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

Toronto CityPASS turns Toronto’s biggest sights into one tidy nine-day plan. You get the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, then choose three more stops: the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Toronto Zoo, or City Cruises Toronto. I like the simple structure and the chance to spread visits across several days. I also like the instant mobile delivery, which saves you from collecting separate paper tickets.

The catch is that convenience does not always mean instant entry. The CN Tower and ROM may require extra validation, and CN Tower admission must be booked. Ripley’s Aquarium can also become uncomfortably packed, especially when you have little patience for slow-moving crowds.

Key points to know before you buy

• Nine consecutive days: Your pass begins with its first use, giving you time to see five attractions without cramming them into one or two days.
• CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are fixed: These two are included, then you choose three of four additional attractions.
• City Cruises is seasonal: Cruises are closed from December 2025 through March 2026 and resume April 1, weather permitting.
• The pass costs $107 per person: It can save up to 38 percent when you use all five admissions.
• Some entry steps remain: Reservations, barcode presentation, or ticket revalidation may be needed at certain sights.
• Mobile tickets arrive instantly: You can show the pass on your phone or print it before heading to an attraction.

How the Toronto CityPASS works over nine days

You buy the pass once, receive mobile tickets, and activate them at the first attraction you visit. From that first use, you have nine consecutive days to enter all five included attractions.

That time window is the heart of the deal. You do not need to visit the CN Tower in the morning, rush through the aquarium at lunch, and race to Casa Loma before closing. You can give each place its own block of time, with room for weather changes and a slower day.

The pass includes one admission to each attraction. It is not an unlimited sightseeing card, so you cannot return to the CN Tower or aquarium later on the same pass. Keep your phone charged, and have the barcodes ready when you reach each entrance.

The basic package includes the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium. You then select three of these:

• Royal Ontario Museum
• City Cruises Toronto
• Casa Loma
• Toronto Zoo

The choice matters. For a short city break, the ROM and Casa Loma are easy to pair with central Toronto sightseeing. The zoo takes more planning, while the cruise is a seasonal option with weather limits.

CN Tower: Toronto’s essential high view

The CN Tower is the pass’s headline attraction. General admission includes the Main and Lower Observation Levels, giving you a high look over Toronto and the surrounding area.

This is the kind of stop that works best when visibility is good. On a clear day, the height gives you a broad sense of the city’s layout. On a gray day, the experience may feel less rewarding, so try to keep some flexibility in your nine-day schedule.

There is one practical wrinkle: CN Tower admission must be booked, and your CityPASS barcode may need to be revalidated when you arrive. In other words, do not assume that showing the pass will always send you straight to the observation levels.

You may still need to join a line to receive the proper ticket. That does not erase the value of the pass, but it changes your expectations. The pass saves money and simplifies admission, yet it does not guarantee a completely queue-free visit.

Ripley’s Aquarium: big appeal, crowded passages

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is the second fixed stop in the pass. It uses a Flex Ticket for general admission, which gives you access to the aquarium without buying a separate entry ticket.

The aquarium is a natural choice for families and for anyone who wants an indoor attraction close to the CN Tower. You can combine both stops in the same part of your Toronto sightseeing plan, though you should allow enough time for crowds and queues.

The main warning is crowding. At busy times, the aquarium may feel so packed that moving through the exhibits becomes difficult. That can take the pleasure out of a visit, especially if you are an adult visiting without children and prefer a quieter pace.

I would not remove it automatically, but I would think about your priorities. If aquatic displays are high on your list, the pass makes admission simple. If you dislike tight crowds, visit at a less busy time if possible and avoid treating the aquarium as a quick add-on.

Royal Ontario Museum: choose culture over another ticket

The Royal Ontario Museum, usually called the ROM, is one of the three optional selections. General admission is included, though special exhibitions may carry a surcharge.

