Toronto, ON · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
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Nearby Alternatives
Families in the Greater Toronto Area with adult patients or those seeking non-paediatric emergency care have several other hospital emergency departments available across the city and surrounding regions.
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The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Emergency Department at 555 University Avenue in Toronto, Ontario is Canada's leading pediatric emergency and trauma centre, serving children and youth under 18 years of age around the clock. As Ontario's accredited lead Level 1 paediatric trauma hospital and the tertiary referral centre for the Greater Toronto Area, SickKids handles everything from common childhood illnesses to the most complex, life-threatening injuries and conditions. Consistently ranked among the world's top pediatric hospitals, SickKids is the right destination for any child or youth requiring urgent or emergency-level medical care in Toronto.
Underground parking is available beneath the hospital, with the garage entrance on Elm Street. The Elizabeth Street entrance and parking garage are accessible 24/7. The University Avenue entrance is open for drop-offs and pick-ups Monday–Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. only (closed weekends and holidays). Parking rates: Monday–Friday daytime (6 a.m.–7 p.m.) — $6 per half hour, maximum $20/day. Evenings (Mon–Fri, 7 p.m.–6 a.m.) and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays — $3 per half hour, maximum $7. No in-and-out privileges apply. EV charging stations are available in the garage (standard parking fees apply). Do not park in the Emergency driveway or the driveways on Elizabeth or University — vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
SickKids sits between two TTC Line 1 (University-Spadina) subway stations: Queen's Park (one block north — walk one block south on University Avenue) and St. Patrick (two blocks south — walk two blocks north). The 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton streetcars both stop at University Avenue nearby. For those travelling from farther away, Union Station — the GO Transit hub for regional trains and buses — is a short subway ride south on Line 1.
No specific historical wait-time data is available for this location. Generally, paediatric emergency departments in major urban centres tend to be quieter in the early morning hours (roughly 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) on weekdays. If your child's condition is non-urgent, consider calling your family paediatrician or using SickKids Virtual Urgent Care first.
Paediatric ERs in Toronto typically see higher volumes on weekday evenings after daytime clinics close, weekend afternoons, and during cold and flu season (fall and winter). If possible, avoid arriving in the late afternoon or early evening during peak illness seasons. Always go immediately if your child's condition is serious — do not delay emergency care based on wait time estimates.
Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Ontario health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.