Lester B. Pearson International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (YYZ)

How to get to Lester B. Pearson International Airport

Downtown Toronto is approximately 22 km from the airport: transfer typically takes 30-45 minutes by train or taxi, depending on traffic.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Toronto's center via the Gardiner Expressway in approximately 30-45 minutes, often longer during peak hours.

By Train

Train: the UP Express connects the airport directly to Union Station in downtown Toronto in about 25 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes.

By Bus

Various TTC bus lines connect the airport to Toronto's public transport network.

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Tips The UP Express is almost always the fastest and most reliable choice to the city center, independent of Toronto's often intense traffic. If you continue immediately to the United States, remember that many flights to the USA from Toronto process US customs pre-clearance directly at the airport: account for additional time.

Average travel time to YYZ

Train25 minutes (UP Express)

Shuttle bus30-45 minutes

Taxi / Private hire30-45 minutes

Parking near Lester B. Pearson International Airport

The official multi-story parking is located across from the terminal.

Express Park costs 4-5 CAD every 20 minutes, maximum 50 CAD/day; Daily Park costs 33 CAD/day; other long-stay areas reach up to 38-50 CAD/day depending on proximity to the terminal.

How to get to Toronto from YYZ

By Train

Train: the UP Express connects the airport directly to Union Station in approximately 25 minutes; ticket 12.35 CAD, reduced to 9.25 CAD if paying with a PRESTO card.

By Bus

Several TTC lines connect the airport to the Toronto public transportation network.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; they operate on a fixed zone tariff, approximately 60-75 CAD (44-55 USD) depending on the exact downtown zone. Uber is often a more economical alternative.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

From YYZ to the most sought-after destinations

If you want to...	Choose	Estimated cost
Spend less	Bus 192 Airport Rocket + TTC subway (about 45-55 min total)	~3.30 CAD
Get to Union Station as quickly as possible	UP Express (25 min)	9.25-12.35 CAD
Reach an area away from downtown without going through Union	Bus 192 Rocket to Kipling, then Line 2 Bloor-Danforth	~3.30 CAD
Have heavy luggage or a red-eye flight	Taxi or Uber at fixed price per zone	~60-75 CAD

Pearson → Union Station

The UP Express remains the most efficient choice for reaching the heart of Toronto: no intermediate stops and departures every 15 minutes from Terminal 1, connected to Terminal 3 by a free internal shuttle. From Union Station you can reach the Financial District and theater district on foot.

Pearson → Niagara Falls

There's no direct connection from the airport: the most practical solution is still the UP Express to Union Station, where you change to a GO Transit or VIA Rail train arriving directly at Niagara Falls station, without needing a rental car.

Pearson → Yorkville

For this neighborhood of boutiques and galleries you don't need to go through Union Station: bus 192 Airport Rocket reaches Kipling in about 20 minutes, from where Line 2 Bloor-Danforth and a change to Line 1 take you to the Bay-Bloor area in just over half an hour total.

Pearson → CN Tower e Harbourfront

From Union Station the waterfront and CN Tower are 10-15 minutes on foot, or you can take the streetcar along Queens Quay to the harbor and ferry dock for the Toronto Islands.

Car rental at Lester B. Pearson International Airport

Car rental desks for major companies are in the arrivals area.

Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in your name for the security deposit; a national license is generally accepted for a short stay. Driving is on the right, as in Italy.

Hotels near Lester B. Pearson International Airport

Pearson is about 22 km from the centre of Toronto and the UP Express reaches Union Station in 25 minutes, but the last train leaves at one in the morning and the first at 5.30: those who land later or leave earlier rely on taxis or Uber on the often congested highways. With dawn or international flights, which require at least three hours' advance arrival, it makes sense to sleep near the terminals. For a stay of several days the train is more than enough, and the right hotel is next to Union Station, from where you walk to the waterfront and the theatre district. The two choices do not exclude each other: many spend only the last night at the airport.

At the airport

Inside Terminal 3

The hotel is in Terminal 3, with direct access; for Terminal 1 you board the Terminal Link, the free train a few steps from the entrance, which also connects the UP Express station.

Best for: Dawn departures, overnight layovers and arrivals after the last UP Express.