That last detail matters. The pass covers the museum’s standard admission, but it does not promise access to every temporary exhibition at no extra cost. Check the attraction details before you arrive if a special show is the main reason for your visit.

The ROM is a strong pick for a city visit focused on art, culture, and natural history. It also gives you a weatherproof day indoors, which is useful in Toronto’s colder months or during rain.

Like the CN Tower, ROM entry may require revalidation. Your barcode may not function as the final ticket by itself. Allow time for that step, and do not schedule a second attraction immediately afterward.

Casa Loma: grand rooms and a self-guided visit

Casa Loma brings a very different mood to the pass. This former Toronto mansion includes general admission, a complimentary mobile audio guide app, and a documentary about Sir Henry Pellat.

The audio guide gives you a way to set your own pace rather than follow a fixed group. You can spend more time in the rooms that interest you and move on when you are ready. That makes Casa Loma a good match for independent sightseeing.

I especially like this choice for visitors who want an attraction with atmosphere rather than another observation deck or museum hall. The building gives your itinerary a change of pace, and the Sir Henry Pellat documentary adds context to the visit.

Plan for the mobile audio guide before you enter. A phone with enough battery and a working connection will make the visit easier, since the guide is part of the included experience. The pass covers general admission, so check separately if a special event or seasonal program is important to you.

Toronto Zoo: a full-day choice outside the core

The Toronto Zoo is another optional attraction. Zoo admission is included, but transportation is not.

That simple detail can shape your entire day. Unlike the CN Tower, aquarium, ROM, and Casa Loma, the zoo is not just a quick central-city stop you can add between other sights. You need to arrange your own way there and back, and you should allow enough time to make the trip worthwhile.

Choose the zoo if you want a spacious outdoor day and are happy to give it a larger share of your schedule. It is less useful for a tightly packed weekend plan built around downtown Toronto.

The pass can still offer good value here because zoo admission is one of the five included entries. Just count the cost and time of transportation separately. The CityPASS covers admission, not the journey or food and drinks during the visit.

City Cruises Toronto: a seasonal harbour option

City Cruises Toronto offers a 60-minute sightseeing harbour tour. It is the most weather-sensitive choice and the one most likely to affect your planning.

In November 2025, availability depends on weather. The cruise is closed from December 2025 through March 2026, then resumes April 1, weather permitting. If your visit falls in winter, do not count the cruise as one of your three choices.

When sailings are running, you must present your reservation barcodes at least 20 minutes before departure. The ticket booth is at Queen’s Quay Terminal, along the Toronto Harbourfront Centre waterfront trail, at the southeast dock wall across from Pie Bar.

That meeting detail is worth saving before you go. Arriving at the waterfront is not the same as being at the correct booth, and a short sightseeing cruise has a firm departure time. Check citypass.com for current updates before setting your day around it.

The cruise is a pleasant way to change the rhythm of a sightseeing trip. Still, its value depends on the weather and the sailing calendar. Treat it as a bonus option, not the main reason to buy the pass during the closed season.

Does $107 deliver real savings?

The price is $107 per person, with savings of up to 38 percent when you use all five admissions. The phrase up to is important. You get the best value only when you visit every included attraction and select options that would otherwise cost enough to justify the pass.

The pass is most likely to pay off for an active sightseeing plan. If you visit the CN Tower, aquarium, ROM, Casa Loma, and zoo, you use the full product and avoid buying five separate admissions.

The math becomes less favorable if you skip one attraction. You cannot swap the unused admission for cash or use it twice. A pass that looks inexpensive on paper can lose its advantage if bad weather cancels the cruise, a crowded aquarium sends you elsewhere, or the zoo is too far out of your way.

I would make a short list before buying:

• Which five attractions do you genuinely want?
• Is your visit long enough to use the nine-day period?
• Is the cruise operating during your dates?
• Are you willing to travel to the zoo?
• Will you have time for ticket validation and reservations?

