How to Use Toronto Public Transit TTC

Navigating Toronto's TTC: A First-Timer's Guide to Public Transit

If you are a tourist or visiting Toronto for the first time, Toronto has a robust public transit system called TTC. Using TTC is an efficient and economical way to get around Toronto. Here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to use Toronto's TTC for the first time.

Payment Methods

There are several ways to pay for your TTC ride:

1. Credit/Debit Cards: Tap your Visa, American Express, or Mastercard on the reader. Alternatively, you can use mobile wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay.

2. Presto Card: Purchase this reloadable card from vending machines at TTC stations, authorized retailers like Shoppers Drug Mart, or online. Once you have a Presto card, tap it on the reader upon entering a TTC vehicle or station.

Using the Presto Card

The Presto card offers additional benefits, such as reduced fares and easy reloading at TTC machines, online, on the app, or at authorized retailers. You can also use the Presto card on the UP Express train between Pearson Airport and Union Station. This is a much faster and cheaper way to connect to downtown Toronto from the Pearson International Airport.

Navigating the TTC Network

The TTC network includes subways, streetcars, and buses. A single fare covers your entire one-way trip, and you can transfer between TTC vehicles without additional charges within a two-hour window. This allows you to travel across the Greater Toronto Area using the same card or payment method.

As you venture into the city, keep these tips in mind:

1. Be aware of peak travel times, as vehicles and stations can get crowded.

2. Check TTC schedules or use the official TTC app or other transit apps for real-time updates.

3. Prioritize your safety and be mindful of your surroundings when traveling.

With this guide in hand, you're now ready to explore the vibrant city of Toronto using its extensive and accessible public transit system. Safe travels, and enjoy your ride on the TTC!

Tim Hortons Takes a Slice: First Impressions of the New Flatbread Pizza

Tim Hortons Unveils New Flatbread Pizza: First Impressions

Tim Hortons recently launched their brand-new flatbread pizza, which was the talk of the town. We wanted to try it for the first time and decided to do a first impressions video.

Ordering Up

Our initial excitement was dampened by the limited vegetarian options. With only pepperoni, bacon, and cheese on the menu, we settled for the chicken parmesan—the only option without pork. We also grabbed two coffees to complete our meal.

Behind the Counter

Intrigued by the preparation process, we watched as the staff assembled our pizza. The flatbread base was brushed with what appeared to be oil or butter, followed by a layer of sauce, cheese, and what we presumed to be parmesan cheese. The chicken was then added, making it the only option suitable for our dietary restrictions.

Super Fast Machine

The most surprising aspect of the experience was the cooking time. The pizza went into a compact oven and emerged a mere minute later, perfectly golden brown. This efficiency is a definite advantage for those on the go.

First Impressions

The pizza itself was a decent size, measuring approximately 11 by 7 inches. The initial aroma was pleasant, with a hint of cheesiness. However, the first bite revealed a noticeable level of saltiness, which may be a drawback for some.

Final Notes

Despite the higher salt content, we were generally satisfied with our Tim Hortons flatbread pizza. The crust was soft and not greasy, and the overall taste was decent. At a price point around $7.99, it's a convenient and affordable option for a quick bite.

Also, another feature we liked a lot about our Tim Hortons pizza was that it wasn’t too oily like Pizza Pizza. We found nothing major to complain about and we don’t mind having Tim Hortons flatbread pizza once in a while on an ongoing basis.  

Tim Hortons Pizza Challenge! First Impressions! (Honest Review)

Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls Review – My Worst Marriott Experience

Marriott on the Falls Niagara Falls Canada Review

After staying at numerous Marriott hotels across the globe, I can say that I had my worst customer service experience at Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls.

As I always do, I asked for an upgrade at the Bonvoy check in counter. The Asian-Indian woman had no idea what a courtesy upgrade was and demanded money. I told her that I have had upgrades from many other Marriotts and this had never happened before. I told her about my last Marriott experience in Manila. She reluctantly moved me to a king bed from 2 queen beds.

It’s not that I didn’t like not getting an upgrade. Many other Marriott hotels had declined me before, but with a smiling face and saying they were unable to accommodate me. But this rep didn’t even know how to handle it.

