Despite their many faults, Toronto’s streetcars can be a great way to get to know the city.
Whether you’re a tourist exploring for the day or a lifelong Torontonian stepping out of your usual neighbourhoods, the famous red rocket will take you through very different, busy or calm, scenic rides.
Here’s what to look out for on some of the best streetcar rides in Toronto to get a glimpse of the city’s different local and touristy spots. Pro tip: plan for delays, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
501 Queen Streetcar
Toronto’s 501 Queen streetcar is undeniably the most popular route. It’s one of the longest in North America and was named a top global tram ride by National Geographic in 2007 and in 2014. It’ll take you about one hour and 40 minutes to ride the full length.
- It starts (or ends) at the west edge of the city at the Humber Loop in Etobicoke, where you can check out the Humber Bay Arch Bridge — and goes all the way to the east at the Neville Park loop in Scarborough, where you can get off to have a picnic or sunset photo session at the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant.
- Along the way, you’ll pass by the southern edges of two of Toronto’s most iconic parks, High Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park.
- Between Roncesvalle Avenue and Dufferin Street, look out for Little Tibet in South Parkdale, which will be on your right if you’re eastbound and facing the direction of the ride.
- When you pass Dufferin, keep your eyes peeled on both sides to check out the whole Queen Street West stretch, which is packed with trendy restaurants, coffee shops, bars and event venues.
- If you stop on Augusta Avenue, you can explore Toronto’s famous graffiti alley.
- You’ll pass by parts of the Fashion District.
- After University Avenue, you might catch a glimpse of the gardens at Osgoode Hall right before the streetcar turns south.
- Because of the re-routing, you’ll miss Nathan Philips Square and City Hall, but you could easily get off for a quick photo-op before continuing the ride.
- Don’t sleep on the Queen Street East stretch from Church to River Street. There are some cute and colourful shops tucked inside these typical commercial-residential two-storeys.
- Once you cross the Don Valley River or DVP, welcome to Leslieville, another cute and trendy stretch of local restaurants and shops.
- You’ll go all the way through The Beaches too, where you can get off at Woodbine — which deserves its own day to explore.
📸: Yara El Murr/The Green Line.
504 King
The 504 streetcar goes east-west on King but with two sets of start and end points with the 504A Distillery and 504B Broadview routes. The 504A route takes about an hour, while the 504B is shorter at 55 minutes.
- The 504A streetcar leaves from Dundas West Station and goes south on Roncesvalle Avenue. Otherwise known as Roncy, it’s a well-beloved neighbourhood worth spending some time in. It has some of the best book and record stores, local shops and many food options.
- The 504B streetcar starts at the Dufferin Gate Loop near Liberty Village and goes north on Dufferin.
- From Dufferin to Cherry streets, both 504 streetcars go the same way along King.
- Going east, you’ll pass by South Parkdale (remember, that’s where Little Tibet is.)
- Then comes the famous King West Village, where 20-somethings go party. Be warned.
- You’ll pass through the famous Entertainment District, with stops by Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres as well as TIFF.
- Then comes the Financial District with suited-up, very serious business folks. Avoid rush hour.
- On Jarvis, get down, take some photos near the fountain and flowers at St. James Park in front of the cathedral then, walk south to St. Lawrence Market, a must-see for any tourist or local for food hopping.
- If you’re on the 504A, you’ll end at the Distillery Loop. I suggest planning your visit for the afternoon/evening when fairy lights make for a movie-like vibe among the Victorian industrial buildings. Grab some ice cream or a beer and walk around. It’s a great way to end the day.
- If you continue your journey on the 504B, you’ll slowly make your way up north until you merge with the 505 streetcar on Broadview Avenue, going through Chinatown East and catching the best view of the city’s skyline over Riverdale Park.
📸: Bernard Spragg/Flickr.
505 Dundas
The 505 Dundas streetcar is a busy route from one Line 2 station to another: Dundas West Station to Broadview Station, sharing one end with each 504 route. It takes one hour and 12 minutes.
- The western end on Dundas West Station in High Park North is a great place to start. The neighbourhood itself can offer you a calm morning or afternoon, with many cafes for grabbing pastries and going for a picnic in the park. It’s also right by the Bloor GO and UP station if you’re looking to head downtown to Union Station or up to Toronto Pearson Airport.
- The 505 streetcar will take you all through Dundas for the majority of your journey.
- First, you’ll catch the northern edge of Roncesvalle.
- From Lansdowne to Dovercourt, you’ll pass right through Little Portugal, which has great food and shopping options, as well as fun venues, like Lula Lounge.
- Stop on Ossington Avenue and walk south to explore one of the city’s most popping stretches of restaurants and bars.
- If you’re continuing eastbound, you’ll see Trinity Bellwoods Park on your right.
