Toronto to Lagos Flights

  About Toronto

Toronto is one of the popular cities in Canada and a tourist destination that you must add to your travel list. Even though the city is majorly known for its skyscrapers and modern buildings, you will love your time in the city. Toronto has a very eclectic dining scene and a great nightlife, too. It houses over 200 ethnic groups, who speak over 140 languages, and is known for welcoming a lot of people irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. While the city does have quite a lot of tourist attractions, you can explore the city like any other normal city. Since the city has a lot of diverse cultures, interacting with a lot of people should be on your itinerary if you love socializing. It is also home to one of the tallest free-standing towers in the world called CN Tower. You will also feel like you have explored a lot of other countries and cultures when you visit Toronto. You will also love the restaurants in the city and signing up for a food tour is something you must do.

Best Time to Visit Toronto

Even though the spring and fall seasons are the best times to visit Toronto, the city experiences peak season in summer from June to August. The temperature ranges from 15 to 26 degree Celsius. Since it is peak season, you will have to book your hotel in Toronto for several weeks in advance. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Toronto well in advance to avoid the surge in prices. Not to mention, it will also be difficult to find decent hotels at an affordable price at the last moment. You can attend events like the North by Northeast Festival, Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, Toronto Pride, Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Fringe Festival and Caribana. You might have to wait in long queues at some of the major tourist attractions since there are a lot of tourists in the city. If you don't like crowded places, this might not be the best time for you to visit Toronto. This is a busy time for the city with tourists buzzing around in Toronto. You can also add tourist sites closer to Toronto in your itinerary. Sign up for a tour of the city or explore it on your own.

April and May is the spring season in Toronto. It is also an ideal time to visit the city since the temperature ranges from 4 to 18 degree Celsius. There are fewer tourists in the city, and the weather can be quite chilly during early spring, so you might want to pack your warm clothes, too. You will also come across exciting flight deals to Toronto and discounts on hotels. Attend the Canada Blooms, Toronto Comic Con and Tastemaker Toronto during spring. September and October are when the fall season kicks in, and the temperature ranges from 7 to 20 degree Celsius. The weather is warmer initially, but since it heads towards winter, it might get colder towards the end of it. You can attend the Toronto International Film Festival and the Toronto International Art Fair in the fall season.

November to March is winter in Toronto, and it sees a dip in tourists. The temperature ranges from -7 to 4 degree Celsius, and the city experiences heavy snowfall. You can book a hotel in Toronto at the lowest prices and might even get cheap flight tickets to Toronto. Even though there are fewer tourists in the city, there are quite a lot of events that you can attend, like Cavalcade of Lights, Holiday Magic on Bloor-Yorkville, Toronto International Boat Show and Winterlicious. Make sure that you are carrying a lot of warm clothes. Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city are quite grand. Though dining at high-end restaurants might be pretty expensive, the festive spirit only makes you want to spend a little bit more. You can also make the most of all the shopping destinations in the city during the festive season.

Places to Visit in Toronto

CN Tower is one of the major highlights of Toronto. The 553m tall building is to Toronto what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The breathtaking view of the city from up top is what attracts tourists to it. On a clear day, you might even be lucky enough to spot Niagara Falls and New York state from up there. The Royal Ontario Museum is home to an enchanting collection of art, cultural and natural history from different periods across the world. The architecture of the museum is stunning, and it has also become a recognizable building in Toronto. If you want to experience wildlife, you can visit High Park. You will find llamas, reindeer, bison and other animals. The park also has quite a few sunken gardens, nature trails, hanging basket gardens, natural ponds and streams where you can enjoy a peaceful time. The park also has quite a few activities for you like a train tour, swimming and wading pools and so on. Distillery District is a neighbourhood in Toronto that has a lot of boutiques, artists' studios, restaurants, galleries and the Toronto Christmas Market that is quite popular here. The outdoor scene here is eclectic, and you will love it.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is one of the most pleasant places to visit. The museum has an underwater tunnel with a moving sidewalk that attracts most tourists to it. Casa Loma is a castle in Toronto that was built in 1914 and was transformed into a winter wonderland later. It is one of the best attractions to visit, especially during winter. St Lawrence Market was built in 1850 and came with a rich history. It was the first-ever permanent farmer's market, and you will love the cheese and bacon sandwiches here. You can also head to the nearby beaches like Bluffer's Park, Kew-Balmy, Woodbine, Cherry and Sunnyside Beach.

