Toronto Pearson International Airport

Understand
Malton Airport, built on what were farmers' fields in the 1930s, hosted its first scheduled passenger flight (a Trans-Canada Airlines DC-3 landing) on August 29, 1939. From 1940-1942, Malton hosted a World War II British Commonwealth Air Training Plan flight school. Malton Airport became Toronto International Airport in 1960. Various terminal buildings have been constructed and demolished over the years as the airport expanded; Aeroquay One (1964) was demolished in 2004 and replaced with a new Terminal 1, while Terminal 2 (1972) was demolished in 2007.

As Toronto surpassed Montreal to become Canada's largest city in the 1970s, traffic through Pearson has been steadily increasing. While flag carrier Air Canada's corporate headquarters remain in Montreal, Toronto Pearson is now the airline's largest hub. The airport is also one of Westjet 's hubs.

While Montreal traffic was split for many years with the construction of an awkward outlying airport at Mirabel, a second major Toronto-area airport proposed for Pickering met with strong local opposition since the mid-1970s and was never constructed. While some short-range flights to destinations like Montreal, New York and Chicago operate from Toronto Islands airport, the bulk of Toronto's passenger volume by necessity goes through Pearson, the second-busiest airport for international traffic (behind John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City) in North America.

Flights
There are two terminals at the airport: 1 and 3 (2 was demolished due to new development). Flights are arranged in this way:

Departures
For flights to the United States, you go through U.S. border preclearance for customs and immigration after check-in. This is generally a quick process and saves any queuing in the U.S. It also allows airlines to fly to U.S. airports which do not have customs and immigration facilities, since passengers who went through border preclearance are treated as domestic passengers on arrival to the U.S. At peak times, the lines at security can be very long so allow plenty of time to get through the system.

Arrivals
For both Terminals 1 and 3, the international arrivals are located on the eastern side of the terminals and the domestic arrivals are located on the western side.

Connecting flights
Just like the United States, Canada does not allow for sterile transit, so passengers connecting from one international flight to another need to pass through customs and immigration before re-checking their bags to their final destination. Ensure that you meet all the entry requirements for Canada, including having a visa if necessary, before you book your flights. The sole exception is when arriving on a non-U.S. international flight and transferring to a U.S.-bound flight in the same terminal. In that case, you don't have to clear Canadian customs and immigration, and you can proceed straight to the U.S. border preclearance facility. However, you will still need to have a visa for Canada if required for your nationality.

Destinations
Direct flights to Toronto are available from every major Canadian airport, from North America, South America, Asia, and Europe.

Direct flights from within Ontario

 * From London (Southwestern Ontario) - 45-50 minutes
 * From Ottawa (Eastern Ontario) - 1 hour
 * From Sault Sainte Marie (Northern Ontario) - 1.25 hours
 * From Sudbury (Northern Ontario) - 1 hour
 * From Thunder Bay (Northern Ontario) - 1 hour
 * From Timmins (Northern Ontario) - 1.5 hours
 * From Windsor (Southwestern Ontario) - 55 minutes

Direct flights from elsewhere in Canada

 * From Calgary (Alberta) - 3.75 hours
 * From Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) - 2.5 hours
 * From Edmonton (Alberta) - 3.75 hours
 * From Fredericton (New Brunswick) - 2-2.5 hours
 * From Halifax (Nova Scotia) - 2.25-2.5 hours
 * From Montreal (Quebec) - 1.5 hours
 * From Moncton (New Brunswick) - 2.25-2.75 hours
 * From Quebec City (Quebec) - 1.5-1.75 hours
 * From Regina (Saskatchewan) - 3 hours
 * From Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) - 3 hours
 * From St. John's (Newfoundland and Labrador) - 3.5 hours
 * From Vancouver (British Columbia) - 4.25-4.5 hours
 * From Victoria (British Columbia) - 4.5 hours
 * From Winnipeg (Manitoba) - 2.25 hours

