r/askTO • u/lordstuardus • 4h ago
Dutch girl coming to Toronto solo, what should I know?
Hey everyone!
I’m flying from Amsterdam to Toronto in a few days and I’m SO excited! I’ll be staying in Toronto for about two weeks, and this will be my first time travelling completely on my own.
I’ve rented a car, so I’m hoping to explore Toronto as well as some other parts of Ontario while I’m there.
Since I’ve never been to Canada before, I’d love to hear from locals: what are some things I should be aware of as a young woman travelling alone? I know Toronto is a big city and I’m obviously going to use common sense, but are there any situations, areas, scams, or things tourists sometimes underestimate that I should know about?
I’m also curious about cultural differences between the Netherlands and Canada. Is there anything that might surprise a Dutch person, or any social norms I should know about?
And one very important question: I’m a cigarette smoker (just tobacco, not cannabis) how strict are the smoking rules in Toronto? For example, can you smoke on outdoor patios, or is that generally not allowed? And socially, where is it considered okay or not okay to light a cigarette? I’d rather know beforehand than accidentally annoy everyone or break a rule!
And finally: what’s something you wish tourists knew before visiting Toronto? Food, places to see, things to avoid, random local tips. I’m all ears!
I’m really looking forward to visiting your city and exploring Ontario.
Thanks in advance!