Updated October 5, 2026. This is a flexible planning suggestion; transit and venue conditions can change.
For a first five-day Toronto visit, group downtown sights, neighbourhood walks, a Niagara Falls day and departure time separately, then adjust the order for your arrival, weather and opening days. The 2026 World Cup has ended, so matches and the fan festival are no longer current itinerary options; they appear below only as historical context. For more city ideas, see our Toronto travel guide.
On day one, keep Union Station and the downtown waterfront together. The CN Tower is at 290 Bremner Boulevard; its visitor directions describe pedestrian routes from Union Station via the SkyWalk or Bremner Boulevard. Check the attraction’s current notices before choosing a date. As of this update, the CN Tower lists adjusted Main Observation Level hours for October 8 and 20, 2026, and an early close on October 20; the Lower Observation Level, 360 Restaurant and The Top are unaffected by those partial closures. Check the current notice and ticket conditions if your visit is near either date.
Use day two for neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market and Queen West, linked by walking and TTC rather than a rigid list of shops. Destination Toronto’s neighbourhood pages can help with orientation, but they do not confirm any individual business’s current hours. Under current TTC rules, qualifying PRESTO cards, PRESTO Tickets and contactless payments receive a two-hour transfer from the first tap; cash does not receive the same transfer. Riders aged 13 or older need their own payment medium. Check the fare for the method you plan to use.
Day three can be reserved for Niagara Falls, allowing room for intercity travel, transfers and local connections. GO Transit serves Niagara Falls year-round, but trains and schedules vary by date. When a suitable direct Niagara train is unavailable, GO lists a Lakeshore West train to Burlington followed by Route 12. Niagara Falls GO station is not at the falls themselves, so plan the onward trip separately. Niagara Parks’ WEGO is a separate local bus network; check its routes, fares and operating information independently. Do not rely on an old fixed journey time, headway or package price.
On day four, visit Fort York National Historic Site if its opening day fits, or swap in another downtown activity. The City of Toronto lists current hours and general admission conditions, while special events, groups and some areas may have different rules; check the official page before setting out. During the 2026 World Cup, Fort York and The Bentway hosted FIFA Fan Festival programming. The City’s announcement planned 22 event days between June 11 and July 19, with ticketing and capacity conditions. That is historical event information, not a listing for a current festival.
Keep day five flexible for departure. Allow time to reach Union Station, wait for the train, walk through the airport and complete check-in and security before deciding whether to add shopping or a café stop. UP Express publishes a standard Union-to-Pearson rail journey time, but it excludes getting to the platform, waiting and airport walking, and it is not a delay guarantee. If paying by contactless card or device, follow the operator’s tap-on and tap-off instructions. Check the current fare for your passenger and payment type. Compare accommodation by total cost, cancellation terms, actual station access and luggage transfers rather than nightly price alone.
If your five days include both the airport and Niagara Falls, put fixed-date activities and longer trips on the calendar first, then place neighbourhood visits on days that are easier to swap. Check each operator’s service notices, return options and walking distances before leaving; a past timetable is not a promise of today’s service.