Toronto CityPASS®: Save up to 38% at 5 Top Attractions

Toronto CityPASS turns Toronto’s biggest ticket decisions into one purchase. For $107, you get the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, then choose three more attractions from the ROM, Casa Loma, Toronto Zoo, or City Cruises Toronto. That is a useful setup for a first visit, especially if you want to see several headline sights without buying separate tickets each time.

I like the nine-day validity, which lets you spread the attractions around your schedule instead of racing through five stops in one weekend. I also like the mobile ticket delivery and the choice between a grand old house, a major museum, a zoo, or a harbour cruise.

The catch is that the pass does not remove every line or reservation step. The CN Tower may require an additional booking and ticket validation at arrival, and the cruise is seasonal and weather-dependent. Plan ahead, especially for a winter visit.

Key points to know before you buy

• Five major attractions for $107: Entry includes the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and three selected attractions.
• Nine consecutive days: Your pass begins on the first day you use it, not necessarily the day you purchase it.
• A flexible third and fourth choice: Pick from the ROM, Casa Loma, Toronto Zoo, or City Cruises Toronto.
• CN Tower planning matters: You may need to reserve an admission time and revalidate the pass on arrival.
• The harbour cruise is seasonal: City Cruises Toronto is weather-dependent in November 2025, closed from December 2025 through March 2026, and scheduled to resume April 1, weather permitting.
• Mobile entry is convenient: Use the barcode on your phone, or print the ticket if you prefer paper.

How the nine-day pass works

The CityPASS is best understood as a bundle of five one-time admissions, not an unlimited sightseeing card. The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are fixed inclusions. You then choose three of the four remaining options.

Your nine-day clock starts when you first activate the pass. You have one year from purchase to begin using it before the order expires, so buying ahead is possible if your plans are firm enough. Once you use the first attraction, however, the nine consecutive days begin.

That window is generous for most short visits. You could visit two attractions on one day, then keep the rest for later. Or you could use the pass at a relaxed pace, which is often the better choice in Toronto, where attractions are spread across different parts of the city.

At each site, go directly to the attraction entrance and show your mobile barcode. Some locations may require reservations, so check the attraction details before setting out. The pass gives you admission, but it does not include transportation, food, or drink.

CN Tower: Toronto from the Main and Lower Observation Levels

The CN Tower is the anchor of the pass. General admission includes the Main Observation Level and the Lower Observation Level, giving you the classic high-rise view that defines a first visit to Toronto.

The attraction is easy to place in your schedule because it works well as a short stop or a longer visit. You can use it early in the day to get your bearings, or save it for later if you want a city view after visiting the downtown sights.

Do not assume that the mobile pass means you can walk straight through every checkpoint. CN Tower admission may need to be booked separately, and the pass may need to be revalidated at the venue. You might still have to wait in line to receive a proper admission ticket, even after buying the CityPASS.

That extra step is the main frustration to watch for. Check the CN Tower booking instructions before leaving your hotel, and allow time for validation. A pass saves money more reliably than it saves time.

Ripley’s Aquarium: A popular stop with possible crowding

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is the other fixed attraction. The pass includes a Flex Ticket for general admission, which gives you a flexible entry option rather than locking you into one particular visit time.

The aquarium is a natural choice for families and for anyone who wants an indoor activity close to the CN Tower. You can pair the two in one downtown outing, though you should remember that both are major attractions and may take more time than a quick photo stop.

Crowds can change the experience. At busy times, the aquarium may feel so packed that moving through the exhibits becomes difficult. If you are visiting without children, you may find the cost less convincing if the crowds limit how long you want to stay.

That does not make the aquarium a poor choice. It means you should think about timing and your own interests. Families may find it an easy win. Adults focused on museums, architecture, or city views might prefer to use the three optional slots on the ROM, Casa Loma, and the zoo or cruise.

Royal Ontario Museum: Choose culture over another ticket

The Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM, is one of the optional selections. Its general admission is included, although special exhibitions may carry a surcharge.

This choice makes sense if you want a museum day and prefer a broad indoor attraction to a harbour outing or zoo visit. The ROM can also help balance a schedule built around observation decks and outdoor stops. You get a change of pace without leaving the main Toronto sightseeing plan.

The key limitation is the special exhibition charge. General admission does not automatically cover every temporary event, so check what is included before you arrive. If a particular exhibition is your reason for visiting, budget for the possible extra cost.

A ROM visit is also a practical backup for poor weather. The pass gives you choices, and that flexibility has real value in Toronto, where outdoor plans can be affected by conditions.

Casa Loma: A different side of Toronto

Casa Loma gives the CityPASS a strong architectural stop. General admission includes the former residence and a complimentary mobile audio guide app, along with a documentary about Sir Henry Pellatt.

The audio guide is useful because it lets you move at your own pace rather than following a fixed group. You can spend more time with the parts that interest you, then continue when you are ready. The documentary adds context about Sir Henry Pellatt and the house itself.

Casa Loma is also a good choice for visitors who want something more distinctive than another standard museum. It offers rooms, design, and a grand residence setting, making it feel different from the CN Tower, aquarium, and ROM.

Keep your phone charged if you plan to use the audio guide app. That detail is easy to overlook, but it matters when the included information is delivered digitally.

Toronto Zoo: A full-day option outside the downtown core

The Toronto Zoo is the fourth optional choice. Admission is included, but the zoo is not a quick downtown stop. You need to account for its location and the time required to enjoy it properly.

This is the strongest choice for families or anyone who wants animals and outdoor space. It can also give your itinerary a very different rhythm after several indoor or urban attractions.