Things to do in Toronto

You can go on a sightseeing tour of the city to cover all the major museums and parks. You can also sign up for a tour of the Toronto Islands. You can head to the beaches near the city and indulge in a lot of water activities. You can also head to St Lawrence Market that has a lot of shops and outdoor restaurants. You can also sign up for a luxury bus tour of the Niagara Falls from Toronto. The city is also known for its diverse food culture and signing up for a food tour of the city. If you are planning a trip to the city during high season, you might even get to attend a lot of parties. The nightclub scene in the city is quite exciting, and you will certainly have a lot of fun here. You can also take a French language class or a cooking class to learn a few French cuisines.

Foods and Restaurants in Toronto

Toronto is one city where you will find cuisines from a lot of cultures. Whatever you feel like eating, you will find it in Toronto. The city has a Little Italy, Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Iran, Greektown and the Bazaar neighbourhood that has restaurants serving delicious Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. St Lawrence Market is yet another locality where you will find a lot of great restaurants that come with a lovely ambience. Scaramouche Restaurant is a popular restaurant that serves authentic French cuisine. You will also love the ambience and service at the restaurant. New Orleans Seafood and Steakhouse, as the name suggests, serves the best seafood and steaks. You can also head to Moxie's Grill and Bar for a nice time. Kit Kat is an Italian restaurant that has a unique decor, and you can head here for a delicious meal. If you feel like heading to a pub or a bar, The Tilted Dog Pub and Kitchen is a great place to visit. It offers traditional Canadian food, and you can order whatever you want with a glass of beer. You can also try Rasa on Harbord Street if delicious food with beer is what you have in mind. Lavinia restaurant is popular for its Spanish cuisine.

How to reach Toronto

The Toronto Pearson International Airport and is the largest, busiest airport in Canada. The airport is named after the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lester B. Pearson. The flight connectivity to Canada from India is excellent. Canada is a very popular destination for Indians. KLM, British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways have frequent flights to Canada from India with layovers at Amsterdam, London and Hongkong. If you book at the right time, you might even get exciting deals on flights to Canada online. It is very convenient to get taxis and car rentals from Toronto airport. The airport also has a lot of facilities like premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, currency exchange, prayer area, children's areas and smoking area, too. The airport staff will also help you with last-minute hotel accommodations if your itinerary has any unforeseen changes.

  About Lagos

Touted to be one of the most populous city centres of the Sub-Saharan Africa, Lagos, located on the coasts of Nigeria, is a fasting-growing city in the continent. The city's exquisite resorts, cultural museums, nightlife and boutiques make it one of the most sought-after cities in Nigeria. Not to mention how it also stands tall as the financial capital of the metropolis. The port city of Lagos has turned a new leaf and is quite the thriving city with impeccable contribution to the economy of Nigeria.

Best time to visit Lagos

Thanks to Lagos' proximity to the equator, the climate is hot and wet most of the year. The air is always hot and humid, which makes it quite unfavourable for travelling. However, there are some seasons or rather months in the city when the sun and humidity are relatively bearable and ideal for tourism. The peak travel and offseason are perfectly segregated into two halves. The six months from October to April are dry with winters taking over from December to February. The remaining months see wet and humid weather. The beginning of the dry season is called Harmattan in Nigeria. During this season, the weather is extremely tourist-friendly and amiable. The beaches are exceptionally beautiful as the dry season kicks in. December to February easily become the best months to visit the city. However, you should ensure that if you do opt for one of the months from the dry season, you should carry clothes accordingly. The dry season can get a little hot too. Light clothing is the best thing you can opt for when in Lagos. Plus, carrying a bottle of water is also quite essential. More than one, if needed.

