A parent travelling alone to Toronto with two daughters (ages 5 and 9) asked for cheap-flight suggestions for late May–June. The thread's collected wisdom:
- Accept that Toronto routes are pricey — then work the two known exceptions. A member laid it out: most routes to Toronto are expensive, and the reliably cheaper options are (a) routing through the US, if you hold a valid US visa, or (b) flying into Montreal and continuing domestically. Middle East routings (Turkey, Saudi, Gulf carriers) were asked about and didn't beat those two.
- Factor in the airport reality with children. Practical warning from a member: on arrival you may wait hours for immigration processing, so bring a stroller or baby carrier for small children. Even school-age kids will need snacks and patience for the queue.
- Solo parent + multiple bags = direct flight. The poster's own conclusion after weighing advice is itself the tip: as the only adult managing two children and six bags, connections multiply the difficulty — stick to direct flights and pay the difference; the cheap routing only makes sense with a second adult or less luggage.
- Timing flexibility across a window (the poster searched all of late May–June) is the remaining lever when routes are fixed.
A balanced rule from the thread: route creatively when travelling light; buy the direct flight when travelling with kids.