Direct flights from the United States of America

 * From Atlanta (Georgia) - 2.25 hours
 * From Boston (Massachusetts) - 2 hours
 * From Chicago (Illinois) - 1.5-1.75 hours
 * From Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) - 3 hours
 * From Denver (Colorado) - 3-3.25 hours
 * From Las Vegas (Nevada) - 4.25 hours
 * From Los Angeles (California) - 4.5-7.75 hours
 * From Miami (Florida) - 3.25 hours
 * From New York City (New York) - 1.5-1.75 hours
 * From Phoenix (Arizona) - 4 hours
 * From Seattle (Washington) - 4.5 hours
 * From San Francisco (California) - 4.75-5 hours
 * From Washington, D.C. - 1.5-1.75 hours

Direct flights from elsewhere in North America

 * From Cancún (Mexico) - 3.75-4 hours
 * From Montego Bay (Jamaica) - 4.25 hours
 * From Mexico City (Mexico) - 4.5-4.75 hours
 * From Panama City (Panama) - 5.5 hours
 * From Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) - 4.5-4.75 hours
 * From Varadero (Cuba) - 3.25-3.5 hours

Direct flights from South America

 * Bogotá (Colombia) - 6.5 hours
 * São Paulo (Brazil) - 10.25 hours
 * Santiago (Chile) - 10.75 hours

Direct flights from Asia

 * From Hong Kong (China) - 15.25 hours
 * From Tel Aviv (Israel) - 11.75 hours
 * From New Delhi (India) - 15.25 hours
 * From Seoul (South Korea) - 13 hours
 * From Tokyo (Japan) - 12 hours

Direct flights from Africa

 * From Cairo (Egypt) - 11.5 hours

Direct flights from Europe

 * From Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 8-8.5 hours
 * From Dublin (Ireland) - 7.5-7.75 hours
 * From Frankfurt (Germany) - 8.5 hours
 * From Istanbul (Turkey) - 10.5 hours
 * From London (United Kingdom) - 7.5 to 8 hours
 * From Paris (France) - 8 hours
 * From Reykjavík (Iceland) - 6 hours
 * From Rome (Italy) - 9.5-9.75 hours

Airlines
Canadian airlines operating to Toronto:





By train
The Union Pearson Express train goes to downtown Toronto:

You can pay by tapping a debit or credit card on a Presto reader, including cards in your phone or watch. Use the same card to tap on and tap off to avoid duplicate charging of the fare. Debit cards may incur a $15 pre-authorization charge.

If you want to take advantage of lower senior (65+) or youth (13-19) fares, you can buy a Presto card at the UP Express station for $9 ($4 for the card plus a $5 minimum balance), and have it set for reduced fares at the purchase point. Otherwise, it is easier to use a credit card. Besides the UP Express, Presto is supported by many transit operators in the Greater Toronto Area. Children 12 or under ride free.

UP Express passengers must tap their card on a Presto reader on the platform before boarding the train, and tap off after arrival. If you use the intermediate stops at Bloor or Weston station, use only the UP Express Presto readers to tap on/off; do not use the GO train Presto readers.

By bus
Toronto Pearson provides a webpage indicating where to board the various bus services at Terminal 1 and 3 often indicating the column (pillar) where buses stop.

Various local buses serve Pearson airport. All accept the Presto card (see also previous section) as well as credit or debit cards for fare payment. Note: Each passenger must have separate card.


 * Operates the Airport Express (route 115) bus from the airport to Bramalea City Centre in Brampton, a suburb directly north of Mississauga. Brampton Transit stops only at Terminal 1. Fares are payable in exact cash or by Presto card or credit card.
 * It offers two airport service routes operating from Terminal 1 on the ground floor. Both routes run 24/7 with a frequency of every 30 minutes in rush hours, every 60 minutes at other times. Some GO buses have under-floor compartments for luggage. Fares can be purchased with cash, debit or credit card at the machine near Door R. The fare can also be paid on the bus by tapping a Presto card or a credit card on the Presto reader, but remember to tap both on and off at the beginning and end of trip respectively.
 * Route 40 – Travels between Richmond Hill Centre Terminal and Hamilton GO Centre in Hamilton including stops in Vaughan, Terminal 1 of the airport, Square One Terminal in Mississauga, Oakville, and Burlington.
 * Route 94 – Runs between Mississauga Square One mall and Pickering. It stops by three Toronto subway stations (Yorkdale, Sheppard-Yonge and Scarborough Town Centre) in North York and Scarborough.
 * Operates two bus routes connecting the airport with Square One (City Centre Transit Terminal) within the city of Mississauga. MiWay buses stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Fares are payable in exact cash or by Presto card or credit card.
 * Route 7 Airport runs via the airport from Square One mall (Cooksville) and Westwood Mall (Malton).
 * Route 100 Airport Express runs weekdays only between the airport and Winston Churchill station stopping at Square 1.