Summer and monsoon months are quite unfavourable for travelling. The city is soaked wet with extreme possibilities of floods and other such conundrums. Not to mention how the damp and humid weather only adds to creepy crawlers in the environment. It would be quite risky to travel to the city during the monsoon. The hotel prices are cheap in Lagos during monsoon for this very reason. As it is an offseason, the hotel prices are slashed, and it becomes easier to make reservations. However, it is not advisable to plan a trip around this time just to make some savings in the hotel booking. Instead, opt for one of the dry months which are close to the winter season. The city would be pleasant, and tourist activities would be compelling, without any trouble.

Places to visit in Lagos

Lagos has quite a handful of tourist attractions worth visiting. The Tafawa Balewa Square is one such location that boasts historical significance and plays a memorial to victims of the two world wars. The area also hosts events, concerts and plays the role of a racecourse. You should also visit the Teslim Balogun Stadium, which is the country's national stadium. The place is known for its exceptional sporting facilities and also witnesses some exquisite festivals and events, including football matches, both local and international. The Nigerian National Museum is another attraction that would pique your interest. With archaeological relics from the Nigerian history and ethnographic artworks on display, the place is perfect to learn more about the country's ancient history and culture. Lekki Conservation Centre is acclaimed to be an urban park which boasts lush landscapes, wildlife and a perfect getaway for recreational activities. Lagos' Freedom Park is a place you should definitely visit as it exhibits the creative expression of art and culture of the country.

Things to do in Lagos

To indulge in some more of the vibrant African music culture, you can check out the New Afrikan Shrine. Its compelling and engaging music would have quite an effect on you. Not to mention how the lively atmosphere would be an experience of a lifetime. You can also visit the Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens to relish the green expanses and lawns that the park has to offer. It is perfect for photography and picnics. Do not miss out some of their beaches and lagoons that touch the city. With the dry and hot weather, the beaches would be a good escape. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort would be a nice place to relax and unwind. Hi Impact Planet is also a good place where you can engage in some recreational activities. The amusement park has some fun rides that would elevate your spirits and make you quite happy. To catch some Nigerian movies, you can watch a show at the Silverbird Galleria.

Food and restaurants in Lagos

Lagos is recognised as one of the most populous and culturally eclectic cities in Nigeria. In fact, it is also revered for its cultural stance in the whole of Africa. The city does have a Western air with more emphasis on global music, art and culinary spheres. With such artistic and cultural heritage that Lagos boasts, the food culture is a reflection of the same. You will find not just African and Lagos- specific dishes but an array of fusion food from around the world. Villa Medici is one such place that brims French flavours and adds more panache to it. Some of the highlights that the French cuisine is known for, including frogs' legs and escargot a la bourguignonne, can be found here in this food establishment. Order some fine wine and cocktails to go with the food, and you'll have quite a good time here. Métisse is another recognised restaurant in the city that raves Asian and fusion cuisine. With a nautical decor of the place, the restaurant offers a platter of not just Asian dishes but also Lagos's traditional taste. The place also hosts live music to make the dining experience rich.

While fusion food is something you'll find aplenty in Lagos. However, to get the authentic Nigerian food, you have Terra Kulture, a good establishment predominantly known for its exquisite take on Nigerian cuisine. Indulge in the gastronomical delights of authentic Nigerian food at Terra Kulture. Taste their ofada rice, boiled yam, plantain and catfish. The setting of the place is also quite awesome with Nigerian art exhibited on the walls for customers to relish, aside from their food. The Jazzhole is an interesting and iconic record shop, book shop and a cafe. Basically, it is a quaint cafe nestled in the internal routes of Ikoyi in Lagos. The place is untouched and perfect as it sees less crowd and more peace. Plus, the soothing jazz music with soulful performances goes perfectly well for high tea and books. You can also visit the Eko Sky Restaurant and Lounge to receive the best view of the city and astounding food and drinks. It is away from the city's hustle-bustle and has a very tranquil environment that would go down perfectly well with the food and drinks that they serve.