The tradeoff is efficiency. If you have only a short stay in central Toronto, the zoo may use a large part of a day, and transportation is not included in the CityPASS. You will need to arrange your own way there and back.

Choose the zoo because you genuinely want the zoo experience, not simply because it is included. The pass covers the admission, but the time and transport commitment still belong in your plan.

City Cruises Toronto: The option with the most seasonal risk

The 60-minute City Cruises Toronto sightseeing harbour tour is the most weather-sensitive choice. It is available on a seasonal schedule, with weather-dependent operation in November 2025. The cruise is closed from December 2025 through March 2026 and is scheduled to resume April 1, weather permitting.

If you are visiting during the operating season, the cruise offers a pleasant change from indoor attractions and high-rise views. A one-hour sailing is also easy to fit into a busy itinerary.

There are specific instructions to follow. Present your reservation barcodes at least 20 minutes before departure at the ticket booth in Queen’s Quay Terminal. The booth is at the southeast dock wall along the Toronto Harbourfront Centre waterfront trail, across from Pie Bar.

Do not build your entire pass around the cruise until you confirm the schedule. Conditions can affect departures, and winter visitors cannot count on this option. If the cruise is unavailable, use the ROM, Casa Loma, or Toronto Zoo as your three optional choices.

Does $107 deliver good value?

The advertised saving is up to 38 percent, but your actual value depends on how you use the pass. You must visit five included attractions to make the purchase worthwhile, and you should compare the separate admission prices for the exact dates of your visit.

The pass has its best value when you choose five attractions you already want to see. A typical strong combination would be the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, ROM, Casa Loma, and the Toronto Zoo. The cruise can replace one of those when it is operating and fits your schedule.

The savings are weaker if you select an attraction only because it is included, skip one of the five, or cannot use the cruise because of the season. Special ROM exhibitions may also cost extra, and the pass does not cover transportation or meals.

I see the biggest value in convenience. One purchase gives you a clear list of major sights, mobile access, and nine days to use them. That reduces the need to compare several tickets while you are already in Toronto.

Do not confuse convenience with skip-the-line access. The pass may still require reservations, validation, or a queue. The CN Tower is the clearest example: plan the admission time and expect a ticketing step at arrival.

A practical way to plan your five stops

You can use two attractions in one day if they are close enough and your reservation times cooperate. The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are the obvious pair for a downtown day.

Save a separate day for Casa Loma if you want time with the mobile audio guide and documentary. Pair the ROM with another central activity only if you are comfortable keeping the museum visit focused.

The Toronto Zoo deserves its own day in most plans because it is outside the main downtown cluster and transportation is not part of the pass. The harbour cruise is easier to fit into a day, but only after you confirm departure times and weather conditions.

A simple nine-day approach could look like this:

• Day one: CN Tower, after confirming any required reservation.
• Day two: Ripley’s Aquarium.
• Day three: Royal Ontario Museum.
• Day four: Casa Loma.
• Day five or later: Toronto Zoo or City Cruises Toronto, depending on season and weather.

You do not need to follow that pattern. The important point is to avoid leaving all five admissions for the final day. The pass is most useful when its long validity gives you room to adjust.

Who should buy Toronto CityPASS?

I would consider this pass for a first Toronto visit that includes at least five of the listed attractions. Families may especially like having the aquarium, zoo, and Casa Loma available, while museum fans can choose the ROM and use the ninth-day window to avoid a rushed schedule.

It also suits visitors who prefer to settle admission costs in advance. Mobile tickets are handy, and the ability to start using the pass within a year gives you some planning room.

I would be more cautious if you are visiting in winter and hoped to use the cruise. I would also pause if your itinerary is mostly downtown and you do not want to spend a day at the zoo. In that case, compare individual admission prices before buying.

Should you book Toronto CityPASS?

Book it if you can name five included attractions you truly want to visit and your schedule gives you enough time to use them. The nine-day validity, easy mobile delivery, and strong mix of city views, culture, architecture, animals, and harbour sightseeing make it a practical first-visit package.

Skip it if you expect every attraction to be reservation-free or if you plan to see only two or three sights. The pass does not erase lines, and the cruise may be unavailable in winter.

My advice is to decide your three optional attractions first. If they are the ROM, Casa Loma, and the Toronto Zoo, the pass is easy to plan around. If one is City Cruises Toronto, confirm the operating dates before paying. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you added flexibility.

FAQ

How many attractions does Toronto CityPASS include?

The pass includes one-time admission to five attractions. The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are included, and you choose three more from the ROM, City Cruises Toronto, Casa Loma, or the Toronto Zoo.

How long is Toronto CityPASS valid?

It is valid for nine consecutive days beginning on the date of first use.

How long do I have to start using the pass after purchase?

You have one year from the purchase date to begin using the pass before the order expires.

Is the CN Tower included?

Yes. General admission includes the Main Observation Level and Lower Observation Level.

Is Ripley’s Aquarium included?

Yes. The pass includes a Flex Ticket for general admission to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.

Does the pass include special exhibitions at the ROM?

The pass includes general admission to the ROM. Special exhibitions may require a surcharge.

Is City Cruises Toronto available all year?

No. The cruise is weather-dependent in November 2025, closed from December 2025 through March 2026, and scheduled to resume April 1, weather permitting.

How early should I arrive for City Cruises Toronto?

Present your reservation barcodes at least 20 minutes before departure at the ticket booth in Queen’s Quay Terminal.

Are reservations required?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. Check the activity provider’s website for current reservation instructions, tickets, and attraction details.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. You can present the ticket on a mobile device. You may also print it.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.