Flying to Toronto this summer'19? Lets connect!

[sahil88]

Hi guys!

We are a couple from New Delhi (India), who after a long wait for PPR with an AOR of August 2018, finally got our COPR in hand and have decided to fly to Toronto this July to start this new phase.

The purpose of creating this thread is to discuss anything and everything that is relevant/helpful in the process of transitioning from our home country to Canada, along with making some friends while doing so.
After all, having some familiar people around always makes settling in easier.

People who already have landed or have settled in Toronto recently, please feel free to post valuable suggestions/advice here. They are super important for us.

We can talk about flights, Airbnbs, location to stay, jobs, housing/rentals, packing lists, things to carry or avoid etc etc..

If at all a similar thread exists, please ignore this one and be kind enough to post a link for the same.
Thanks!

 

[sahil88]

So, since we just got our COPR. So the first order of business is to book a flight and look for a temporary residence.

We have been looking at Cathay Pacific, British Airway and Lufthansa.
Anyone who has already taken any of the above flights for Canada?
Any reviews?

Also, about the temporary residence. We have been looking for Airbnbs around Mississauga and Brampton.
Since both the areas are pretty big, so any help in narrowing down will be great.
Any further suggestions or links/references for any good Airbnbs or apartments that you must have rented will be of great help.

Last, if anyone has any other thing to add, please feel free to post and share your updates.
We might be able to help each other.

Cheers!

 

[sahil88]

Just bumping the thread up.

Hoping for some replies.

 

[sid1987]

So, since we just got our COPR. So the first order of business is to book a flight and look for a temporary residence.

We have been looking at Cathay Pacific, British Airway and Lufthansa.
Anyone who has already taken any of the above flights for Canada?
Any reviews?

Also, about the temporary residence. We have been looking for Airbnbs around Mississauga and Brampton.
Since both the areas are pretty big, so any help in narrowing down will be great.
Any further suggestions or links/references for any good Airbnbs or apartments that you must have rented will be of great help.

Last, if anyone has any other thing to add, please feel free to post and share your updates.
We might be able to help each other.

Cheers!

i have lived US/Canada for long .. so can guide ya.. i prefer Lufthansa over BA... but both are both or less same...

Hen u land in toronto try gettin a flight which comes before 6 pm... you get ur sin same day... boom easy... but be ready for rush...

 

[sahil88]

i have lived US/Canada for long .. so can guide ya.. i prefer Lufthansa over BA... but both are both or less same...

Hen u land in toronto try gettin a flight which comes before 6 pm... you get ur sin same day... boom easy... but be ready for rush...

Hi Sid, thanks for the reply.
We are also thinking of going with Lufthansa and the flight lands in afternoon. So guess, we'll have enough time to get our SIN.

Could you suggest areas or streets/metro stations where we should look for short term rentals (1bhk/basement) in both downtown Toronto and Mississauga.
Thanks!

 

[sid1987]

Hi Sid, thanks for the reply.
We are also thinking of going with Lufthansa and the flight lands in afternoon. So guess, we'll have enough time to get our SIN.

Could you suggest areas or streets/metro stations where we should look for short term rentals (1bhk/basement) in both downtown Toronto and Mississauga.
Thanks!

Downtown toronto nono nooo...

 

[rajsrini]

So, since we just got our COPR. So the first order of business is to book a flight and look for a temporary residence.

We have been looking at Cathay Pacific, British Airway and Lufthansa.
Anyone who has already taken any of the above flights for Canada?
Any reviews?

Also, about the temporary residence. We have been looking for Airbnbs around Mississauga and Brampton.
Since both the areas are pretty big, so any help in narrowing down will be great.
Any further suggestions or links/references for any good Airbnbs or apartments that you must have rented will be of great help.

Last, if anyone has any other thing to add, please feel free to post and share your updates.
We might be able to help each other.

Cheers!

Hi,

I'm from Chennai, Just received COPR and planning to travel sometime in June/July.

There is a Air Canada direct flight from Delhi to Toronto without any stopovers and travel time is 14 hours. My wife would come in September with kid, I was thinking it would be easier for her to come in a direct flight than changing flights in between. Just wanted to know if you considered the Air Canada flight ?

 

[Anishcool]

Hi,

I'm from Chennai, Just received COPR and planning to travel sometime in June/July.

There is a Air Canada direct flight from Delhi to Toronto without any stopovers and travel time is 14 hours. My wife would come in September with kid, I was thinking it would be easier for her to come in a direct flight than changing flights in between. Just wanted to know if you considered the Air Canada flight ?

Hi Raj,

I am from Chennai too and contemplating to land by August 1 st week, but looking for flights now. Let me know if you had completed/have to complete booking your flight and any tips - about air carrier, layovers etc. - to keep in mind while booking, thanks.

 

[anotherone11]

Looks like I will be the earliest. I got my COPR yesterday and have to land in may first week. CIC has given me till 17th may to land there.

Still busy in resigning and working on getting my notice period decreased. Will post how it goes for me.

 

[sahil88]

Hi guys!

So, a few people suggested me to not go for a long flight as it can be really tiring. Plus the direct Air Canada flight lands at 5AM. So, there is a high possibility that you might not able to get your SIN the same day since a lot of staff at the immigration don’t come before 9 or 10am. Hence, either you’ll have to wait or get it from a local immigration office near your Airbnb/house/hotel.

