Workshops will be held at the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research, located at 661 University Avenue, Suite 510. To find us, enter the MaRS Centre at the corner of University and College, go to the 5th floor of the West Tower using the nearest elevator bank, and sign in at the OICR desk. Be advised that not all elevators go to the 5th floor, so please use the elevators opposite the security desk labeled 2-6.
Air Canada, West Jet and many US carriers provide direct flights to Toronto. Lester B. Pearson International Airport is located west of the downtown core, and is readily accessible. The downtown Toronto hotels are approximately 16 km from Lester B. Pearson International Airport.
To get to downtown from YYZ:
Union Pearson Express (UPX) Train (recommended): An express train connects Pearson Airport with Union Station in downtown Toronto in 25 minutes. There are 2 other stations before Union Station. Rates are dependent on the destination station with tickets to Union Station costing $12.35 one-way. Tickets can be purchased online or before boarding the train. More information can be found here. Once at Union Station, transferring to public transit is simple (see below).
Public transit: The TTC, Toronto’s public transit system, also provides airport service and is the least expensive method of getting to and from downtown Toronto at $3.35. To access bus service from the Airport to TTC Kipling Station, take the 900 Airport Express. Service occurs between 5:30am and 2am Monday to Friday and between 8:15am and 2:15am on Sunday. Buses stop only at Kipling Station, Dundas Street West and East Mall Crescent, Dundas Street West and Acorn Avenue, then Jetliner Road at Airport Road (Ground Level), Terminal 1 (Ground Level), and Terminal 3 (Arrivals Level). One-way travel time to the subway is approx. 20-25 minutes. The closest subway station to 661 University Ave. is Queens Park on the University/Spadina line. 661 University Ave. is located at the corner of University and College. You can find information on buying TTC fares and passes here.
Limousine/Taxi service: Limousines (fixed rate) are marginally cheaper than taxis (meter) for the trip downtown. Both taxis and lLimousines can be located immediately outside any airport terminal on the Arrivals Level. You can find more information on fixed-rate transport from Pearson Airport on their website here. The trip downtown could take from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.
Located on the western tip of a series of islands in Toronto Harbor, the island airport handles scheduled, private and corporate flights. Porter Airlines and Air Canada operate out of this airport. To get off the Island, you can walk through the pedestrian tunnel or take the ferry. A free shuttle bus can take you to Union Station.
Toronto is served by the Go Train system and the VIA Rail system (the network that provides all rail service throughout Canada and connections to the Amtrak system through Niagara Falls, New York). Trains arrive at Union Station in downtown Toronto. Union Station is located on Front Street, between Bay and University (across the street from the Royal York Hotel). The station also contains Toronto’s subway line (locally known as the TTC), and is within walking distance of Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, the financial district and many downtown hotels, shops and restaurants. There are also taxis available outside Union Station.
Buses arrive at Union Station. You can connect directly with the Public Transportation Subway System (locally known as the TTC) and travel to your hotel. There are also taxis available outside the Bus Terminal.
You are responsible for arranging your own accommodation in Toronto. Numerous accommodation facilities are possible, but we are not eligible for hotel preferred rates. To find a hotel in walking distance, choose one near to the intersection of University Ave. and College St. Some of the hotels students have previously stayed at include:
If you would like to expand your radius, you can consider taking public transit. OICR has a direct entrance to the Queen’s Park subway station. Line 1 (Yonge-University) goes through this station and connects easily to Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth). There are also a significant number of streetcar routes nearby. You can see the full TTC map here and get more information/plan trips here.
A light breakfast and snacks will be provided. You are responsible for your own lunch and dinner arrangements.
Workshop schedules will be made available on the student tutorial site.