Getting around Toronto

[loch69]

I have an upcoming trip to Toronto and will be staying at a major downtown hotel.
How easy is it to get round downtown Toronto without a car?
Majority of the time will be spent attending meetings, but I'd like to venture out and visit some of the spas, agencies, clubs, and restaurants.
I've been studying the subway map. Some of the "points of interests" are a good mile away from subway stations. And, we Americans don't walk much
Will there be Taxi's at subway stations that are willing to go less than a mile or so from the subway station? How about getting back to the subway station?
How is parking around Downtown area and some of the "points of interests" if I decide to rent a car? Parking overnight at the hotel is not a major problem, but a car would be useless if I can't find parking at the destinations. I'd love to visit some of the well known spas.
Thank you

 

[Luton]

Cabs are easy to hail in the downtown core. Also many agencies, spas and sps who use hotels are within a short walking distance from subway stops. Although we complain about our transit system it is not bad for the downtown core.

 

[checks]

Everybody drives here. Unless they don't own a car. As much ad they try and build transit here, this is predominantly a car city. There's lots of underground parking in the city, and lots of street parking if you know where to look. The only time I take transit is when I will be drinking. Otherwise, I'll drive. Parking is only expensive during the day, at night you can easily park somewhere for less than 10 bucks. Two trips on the bus is 6. (Yes I realise fuel isn't free.)

Any decent spa you plan to visit will have lots of free parking. All the good spas are also really shitty to get to on the bus.

 

[Luton]

Everybody drives here. Unless they don't own a car. As much ad they try and build transit here, this is predominantly a car city. There's lots of underground parking in the city, and lots of street parking if you know where to look. The only time I take transit is when I will be drinking. Otherwise, I'll drive. Parking is only expensive during the day, at night you can easily park somewhere for less than 10 bucks. Two trips on the bus is 6. (Yes I realise fuel isn't free.)

Any decent spa you plan to visit will have lots of free parking. All the good spas are also really shitty to get to on the bus.

Lol. I take it you don't live downtown. I own a car but living downtown I find it far more convenient to ttc or cab it to get around.

 

[Mr Deeds]

Having a car in down town Toronto is not necessary, cabs are everywhere and will take you where you want to go. I know you said you dont like walking but, if its a nice day, the best way to see the city is walking .The TTC has a day pass that will allow you to go anywhere you want for the day for $11 bucks. I grew up down town and I can tell you Toronto is friendly, and very safe. As far as spas go there are a few really high end ones downtown. Have fun this is a great city.

 

[loch69]

Thank you guys for the suggestions.
I see some of the well known spas are in North York area and not that close to subway stations and the walks surely look pretty long on google map street views.
What are some of the better spas around downtown core?
Thanks again

 

[corrie fan]

The TTC has a trip planner on it's website. You enter your starting point and your destination and it gives you instructions on which subway, streetcar or bus to take. It works well except sometimes it underestimates the travel time.

 

[wpgguy]

I would skip the rental car if you will be spending the entire time downtown. You'll spend more time looking for a parking spot than you will trying to find a cab or waiting for transit and between parking and the cost of the rental I would bet that cabs, TTC will be cheaper by 1/2.

 

[Luton]

Thank you guys for the suggestions.
I see some of the well known spas are in North York area and not that close to subway stations and the walks surely look pretty long on google map street views.
What are some of the better spas around downtown core?
Thanks again

I am an sp guy but I have read good things about Absolute Health Spa. They are located near the Christie subway stop.
www.absolutehealthspa.com

The spas in North York are generally difficult to get to unless you drive.

 

[Chloë.]

Thank you guys for the suggestions.
I see some of the well known spas are in North York area and not that close to subway stations and the walks surely look pretty long on google map street views.
What are some of the better spas around downtown core?
Thanks again

Spa's downtown? Virtually non-existent if you ask me, except the odd one or two.

Better known ones are all in the GTA and by the airport.

You won't have a problem with taxis. If you are a smart phone guy, Uber can help in case you are in a desolate area.