I am really tempted to go for Ukraine International Airlines since it’s about 20k cheaper than Lufthansa or British Airways. Although, the landing time is at 10PM.
Flying time is almost proportionally divides so it shouldn’t be a tiring flight but then again, UIA doesn’t have the best of the reputation. Any takes on that?

We are mostly going to go with Lufthansa or British.

 

[sahil88]

Downtown toronto nono nooo...

Could you expand more on that?
I was looking for Airbnb flats (temp basis) near Dufferin Mall.
Apparently it’s a pretty vibrant area with lots of restaurant/pubs etc.

 

[Mr_Chang]

Hi guys!

So, a few people suggested me to not go for a long flight as it can be really tiring. Plus the direct Air Canada flight lands at 5AM. So, there is a high possibility that you might not able to get your SIN the same day since a lot of staff at the immigration don’t come before 9 or 10am. Hence, either you’ll have to wait or get it from a local immigration office near your Airbnb/house/hotel.

SIN can be obtained from any nearby Service Canada center. They are scattered pretty generously across toronto (I think there are atleast 6 active locations) So getting your SIN at the airport shouldn't be your primary concern. It is good to have it the same day but it's not hard to obtain it later.

Flying time is almost proportionally divides so it shouldn’t be a tiring flight but then again, UIA doesn’t have the best of the reputation. Any takes on that?

As someone who has flown my fair share of times between India and the US, let me tell you this. There's nothing compared to the comfort of a direct flight. Yes, a 14 hour flight may sound like a little too much, but the hassle that you have to go through after an 8 hour flight to Europe to switch over to the next flight makes the second leg of the journey amazingly painful. A direct flight is always better.

Add to that the factor that the Air Canada flying from Delhi to Toronto operates a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, (one of the most comfortable aircrafts due to humidity and pressure settings being different from other aircrafts) I would strongly advice you to consider this option.(https://apex.aero/2015/12/10/turning-down-the-cabin-pressure)

My wife would come in September with kid, I was thinking it would be easier for her to come in a direct flight than changing flights in between. Just wanted to know if you considered the Air Canada flight ?

Specially anyone travelling with kids/infants would find them feeling more comfortable on this flight than any other option.

Congratulations on your PR. Good luck, Happy travels!

 

[sahil88]

SIN can be obtained from any nearby Service Canada center. They are scattered pretty generously across toronto (I think there are atleast 6 active locations) So getting your SIN at the airport shouldn't be your primary concern. It is good to have it the same day but it's not hard to obtain it later.



As someone who has flown my fair share of times between India and the US, let me tell you this. There's nothing compared to the comfort of a direct flight. Yes, a 14 hour flight may sound like a little too much, but the hassle that you have to go through after an 8 hour flight to Europe to switch over to the next flight makes the second leg of the journey amazingly painful. A direct flight is always better.

Add to that the factor that the Air Canada flying from Delhi to Toronto operates a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, (one of the most comfortable aircrafts due to humidity and pressure settings being different from other aircrafts) I would strongly advice you to consider this option.(https://apex.aero/2015/12/10/turning-down-the-cabin-pressure)


Specially anyone travelling with kids/infants would find them feeling more comfortable on this flight than any other option.

Congratulations on your PR. Good luck, Happy travels!

Hi Chang, thanks for your feeds.
The only problem with Air Canada after what all you suggested is one suitcase(23kg) per passenger, while BA/Lufthansa/UIA offers 2 suitcases(23kg each).
Have you or anyone you know ever travelled to Canada through Ukraine International Airlines?


Also, I wanted to ask, apart from maintaining the minimum balance that is asked of us to keep in our accounts, do we need to show some other POF when we land in Canada or just the saving account bank balance (account statement) will be enough?

 

[sid1987]

Hi Chang, thanks for your feeds.
The only problem with Air Canada after what all you suggested is one suitcase(23kg) per passenger, while BA/Lufthansa/UIA offers 2 suitcases(23kg each).
Have you or anyone you know ever travelled to Canada through Ukraine International Airlines?


Also, I wanted to ask, apart from maintaining the minimum balance that is asked of us to keep in our accounts, do we need to show some other POF when we land in Canada or just the saving account bank balance (account statement) will be enough?

For canada sector air canada is 2 suitcases

 

[Hopeful007]

SIN can be obtained from any nearby Service Canada center. They are scattered pretty generously across toronto (I think there are atleast 6 active locations) So getting your SIN at the airport shouldn't be your primary concern. It is good to have it the same day but it's not hard to obtain it later.



As someone who has flown my fair share of times between India and the US, let me tell you this. There's nothing compared to the comfort of a direct flight. Yes, a 14 hour flight may sound like a little too much, but the hassle that you have to go through after an 8 hour flight to Europe to switch over to the next flight makes the second leg of the journey amazingly painful. A direct flight is always better.

Add to that the factor that the Air Canada flying from Delhi to Toronto operates a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, (one of the most comfortable aircrafts due to humidity and pressure settings being different from other aircrafts) I would strongly advice you to consider this option.(https://apex.aero/2015/12/10/turning-down-the-cabin-pressure)


Specially anyone travelling with kids/infants would find them feeling more comfortable on this flight than any other option.

Congratulations on your PR. Good luck, Happy travels!

I have to disagree on this. After 8 hours or so, it's super painful to sit on the plane.

If the airport you land in has a place to take a nap, it makes it easier.