Place · Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfront

CN Tower

Q: How much does the CN Tower cost?

About C$45–55 for adult general admission (2026 estimate); the EdgeWalk costs several times more. Prices change, so check the official page.

Go up on a clear morning: cloud and haze hide the view, and queues are longer at midday; book a timed ticket ahead.

go at hour · on a clear morningadmission: unknownNot field-verified

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Key facts

Time on site: 90–120 min; p95 150 min
Price: about C$45–55 (≈ US$35–40); adult, 2026 estimate
Hours: unknown; see note below
Best time: on a clear morning; quietest window
28″ bags: Yes; Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfront: ok
Getting there: Walk from Union Station via the SkyWalk

Book the first slot
Glass floor
Indoor SkyWalk approach
Go on a clear morning
Timed ticket: book ahead
Queue: switch at 40 min
Works with kids

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Southern Ontario ↗December to March is cold and can be snowy: check road and rail conditions before a day trip.
Toronto ↗December to March is cold, often below freezing: allow indoor breaks every hour on walks and plan the CN Tower and museums for the coldest days.
Toronto ↗St. Lawrence Market does not open every day of the week: check the days before you plan a lunch there.

Actions

Hours unknown

Map & directions

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Directions

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Plan

Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes

Go now?

hours and prices: check on the day

Open: Hours unknown
Crowds: Quietest around 09:00 or 21:00 · go on a clear morning
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Quietest Mon–Thu · busiest Sat, Sun · desk estimate
Tickets: Adult: about C$45–55 (≈ US$35–40) (2026 estimate, check)
Child: about C$35–45 (≈ US$30–35) (2026 estimate, check)
Student / senior: a small discount (check)
Time to spend: 90–120 min · up to 150 min if you linger

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Know before you go

A timed ticket is best bought online; walk-up tickets exist but the lift queue is longer, especially from 11:00 to 16:00.A timed ticket is best bought online; walk-up tickets exist but the lift queue is longer, especially from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
General admission is about C$45–55 (≈ US$35–40) for adults (2026 estimate, check); the EdgeWalk is a separate ticket at several times that price and needs a booking days ahead.
The tower is 553 m tall; the main observation level is about 346 m up and the higher SkyPod is about 447 m. The lift ride takes under a minute.
The Union Station SkyWalk is indoors and heated, so the approach works in snow and rain; it is about 900 m.
The view is best on a clear morning or at sunset; on a hazy day in July the far shore disappears.
Leave big bags behind: security is like an airport, and lockers are limited.

Best time of day

Go on a clear morning. Plan 90–120 min inside.

quietlightbusyheavypacked· Desk estimate for an ordinary weekday; add one level on summer weekends and holidays. Not live data.

Weather here, next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

60min

Worthwhile

90min

Typical

120min

p95

150min

Opening hours and last-ascent times are not printed until verified; high wind or storms can close the observation levels.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board

Where to buy: Timed entry: book a slot on the official site; walk-up slots can run out.
Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
Adult general admission: Official site, timed slot; box office
Child (about 4–12): Same ticket line
Senior and youth rates: Official site
EdgeWalk (outdoor walk, harnessed): Official site only; book days ahead
Official site ↗
Queues: A timed ticket is best bought online; walk-up tickets exist but the lift queue is longer, especially from 11:00 to 16:00.A timed ticket is best bought online; walk-up tickets exist but the lift queue is longer, especially from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Book a timed ticket on the official site for the first morning slots; walk from Union Station along the SkyWalk (indoors) in about 12 minutes.
If the queue at the lift passes 40 minutes, walk to the Toronto Islands ferry instead and come back on another clear morning.
Adult general admission: A booked slot avoids the ticket line, not the lift queue.
Dress code: Shoes: Shoes on. Wear flat, closed shoes if you plan to stand on the glass floor.
What to wear: dress-code checker
Bags & lockers: Large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside. Use the lockers at Union Station or leave them at the hotel.
Lockers or cloakroom (limited) Small lockers on site (check); Union Station is the reliable place for a bigger bag.
Photos: Allowed everywhere on the public levels; no tripods when it is busy.
Drones banned; keep tripods folded.
What's closed: WeeklyOpen every day of the year (check the official calendar).
High wind, storms, lightningcheckThe outdoor deck and EdgeWalk close first; the indoor levels usually stay open. Ask about the weather policy before you buy an EdgeWalk ticket.
Late December and the summer weekendscheckTimed slots sell out; expect longer waits after 11:00.Timed slots sell out; expect longer waits after 11:00 AM.
Inside: Outdoor observation deckcheckA caged open-air deck; closed in high wind.
Inside: SkyPodcheckThe higher small deck; an add-on ticket or a separate lift.
Inside: 360 RestaurantcheckA revolving restaurant; a seated meal with the view, book ahead.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.

