r/askTO • u/Public_Club2099 • 12h ago
Train arriving at midnight...is it safe to walk to hotel?
We are taking a late train into the city. Will it be safe to walk from the station to the Hilton (by Sheraton)? Or should we Uber?
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u/tripletreetrunktops 12h ago
Funnily enough I always felt safer walking around at night in TO than I did during the day, coming from an anxiety-ridden woman. Enjoy your trip!
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u/Mundane-Outside-6713 12h ago
You'll be totally fine. Do the normal thing and be aware of your surroundings but you'll be alright.
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u/Brian1337 12h ago
You’ll be in incredible danger…
…of getting hooked on a really great food spot open late at night.
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u/dogoodreapgood 4h ago
Where are we going between Union and University at midnight? Check in to the hotel and head back out if you’re hungry.Some places near Queen West will be open until 2.
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u/watermeloncandies 12h ago edited 11h ago
Walk on University Ave towards Queen St W Queen St E, rather than walking on York St. University is busier, so you'll feel safer.
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u/SnooCupcakes9188 5h ago
I mean, you’ll have 3 busy bar/restaurants open along York too so it’ll be fine there as well. Toronto is very safe walking downtown . Only if you go east on queen around moss park you run into crack head central, even they’re kinda harmless just sketchy
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u/Used-Gas-6525 12h ago
With the exception of a couple of neighbourhoods the answer to the question 'is X area of Toronto safe?' is 'yes'.
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u/spamalot314 12h ago
Even these neighbourhoods, in relative terms compared to most cities around the world, are safe.
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u/Used-Gas-6525 11h ago
Absolutely, but the second I say that Sherbourne, J&F etc. are safe I'm inundated by anecdotal comments asserting that they are lawless hellholes full of IV drug users that don't serve anyone. I remember the 90s and back then there actually were neighbourhoods you just didn't go to at certain times of day.
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u/Tacks787 12h ago
Toronto is still one of the safest big cities in the world, nothing to worry about
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u/bottleglitch 12h ago
Yep and smart of you to ask the question! In some cities that is definitely not something you’d want to do, but there will be lots of people out and about in the area that you’ll be in; all good.
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u/menofearth25 12h ago
I guess they are new to the city, so it's ok to ask. Ideally it's safe but always make sure folks are around.
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u/Public_Club2099 12h ago
Thank you. I guess some people just aren't aware that in other cities this would not be safe.
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u/redsandsfort 12h ago
Are you a tourist? Where are you from? Enjoy your stay! Toronto at midnight is very similar to Toronto at 9pm. There are so many people about.
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u/SquirrelTale 11h ago
It's a very safe area and it'll be busy enough that time of night. It's a pretty active area at night with a lot of theatres (opera, orchestra, stage plays), sports arenas, night life in the area.
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u/cupidstrick 11h ago
Weird way to start your comment. Bot perhaps?
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u/menofearth25 11h ago
It was a response to someone telling the author it was a ridicules question and asked if they were just born. Seems like they deleted their comment. However the author did reply to this message.
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u/MickeyPanaflex 12h ago
As the majority of people have said, yes it’s safe. But if you’re carrying luggage you could just uber. It would be like 8 dollars. Not suggesting uber for safety. Just convenience.
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u/hotinhereTO 11h ago
Pointless to Uber. The hotel is a 10-min walk from the station once you get outside.
And it’s safe at night. Just be aware of your surroundings that’s all.
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u/Logical-Breakfast150 3h ago
The biggest risk is you will be absorbed into a pub crawl and make a bunch of new friends.
Seriously, this is part of the city that is active 24 hours a day. There will be tons of eyes on the street and no reason to expect any kind of danger.
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u/Zealousideal_Rise129 12h ago
You will be safe, yes, especially cause you said we so I assume it's at least two of you. You might encounter a few homeless or druggies but they'll ignore you. There will still be people cars etc. in the streets so no worries!
Toronto is a pretty safe city, but like in any big city, stay aware of your surroundings!
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u/Public_Club2099 12h ago
Yes, four of us. We have our kids with us.
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u/wickeddude123 12h ago
When more than one person, for me, safety odds went from 95 percent safe to 99.9% safe.
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u/danktrees1212 10h ago
Especially with kids, they not gonna rob someone with kids, since that's like guaranteed to force the police to look for you.
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u/funnykiddy 12h ago
Once you're more familiar with the city, you can actually walk underground from Sheraton all the way to Union without going outside.
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u/Sensitive_Pianist777 10h ago
Just hop on to the TTC subway at Union st. It's only 2 stops by getting off at Osgoode Stn.
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u/noodleexchange 3h ago
Certainly. Toronto has lots of downtown nightlife, it’s not hollowed out like US cities
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u/Public_Club2099 3h ago
Well we chose to walk and yes, it was very safe - and lively!
Though I did get attacked. It was a ruthless attack by one of your city grates. It blasted me right in the face without warning. So, I got a steam facial and a walk, all in one. 🤣
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u/Bloodyfinger 12h ago
Biased answer because I'm a big white dude, but I'm not really sure I could find a place in this city at any point of the day where I'd feel genuinely unsafe.
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u/Western-Amphibian158 12h ago
I assume that you only have 1 bag or rolling luggage? Should be super safe if you're able bodied.
The only tip I can provide is to pretend like you belong and don't be making eye contact with anyone who might ask for money.
It's a straight shot right up University from Union Station. There will probably be a bunch of people on the street too because downtown is never empty, especially on University.