 * Bus service from the subway to the airport is same as to any other destination in Toronto. TTC stops at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Fare is by Presto card, Presto ticket (see sidebar) or by exact change. If paying by cash, get a transfer from the driver to make connections to other TTC vehicles.
 * Route 900 Airport Express runs every 10 minutes or better to/from Kipling Station on Line 2, making the journey in 20–25 minutes.
 * Route 52/52A Lawrence West is a local bus connecting to Lawrence and Lawrence West stations, both on subway Line 1. Running every 10 minutes or better, this is a slow route making frequent stops. The route number is 52 from the airport and 52A to the airport. Do not take routes 52B or 52D as these bypass the airport despite their tempting sign saying "extra fare required west of airport".
 * Route 952 Lawrence West Express is a rush-hour service following the 52A route but with fewer stops.
 * The following are night bus routes running when the subway is shut down between 1:30AM and 5:30AM (8AM on Sundays):
 * Route 300A Bloor-Danforth night bus provides service along Line 2 of the subway and goes directly to the airport.
 * Route 332 Eglinton West night bus runs from the airport to Yonge Street.
 * Route 352 Lawrence West night bus runs from the airport to Yonge Street.
 * Route 320 Yonge does not go to the airport, but it does provide a night connection downtown for riders coming from routes 300A, 332 and 352.

Intercity buses
A few intercity buses serve the airport directly.
 * Megabus (Coach Canada) runs to Port Hope, Trenton, Belleville, Napanee and Kingston (including a stop at Queen's University), serving various points along Ontario Highway 401. The journey from the airport to Kingston takes 3:45. Pickups are at Terminal 1 Post P5 and Terminal 3 Post C8.
 * Operates a bus between Southampton and Vaughan including stops in Port Elgin, Kincardine, Walkerton, Hanover, Orangeville, and Toronto Pearson International Airport.


 * Shuttle and van services are available to other destinations in southern Ontario (e.g. Waterloo, London, Niagara Falls)

By taxi
Airport taxi fares range from $26-120 (east, to Oshawa) and $33-95 (west to Burlington), including the fuel surcharge. Limousine fares are $28-132 (east) and $23-104 (west). Fares out of town are typically $1.65/km (taxi) and $1.75/km (limousine).


 * Taxis to downtown Toronto run a flat rate of $65, including fuel surcharge (other areas of the city vary but are also flat rate,) while airport limousines go slightly higher ($71 to downtown Toronto). Limousines are generally slightly larger (though not stretched), most are dark-blue or black Lincoln MKT Town Cars or Toyota Highlanders and a bit more comfortable than taxis. As the airport is not in Toronto, regular Toronto city cabs do not pick up fares at the Pearson air terminals. Government approved rates can be found online.
 * Fake taxis (also called "Gypsy Cabs" by the locals) are frequently found congregating around Pearson Airport. If a driver approaches you inside the arrivals hall and asks if you need a ride, and you didn't arrange a car in advance, they are definitely unlicensed (legitimate cab drivers are prohibited by law from entering the terminal building to look for passengers.) While the risk of being a victim of crime as an unlicensed taxi passenger is very low, drivers and their vehicles are not held to the same safety and maintenance standards as their licensed counterparts. If you decide to patronize a Gypsy Cab, proceed at your own risk and be sure to agree on a fare in advance!