How to reach Lagos

Flight connectivity to Lagos from India is quite decent. There are no direct flights that connect to Lagos from India, but there are enough connecting flights from Cairo and Addis Ababa. The demand for Lagos from India is not a lot, due to which even the number of flights is limited. However, there are various international routes connected to Lagos which have immaculate connectivity. Airlines such as EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, RwandAir, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, SpiceJet, Emirates, Lufthansa, Swiss, Etihad Airways, to name a few, have flights flying in and out of Lagos. There are various international routes that connect to Lagos from Middle-East to European to even Atlantic. However, there are countless layovers and long durations that make only a handful ideal to pick from. From India, the most popular routes to Lagos are from Addis Ababa, Dubai, Cairo and Istanbul. These cities have direct flights heading to Lagos and have fewer hours of layovers too. There are flight options connecting from European cities such as Frankfurt and Zurich too. However, these cities have multiple layovers and connecting flights, making it a cumbersome ordeal.

Not to mention how you will require a transit visa to board connecting flights from these cities to Lagos. EgyptAir, RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines offer the best ticket prices to Lagos as well as decent flight duration. The approximate flight duration from India to Lagos is 12 hours and fifty minutes. The flight tickets to Lagos are a little expensive. It would cost you just as much to reach a European country as much it would be for a trip to Lagos. The best thing to do to snag inexpensive tickets would be searching for excessive flight deals online to get a good price for a flight ticket to Lagos. There are always countless deals and offers on the web. You could probably use this time to invest in miles or make use of the already-existing miles to fund the trip. While you're booking your flight tickets to Lagos, also opt to make hotel reservations in the city. The prices of hotels in Lagos could also vary depending on which season you pick for your trip. It would be best to look for combo deals online where your flight and hotel reservations are made for a cheap and affordable rate.

  About Murtala Muhammed Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, also known famously as Lagos Airport, caters to international operations and is situated in Ikeja, Lagos. It is one of the major hubs that serve the airport in the entire state. It was originally built in World War II and has been named after the fourth military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed, in the 1970s. The most popular destinations that are often opted for from Murtala Muhammed International Airport are cities such as London Heathrow, Abuja, Enugu, Addis Ababa, Port Harcourt, Dubai, Owerri and Accra. The airport has a capacity to accommodate 6,367,478 passengers as of 2017.

About Airport Terminals

The Lagos Airport has two terminals, one dedicated to international operations and the second one for domestic activities. The two terminals use the same runway with respect to flight activities. The domestic terminal was originally the old Ikeja Airport. When the new international terminal opened in 1979, all the flight operations moved to the new terminal. Meanwhile, the old Ikeja Airport was transformed to cater to domestic operations. However, after a fire incident took place in the domestic terminal in 2000, the airport's operations were shifted to the old Lagos domestic terminal while a new terminal was constructed. The new terminal, also known as MMA2, was constructed and eventually commissioned in 2007. The international terminal was designed keeping Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's model in mind. The new terminal caters to Nigeria's biggest airline, Arik Air.

About Airport Authority

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is currently owned and operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. FAAN's headquarters is located in Ikeja, Lagos. Originally established as Nigeria Airports Authority (NAA) in 1976, the airport authority was renamed as Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in 1995 after the Federal Government restructured and reformed the norms of the aviation industry. FAAN has since been working towards an ambitious rehabilitation programme to upscale the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The airport has managed to finish about 90 per cent of the work that they planned. In the recent times, the airport has seen some tremendous changes under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's management.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport's infrastructure has seen some good developments with the air conditioning improved and luggage belts repaired to perfection. The airport has also been cleaned and sanitized with many recent restaurants and food establishments being installed in the vicinity. Duty-free stores have also been opened with to make the airport fancier. After Bilateral Air Services Agreements were signed between Nigeria and a bunch of countries was revived, many airlines received landing rights again. With airlines such as Emirates, Delta Air Lines, China Southern Airlines and Ocean Air receiving rights and interest to land at Nigeria's Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the country has become easier to reach. In fact, Lagos Airport has become the largest international airport in Nigeria.

