Venue

Location

The conference will be held at the Chestnut Conference Centre:

View the complete PyCon Canada 2013 map.

Getting to Toronto

Toronto has 2 major airports. Pearson is the international airport and is the location for almost all the major domestic and international airlines. It's about a 35 minute drive from Pearson Airport to Chestnut Residence, but be aware that downtown Toronto traffic is busy all day and is particularly busy during peak rush hour. Allow at least an hour for travel time from the airport.

Porter Airlines has frequent, reasonably-priced flights for trips from several US cities to Toronto, including Boston, Burlington (VT), Chicago, Myrtle Beach, New York, and Washington.

VIA is a good alternative to the airlines if you are coming from somewhere like Montreal or Ottawa. Advance pricing is often available at a discount.

If you're coming from the US:

• Make sure that you've got a valid passport and don't forget to bring it with you.

• Porter Airlines has frequent, reasonably-priced flights for trips from several US cities to Toronto, including Boston, Burlington (VT), Chicago, Myrtle Beach, New York, and Washington.

VIA Rail is offering discounts on train fares for attendees:

• Valid for travel between Thursday August 8 and Friday August 16, 2013, from all stations throughout the VIA system to Toronto, Ontario and return.

• Fare applies to a maximum of two passengers per booking. One complimentary stopover is allowed at no additional charge. For travel on all fare plans in Business class, the first stopover is allowed at no additional charge, provided that this stopover takes place in Toronto, Montéal, or Ottawa only.

• The discount is 10% off the best available fare in Economy, Business, Sleeper, or Sleeper Touring class. "Subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional discount is being applied."

• Discount does not apply in "Economy–special" or escape fare and in "Business–supersaver" fee.

• Reference VIA convention code 12614.

• Online booking tips:

  • You have to log in to your profile, or create one prior to booking.
  • On the Passenger information screen, select "Convention fare" from the "Discount Type" drop-down menu, and enter discount code 12614 in the "Discount code" field.
  • The conference fare will be shown on the next page.

Public Transit and Parking

The nearest TTC subway stops are St. Patrick Station and Dundas Station, both on the Yonge-University-Spadina line. Dundas Street streetcars also stop at Chestnut Street. Cash fare is $3, or multiple tokens can be purchased at discounted rates.

The closest municipal parking (Green P) lots are the Toronto Coach Terminal at 130 Elizabeth Street and the Nathan Phillips Square Garage at 10 Queen Street West.

Hotel

The recommended hotel for PyCon Canada is the conference venue, the Chestnut Residence:

To make a reservation over the phone, please call 416-977-0707 between the hours of 9am and 7pm Eastern time and mention code “1308PYCONCA”. Hotel rates should be approximately $99/night.

To make a reservation on the web head to the online reservation system. The approval code is “1308PYCONCA”. Follow the reservation process by creating a new account. The cut off date for the group rate is August 3, 2013. After that, you'll have to call the number above, with rates depending on booking volume.

The booking code allows you to book a stay between August 6 and 12, inclusive. If you require lodging outside those dates, you must call to reserve, and the extra time may not be at the conference rate.

You can also contact the residence by emailing frontdesk.chestnut@utoronto.ca.

If you would like to share a hotel room with someone else attending the conference, please see the PyCon Canada room sharing wiki page.

Email organizers@pycon.ca if you run into any trouble reserving your room, or finding someone to share a room with.

Food

Lunch will be provided on Saturday and Sunday, so make sure you let us know about any dietary restrictions. For other meals, there are a number of food options in the neighbourhood.

What to do in Toronto

Tourism Toronto's website has information on things to see and do in Toronto, as well as a "Deals" section including coupons. They also have a mobile app available for download.