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Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto · Canada · Updated Apr 20, 2026

Code
YYZ
Size
Major Hub
Passengers a year
46.8M / year
Terminals
2
To downtown
20 km
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Getting to and from the airport
  3. Terminals and airlines
  4. Tips for travellers
  5. Good to know
  6. Climate, customs and advisory

Overview

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Canada's largest and busiest airport, located primarily in Mississauga, Ontario, serving the Toronto metropolitan area and Golden Horseshoe region. It handled 46.8 million passengers in 2024 and operates as the primary global hub for Air Canada.

Opened in 1937, Toronto Pearson has grown into a major international gateway with five runways and two main passenger terminals on 1,867 hectares. Managed by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), it supports around 50,000 workers and features U.S. border preclearance facilities. The airport serves as a hub for Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and WestJet, with a focus city for Air Transat. It is situated 20 km northwest of downtown Toronto.

Getting to and from the airport

  • UP Express Train

    Direct rail from Terminal 1 to Union Station downtown.

    25 minutes · CAD 12-25

  • Taxi/Rideshare

    Available at both terminals to downtown.

    20-40 minutes · CAD 50-70

  • Terminal Link

    Free people mover between terminals.

    Few minutes · Free

  • Bus (TTC 900 Airport Express)

    Connects to Kipling Station and downtown.

    45-60 minutes · CAD 3-5

Rental cars are available from major providers like Hertz and Enterprise at both terminals; book ahead. Taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) queue outside arrivals with flat rates to downtown. Public transit via UP Express or TTC buses is reliable and cheaper; avoid rush hours for less congestion.

Security wait: 15-45 minutes average, longer during peaks

Terminals and airlines

  • Terminal 1

    Air Canada, United Airlines, American Airlines

    Largest terminal, home to Air Canada hub, U.S. preclearance, UP Express and Terminal Link station.

  • Terminal 3

    WestJet, Porter Airlines, Air Transat

    Serves low-cost and international carriers, Terminal Link and Terminal 3 station.

Airlines: Air Canada, Porter Airlines, WestJet, Air Transat, Flair Airlines

Tips for travellers

  • Use the free Terminal Link people mover to connect between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 efficiently.
  • Arrive early for security, especially during peak hours, and utilize UP Express train from downtown Toronto.
  • Free WiFi is available throughout the terminals; download apps for real-time flight updates.
  • U.S. preclearance is in Terminal 1 for eligible flights, saving time on arrival in the U.S.
  • Dining and shopping options are extensive in both terminals, including Canadian specialties.
  • Parking is ample but book in advance; multi-level garages hold thousands of spaces.

Good to know

  • Named after Lester B. Pearson, Canada's 14th Prime Minister and 1957 Nobel Peace Prize winner for peacekeeping efforts.
  • The IATA code YYZ derives from the old railway station code 'YZ' for Malton, Ontario, where the airport is located.
  • Famous Canadian rock band Rush named an instrumental song 'YYZ' after the airport's code, inspired by its Morse code signal near their hometown.
  • The airport spans 4,613 acres with five runways capable of handling widebody jets, and underwent a major C$4.4 billion development program completed in 2008.
  • It maintains U.S. preclearance, allowing passengers to clear customs in Toronto before flying to the United States.

Amenities: Lounges, WiFi, Prayer room, Hotels nearby, Dining, Shopping, De-icing facilities

Climate, customs and advisory

Toronto experiences a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters (average -5°C in January) and warm, humid summers (average 22°C in July). Expect variable weather year-round, with significant snowfall in winter affecting ground transport.

Customs: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) handles immigration and customs in both terminals; use automated kiosks for faster processing if eligible. Declare goods accurately; U.S. preclearance applies only to departing U.S.-bound flights.

Sources (10)

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