Best way to Travel within Canada ?

[baronorkid]

Hey everybody,

We are planning on landing in Toronto next month. Since we were accepted through the QIIP program, we are expected to travel to Montreal to get all of our paperwork and post-landing formalities done. After taking care of all of these things, we'll be heading down to London, On to stay with friends.Since we are a family of 5 with a quite a lot of luggage, what is the most economical/ efficient way for us to travel ? 

I've been looking into public transport such as buses and rail Canada but with the cost of Taxis to and from these stations, this seems to be the more expensive option. So, I am now considering renting a car for about 2 weeks. However, I am not sure how easy it will be to rent a car on an international licence and what kind of parking cost I will be expected to bear. Any ideas ?


Thanks !

[Kolkata_27]

AUTOSHARE for TORONTO
just google it
http://autoshare.com/



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[baronorkid]

AUTOSHARE for TORONTO
just google it
http://autoshare.com/



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umm, autoshare wont work because we'll need the car for days at a time instead of hours !

[seton]

Hey everybody,

We are planning on landing in Toronto next month. Since we were accepted through the QIIP program, we are expected to travel to Montreal to get all of our paperwork and post-landing formalities done. After taking care of all of these things, we'll be heading down to London, On to stay with friends.Since we are a family of 5 with a quite a lot of luggage, what is the most economical/ efficient way for us to travel ? 

I've been looking into public transport such as buses and rail Canada but with the cost of Taxis to and from these stations, this seems to be the more expensive option. So, I am now considering renting a car for about 2 weeks. However, I am not sure how easy it will be to rent a car on an international licence and what kind of parking cost I will be expected to bear. Any ideas ?


Thanks !

Maybe consider storing your luggage in Toronto, rather than travelling to Montreal with all of it? If you just travel with the necessities to Montreal, you can use public transit to the stations / the express buses between Toronto/Montreal (about 6 hours I think).

With regards to a rental, you can rent with an international licence, but it can be expensive if you take the loss damage waiver insurance (usually around $20 a day on top of the rental). Otherwise you are liable for most damages (including parking lot scratches) to the rental.

[Kolkata_27]

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/aos/3144681393.html

[Keden]

Hello Baranorkid,

I think the suggestion from Seton is very good. If your trip to Montreal will be short, leave your luggage in your hotel or storage in Toronto and take the Megabus to Montreal. It is very cheap! The earlier you buy your ticket the cheaper it is.

The next best alternative would be to rent a car. My parents are foreign and have had no problem renting a car with their international licenses when they came to visit.

Good luck. 

[draxz1289]

Megabus is  probably the cheapest option if you book ahead. Seton has a good point about renting

[baronorkid]

Thanks guys, I am leaning towards mega bus right now !
Might end renting if the family isn't too keen on the bus.

Thanks once again !

[veradis]

It probably wouldn't work for a whole family but for individuals looking for cheap travel, you can sign up for SQM's travel 'mystery shopper' program. I'm signed up but haven't tried it yet...but I have a friend who does it quite often to fly to Europe and Asia. I think anyone can sign up and apply for a flight/train/bus/hotel trip and then you fill out an evaluation at the end and they refund you 50%. They just added Megabus and Coach Canada to the program so could be good.
http://www.evaluateitbysqm.com/EvaluateIt/

(I know this kind of sounds like I work for the company and am promoting it but I don't, honestly, I just think it's a pretty cool cheap travel secret that might be helpful!)

[draxz1289]

I forgot to mention, I am with Zipcar (car rental) which offers 200KM for 80$ with gas and insurance, let me know if you are interested and as a member I can give you free diriving credits for signing up

www.zipcar.com

[baronorkid]

Looks like we'll be renting because of the convenience that having a car provides.
I am not looking to sign up for Zipcar just yet but someone on here can hook me up with rental car discounts.
That would be awesome !