Ticket	Price	Where to buy	Skip-the-line reality
Adult general admission	about C$45–55 (≈ US$35–40) (2026 estimate, check)	Official site, timed slot; box office	A booked slot avoids the ticket line, not the lift queue.
Child (about 4–12)	about C$35–45 (≈ US$30–35) (2026 estimate, check)	Same ticket line	Same lift queue.
Senior and youth rates	a small discount (check)	Official site	Same lift queue.
EdgeWalk (outdoor walk, harnessed)	about C$200–250 (≈ US$150–190) (2026 estimate, check)	Official site only; book days ahead	Its own schedule; weather cancels it.
City passes and bundles	varies (check)	Pass sellers	Compare against buying general admission plus the aquarium.

Inside, in order

60 min without detours

LookOut level
25 min
The main indoor deck with a full-circle view of the lake, the islands and the downtown towers.
extra ticket
Glass Floor
10 min
A glass panel in the floor with a straight drop to the street; queue is short before 11:00.A glass panel in the floor with a straight drop to the street; queue is short before 11:00 AM.
extra ticket
Outdoor observation deck
10 min
A caged open-air deck; closed in high wind.
extra ticketcheck
SkyPod
15 min
The higher small deck; an add-on ticket or a separate lift.
extra ticketcheck
360 Restaurant
90 min
A revolving restaurant; a seated meal with the view, book ahead.
optionalcheck

Plan this visit

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I reach the gate at

Time inside

Crowd on arrival: light
Worst while inside: heavy
Leave by: 11:0011:00 AM
Closing buffer: 540′

Workable but crowded. The quietest start that fits is 18:00 (busy at worst).Workable but crowded. The quietest start that fits is 6:00 PM (busy at worst).

Closing buffer is measured against a planning close of 20:00. The posted closing time changes with the season and events; check the official page for your date.
Crowd levels are a desk estimate by hour, not live data.

How to do it well

1Book a timed ticket on the official site for the first morning slots; walk from Union Station along the SkyWalk (indoors) in about 12 minutes.
2Check the sky before you buy: haze, low cloud and fog hide the view. Ticket changes are limited, so book the evening before if the forecast is clear.
3Go to the LookOut level first, then the glass floor, then the outdoor deck; the SkyPod (higher level) is an add-on you can decide on at the top.
4If the queue at the lift passes 40 minutes, walk to the Toronto Islands ferry instead and come back on another clear morning.

On the ground

Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work

Getting in

Stop: Walk from Union Station via the SkyWalk
Exit: —
Ticket: timed advance official · official site
Stairs: none of note
Shoes: Shoes on.

Crowds and switching

Crowd clock: Busiest at midday and on summer weekends; earlier is quieter.
Sensory load: 3/5
Exposure: low
Queue rule: Switch if the queue passes 40 min; come back when under 15.

Bailouts

heat
Museum or mall (indoors)

Nearest rescue anchor: A — Union Station main hall (WC, café)

Step-free check

wheelchair: good

Step-free entrance: yes · yesNo stairs on the normal route.
Lifts: yes · yes
Accessible toilet: check · checkReported on the main levels; confirm with staff.
Wheelchair: yes · yesLevel entrance and lifts to the main levels (check). The glass floor can be crossed on wheels.
Stroller: yes · yesStrollers are usually allowed to the lifts; check the size rules when you book.
Places to sit: yes · yesBenches on the LookOut level and seating in the cafés.

Elevators run from the entrance to the observation levels; the EdgeWalk and the outdoor deck are not suitable for wheelchairs. Ask staff about the accessible route.

Step-free route

1Book the general-admission ticket online and go to the wheelchair entrance line at the base (ask staff).
2Use the SkyWalk from Union Station: it is level and indoors.
3The EdgeWalk and outdoor deck are not wheelchair-accessible; the LookOut and glass floor are.

