Your go-to guide for Toronto student life.
Getting Set Up in Toronto: Banking, Phones, & Essentials for New Students
Published August 14, 2026 by Yana Tibbetts
Moving to Toronto is exciting, but the first few weeks can also feel overwhelming. Between orientation events, finding your classes, and adjusting to a new city, there are plenty of practical things that need your attention.
The good news? Most of these essentials can be set up within your first few days in Toronto. From opening a bank account to getting a phone plan and learning how to navigate the city, here’s a simple guide to help you get settled and feel right at home.
Getting a Phone Plan
Having a local phone number will make life a lot easier for you, trust me. You’ll need it for things like banking, job applications, deliveries, ride-sharing apps, and staying in touch with classmates. Aside from more practical things, it’ll also just feel a lot more secure for you to have.
Some of Canada’s major providers are:
Of course, there are also some more affordable options that most students tend to opt for, like:
Before you sign your contract, make sure you’re comparing all of your options; think about the monthly costs, data limits, coverage areas, as well as their international calling options and any applicable roaming charges.
Many providers offer student promotions during August and September, so it is definitely worth looking around.
Open a Canadian Bank Account
One of the first things you should do after arriving is open a Canadian bank account. Having a local account makes it easier to receive payments, pay bills, transfer money, and avoid unnecessary international banking fees.
Many major Canadian banks also offer student banking packages with no monthly fees or reduced fees for students. Popular options include:
When opening an account, bring the following:
- Your passport
- Study or work permit (if applicable)
- Proof of enrolment from your university
- Your Canadian address
Most banks can issue a debit card immediately, allowing you to start making purchases right away.
Take the time to look through their websites so that you can accurately assess your options. Personally, I’d also suggest you opt for a bank that has both an ATM and a branch nearby to where you’re staying. This will ensure you’re never feeling stressed out should you need to visit in person.
Understanding Debit versus Credit
In Canada, debit cards are commonly used for everyday purchases. That being said, building a Canadian credit history can be helpful, especially if you plan to stay in the country long-term.
Many banks offer student credit cards with low limits. If you choose to get one, use it responsibly and pay the balance on time each month.
If you’re thinking about getting your first credit card, check we’ve got Practical Credit Card Advice for Students: Top 6 Tips for New Card Holders.
Set Up Your PRESTO Card
Toronto’s public transit system is operated primarily by the TTC, or the Toronto Transit Commission, and the easiest way to pay for transit is with a PRESTO card. Although you can also tap your card directly, it’ll always charge you the standard adult price, meaning that you won’t get access to student discounts.
PRESTO gives you access to a variety of public transit options in Toronto, including the standard TTC buses, streetcars and subways. It’ll also give you access to GO Transit and UP Express trains as well as other transit systems throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Getting your hands on a PRESTO card of your own is as simple as going to a subway station, Shoppers Drug Mart, or even online through their website: PRESTO.
If you plan to explore beyond downtown, having a PRESTO card is absolutely essential.
Learn Your Grocery Options
One of the fastest ways to save money as a student is learning where to shop.
As a general rule of thumb, I always recommend checking out what’s directly around either your home or your university. Some grocers based on university campuses may offer specific student discounts that other branches may not offer, so it’s always a good idea to look for them specifically.
If you’ve already checked for the above and have come up short, don’t sweat it, there are plenty of other options out there. Budget-friendly grocery stores include No Frills, FreshCo, Food Basics, and Walmart, but for quick downtown trips, you might also find yourself going to your local Metro or Loblaws.
Although pricier, stores like Metro and Loblaws (and No Frills, by extension of PC Optimum) have their own rewards programmes where you can stay up to date with weekly sales, discounts and you can begin collecting your own rewards, leading to further discounts down the line. I highly recommend setting up both MOI Rewards as well as PC Optimum accounts to make the most of your shopping, just remember to scan your points at checkout.
Set Up Important Student Accounts
Your school likely provides access to several services that you will use regularly, and chances are you’ve probably gotten most if not all of these set up already.
As a quick refresher, make sure you can access the following during your first week of classes:
- Your student email
- Course portal (D2L, et cetera)
- Campus Wi-Fi
- Student health insurance information
- Library accounts
- Student ID card services
It’s much easier to sort these out before your assignments start piling up.
Don’t Forget the Small Things
When moving to a new city, it’s often the little details that catch people off guard.
Try to tackle these tasks within your first few weeks in the city:
- Updating your address where needed
- Learn the closest grocery store to where you’re staying and/or around your university
- Locate the nearest pharmacy
- Find your nearest TTC stop
- Save important campus phone numbers
- Learn where student services offices are located
Treat it like an adventure. Getting these sorted and cemented in your mind early can make Toronto feel much more familiar and boost your confidence tremendously.
Settling In Takes Time
Getting established in a new city doesn’t happen overnight. Setting up a phone plan, opening a bank account, and learning your way around the city might not be the most exciting parts of university or college, but they are the foundation to making everything else that much easier for you.
Once the practical tasks are handled, you’ll have a lot more energy and time to focus on classes, making friends, and enjoying everything Toronto has to offer.
The first few weeks might feel busy, but trust me, you don’t need everything figured out immediately. Focus on your essentials first: phone, banking, transit, groceries, and student access. Once those basics are in place, you’ll be ready to start building your new routine and the city will start to feel like home.