By ride hailing
Ride hailing passengers are picked up from the airport at the following locations with signage that states "Ride App Pickup":


 * Terminal 1: Ground Level at Door Q or P
 * Terminal 3: Arrivals Level at Door D.

Ride hailing services:

 * UberX, Uber Black and Uber SUV services are available. The latter two sometimes using the same vehicles as the existing limo service but at a premium price (UberBlack for $88 to $115, UberSUV $100 to $128, of which $15 per ride goes to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority). UberX costs about $35 to $40 to downtown Toronto, and Greater Toronto Airports Authority charges a $4.50 pickup fee and $4 drop-off fee.
 * UberX, Uber Black and Uber SUV services are available. The latter two sometimes using the same vehicles as the existing limo service but at a premium price (UberBlack for $88 to $115, UberSUV $100 to $128, of which $15 per ride goes to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority). UberX costs about $35 to $40 to downtown Toronto, and Greater Toronto Airports Authority charges a $4.50 pickup fee and $4 drop-off fee.

By rental car
The following car rental companies operate at Terminal 1:



Get around

 * Terminal Link train runs every 4-8 minutes between Terminal 1, Terminal 3 (including Sheraton Gateway Hotel) and Viscount Road (Value Park Garage, Value Park Lot and Alt Hotel). Free.
 * There is no "airside" connection between terminals. For connecting flights at different terminals, take the same Terminal Link train. In addition to any time necessary for customs, baggage, and re-clearing security, plan for another 20 minutes from the arrivals area in one terminal to the check-in at the other. If you plan on checking bags, ask if you need to claim them in Toronto or if they can be checked through; it's not always possible depending on the combination of airlines and destinations.

Wait
There are various temporary or permanent art exhibitions scattered through Terminal 1, and eight permanent sculpture installations. The Royal Ontario Museum operates a small display of dinosaur fossils on the landside of International Arrivals area; other partners for temporary exhibitions include Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, the CONTACT Photography Festival, Design Exchange, Ontario Crafts Council and Open Studio.

Eat and drink
This is a partial listing, see also the full directory. There is also a pre-security food court in Terminal 1 on Level G Ground Transportation near Door Q. Intended for airport staff but open to everyone, they are easy to walk past but provide more affordable food options. However, as of June 2023, only Tim Hortons has reopened in this food court.

After security, there are a number of bars and cafes embedded in the departure gate area. The tables are equipped with tablets and tables. While they are mainly for the customers for the restaurant establishments, you can sit there and wait for your next flight, catch up on work or charge up your electronics as a non-paying customer.

The airport has partnered with Uber Eats to deliver foods from restaurants at the airport to the waiting area at the gates. This is offered in the international and domestic sections of Terminal 3.

Connect
Free Wi-Fi is available in both terminals. Select “Toronto Pearson Wi-Fi” from the network list, launch a web browser and click "connect" on the Boingo landing page. Note that the landing page asks you to enter your email but you are not obligated to enter anything. Just click on the checkbox and agree to the terms and conditions to be granted with internet access.

After security, the airport has renovated many of the waiting areas near the gates to accommodate more food vendors, many of them have table service. These areas are outfitted with iPads, power outlets and restaurant-quality tables and chairs. You do not need to make a purchase from the food vendors to sit in these areas.

Cope
Trolleys are available for free on landside in both terminals.
 * Luggage storage is available at any of the Samsonite stores.

Sleep
There is one hotel in the airport, and another nearby:



The main hotel strip serving Pearson airport is Airport Road (Mississauga), which continues into Toronto as Dixon Road (Etobicoke). The municipal boundary is Highway 427, a busy freeway.

See Mississauga and Toronto/Etobicoke for additional options.

Nearby
Malton (Mississauga):



Etobicoke (Toronto):



There are also a few restaurants on the Airport Road/Dixon Road hotel strip, either as part of various hotels or operated stand-alone.

Nearby
The immediate area around Toronto Pearson International Airport are industrial or warehouses. You can take the UP Express to downtown Toronto in 25 mins or public transit (GO Bus, Mississauga Transit) to Square One Mall in Mississauga in 30 to 40 mins.