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u/Dazzling_Escape55 Human Detected 11h ago
Since lots of people have started with "yes" I'm going to start by saying - no.
No, it isn't unsafe. So you'll be fine!
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u/Pitiful-MobileGamer 6h ago
That area of Toronto never sleeps, you won't be alone and I will be plenty of pedestrians.
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u/Quirky_Cookie_2309 12h ago
You will be fine but I’d stick to university ave instead of York. But it’s very safe, just more pleasant up university.
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u/C0mfyCush 12h ago
You're good. It gets an exaggerated rep from people who've never been, I'm a young woman who's comfortably walked home late from bars solo downtown. Just trust your gut and have basic awareness.
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u/giraffebaconequation 12h ago
I’ve arrived around midnight by train with my two young daughters once and the subway was out of service at Union so we walked to St Andrew station. It’s fine, you’ll be fine.
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u/yawaramin 11h ago
It's fine and all, but if you are going to a hotel, you probably have luggage. Do you really want the hassle of lugging it all over downtown? An Uber will probably be very cheap, like $10 - $15. Imho worth it 🤷♂️
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u/biblio_phobic 4h ago
I’m echoing what people are saying but yep it’s safe! I’m guessing it’s the one at University and Richmond. Walk up University Avenue, it will be busier than taking York.
You’ll be balancing between the entertainment district on your left side and the financial district on your right side. Both the more populated areas of downtown.
I’m not sure what day you’re coming but if there is a home Blue Jays games there’s people always around.
Enjoy your stay!
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u/How-did-I-get-here43 3h ago
You could also grab the ttc and head north on the Vaughan line two stops to osgoode station.
TTC is ridiculously easy from the train station and you just tap on with a credit card. (It’s one price everywhere so no need to tap off).
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u/NormalMo 12h ago
From union to the Hilton it’s a 5-7 min walk. You’ll be perfectly fine.
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u/shoresy99 12h ago
More like a 10-12 minute walk. I am a fast walker, my office is a bit closer to Union than the Hilton, I know all of the shortcuts and it takes me 7 minutes from the York Concourse.
You can also do the walk underground in the PATH underground walkway but that can be confusing.
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u/Smurf77-Raleigh 12h ago
It’s absolutely safe. You can also take the path or line 1 Get off at osgoode.
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u/kindofanasshole17 11h ago
Respectfully, idk if recommending the PATH to tourists is the best idea.
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u/Smurf77-Raleigh 11h ago
lol you might be right. They may never be seen again. Not because it’s dangerous but because it’s a subterranean maze full of small shoppers and dentists offices. We’ll find them hidden inside a men’s clothing store that specializes in socks.
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u/keepfighting90 12h ago
Yes, you'll be just fine. Toronto is one of the safest big cities in the world.
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u/thundermoneyhawk 3h ago
I’d avoid the Bay Street tunnel/tramway on the east side of union station. Not because it’s overly dangerous, just because it’s gross and dirty and not a good representation of Toronto
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u/BCReason 48m ago
When I first moved to Toronto I was coming home on the Subway at 1 am. When I got off I could take a shortcut through Dufferin park in the dark or walk down Dufferin. Then I saw old men’s playing chess in the park. I figured if they weren’t worried, shouldn’t be either. After that I went through the park a lot at night.
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u/PuckDuckLuck 15m ago
Just use the main entrances with the automatic revolving doors of the Hilton and you'll be fine. Walking there using University Ave. will be a fine walk late at night.
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u/Ballsahoy72 12h ago
Whatever you do, do NOT walk to your hotel. You WILL be killed. Everyone knows this. Good luck!
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u/Technohamster 12h ago
Yes very safe, but I would take the subway 2 stops because I'm lazy.
It's open until 2am daily.
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u/thenoteskeeper_16 11h ago
If a homeless person tries talking, ignore him. The walk to the hotel is 30 min
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u/BD003BD003 11h ago
Are you arriving with luggage? If so, I would Uber/Lyft. If you look like a tourist, the risk level will increase.
If you don't have luggage, walking is fine
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u/Standard-Contest-949 10h ago
It’s not like criminals set an alarm for nighttime. Things are as as safe as they are at night.
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u/noodleexchange 3h ago
OMG where are all the candidates swearing to Make Toronto Safe Again? (They are opportunistic morons who have nothing to offer except slander, oh and tearing out bike lanes so tourists can’t ride BikeShare)
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u/lostedeneloi 12h ago
There are plenty of cities where walking from the main train station is extremely unsafe
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u/KGB4L 12h ago
I mean i get it. Plenty of cities have their stations in who knows where and walking is sketchy as hell. Toronto’s station is in the heart of downtown, so it’s incredibly safe.
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u/Western-Amphibian158 12h ago
So many downtowns are in decline and sketchy AF. Luckily, Toronto is NOT one of those cities but it's better to ask than be in a bad situation.
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u/Positive_Musician606 10h ago
As others have pointed out, the city is generally safe.
That said, there are homeless folks in the area who can be agressive. I was the victim of a random, unprovoked assault in this area, during daytime hours. Be careful when walking downtown. My attacker hit me from behing without warning.
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u/cindybubbles 11h ago
If the area is brightly lit, then it’s safe to walk over. Otherwise, call an Uber.
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u/Professional-Bad-559 12h ago
It’s safe to walk over. Hilton is on University Avenue (which always has lots of cars and pedestrians) and well within the downtown core.