Free WiFi Locations in Toronto

Whether you’re traveling to Toronto for the first time (Welcome to our awesome city!), or you’re a long-time resident (Yo!), we all find ourselves needing to access the internet while out and about. Data plans can be expensive/limited, so here’s a list of free WiFi spots I’ve used in Toronto when I couldn’t use my “handy” data (while in fear of being charged ridiculous amounts of $$$ for using more than the 2GB monthly family plan allotment).

Free WiFi Hotspots In Toronto

The list is currently short, but I am going to attempt to try out various places (particularly downtown) to see how good the offered services actually are. Despite the generosity, there is nothing worse than attempting to access the webs on a network in need of a tune up.

Just remember, free WiFi hotspots are rarely secured, so you’ll have to ensure your laptop/tablet/mobile device has it’s own security measures in place if you want access!

Individual Spots

Ontario Travel Information Centre

^{Union Station, near the entrance to the Skywalk}
Haven’t tried the WiFi here yet. I only know about it, as they have a big “Free WiFi” sticker on their front door. If you’re visiting Toronto, this is a great place to stop for ideas on what to explore anyway, or even simply where to eat nearby.

The Old Spaghetti Factory

^{54 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E 1A6}
WiFi is pretty good, and you can play Pokémon Go while waiting for your pasta.

The Bay – Yonge & Queen

I’m not sure if this service is available at all HBCs (guess I’ll check next time I’m at Yorkdale Mall.)  The connection is fairly strong, and will admit that I was surprised to find out that the HBC offered access at all.  After finding out that Sheraton Centre Hotel is a complete bust for public access (unless you’re staying at the hotel,) it was just a whim to pull out my phone and scan The Bay, while walking through the path towards Eaton Centre.  I accessed the “TheBayWifi” network while in the Foodwares market in the basement (the food is pretty good, and seating is awesome,) so not sure how this WiFi connection acts in the rest of this huge building.

10 Dundas – Yonge & Dundas

See those restaurants just across the street from Yonge/Dundas Square? The building that includes a Cineplex theatre? If you find a seat in the third floor food court, you’ll get free WiFi. I’m not sure if this WiFi works on the other floors, but I do know the connection can be hard to find sometimes, even in the food court. If you go into the far corner, close to the windows, you should be able to log in with relative ease though.

Chatime

^{337 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7}
Really great WiFi, and a really awesome Lemon Yogurt Smoothie, mmmmmm. Both kept me going during a super fast, 1 hour twitter party, around 8PM. There are, in fact, 13 Chatime locations in the GTA, and it’s possible that the majority of them have Free WiFi as part of their package, I just don’t know yet. Will update when I know more! 🙂

Toronto Pearson International Airport

Thanks to American Express, you have access to free WiFi in both terminals, woot.

Franchises / Grouped Locations

Fionn MacCool’s

Didn’t have any issue with this free WiFi Hotspot. It was quick and easy to hop on, without the need of a password.  Great food, and you can even collect Scene points while you’re there.

Toronto Public Libraries (TPL)

All locations have free WiFi access, and so far the ones I’ve tried have been pretty sound. (I’m typing this one up while at the Runnymede branch, heh;) depending on which location you choose will determine how easy it is to find a seat/table to use their wireless network.  For instance, the Reference Library at Bloor/Yonge has a ton of seating on many floors, but that’s not the same case for smaller branches.  You might find your local branch packed, especially during summer months when a lot of children activities take place.

TTC

TCONNECT Wi-Fi service is not yet available at all TTC Subway stations, but here’s a list of the ones that do:

Line 1 – Yellow Line

• Bloor-Yonge
• College
• Davisville
• Dundas
• Dupont
• Eglinton
• Eglinton West
• Finch
• Glencarin
• Islington
• King
• Lawrence West
• Museum
• North York Centre
• Osgoode
• Queen
• Queen’s Park
• Rosedale
• Sheppard West
• Spadina
• St Andrew
• St Clair Station
• St Clair West
• St George
• St Patrick
• Summerhill
• Union
• Wellesley
• Wilson
• Yorkdale

Line 2 – Green Line

• Bathurst
• Bay
• Bloor-Yonge
• Broadview
• Castle Frank
• Chester
• Christie
• Donlands
• Dufferin
• Dundas West
• Greenwood
• High Park
• Jane
• Keele
• Kennedy
• Kipling
• Lansdowne
• Main Street
• Old Mill
• Ossington
• Pape
• Royal York
• Runnymede
• Sherbourne
• Spadina
• St George
• Victoria Park
• Warden
• Woodbine

Line 3 – Blue Line

• Ellesmere
• Kennedy
• Lawrence East
• McCowan
• Midland
• Scarborough Centre

Line 4 – Purple Line

• Bayview
• Bessarion
• Leslie

McDonalds/McCafe Restaurants

All/most locations boast free WiFi.  While the connection is reasonably fair while connected, I’ve found my laptop to be frequently disconnected on roughly 5 minute intervals.  Whether this just happens that the location I’ve tried, or is a common issue, I can’t confirm one way or the other yet.

Starbucks

Its been a while since I’ve used Starbucks WiFi (while they were still partnered with Bell, instead of AllStream,) so I can’t comment too much.  I do remember the connections being slow, but constant… I guess I’ll have to go grab a Frappuccino to test it again soon! #HardWork

Tim Hortons

Should be available at most locations; check out their restaurant locator to see if the one near you is a participating restaurant. This service is interesting – there’s an annoying setup system to get through in order to have a lengthy connection (otherwise, I believe you’re limited to half an hour.)  The problem is, you need to continually sign up for this service every time you want to use it, instead of just requesting login details for a future visits.  Its hit or miss on whether the connection is useful to do anything other than wait for your webpages to load.

Firkin Restaurants

I’m assuming its all Firkins, but have just tried the The Swan Firken Restaurant at Runnymede & Bloor.  It has a fantastic connection, and you’re required to input a password, so it has even the smallest sense of security for its users.  Also? Irish Nachos are awesome.

Hotel/Lobbies

Delta Hotel (Downtown)

^{75 Lower Simcoe St, Toronto, ON M5J 3A6}
Not far from the Air Canada Centre, the Delta Hotel has a great wifi connection for guests of the building itself (i.e. you don’t have to stay there to connect!) Jay and I enjoy walking along the PATH at the back of this hotel to get to and from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and there are some nice plushy seats when you enter the Delta along that PATH if you need a break. I haven’t tried recently, but I do know there are some PokéStops in the area, so you might be able to use their wifi to play Pokémon Go to pass some time.