U of T St. George Toronto Budget Guide
Emergency Numbers: Police:
911| Medical / Fire:911| Local Currency:CAD(1 USD ≈1.36CAD)
Map of Budget Spots
Section titled “Map of Budget Spots”Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation
Section titled “Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation”| Name | Type | Cost / Night | Address | Tips & Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Scott Mission | Emergency Shelter | 0 CAD | 502 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2E1 | Emergency shelter for men. Intakes and services require check-in; free meals and clothing also provided. |
Cheap Groceries & Free Meals
Section titled “Cheap Groceries & Free Meals”- Supermarket Discount Hours: Evening discounts (after 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM) at Metro and Galleria Supermarket on prepared hot meals and bakery items.
- Best Cheap Eats: Budget banh mi sandwiches along Spadina Ave or cheap pizza slices along Bloor St W.
Discount Supermarkets
Section titled “Discount Supermarkets”| Supermarket | Best Budget Buys | Address (Google Maps) |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | Selection and Compliments store-brand staples, discounted bakery items, canned goods | 425 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X6 |
| Galleria Supermarket Express | Discounted evening Korean bento, ramen, rice, budget prepared meals | 351 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X1 |
Free Meals & Food Banks
Section titled “Free Meals & Food Banks”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Opening Hours & Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| The Scott Mission - Fellowship Meals | 502 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2E1 | Free hot lunch program served daily for people in need. Check daily schedule for intake hours. |
| UTSU Food Bank | 230 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R2 | Food bank access for registered University of Toronto students. Provides non-perishable hampers. |
Free Water & Public Restrooms
Section titled “Free Water & Public Restrooms”Free Drinking Water Points
Section titled “Free Drinking Water Points”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Robarts Library | 130 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 1A5 | Multiple water bottle refill stations and drinking fountains located on ground floor and upper library levels. |
| Student Commons (UTSU) | 230 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R2 | Water bottle filling stations on main floor near entrance and washrooms. |
Free Public Toilets
Section titled “Free Public Toilets”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Hours & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Robarts Library Public Restrooms | 130 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 1A5 | Accessible restrooms on main floor and lower levels. Open during standard library operating hours. |
| St. George Transit Station | 139 Bedford Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2K2 | Public washrooms on the concourse level inside the fare-paid zone. |
| Bahen Centre for Information Technology | 40 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 2E4 | Large campus building with accessible public washrooms on ground level. |
Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers
Section titled “Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers”Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets
Section titled “Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets”| Place | Address (Google Maps) | Wi-Fi & Desk Details |
|---|---|---|
| Robarts Library | 130 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 1A5 | Free UofT-Guest Wi-Fi network. Hundreds of study desks equipped with power outlets. |
| Gerstein Science Information Centre | 9 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A5 | Free open guest Wi-Fi and power outlets in the main reading rooms. |
Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.
Cheap Showers & Public Baths
Section titled “Cheap Showers & Public Baths”| Location | Cost | Address (Google Maps) | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| U of T Athletics Centre | 15 CAD | 55 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 2W6 | Drop-in day pass purchase required ($15-$20 CAD) for access to locker rooms and showers. |
| Hart House Fitness Centre | 15 CAD | 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3 | Day pass purchase available for non-members/community guests granting access to shower facilities. |
Getting Around Cheaply
Section titled “Getting Around Cheaply”- Best Way to Move Around: Walking or TTC Subway (St. George and Museum Stations)
- Standard Fare:
3.35CAD - Transit Scams to Avoid: None
SIM Cards & Internet
Section titled “SIM Cards & Internet”- Best Budget Carrier: Public Mobile / Freedom Mobile / Chatr
- How to Keep Data Costs Low: Freedom Mobile $99/year prepaid plan or Public Mobile points-discounted monthly plans.
Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid
Section titled “Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid”Common Local Scams
Section titled “Common Local Scams”| Scam | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Fake Charity Petition Clipboards | Politely decline and walk past individuals asking for signatures or cash donations near subway station entrances. |
Areas to Avoid at Night:
Section titled “Areas to Avoid at Night:”None