A stopover can be a wonderful way to explore a city and squeeze in a trip within a trip. If you’re traveling to Europe or Asia on 
Air Canada
via Toronto, for no additional cost, Air Canada lets you book a 48-hour stopover. Toronto is a multicultural metropolis that has tons to explore. See how you can take advantage of this great offer and what you can see during your 48-hour Toronto stopover.
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What Airline Stopover Offers Have You Taken Advantage Of?
To support tourism, Japan Airlines has announced an exclusive offer for international tourists from select countries: free domestic flights to any destination within Japan when booking an international flight with JAL. The airline hopes the offer will encourage visitors to explore more of the country.
This offer is initially available to travelers from the US, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, India, China, and Taiwan, with a staggered launch throughout the month of September. The airline plans to extend the offer to other countries later.
Several airlines have developed stopover programs to encourage people to stay a while. Icelandair uses the program to work around transatlantic competition by making a stop more attractive than a direct flight. Iceland’s PLAY has followed this trend by introducing its own stopover.
Other airlines offering attractive stopovers on flights from the US include Fiji Airways. This airline le
The stopover is perfect for travelers who want to explore the city, take a trip to nearby Niagara Falls or just unwind before reaching their final destination. Whatever your reason, this is something that can really give your trip a new dimension and flavor for not a lot of money.
The stopover doesn’t add to your fare, but you’ll need to arrange your own lodging. This gives you the flexibility to select accommodations that fit your preferences and budget. Toronto boasts a variety of lodging options, catering to both frugal travelers and those seeking a more indulgent experience.
The Air Canada Aeroplan program
The legacy carrier operates many flights a day to Europe and Asia that stop in Toronto. That means there’s a good opportunity to take advantage of this program if your flight takes you here.
Air Canada’s frequent flier program, Aeroplan, was recently ranked as one of the top North American airline loyalty programs. An analysis by travel rewards search platform Point.me put it as the number two frequent flier program in North America.
How to book your stopover
The best way to book is to use Air Canada’s specific page for Toronto stopovers. This takes the hassle out of trying to figure out which flight will go through Toronto and when.
Photo: Air Canada
You can then continue to book and choose your fare type and return flight. The stopover times range from a few hours to up to 48 hours depending on which flight and route you’ve selected.
Booking with Aeroplan miles
If you book your flight with Aeroplan miles, you will have to pay more points for your stopover. The good news is that it’s fairly modest, at just 5,000 miles to add it onto a one-way award flight. It’s also worth noting that when you book this way, your stopover can be as long as 45 days.
What is there to do in Toronto?
While Air Canada doesn’t offer any vacation packages, there are plenty of things you can see and do. Even though it’s in a major urban area, Toronto still has outdoor activities and the fact that it’s a city over 200 years old means there is plenty of history and old-world charm to be found too. Check out some of these sights in and around Toronto:
A day trip to Niagara Falls
The spectacular Niagara Falls is only about 80 miles away. It’s worth the time and drive to see this spectacular natural wonder. You can get there easily by renting a car or, if you prefer, taking a bus. You can even book a tour that includes transportation there and back, plus a boat tour. Once you get there, the town of Niagara has things to do as well. Shopping, food & drink plus an abundance of casinos offer activities for everyone.
Photo: Marc Schot | Shutterstock
Feast your eyes on priceless art
The Art Gallery of Ontario features more than 90,000 pieces of art by such notables as Peter Paul Rubens, Diane Arbus and Rembrandt. There’s even a permanent exhibit of 130 ship models from the 17th century through the Napoleonic era to the 20th century. Make sure you check their website to plan your trip.
See some really old books
Don’t miss the incredible Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Open to the public and home to around 700,000 volumes there is something here for everyone. The best part? You can actually view and handle the library’s holdings. The displayed collection rotates, so check their website for more info and if you want to see a particular collection that isn’t on display, make sure you submit a formal request to do so.
Photo: Reimar | Shutterstock
Experience China in Toronto
Established in 1878, Toronto’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. It’s still home to a vibrant and bustling Chinese population and has fantastic food choices. Noodle houses, Peking duck or dumplings are all easily found and all taste incredible. You can also check out the nearby Little Italy for other food options or visit Kensington Market for some shopping.
Stop and smell the roses
No matter what the temperature is outside, it’s always warm inside the Allan Gardens Conservatory. Here, you’ll find plants such as orchids, cacti, succulents and even banana trees. Made up of six different greenhouses, the gardens have a storied history that goes far beyond botany. It’s definitely worth a visit. You’ll also get to see trees that are over a century old. Visit their website to plan your visit and get more info.
Photo: Inspired By Maps | Shutterstock
Go to the market
The St. Lawrence Market is a city landmark that is over two centuries old. Featuring 200 vendors selling everything from local artisanal products to fresh food to kitchen staples. It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat, explore and take in the city. There are also a lot of activities around the market. Street performers and buskers keep the area lively and fun.
Visit an impossible-looking skyscraper
The 1,815′ tall CN Tower is home to some amazing views and more. On a clear day, you can see up to 100 miles away. Once the tallest freestanding structure on Earth from 1976 to 2007, the tower features two observation decks (one with a glass floor) plus a rotating restaurant. If you’re daring enough, you can try Edgewalk, a hands-free walk on the outside of the tower where you’re suspended by ropes and a safety harness.