- Then, right after Bathurst Street, there’s Market 707, a totally underrated market made of shipping containers with good and affordable food stalls from around the world (and both outdoor and indoor seating at the Scadding Court Community Centre). Right behind it is the iconic Alexandra Park outdoor community pool, which is never too busy and perfect for a swim with a view of the CN tower.
- Continuing east, you’ll go through a busy stretch of Chinatown West, with great food options and Canada souvenir shops.
- At the McCaul stop, you have the Art Gallery of Ontario and Grange Park right behind it, perfect for an artsy afternoon.
- Keep going and you’ll pass by Sankofa Square and the Eaton Centre, which are always overwhelmingly crowded.
- You’ll pass by Moss Park and Regent Park before heading north on Broadview Avenue, where you’ll merge with the 504B.
- On Broadview Avenue, you’ll see some parts of Chinatown East and again, lots of good food options.
- After Victor Avenue, keep looking left to watch Riverdale Park, where you can get one of the best views of Toronto’s skyline. This is where you need to be for sunset.
- Lastly, you’ll arrive at the final stop, Broadview Station, which is well worth spending time bopping around in local shops, restaurants and parks. Broadview is personally my favourite subway station in Toronto because there’s so much to do on Danforth.
506 Carlton
The 506 Carlton streetcar is notoriously unreliable and often re-routing up and down on Dundas (speaking from personal experience). But when it’s running, it’s worth the ride and will take you through diverse and underrated Toronto neighbourhoods. It’ll take you about one hour and 40 minutes.
- The 506 starts off strong at the High Park loop, where you can get off to explore either the park itself, where you can picnic, birdwatch and check out animals at the zoo, or look at the High Park neighbourhood, with its beautiful houses and cute cafes.
- Along the way, you’ll pass by Little Portugal when you diverge from Dundas Street up until Dovercourt Road (it’ll be on your right, westbound), then Little Italy, which stretches until Bathurst Street (and your left side, this time). Both great spots for delicious food or even for some groceries.
- If the 506 is running as it should be, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the Allan Gardens Conservatory between Jarvis and Sherbourne streets. I think it’s worth checking out to be transported into different ecosystems. It’s a great winter activity when all outdoor trees are sad and naked — the lush, warm plants in the greenhouses will remind you that better days are coming.
- You’ll also pass through Cabbagetown for a brief moment as the streetcar turns from Carlton down Parliament before continuing east on Gerrard. This is a great place to stop, grab brunch and explore local shops.
- You’ll then enter East Chinatown, another iconic Toronto neighbourhood that doesn’t get as much love as West Chinatown. Stop for dumplings, cheap veggies and Asian ingredients you won’t find in any other supermarket.
- A bit further east, the streetcar will take you through Little India around Greenwood Avenue. It’s packed with South East Asian restaurants, clothing and jewelry shops.
- Finally, you’ll pass through the Woodbine corridor before being dropped off in Danforth Village, where you can catch the GO train or ride the TTC subway.
509 Harbourfront
As its name describes, the 509 Harbourfront streetcar will take you through Toronto’s waterfront. It’s a short 24-minute ride perfect for water-adjacent activities.
- The 509 leaves from Union station almost every 10 minutes, so it’s pretty easy to catch after a day in downtown Toronto.
- It goes underground, south on Bay Street until Queens Quay Ferry Docks Station, then emerges and goes westbound.
- Along the way, if you look right as the streetcar emerges from underground on the westbound route, you might catch a view of Love Park, but you’ll mostly see condos around the Gardiner.
- On your left, you’ll pass by the many waterfront parks, including the famous Toronto Music Garden. There’s always something happening in this area, so make sure to check public programming.
- The last stop is Exhibition Loop, where you can transfer to catch the GO train or get off to catch a sports game at the Coca Cola Coliseum or BMO field.
510 Spadina
The 510 Spadina is the only North-South streetcar route on my list to round up your Toronto adventure. It’s a sweet 30-minute ride.
- The 510 Spadina shares the start of its route with the 509, going south from Union Station to Queens Quay Ferry Docks, west to Spadina Avenue, then north until Spadina Station.
- On Front Street, the 510 passes right by The Well (a little overrated in my opinion).
- If you stop at Richmond Street West, you’ll be steps away from Museum of Toronto, a fun and low-effort way to get to know local history. It’s in a beautiful heritage building with a courtyard cafe that’s on every “hidden gem” list of the city.
- The highlight of this route is definitely passing through West Chinatown. You can stop at Dundas to explore restaurants offering dumplings, hot pot or dim sum.
- You’ll go around the Spadina Crescent in University (named for the University of Toronto) before ending your trip at Spadina Station on Bloor Street. It’s a convenient stop to transfer to Line 1 or 2, or you can get off to explore the Annex, which has lots of restaurant, bar and coffee shop options, as well as local music venues and the Hot Docs cinema.
While you’re at it, there are just a couple more: 511 Bathurst and 512 St. Clair. Do you want to know what to look for while riding? Let me know at yara@thegreenline.to.
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