If you have plans to join Hollywood in Canada this September for the Toronto International Film Festival, then you don’t want to miss this TIFF 2017 travel advice from BlueOrange. As the world’s largest publicly attended film festival, TIFF gives the you the chance to glimpse your favorite stars and see some of the newest and best film in the world. Let BlueOrange answer your travel questions so you can travel to TIFF in luxury and style and make the most of your time in Toronto.
Getting There
The big-city location of TIFF means that you have many options when it comes to traveling to the festival.
Flying in is the obvious choice. Rather than flying through Toronto Pearson International Airport (airport code: YYZ), BlueOrange recommends taking advantage of Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), which is closer to the city, making it easy to get between the airport and your festival destinations. Look into Porter Airlines, if you’re traveling from the New York area.
Train travel is a great option for those who want to see some of the Canadian countryside on the way. Outside the cities, Canada’s landscape boasts smooth prairies, lakes, small towns and snow-capped mountains, transforming the journey into a treasured part of your trip. Luxury travelers should look for private car options or berths for longer trips. The Amtrak station (TWO) is located in downtown Toronto, which makes it convenient to the Festival’s events.
Or you could always drive. Toronto is convenient to many locations in the US and Canada, like Detroit, Buffalo, Ottawa or Montreal, making the drive simple and beautiful for nearby Americans and Canadians. Look out over the Great Lakes, stop by Niagara Falls or explore small town Canada along your route.
Where to Stay
Toronto offers an array of luxury accommodations that are perfect for festival goers. Look for hotels that are located near TIFF events with the best amenities. And always visit the hotel web site for all the hotel details and hotel perks, rather than an online travel agency, when considering where to stay.
The SoHo Metropolitan Hotel is a favorite of BlueOrange for its proximity to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, luxury amenities and because a lot of the talent stays here for the festival. Look at their suite options for the ultimate in luxury, boutique staying that includes Italian linens, marble bathrooms and soaker tubs.
Other luxury options include the Fairmont Royal York, The Ritz-Carlton, or the Thompson Toronto. When considering your accommodations, take into account that many of the hotels will also host TIFF events, making their location and offerings even more essential to festival goers.
Getting Around
Toronto is a big city, and you can enjoy the transportation perks that implies. There is a subway system and streetcars and buses that run regularly around the city. Uber is also available in the city to get you between festival locations.
Toronto International Film Festival recommends Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffered Services, which offers executive event transportation. However, BlueOrange, recommends Empire CLS or BLS for executive event transportation.
Where to Dine
Your dining choices are limitless in Toronto. Explore new cuisines, find new favorites, and look for Hollywood’s elite while you’re out. Especially try the Cactus Club, located in the TIFF Bell Lightbox and offering Canadian favorites in an ideal location to people watch with a wrap-around patio on the sidewalk. Other Festival favorites include Canteen, LUMA, and Buonanotte.
Special Notes
While crossing the border between the US and Canada is relatively easy, you still need to make sure you bring government-issued identification with you. If you’re traveling from the US into Canada, you don’t have to have a passport, but you will need proof of your citizenship and identity. An official birth certificate can stand in place of a passport, if you need it. Also, if using your birth certificate, make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a drivers license, with you. If you have questions, contact your travel agent well in advance of your departure date.
Due to strict DUI laws in Canada, travelers with a DUI in their past might need additional documentation. Permission to enter the country must be granted from Canadian legal authorities. Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a one solution, but it can take a while to obtain, so apply well in advance.
TIFF 2017 awaits you! Make the most of your festival experience, and contact BlueOrange to make your travel plans today!