Pros

You walk to check-in, without depending on taxis or traffic
The free Terminal Link takes you to Terminal 1 and the UP Express
Rooms with a view of the runways, for those who like watching take-offs

Cons

Rates among the highest in the airport area, according to reviews
Around it there are only runways and roads: for dinner you stay at the airport or in the hotel

Recommended hotels

Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport Inside Terminal 3, a step from the free Terminal Link to Terminal 1 and the UP Express; rooms with runway views, twice the best airport hotel in Canada. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport area

Airport area (Mississauga)

Free hotel shuttle, running 24 hours a day, for a journey of about 5 minutes to the terminals.

Best for: Those who want a cheaper hotel near the airport, with a free shuttle.

Pros

Free shuttle always running, useful with dawn flights
Restaurants and services in the area, without depending on the terminal
Prices generally lower than the hotel in the terminal

Cons

You need the shuttle and a wait between runs
Area of expressways and offices, with no nightlife

Recommended hotels

Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport On Caroga Drive, in Mississauga, about 5 minutes from the airport; the airport shuttle is free and runs 24 hours a day. View availability

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Union Station and Financial District

UP Express from Terminal 1 to Union Station in 25 minutes, every 15 minutes from 5.30 to one in the morning; the hotels are opposite the station or a few blocks away.

Best for: Those with a few days in Toronto who want the waterfront, the CN Tower and the theatres on foot.

Pros

Direct 25-minute train with no stops
Waterfront and CN Tower 10-15 minutes on foot from Union Station
GO and VIA Rail trains to Niagara Falls from the same station

Cons

After one in the morning and before 5.30 you need taxis or Uber
The Financial District is quiet in the evening and at weekends

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport offers services typical of a major international hub and home base for Air Canada.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area is spacious, featuring a selection of Canadian whisky, premium maple syrup, and ice wine, Canada's celebrated dessert wine.

Lounges & relaxation

To choose a lounge at Pearson the terminal and the destination matter, because domestic flights, flights to the United States and international flights have separate lounges. Terminal 1 is dominated by the Air Canada lounges, from the Maple Leaf Lounge to the Signature Suite for Signature Class, while Plaza Premium runs the independent lounges in both terminals. Those with Priority Pass find their door mostly at Terminal 3, including the KLM Crown Lounge, because the domestic Plaza Premium in Terminal 1 does not accept the card.

lounges: 14
with Priority Pass: 5
paid entry: from 73 CAD
earliest opening: 05:00

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. For a local SIM, Rogers, Bell, and Telus operators have a counter at the airport; convenient if you don't want to look elsewhere in the city, though prices tend to be higher than European standards.

Families & Children

Travelers with children benefit from play spaces and dedicated family assistance.

Terminal guide

Terminal 1 (the main one, Air Canada and Star Alliance hub) and Terminal 3 handle different flights depending on the airline: from check-in to gate you typically walk 15–20 minutes in Terminal 1, one of North America's largest.

Customs and security checks may take longer than expected during peak hours, especially for flights with USA pre-clearance: for international flights it's advised to arrive at least 3 hours in advance.

Map of Lester B. Pearson International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Do you need a visa for Canada?

It depends on nationality: EU citizens and those of many other visa-exempt countries must apply online for an eTA (7 CAD, valid 5 years) before flying; other nationalities need an actual tourist visa (100 CAD).

Q. Is the UP Express or taxi better for downtown Toronto?

The UP Express is almost always faster and more reliable, independent of traffic: 25 minutes to Union Station versus 30-45 minutes (or more) by taxi in traffic.

Q. What does pre-clearance mean for flights to the USA?

US customs checks are carried out directly in Toronto before boarding, not upon arrival in the USA: allow extra time for these flights.

Q. What should you buy at Toronto's duty free?

Canadian whisky, premium quality maple syrup and icewine, Canada's famous dessert wine.

Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?

Plaza Premium Lounge (T1, Departures to the United States), Plaza Premium Lounge (T3, Domestic departures), Plaza Premium Lounge (T3, International departures), Plaza Premium Lounge (T3, Departures to the United States: after the duty free shops) and KLM Crown Lounge (T3).