If the answers point to five definite visits, $107 is a sensible price. If you only want the CN Tower and one museum, individual tickets may be easier.

What the pass does well, and what it does not

The strongest feature is convenience. One purchase puts five major attractions into one plan, and the mobile delivery means you can access the tickets without waiting for a physical pass.

The nine-day period is another real advantage. You can use one day for the CN Tower and aquarium, another for the ROM, another for Casa Loma, and reserve a separate day for the zoo or cruise. That pace is much kinder than trying to cover Toronto in a single burst.

The pass does not include transportation, food, or drinks. It also does not remove every line. CN Tower and ROM may need revalidation, and some attractions may require reservations through the provider’s website.

Those details are not deal breakers, but they are part of the product. Think of CityPASS as an admission and planning tool, not a full guided tour or transport pass.

It is wheelchair accessible, which makes the pass more practical for visitors who need accessible entry. You should still check each attraction’s current details if you need specific access arrangements.

Best ways to plan your five visits

I would activate the pass at an attraction you are sure you can visit. Once activated, the nine-day clock begins, so do not scan it casually just to test the ticket.

For a first visit to Toronto, a balanced plan could include the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, ROM, Casa Loma, and the zoo. This gives you city views, marine displays, a museum, a historic mansion, and an outdoor attraction.

If you are visiting outside the cruise season, replace City Cruises with the zoo or another available option. If the zoo does not fit your schedule, the ROM and Casa Loma are easier central choices.

Keep your schedule loose around the CN Tower and cruise. The tower requires booking, and the cruise has a fixed departure time with a 20-minute arrival recommendation. The ROM and Casa Loma offer more flexibility, though you should still check current reservation rules.

I also suggest planning indoor and outdoor stops on different days. The pass lasts nine days, so you do not gain anything by forcing every sight into one packed itinerary.

Who will get the most from Toronto CityPASS?

This pass suits first-time visitors who want Toronto’s major paid attractions and plan to stay long enough to use all five admissions. Families may find the single purchase and mobile tickets easy to manage, although the aquarium’s crowding can test patience.

It also works for organized sightseers who like having a clear list of places to cover. The nine-day period gives you structure without demanding a strict daily schedule.

You may want to skip it if your trip is short, your interests are narrow, or you are visiting during the winter cruise closure and do not want the zoo. It is also less appealing if you prefer spontaneous wandering over timed bookings and attraction planning.

The overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 43 reviews, and the most praised feature is simple convenience. That matches the practical strength of the pass: it makes five admissions easier to organize. The less favorable experience comes from the fine print at the entrance, crowded aquarium conditions, and seasonal attractions that may not be available.

Should you book Toronto CityPASS?

Book it if you can name five included attractions you want to visit within nine days. The best-value plan usually includes the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, ROM, Casa Loma, and either the zoo or a working City Cruises sailing.

Before buying, confirm the cruise dates, check reservation rules for the CN Tower and ROM, and decide if the zoo’s transportation needs fit your schedule. Do not buy the pass simply because it advertises a large possible saving.

For a full Toronto sightseeing plan, I would choose the pass. For a short visit focused on one or two sights, I would compare individual admission prices first. The pass is useful, but only when you use it as a five-attraction ticket rather than a discount promise.

FAQ

How long is Toronto CityPASS valid?

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

How long do I have to activate the pass after buying it?

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

Which attractions are included automatically?

The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada are included automatically.

Which attractions can I choose from?

You can choose three of four options: the Royal Ontario Museum, City Cruises Toronto, Casa Loma, or Toronto Zoo.

Does the pass include transportation?

No. Transportation is not included.

Does the pass include food and drinks?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is City Cruises Toronto available all year?

No. City Cruises Toronto has weather-dependent availability in November 2025 and is closed from December 2025 through March 2026. Cruises resume April 1, weather permitting.

Do I need reservations at any attractions?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. You should use the activity provider’s website to check requirements and attraction details.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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