I will be fully prepared now ready to bagsy the cheapest flights. I’m thinking Manchester and Air Transat although the family we are visiting mentioned there may be a new flight via Iceland so will keep an eye on that.
It will be a holiday of a lifetime for us, anyone got any recommendations of anything to do in Ontario - I found another thread on here and a lot of people were saying how boring Toronto is….🙈

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/04/2023 09:15

Do not bother flying via Iceland as that will just add hours to an already long day; go direct. Is Manchester feasible to your location in the Midlands?. (BTW Manchester airport has many awful reviews which are nothing to do with the airlines; just poor airport management).

Toronto is many things but its patently not boring. What sort of things do you like to do/see anyway?. The best time to book flights is around 11 months or so before departure and you should book direct with the airline. Fares increase the closer it gets to departure day.

TizerorFizz · 15/04/2023 09:46

@somewhereovertherain
We have flown BA a lot and Air Canada several times. It’s Air Canada who are awful. BA is perfectly ok. Unfortunately economy isn’t great with many airlines. If you cannot do Club then really there’s no great journey in economy.

I would t go via Iceland. Unless I was staying there for a bit! As we are quite close to Heathrow snd T5 it’s a no brainer to go direct.

Original poster
Fairylights7 · 15/04/2023 09:57

We will be staying on a lake at our friends house and the kids have never done long haul before (only ever driven to France to camp) so they are very very excited. We will have a 16 year old, 14 year old and two 11 year old. We will try to go to Niagara Falls and into Toronto and to a shopping mall ‘like you see in the movies’ but any suggestions for interesting places to visit would be much appreciated

OP posts:
LIZS · 15/04/2023 09:58

We used airtransat who fly from Manchester and Gatwick. Reasonably comfy seats, near emergency exit, food a bit variable. Take your own headphones for inflight entertainment as they charge extra. Iirc you get a handbag and small cabin bag included.

Original poster
Fairylights7 · 15/04/2023 10:03

Thanks, Manchester seems to best option for us, and will keep an eye on Airtransat flights x

OP posts:
LIZS · 15/04/2023 10:03

The lake islands are a short boat ride, with funfair and attractions in summer. The malls are nothing special if you are used to out of town shopping centres, the Eaton Centre is the largest downtown with familiar brands. Maybe try and catch a baseball game. CN tower is worth the view and you can get lunch at the viewing level.

theWarOnPeace · 15/04/2023 10:08

Look at Via Rail journeys out of Toronto on the line that goes to Vancouver. Would you be able to give the time to a trip to Banff/Jasper? It’s 3 days train ride each way!

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 15/04/2023 10:12

CN tower, Toronto islands, Kensington market especially on a Sunday, base ball at the sky dome. I love Toronto!

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 15/04/2023 10:13

Rent a car and go to Niagara for 1 night.

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