Cheapest option for Toronto /NYC with 2 teens

[medianewbie]

I want to take DS (18) & DD (16) to Toronto for 5-7 days. I'd really like 2 of those days to be in NYC if possible.
On a shoestring. Happy to stay Uni accommodation/ YHA accommodation (does it exist in USA / Canada ?)
Where is best to find cheap flights ?
Do I need to book visas separately?

We can go 1-10 Aug or 1st week Jan.

Have a look at trailfinders

Op please save this holiday for when you can go longer than 5-7 days

you will blow a packet and come back desperately wishing you had longer.

Seriously - save for a year and then go next year and make it 10 nights minimum

From a cost perspective, it'll be much cheaper going in Jan but the weather will be freezing (especially in Toronto).

As for August, it might help if you share your budget as 'shoestring' isn't very clear given you're giving just over a month's notice to go in peak holiday season to not just one country but two! Have you really thought this through?

From your other thread it’s £2-3k OP

that will barely get three adults to Toronto and NY

January will be properly cold (probably) and I think there is an inevitable risk of disruption to travelling. It’s also harder to wander and explore in the same way in January because it’s cold and dark so early.

I do agree with the PP, flights will be dear, probably looking at £700-£1000pp easily, although you can sometimes get better deals to NYC.

Toronto in January might be literally Baltic.

Not 'thought through' no. Ds has just returned from College trip there. It didn't go to plan so he's desperate for us to go both so he can show us around & he can do the bits he missed.
We are happier in cold than heat so Jan ok on that front. 10 days ok but that means between Xmas & NY so presumably even more expensive then? We've also just watched 'Race Criss Canada so have the Canada bug'.
Yes, budget about 3k so probs a non-starter even in Uni / hostel accom. I wondered if there was any sort of house exchange program in Canada. NY is defo optional, it's Toronto mostly.

Flights in Jan to T, returning from NY can be had for £430pp, T to NY train around £100. So might be doable with hostel or home swap accommodation, eating very cheaply. Wouldn't leave anything for entry fees or trips though so you'd be limited to free stuff.

I think if you focus on just Toronto and go early January, it’s more likely to be possible.

Have a look at Skyscanner, it looks like London-Toronto you could get return flights for £400-£500 a person in the first week of January.

Accommodation, AirBnB might be an option. You could also think about staying a little out of the centre if you’re happy using lots of public transport.

What exactly is it you want to do in Toronto? January is very cold, below freezing every day and at times significantly colder plus it goes dark earlier like the UK. There's a reason why it's cheaper - because a lot of people don't want to go there at that time of year. It's unclear from your posts if you actually have things you want to do (if you could share, that would help understand what you might like and can/can't afford) or you just want to go because it's Canada?

I work in Toronto and it's pretty dull and miserable in January unless you just want to do indoor things you can do in any big city (theatre, museums, shopping). It's amazing in the summer though. What does your DS want to do that he missed?

If you do think of doing it in the summer, there are some housesitting websites you could look it (although often a long way from downtown). Also Porter airlines is the most civilised way to travel between TO and NYC, but I think you would regret just shoehorning the latter in for a couple of days.

My in laws live in Toronto. Weather in January is brutal! NYC is also v v cold at that time of year.

Where do you live in the UK? Could you do a house exchange? Particularly if you could be away over Christmas/NY it's possible someone would want to swap houses with you. Flights at that time are pricey, but if you get free accommodation it all balances out. I've house-swapped a couple of times using home exchange, but there are lots of other sites out there. Just make sure you use one with a fee, which protects you from time wasters.

Thanks everyone!
We live in Scotland (therefore unafraid of Baltic weather !) Yes, home stay / swap / AirB&B would be great as then I could cook for Dkids (ASD so both easier & cheaper for us). I'll ask Ds what he specifically wants, though museums & riding public transport are high on our list. I'd like to see Niagara, & go to the top of CN Tower if possible.
I'm not fussed about NYC, I think it's mostly to say we've been across the border to be honest !

Toronto can easily be minus 20 Celsius in January - the sort of cold that means you won’t want to be outside; certainly not to do the falls. It’s the sort of trip that you could do if you had budget for Ubers/a car, or if you were visiting family, but it would be truly grim for tourism I would have thought. Go in the summer! New York is a bit better in January because there are so many indoor activities to do.

Niagara is amazing in the winter
It freezes up on the edges
The trees and bushes have one side frozen nearest the falls

I used to live on the outer edge of Toronto

If you go in January and expect snow and ice then you will be fine in the correct clothes

The worst part about driving I found was freezing rain but the snow and ice from roads etc were much better cleared than in the UK

In August it can be extremely humid so you are grateful for air conditioning in cars and buildings

You could also do skiing (including in the dark under lights) near the Halton Hills (just off the 401 well you can actually see them from the highway)

Go to an ice hockey game

Tim Hortons is a must visit --- there is no comparison to the ones in the UK

The tram system and double decker Go trains

For christ sake don't take a holiday in Toronto, or NY, in January.

£3k maximum for 3 adults to Toronto and NY

OP - I see from your other thread that you haven’t been abroad for 21 years

please trust those of us that have travelled much much more regularly - you will not be able to do Toronto and NY for £3k

and as for comparing scotland with Toronto on Jan… again, no. You won’t be able to explore, most Canadians are much more home based in the Jan. And how would you get around?

Either - book a holiday in Europe and make it a decent length and really make the most of your £3k
or
save your pennies and go when you can afford to go to Toronto and NY

@Jazzappledelish
I already said I'd be happy to drop the NYC part so just central Toronto.
I wasnt comparing Scottish winters to Canadian ones but it regularly gets to -15 where I live so we have suitable clothing. max length for a trip is 10 days.
Kids cope better with cold than heat therefore a europe trip (my first thought) is a bit late this summer hols due to heat (& current smog should go by then too)
Eldest is now desperate to go back to Toronto so I wondered if it were possible if I used hostels / house share etc. - hard to arrange for August.
As you pointed out, I've not travelled for a while. But Ds has just returned from Toronto so I know the central tourist area is compact & public transport is great. know eating out costs & that there's many free places to visit that we'd love.

@brassbells Thank you for your detailed & encouraging post !!!
We'd use public transport entirely & (apart from Niagara if weather allows) stay in central Toronto. I appreciate your suggestions thank you x

@LaviniasBigBloomers Thank you for the advice on house sharing. I think this may be the way to go. I'd much prefer my own kitchen if possible.
@Justsadallthetime House sitting is also an idea I'd not thought of. Thanks!!

Good luck OP, please do report that with an update and photos hopefully!

You’re in Scotland?

Do you know nearest airport to you that actually flies to Toronto? Or will you have to factor in travel to Heathrow

@Jazzappledelish YES ... I've said I'm in Scotland, & yes, I've checked, planes do fly from airports here, for example, the one my Ds just flew from in Glasgow...

If I'm able to I will happily update of course but I don't put photos on SM.

and how much is three adult flights to Toronto in Jan

Once you know that - you’ll be able to see if feasible on remaining budget

I would do Toronto & Niagara Falls tbh. We have done that trip twice.