12 Days in Canada
🍁 12 Days in Canada: From Toronto’s Heights to Montreal’s Charm
📍 Essential Info Before You Go
Getting Started in Toronto
Landing at Pearson International Airport (YYZ)? You’ve got options:
- UP Express: The fastest way to downtown (25 minutes to Union Station) with the cost around $12.35 CAD.
Toronto to Montreal: The Scenic Route
For this trip, I chose the VIA Rail train to get to Montreal:
- Duration: 5-5.5 hours of comfortable, scenic travel
- Cost: $49-150 CAD depending on class and booking time
- Pro tip: Book Business Class for wider seats and complimentary meals. The views along Lake Ontario are stunning! I booked a business class which gives me an amazing experience!
Leaving Montreal: Airport Bound
The 747 Express Bus is your best friend:
- Journey time: 45 minutes depending on traffic
- Cost: Just $11 CAD (includes 24-hour transit pass!)
August Weather: Pack Light!
Both cities sizzle in August:
- Toronto: 20-27°C (68-80°F), humid with occasional thunderstorms
- Montreal: 19-26°C (66-79°F), similar humidity
The Journey Begins
After months of planning, I finally touched down in Canada for what would become one of my most memorable trips yet. Split between the bustling metropolis of Toronto and the enchanting streets of Montreal, these 12 days offered the perfect blend of modern Canadian culture and old-world French charm.
🏙️ Toronto: 4 Days in the Six
Urban Heart & Sky High
| My Toronto adventure kicked off at Nathan Phillips Square, the city's vibrant civic center. The iconic "TORONTO" sign practically begged for photos. The square's reflecting pool and modernist architecture gave me my first taste of Toronto's urban energy. I visited this place early in the morning (around 7am), thus it's easy to take photos and enjoy the fresh atmosphere. CN Tower is an outstanding tower that you cannot miss. This 553-meter giant isn't just a landmark – it's Toronto's exclamation point. Day two brought a complete change of pace at the University of Toronto. Walking through the St. George campus felt like stepping into Hogwarts – Gothic Revival buildings, hidden courtyards, and tree-lined paths that made me forget I was in Canada's largest city. But honestly? Some of my best moments came from simply wandering downtown Toronto. Queen Street West's quirky shops, King Street's bustling restaurant scene, and random street art discoveries around every corner. Getting lost was half the fun – every neighborhood had its own personality, from the Financial District's glass towers to Kensington Market's bohemian vibes. |        |
Niagara Falls
| Today was the day I'd been waiting for – Niagara Falls. Getting there was easier than expected: - GO Bus: Most budget-friendly at $15-20 CAD from Toronto Bus Terminal (2 hours) - GO Train + Bus combo: From Union Station to Burlington, then bus to the Falls I chose the GO Train + Bus combo. From Union Station to Niagara Station, I had a direct trip by train which was around 2 hours. When coming back, I combined both GO Bus (about 1 hour) and Train (another hour). Nothing – and I mean  |   |
Centre Island – Toronto’s Peaceful Escape
After yesterday’s adrenaline rush, Centre Island was exactly what I needed. The ferry from Jack Lanier Terminal (just $9.11 round trip) felt like a mini cruise, with photographers jostling for that perfect skyline shot as we pulled away from the harbor.
The islands are actually 15 small islands connected by bridges, each with its own personality. Ward’s Island’s bohemian cottages, Centre Island’s beaches and amusement park, Hanlan’s Point’s quiet trails – it’s like Toronto’s backyard playground.
🥐 Montreal: 8 Days of Joie de Vivre
Stepping off the VIA Rail train at Gare Centrale, the shift was immediate. Where Toronto rushes, Montreal strolls. The atmosphere here is decidedly more chill. Toronto felt like North America reaching for the future; Montreal feels like Europe decided to settle down in Canada and never left. The pace is slower, the architecture more romantic. I love this city!
Sacred Spaces & Stunning Architecture
| Montreal welcomed me with open arms and incredible architecture. Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal left me speechless – this basilica isn't just massive; it's spiritually moving. Climbing those 99 wooden steps (some pilgrims do it on their knees!) offered a moment of reflection I didn't know I needed. Then there's Notre-Dame Basilica. Walking into this Gothic Revival masterpiece felt like stepping into a jewelry box. The blue ceiling studded with golden stars, the intricate wood carvings, that spectacular light show in the evening – every detail screams magnificence. But my favorite discovery? The Clock Tower (Tour de l'Horloge) at the Old Port. The area around the Clock Tower Beach was perfect for evening strolls, watching sunset paint the old buildings gold while street performers entertained crowds along the cobblestones. |        |
Conference Life
I spent most of my Montreal days at the Montreal Convention Centre (Palais des congrès) attending the IJCAI conference. The building itself is a work of art – those colorful glass panels casting rainbow light across the halls made even the coffee breaks feel magical. Mixing business with pleasure meant morning sessions discussing artificial intelligence, followed by lunch breaks exploring nearby Chinatown or Old Montreal.
This is the first time that I participated in an A* conference to present my paper. This would be one of my unforgettable memory in my Ph.D journey.
💭 Final Thoughts
Toronto showed me Canada’s ambitious, modern face – a city reaching for the sky while staying grounded in natural beauty. Montreal whispered stories of Europe in North American accents, where every corner café and cobblestone street felt like a scene from a movie.