After a couple of hours, I went to the Bonvoy counter again for slippers, as there were none provided in the room. This time there was Chinese lady who asked me to wait, so she can give me the slippers to take back to my room.

My partner was shocked because it is humiliating to hand over amenities to the customer. I asked her, “Isn't someone supposed to take it to the room?” She said, “No, I will give it to you now.”

Instead of arguing, I returned to the room with a pair of dangling slippers. It was like a demonstration of how bad a Marriott can be.

I am a Bonvoy member but they never mentioned any thanks or appreciation for it, like they do at all other Marriotts. I wanted to call Marriott to complain, but my lady stopped me and asked me to let it go and still have a good vacation after some unprofessional associates ruined the name of Marriott within our first 2 hours of checking in.

Next morning, I wanted to print a copy of my itinerary, but the printer in the business centre had no ink. I notified someone and she said to come back after 30 minutes. I came back after 2 hours and still they hadn’t changed the ink.

I asked someone else again and she said to email her my itinerary and she would print it from a printer in her office. I was not comfortable emailing it and let it go.

I couldn’t help thinking about other Marriott hotels I had been to and their unparalleled service and attention to detail! My next Marriott stay is expected to be in Bangkok, Thailand and can’t wait to check in at a different Marriott again!

How to Pay TTC with A Credit Card or A Bank Debit Card

How to Pay TTC Fare with A Credit Card | How to Pay TTC with a Bank Card

The Toronto transit system (TTC), also called the Metro in many places, now accepts credit cards and bank cards to pay your fare. The various payment options available to pay TTC fare are:

- Visa

- Mastercard

- American Express

- Interac® Debit

- Visa Debit

- Debit Mastercard

- Apple Pay

- Google Pay

You can use mobile devices or smartwatches to pay TTC fares as long as they are equipped with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

There are no additional charges to use the convenience of using a credit card or bank card at TTC Presto reader machines. You will be paying the same $3.30 TTC fare (as of this writing) you would normally pay with your Presto card.

Also, you will enjoy a two-hour transfer when you use your bank or credit card on a Presto reader, the same as a Presto card.

When I charged my American Express card on a Presto reader, it only showed “accepted”. I tapped again after one hour – again it showed “accepted”. It looks like a Presto reader doesn’t show if you are within your two-hour period or past your two hours.

I checked my Amex account online and saw only a $1 charge. My guess is this just a pre-authorization charge and the actual charge will appear within a few days.

Paying with your credit card debit card feature is a good decision and it will make peoples’ life a lot easier, especially for tourists traveling to Toronto. I am thinking about not carrying my Presto card anymore to save space in my wallet.

I have a video documenting my experience paying TTC with a credit card (Video was recorded, edited, and published from my Pixel phone):

How to Pay TTC Fare with A Credit Card

Huntsville and Orillia, Ontario Trip | Cottage Country Travel

Cottage Country Canada Trip Challenge

My trip to the cottage country in Ontario, Canada will begin in a day. This will be my first trip within Canada this year (2022).

I have created a YouTube Travel Playlist for this trip, which will feature travel videos from Canada's popular cottage country locations in Huntsville (Muskoka) and Orillia (Simcoe County).

I am trying different formats and styles of videos in this playlist. There will be short-length videos, some long videos, and lots of YouTube Shorts.

The Trip Challenge is to post as many updates as possible throughout the trip. For this reason, I am taking my laptop. My goal is to stop over here and there to post fresh videos. However, due to circumstances and network availability, I may not be able to update anything.

The reason for this Cottage Country Canada Trip Challenge is to take lessons and design my upcoming trip to Asia next month, which is an even bigger and longer trip.

I will have to drive about 3 hours to reach my first destination and I am hoping to stop over somewhere in the middle and publish a quick post.

As of now, it looks like I got some favourable weather and it is expected to be sunny and warm, hovering around 25° C (77° F). Although this is hot, but it’s nowhere near the weather in Dhaka, which has a hot and humid tropical climate.

January is the coolest month in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with temperatures averaging near 26 C (78 F), which is their winter but the same temperature as summer in Canada.

You can follow all these trips on my YouTube Channel right here: www.YouTube.com/ADawn