Top airlines flying from Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Muhammed International Airport majorly sees a lot of African airlines. However, the airport also accommodates a slew of international airlines in many global cities. The airport also has reserved a space for an Indian airline, Air India. Air India operations from Muhammed International Airport flies to Mumbai and Delhi. In terms of travelling within the continent, Lagos Airport sees a blend of many African airlines. Some of the airlines that operate from Muhammed International Airport include Aero Contractors, Africa World Airlines, Air Peace, Air Senegal, Arik Air, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Along with the African airlines operating from Muhammed International Airport, there are also a few international ones. Some of the prominent international airlines operating from Muhammed International Airport are Air France, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Facilities at Murtala Muhammed International Airport

WiFi - Murtala Muhammed International Airport offers free WiFi services that you can avail. All you need to do is visit the information desk of the airport and ask them for instructions. Some of the instructions are also available on various internet kiosks spread across the airport terminals.

ATM and foreign exchange - Currency exchange booths are located at the arrival and departure zones of international terminals. The airport also offers decent exchange rates. In case you haven't had the time to make the exchange during your trip, the airport is the best place to exchange currencies. There are ATMs of local banks also present at the airport. You can withdraw or even transfer money within the premise.

Medical services - Kupa Aerospace Clinic offers medical services at the airport. They have been placed within the premise of the airport to help with emergency cases that might crop up. The clinics are spread out in proper intervals at the domestic and international terminals. Along with clinics, the airport also has pharmacies installed at the terminals with most of the medicinal drugs.

Nursing stations - The airport has installed nursing stations for parents travelling with infants. The rooms are available for mother's to feed their infants and even clean them. There are baby products such as diapers, baby powders and other such essentials. This has been kept in the rooms, in case they run out of supplies.

Special assistance - Facilities to help special cases falling under the restricted mobility category are also available at the airport. For this, you will have to speak to your airlines and inform them that you require special assistance. The airport, with its trained staff, will accommodate the same for you. You can request for wheelchairs and porter services as well.

Restaurants and cafe - Much like all the airports, you can find restaurants and cafes at Lagos Airport as well. There are a few good options for restaurants with global cuisine. The airport has witnessed some massive upgradations and has since accommodated more restaurants and food establishments. They are available at the international and domestic terminals.

Prayer rooms - The airport has prayer rooms at the departure and arrival zones of the terminals. You can spend some time at the airport's multi-faith rooms. You can also meditate in the quiet rooms as a way to calm your nerves, in case flying concerns you.

Conference room - There is one dedicated conference room that is present within the airport premise. In case you need to hold a conference or a business meeting, the location is quite convenient, especially if it is for an international group of delegates. The conference room is well-equipped with modern amenities to cater to the needs of the host. Anything beyond what is available, you can request the same and ask Muhammed International Airport to help you out.

Lounges - Muhammed International Airport has quite a few lounges at the international as well as domestic terminals. At the international terminal, there are airline lounges as well as some by the airport. You can find Air France/KLM Lounge, British Airways Lounge, Premium Lounge, Skyway Premium Lounge, Gabfol Lounge, First Lounge, Oasis Lounge, SDS Lounge Services and SDS Llegada Arrival Lounge. All the lounges are open 24/7 and offer world-class facilities. They have a plush seating arrangement, snacks, liquor, play area for kids, smoking zones, entertainment decks, free WiFi, restaurants and more. Some of them even have sleeping beds and shower services. VIP Lounge and Platinum Membership Lounge are available at the domestic terminal and offer similar services.

Baggage - Baggage services are available but split into the domestic and international terminals. Depending on which terminal you are at, the baggage services would be offered. The international airport provides specific facilities such as baggage wrapping to prevent theft and mishandling, trolleys, porter services to carry the luggage and more. The domestic terminal has comparatively fewer services. However, you can request for specified services to your airlines, and the airport would provide them.

How to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Public transport

There are bus services available that will reach you to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. However, there is no definitive route that would connect you to the airport from the city. From the Ikeja region, there are no specific routes or even fares that would be fixed to reach you anywhere within Lagos. Further on this, it is not safe to take a bus at certain hours during the day and night. You need to be very careful of the fact that some areas are unsafe and shouldn't be travelled by bus. Hence, the best way to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport would be to take the taxi instead of a bus.

Taxicabs

The trip from the airport to Lagos city could take a lot of time, approximately one to three hours. This is because the routes have terrible roads. Plus, the distance to the city centre is also quite a lot. However, it is safer to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport from anywhere in the city of Lagos. Again though, avoid taking a taxi in the night as the roads are not safe.