The best thing about Uber is you won't have the normal objections about travelling short distances that you can get when you try and hail a cab off the street. Some cabs don't want to take you and some get mad when you want to pay with a card instead of cash.

 

[Luton]

I am an sp guy but I have read good things about Absolute Health Spa. They are located near the Christie subway stop.
www.absolutehealthspa.com

The spas in North York are generally difficult to get to unless you drive.

Sorry I might have the name wrong but I am sure there are people who have been to the spa near Christie subway stop.

 

[anonymong]

Thank you guys for the suggestions.
I see some of the well known spas are in North York area and not that close to subway stations and the walks surely look pretty long on google map street views.
What are some of the better spas around downtown core?
Thanks again

Around the downtown core, Absolute Health Spa is probably the best choice. www.absolutehealthspa.com It is just across the street from a ttc subway station.

Some of the top spas around town but not downtown are Muse, Flirt, and Perla. A little further out are SRM/Obsession and Airport Golden Spa.

For the pure downtown area getting around by walking and public transportation is the way to go ... (I live very close to downtown and I bike, walk, or take public transport most of the time.)

I think you can easily get to Flirt for example taking the subway from downtown to Downsview and catching a bus to Finch. You're pretty much right at Flirt iirc.

According to Google, the intersection where Muse is located is a 23 minute walk from there, probably much quicker if there is a bus.

Also, I think Flirt II is just a 15 minute walk from the Downsview subway station based on Google.

I hope you have a very enjoyable visit.

 

[loch69]

Thanks again guys (and Chloe - your site looks enticing, btw )
Have some homework to do I suppose.

 

[Chloë.]

Thanks again guys (and Chloe - your site looks enticing, btw )
Have some homework to do I suppose.

Why thank you, kind sir.

 

[Damondean]

I would skip the rental car if you will be spending the entire time downtown. You'll spend more time looking for a parking spot than you will trying to find a cab or waiting for transit and between parking and the cost of the rental I would bet that cabs, TTC will be cheaper by 1/2.

That's the best advice here. It's totally pointless to try to get around by car downtown. Use the subway and cabs. Less stressful and much cheaper. But the best would be to have friends visit you in your room. )

 

[whitewaterguy]

Or....grab some wine, drinks, snacks, and order in room service...sooooooooooo many choices and variations on a theme..I envy you...enjoy

 

[freestuff]

If you're downtown then I would suggest seeing a SP (either incall or outcall). 95+% are situated in the downtown area.
It's a hassle to get to the bigger spas if you don't have a car.

 

[Jiffypop69]

When I lived downtown (and worked outside the city) once I got home from work, I NEVER drove. I'd walk miles (from Victoria St. to Queen Video for example) just so I WOULDN'T have to drive downtown. Traffic is a pain, parking is a pain...either walk, or take the TTC, cabs are okay, but they get expensive.

 

[diana <3]

The north york spas are pretty easy to reach- there are several busses that go north from downsview you can take, and the 36 along finch passes a bunch as well.
Do you have a smartphone? I always just fire up Google maps when I need to get somewhere, it has all the bus schedules and routes and makes using the TTC really easy.

 

[oldjones]

Thank you guys for the suggestions.
I see some of the well known spas are in North York area and not that close to subway stations and the walks surely look pretty long on google map street views.
What are some of the better spas around downtown core?
Thanks again

A mile should take an average adult no more than twenty minutes walk; if that much sustained effort is too much, your health is too iffy for this hobby. During my legally-mandated abstention from driving, I managed to use transit to get to SCs and spas near the airport and our Far East without any great hardship, but some walking was involved. The TTC's paper RideGuide, free at any subway was my friend. What you will need to invest is more time, for route planning and for catching up on your reading en route. That may make cabs a better deal, but I found suburban traffic tended to run the meter enough that I saved them to be part of the expedition's happy ending.

As for downtown options, a quick Advanced Search for 'downtown' in the Massage Forum should convince you that the best 'shady' businesses still are in the boonies, away from unwanted attention, as they have always been. In the business district, you get basic functionality, not luxe.