Combine with

nearest first

2 minRogers Centre — Stadium; look for the retractable roof from the SkyWalk.
3 minRipley’s Aquarium of Canada — Right at the foot of the tower; timed tickets, sells out on wet weekends.
5 minRoundhouse Park — Free lawn with old rail cars, and the base of the tower for photos.
15 minHarbourfront and the Toronto Islands ferry — Flat lakeside walk south of the tower.
22 minSt. Lawrence Market — Lunch on Front Street East; a good next stop for the food.
—Royal Ontario Museum — Two stops on the subway from Union; an indoor day.

Walk the Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfront area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes

Best photo time today

Sun times for today load in your browser.

Spot	When	Rule on the spot
The tower from Roundhouse Park	Morning, sun behind you	Lawn is public; stay off the tracks.
The skyline from the Toronto Islands	Sunset; a wide view of the tower with the city	Ferry timetable: check the last boat back.
The tower from Front Street at night	Blue hour	Stand on the pavement, not in the road.

Red lines

Large bags are not allowed inside; use the lockers at Union Station.

More on the groundFacilities · Seasons · Who it suits · Skip it if · Rules on site · With kids6 parts

Rules on site

enforced at the gate or by guards

food: A restaurant and a snack bar on site; no picnics on the observation levels.

With kids

kids: okstroller: ok

with kids: Kids love the glass floor; children under about four may be free (check). The wait for the lift is the hard part: go at opening.
child price: about C$35–45 (≈ US$30–35) for children (2026 estimate, check)

Facilities on site

What	Status	Where / note
Toilets	yes	At the base and on the main levels.
Accessible toilet	check	Reported on the main levels; confirm with staff.
Lockers or cloakroom	limited	Small lockers on site (check); Union Station is the reliable place for a bigger bag.
Café or food	yes	Snack bar and a restaurant; prices are tourist prices.
Drinking water	yes	Fountains at the base; bring an empty bottle.
Wi-Fi	check	Public Wi-Fi may be limited; check at the desk.
Card payment	yes	Cards and mobile payment at the box office and shops.

Seasons, festivals and night openings

When	What happens	Effect on your visit	Dates
Dec–Feb	Cold and dark early; the tower is lit	The walk from Union Station is indoors; queues are short on weekdays.	check
Late Jun–Aug	Peak season and the longest days	Long lift queues at midday; book the first slot or go after 18:00 for sunset.Long lift queues at midday; book the first slot or go after 6:00 PM for sunset.
Sep	Toronto International Film Festival (early Sep)	Hotels and streets fill; the tower is busy on the weekend.	check
Nov–Dec	Christmas lights and short daylight	Low cloud is common; check the forecast.

“Check” rows move every year; confirm dates on the official calendar before you plan around them.

Who it suits

Traveler	Fit	Why
First visit to Toronto	good	The view shows how the clusters fit together; go on a clear morning.
Families with kids	good	The glass floor is the draw; book a slot and go early.
Fear of heights	caution	The indoor level is enclosed; the glass floor and EdgeWalk are the hard parts.
Budget travellers	caution	A pricey ticket for about an hour; the free view from the islands is an alternative.

Skip it if

The forecast is fog, low cloud or heavy haze.
You have one short afternoon and the ticket price is a stretch: take the ferry to the islands instead.

Deep dive

Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

Is the glass floor safe?

Yes: it is thick laminated glass rated for many times the weight of visitors. It can look cloudy on very cold days.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

What time does the CN Tower open and close?

It usually opens in the morning and closes in the evening, with later hours in summer. Opening hours change with the season and events, so check the official page for your date.

How much does the CN Tower cost?

About C$45–55 (≈ US$35–40) for adult general admission (2026 estimate); the EdgeWalk costs several times more. Prices change, so check the official page.

Is it worth going up on a cloudy day?

No. Cloud and haze hide the view; wait for a clear morning, or use a clear-day forecast to book the day before.

How long does the visit take?

60 to 90 minutes with the lift queue; 45 minutes if you go at opening and skip the SkyPod.

Can I bring a bag?

Only small bags. Large backpacks and suitcases are not allowed; use lockers at Union Station or leave them at your hotel.

How do I get there?

Walk from Union Station via the indoor SkyWalk (about 12 minutes). Streetcars on Spadina and Bathurst stop nearby, and the 509 and 510 serve Union.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources

officialCN Tower (official)