Other adult emergency departments are available elsewhere in downtown Toronto and across the Greater Toronto Area for patients seeking an alternative facility.
Toronto General Hospital's Emergency Department, located at 200 Elizabeth St in downtown Toronto, provides 24/7 assessment and treatment of life-threatening injuries and severe illness for adult patients, serving both walk-ins and ambulance arrivals. As the flagship campus of University Health Network (UHN) and a major teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, TGH is uniquely equipped for highly complex, multi-system conditions, cardiac emergencies, and transplant-related care. With approximately 28,065 emergency visits annually and North America's largest organ transplant centre on site, this is Toronto's premier destination for adults requiring specialized or complex acute care.
Services & Specialties
24/7 adult emergency careCardiac emergency assessment and treatmentOrgan transplant support (heart, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, small intestine)Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeryCritical care and complex acute illness managementMental health emergency services (depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, addictions)Trauma assessment and stabilizationAmbulance and walk-in patient intakeFollow-up care coordination and specialist referralsClinical trials and academic medicine
Phone interpreter services for non-English speakers
TTY phones for deaf and hard of hearing
Walk-Safe security escort program (call 416-340-4111)
Volunteer information desks at entrances
Vending machines
Wheelchair-accessible entrances and barrier-free washrooms
Parking & Transit
Parking is available directly across from TGH in a lot accessed from Elizabeth Street (between Gerrard and College Streets), open 24/7. Standard rates are $5 per half-hour with a $25.50 daily maximum Monday–Friday. After-hours (6 pm–8:30 am), weekends, and holidays cost $5 for under half an hour or a $9 flat rate over half an hour. A 50% discount off the daily maximum is available for frequent patients and families, and 5-, 10-, and 30-day passes can be purchased. UHN's main discounted lot is at 201 Elizabeth Street, behind the hospital. Wheelchair-accessible spaces are available at all UHN lots. Street parking is limited but some is available along the north side of Gerrard Street between University Avenue and Elizabeth Street.
The nearest TTC subway station is Queen's Park (Line 1 – Yonge-University), with an underground tunnel connecting to TGH via the MaRS Building. The 506 Carlton streetcar stops at Elizabeth Street; alight and walk south to the hospital entrance. From College Station, take the 506 Carlton streetcar west to Elizabeth Street, then walk north. TTC Wheel-Trans door-to-door accessible service is available for passengers with physical disabilities (advance application required).
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. As a general guide, emergency departments across Canada tend to be less congested during weekday mornings (8 am–11 am) and on weekend afternoons outside of peak illness seasons. At a large academic centre like TGH, wait times can vary significantly based on case complexity and ambulance volume rather than time of day alone.
🔴 Busier times
No historical wait data is available to identify specific peak periods at this location. Typically, urban emergency departments in Toronto experience higher volumes on weekday evenings (5 pm–10 pm), weekends, and during cold and flu season (November through March). Major public holidays can also bring increased walk-in volumes.
Tips Before You Go
Use the Emergency Department entrance at the corner of Gerrard and Elizabeth Streets — it is always open. The University Avenue and main Elizabeth Street entrances are locked between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am; use the intercom if needed.
Toronto General is an adult-focused hospital. If you are bringing a child for emergency care, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is directly adjacent and is the appropriate facility for pediatric emergencies.
TGH specializes in complex, multi-system conditions, cardiac emergencies, and transplant care — if your condition is serious and requires specialist involvement, this is one of Canada's best-equipped facilities to handle it.
Take advantage of the underground tunnel from Queen's Park subway station through the MaRS Building to reach the hospital without going outside — especially useful in winter or bad weather.
If you are a frequent visitor or accompanying a loved one with a long admission, ask about discounted parking passes (5-, 10-, or 30-day) at the 201 Elizabeth Street lot to significantly reduce parking costs.
Use the free Walk-Safe escort program (416-340-4111) if you need to travel to a nearby parking lot, TTC station, or adjacent hospital safely, especially late at night.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Provincial health card (Ontario OHIP card)
List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
Any relevant medical history documents, recent test results, or specialist letters
Extended health insurance or drug benefit card if applicable
Phone or tablet charger (free guest Wi-Fi is available)
Comfortable clothing and a light blanket or sweater for waiting
Cash or debit/credit card for parking, food, or pharmacy co-pays
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toronto General Hospital's Emergency Department open 24/7?
Yes, the Emergency Department at Toronto General Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The dedicated ED entrance at the corner of Gerrard Street and Elizabeth Street is always accessible. Note that the University Avenue and main Elizabeth Street entrances are locked between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am — use the intercom at those doors if needed.
Does Toronto General Hospital treat children in the emergency department?
Toronto General Hospital is primarily an adult facility and its Emergency Department focuses on adult patients. For pediatric emergencies, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is located directly adjacent to TGH and is the appropriate facility for patients under 18.
What makes Toronto General Hospital's ER different from other Toronto emergency departments?
TGH is the flagship campus of University Health Network and one of the most specialized academic hospitals in Canada. Its Emergency Department is backed by world-leading expertise in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation (the largest transplant centre in North America), thoracic surgery, and complex multi-system illness. It is particularly well-suited for adults with serious cardiac conditions, transplant-related emergencies, or conditions requiring subspecialty involvement.
Where is parking for Toronto General Hospital's Emergency Department?
Parking is available 24/7 in the lot across from TGH on Elizabeth Street (between Gerrard and College Streets). Standard weekday rates are $5 per half-hour up to a $25.50 daily maximum. Evening, weekend, and holiday rates are lower — $9 flat rate for stays over half an hour. Discounted passes for frequent visitors are available at the 201 Elizabeth Street lot behind the hospital.
How do I get to Toronto General Hospital by TTC?
The closest subway station is Queen's Park on Line 1 (Yonge-University). An underground tunnel connects the station to TGH through the MaRS Building, so you can walk to the hospital without going outside. The 506 Carlton streetcar also stops at Elizabeth Street, where you can walk south to the hospital entrance. TTC Wheel-Trans door-to-door service is available for passengers with disabilities (advance registration required).
Does TGH Emergency have services for patients who don't speak English?
Yes. Toronto General Hospital offers phone interpreter services for patients and families who do not speak English. TTY phones are also available for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Volunteer information staff at entrance desks can also assist with directions and initial orientation.
About ER Wait Times
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.