Toronto Pearson Intl Airport (YYZ) Flights & Flight Status

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's busiest airport, servicing its largest city: In 2023, 45 million passengers travelled through this hub. The more than 40 airlines serving Pearson fly to over 160 destinations around the world, making this quite a popular international layover spot, particularly if you're flying with Air Canada.

Terminal information and tips

There are just two terminals at Pearson: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 3 (T3). If you're wondering what happened to Terminal 2, it was demolished in 2007, and Terminal 1 was expanded to cover its turf. The two terminals are connected by the 24-hour Terminal Link train on the landside (that is, the pre-security side). There's no airside (post-security side) connection between the terminals, so if you have to transfer between them, you'll have to go through security again.

While the transfer is easy to navigate, I find the security queues can get very long, making the process a bit stressful if you're short on time. T1 serves Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners (including Lufthansa and United), while T3 serves British Airways and Air France, among many others.

In both T1 and T3, the terminal is separated into three sections: domestic, international and transborder. Transborder is specifically for US-bound flights, as you will undergo customs and immigration preclearance here (more on that below). Once you enter one of these sections of the terminal, you cannot access the other sections.

The best way to get to and from the airport to the city centre

Pearson is located in the town of Mississauga, about 14 miles from Toronto city centre. It's well connected to the city by public transportation and roads. Traffic can be heavy here, so I'd recommend opting for public transportation when possible.

Public transportation

The best way to get between Pearson and Toronto city centre is the UP Express train, whose only airport station is located at T1. Trains run every 15 minutes all day long, and it only takes 25 minutes to get to Toronto's Union Station, right in the city centre. From there, you might even be able to walk to your hotel, depending on where you're staying. Otherwise, Ubers and taxis are plentiful here, so it's easy to get around. You can also take public buses or the underground.

Public buses also connect both Pearson's terminals and central Toronto. These are run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which also manages the city's underground system. Travel time varies depending on traffic, and there can be a lot of traffic, so don't take the bus if you're in a hurry. Generally speaking, the bus takes anywhere from 25 minutes (if an express) to more than an hour.

Taxis, rideshares and driving

Both taxis and rideshares (such as Uber and Lyft) are available at Pearson, and you can find pick-up locations outside both terminals. If you'd prefer to drive yourself, both terminals also have on-site car hire. Driving to Toronto city centre can be a bit of a pain because of that pesky traffic, though. Because public transportation is convenient in Toronto, it might not be necessary to hire a car anyway. I'd only opt for a hire car if I were planning to visit other destinations in the region.

Security queues

Pearson is notorious for its long security queues, so this is one airport where you definitely want to arrive early. I'd recommend at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Pro tip: You can check the security queue waiting times on the airport's website.

You can also pre-book a security screening time slot through the YYZ Express programme, though it's only available during certain hours. Book your spot online up to 72 hours before your flight, then when you show up to the airport, simply enter the designated security queue for YYZ Express during your appointment time. This can save quite a bit of time, but do note that time slots are limited, and they book up fast.

YYZ Express isn't the only way to expedite the security queue. Certain American Express cardholders can use a special priority lane, while those travelling to the US who have Global Entry can use the Verified Travellers priority lane.

Preclearance

If you're flying to the US from Pearson, you will go through preclearance for customs and immigration before departure rather than upon arrival in the US You will be able to use Global Entry or the Mobile Passport Control app to expedite this process. But in my experience, going through preclearance can be slow, so budget extra time to get through.

On the plus side, when you land in the US, it'll be as if you're arriving on a domestic flight. You can simply walk right out of the airport upon arrival. And if you're connecting to another US city from this arrival point, your checked bag won't need to be collected and re-checked. It'll be transferred onto your next flight automatically.

Alternative airports

I'd argue that nine times out of 10, you'll probably end up flying into Pearson if you're heading for Toronto, simply because it has the most flights of all the airports in the region. But there are several alternative options available.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)

Billy Bishop is the only other airport serving Toronto proper, but it's far smaller than Pearson with fewer flights. But on the other hand, it's very close to the heart of Toronto city centre. In fact, it's on an island just across the channel from the city, which is why you'll hear some Torontonians refer to it as Toronto Island Airport.

One of my favourite things about flying into Billy Bishop is the views. The CN Tower is just across the channel from the airport, which is a fun landmark to look at from a bird's-eye view. I also love taking the (very short) ferry ride from the city centre to the airport; it only takes about a minute and a half.

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM)

Hamilton is another small airport with limited flights, located about an hour's drive to the southwest of Toronto. If you find a good fare into Hamilton, or if you plan on visiting the nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region, flying here might be worthwhile. But cabs to Toronto will be expensive, so it's best to take a bus or hire a car.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

The closest American airport to Toronto is in Buffalo, New York State. It's located about a two-hour drive from Toronto, though you might want to budget a little extra time for the border crossing. In my experience, driving across the US–Canadian border isn't a terribly time-consuming process, but it can take a while during peak hours. Don't forget your passport! This is a good airport choice for those looking to visit Niagara Falls, as it's only a 30-minute drive away.

Things to do during a layover

Pearson is a very popular layover destination, not just for those connecting to or from another Canadian city, but also to or from international destinations all around the world. As such, there's a solid chance you'll be spending a good amount of time here.

Less than four hours

If your layover is less than four hours, I'd recommend staying airside in the airport, as security queues can be long. But fortunately, there's plenty here to keep you entertained. As a major international airport, Pearson has plenty of shopping and dining options throughout its two terminals. But one of my favourite things to do is catch a live music performance. Through the YYZ Live programme, local artists perform inside the terminals on various dates throughout the year.

Four to six hours

If your layover is between four and six hours, you might have time to explore a local attraction near the airport. For some outdoor fun, I'd head to the Humber Arboretum, where you can walk through 250 acres of greenery. For a cultural excursion, visit the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada.

More than six hours

If your layover is longer than six hours, you might have time to make a brief journey to Toronto city centre, as long as you budget your time wisely. I would take the UP Express to avoid any traffic delays. Or if you're simply looking for some rest, you could book a stay at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, which is attached to Terminal 3, or ALT Hotel, which is located at the Terminal Link train's Viscount station.