← Back to Toronto
Toronto Pearson Airport Insider Guide
YYZPearson is big and busy but workable. Free Wi‑Fi, decent lounges, reliable train to downtown (UP Express).
🚇
30min
Transit to city
🛂
30min
Immigration
🔒
20min
Security buffer
✅
Leave with 6–10 hours+
Leave the airport?
OK to leave:
6–10h
10h+
🛋️
Lounges
| Terminal | Lounge | Access | Showers | Good for | Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Air Canada Maple Leaf (Intl/Transborder/Domestic) | Star Alliance business/elite, some paid | Yes (intl) | Buffet, bar, quieter seating | Paid varies; check at desk if not eligible |
| T1 | Plaza Premium | Paid | Yes | Hot food, bar, showers | About $40–60 USD for ~3h; confirm at desk |
| T3 | Plaza Premium (multiple zones) | Paid | Yes | Hot food, bar, showers | About $40–60 USD for ~3h; confirm at desk |
| T3 | Air France KLM Lounge | SkyTeam business/elite, some paid | Yes | Buffet, bar | Paid varies; check at desk |
| T3 | American Admirals Club | Oneworld business/elite, AA club members | No | Snacks, bar | Paid varies; check at desk |
Most Plaza Premium lounges sell day passes. Maple Leaf and airline lounges may offer paid entry off-peak; ask at the desk.
📝
Traveler notes
- Evening peaks: lounges can fill up; Plaza Premium waits are common.
- Security/immigration can be slow at peaks; add extra time on return.
- UP Express is the most predictable ride to downtown; taxis can crawl in rush hour.
🛏️
Sleep / Rest
- Quiet seating is limited; no true nap pods.
- Hotels: Sheraton Gateway (T3, connected), Alt Hotel (Viscount station via terminal train).
- Light sleepers: eye mask, earplugs; keep valuables on you.
🍽️
Food (what’s actually good)
- Quick grabs: fast-food and coffee chains in T1/T3; look for paramour-style middle eastern or burrito spots for filling meals.
- Sit-down: a few pub/restaurant options in each terminal; quality is decent but not destination dining.
- 24h: limited late-night options; check nearest info screens before walking far.
🚿
Showers
- Available in Plaza Premium lounges and Maple Leaf (intl). No public pay showers outside lounges.
🧳
Luggage Storage
- Landside storage counters in T1 and T3 arrivals. Expect about $6–12 USD depending on size/time.
🚇
Transit to City
- UP Express: ~25 minutes to Union Station. About $9–12 USD one-way. Reliable and frequent.
- Taxi/Rideshare: ~45–60 minutes off-peak, $35–50+ USD; can be much longer in rush hour.
- Buffer: Back at YYZ 3h before international, 2h before domestic. Add extra if taking a taxi in traffic.
🔌
Essentials
- SIM/eSIM: Airport shops sell tourist SIMs; eSIM bought beforehand is usually cheaper.
- ATMs: Plenty. Decline DCC, pay in USD/let your bank convert; use bank-branded machines.
- Water: Fountains/bottle fillers in terminals; bring a bottle.
- Prayer rooms: Multi-faith spaces in terminals (check info desk for locations).
- Smoking: Designated areas outside terminals only.
- Wi‑Fi: Free and usable.
📋
Fast City Hit (6–9h total)
- UP Express to Union. Quick harbourfront or CN Tower area walk, grab a sandwich/coffee, head back. Leave 3h before departure.
📋
Longer City Hit (10h+)
- Harbourfront loop plus St. Lawrence Market or a Distillery District stroll. Leave 4h before departure if traveling in rush hour.
Planning a layover in Toronto?
See our timeline calculator, curated experiences, and services.
Explore Toronto layover →