Hi StickyRice021,

This question comes up more and more frequently on the FORUMS and I will suggest to you what I have recommended to other posters.

I would suggest leaving your computer at home. FREE Wifi service in Toronto isn't as commonly available as I understand it is in parts of the US or abroad. For more info on this see this link auth.wirelesstoronto.ca/hotspots_map.php

Although I occasionally bring a laptop with me on vacation it is always when I am driving. Dealing with airport security and a laptop is a pain in the @ss. Besides being an added item to lug around (heavy, awkward, etc), it also attracts un-needed attention is therefore makes you prone to having a rental car or your hotel room broken into.

Most hotels that do offer free wifi for their guests, usually have a computer (or a couple) set up somewhere for their guests. Although you can't spend oodles of time on them, they are great for a quick check of e-mail, or to print off a map from google etc. As well there are internet / coffee cafes that offer such services for FREE or a small fee.

And lastly, remember you are on vacation... time to relax, get away from it all, and that includes all those technical thingys that fill up our days, nights & weekends. Enjoy these last days of Autumn sunshine, and put your feet up with a glass of wine or a beer... work / life will be there when you get back.

Cheers!

Wine-4-2

One thing that many people don't know is that many of Toronto's 99 public libraries offer free wi-fi.

You can look here for a list of the libraries which have free wi-fi:

www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/spe_ser_wir.jsp

And in case you don't have your laptop, the library also has public computers, which you usually need a library card for, but if the branch has Express computers or if you ask for a one-time use number, you'll be able to do that, as well.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Use google search. There are plenty. When you value security, you always use your own computer. Like to use a public PC to book a hotel with your credit card, perhaps?

Actually, the library logs out the computer completely and clears all data after every use, so there's absolutely no way for you to save anything past your session, or for anyone else to see it, unless you don't log out.

There is NO absolute security, whether using a public computer or Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi signals can be stolen, public computers can have keystroke recording software installed. So I wouldn't be doing my banking while travelling, or shopping on Amazon, but I wouldn't worry too much about checking your e-mail.

As far as your question, I've found that many hotels will comp your Wi-Fi if you ask nicely... or make a fuss when booking and threaten to change your booking to a hotel that does offer it for free (ironically, it's standard at some of the cheaper chains). So don't give up!

The Wireless Toronto Hotspots list is useful, but very incomplete. Where are you staying? For instance, in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, Hemingway's bar on Cumberland offers free Wi-Fi. It's within easy walking distance from all the major hotels on Bloor St. and Avenue Rd.

Public libraries are also a good bet. There's a huge one on Yonge just north of Bloor. And the one closest to the Entertainment District is at City Hall (turn right when you come in through the main doors).

Unfortunately, Starbucks and the Second Cup (local coffee chain) have a deal with the phone companies, which charge for Wi-Fi. But many independent coffee shops provide it for free - sometimes you just have to ask for a password.

And I have to disagree with Wine-4-2's comments on travelling with a laptop. I travel for work all the time, never without a laptop. Airport security staff are used to this - they probably see more travellers with laptops than without. Just be prepared to take your laptop out of your bag at security and put it in the tray. As long as you know what to expect and aren't holding up other passengers, there's no hassle at all.

One more tip. In the Entertainment District, there is free Wi-Fi at Canadiana Backpackers, on Widmer, around the corner from the Scotiabank Theatre. The hostel consists of three or four Victorian rowhouses, one of which has a lounge that's usually full of youthful backpackers. I doubt anyone would mind or even notice if you stopped in there.

Many thanks for the help all. Nearly forgot I posted this :p Our laptop is a netbook so is tiny and light enough to carry around without being cumbersome.