Toronto, Ontario Hotels and City Guide

Toronto - Airports

Toronto has two primary passenger airports; Lester B Pearson International Airport and Toronto City Centre Airport, however Lester B Pearson International is the major airport and is used for most international flights.

Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ): General Information
Lester B Pearson International Airport: Airport Facilities
Lester B Pearson International Airport: Getting Into Town
Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ): General Information
Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ): Getting Into Town

Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ): General Information

Tel: +1 (416) 247 7678 (Terminals 1 and 2), +1 (416) 776 5100 (Terminal 3)

Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or LBPIA - Lester B. Pearson International Airport is located 16 miles (27km) northwest of downtown Toronto, about 45 minutes by car from the downtown core and is serviced by most major international carriers. There are two terminals: Terminal 1 hosts all Air Canada flights and a few other international (mostly Star Alliance) carriers, while Terminal 3 hosts all other airlines (there is no longer a Terminal 2). Eventually Terminal 2 will be torn down as Terminal 1 continues to expand and Terminal 1 will be connected to the existing Terminal 3.

Transfer between terminals
A 24-hour courtesy shuttle bus links the three terminals. The Airport LINK train system also operates a 24-hour free service between Terminals 1 and 3, as well as to the Reduced Rate Parking Lot.


Parking: Multi-level car parking is available for each terminal.

Departure tax: None.

Lester B Pearson International Airport: Airport Facilities

Leisure & Passenger Facilities
All three terminals are well supplied with facilities, including bureaux de change and ATMs, Internet access, shops and duty-free outlets, hotel reservation services, bars and restaurants, and children's play areas. Wireless Internet access is available in Terminal 1. Other services available include a ten-minute manicure station, shoe shine kiosks, and a Spa/Salon.

Business Facilities and Lounges
The airport has five lounges, open to travellers on any seat class, for a set rate of CAN$30 before 11am and CAN$35 afterwards for three hours access (children are permitted to enter as well). Facilities include flatscreen television, reclining couches, newspapers and magazines, computer workstations and Wi-Fi access. There is also a self-serve bar serving wines, beer and spirits, and breakfast and lunch service. All but one have shower facilities, which include soaps and towels.

Disabled Travellers
The Airport can provide wheelchairs and electric vehicles for all passengers requiring assistance. Each parking area also includes certain bays placed in more accessible locations. The LINK Train, which runs between terminals, is fully accessible and wheelchair friendly.

Lester B Pearson International Airport: Getting Into Town

Public Buses and Shuttles
Several companies provide bus transit services to and from the airport into Toronto and surrounding areas:

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) provides public bus services that run to and from Pearson. The best TTC option is the 192 Airport Rocket that runs every 10-30 minutes between Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway, and Pearson Airport. Kipling Station is the western most subway stop on the Bloor-Danforth line and it takes about 45 minutes to reach downtown. One way adult fare on the TTC is $2.75 (or less if purchased in bulk) which includes free transfers to other TTC buses or the subway. Tickets can be purchased from the Bureau de Change in Arrivals. There is service from Kipling Station to the airport 24 hours per day.

GO Transit, the commuter transit agency, provides express buses that run from the airport to Yorkdale and York Mills subway stations in North York for $4.05. This takes about 35-45 minutes, followed by another 20 minutes on the subway to get downtown. A new GO Transit service, effective April 26, 2008, offers service to/from the airport to Square One GO Terminal in Mississauga and Richmond Hill Centre. This bus service runs every 30 minutes from about 5AM to 1AM daily.

The 20-hour Airport Express Shuttle Bus picks up passengers from the Arrivals level of all terminals and services the downtown bus terminal and major downtown hotels. It is a quick, convenient, and frequent service (peak periods: every 20 minutes; off-peak periods: every 30 minutes). It picks up at both terminals, and stops at several major hotels in the downtown core. Adult fares are $18.95 one way, $29.25 for round trips. There is a 10% discount for online reservations.

Taxis and Private Cars
Taxis run a flat rate of $40 while airport limousines are slightly higher at $50-70. Limousines are generally slightly larger (though not stretched) and more comfortable vehicles than taxis. . Government approved rates can be found online here.

Car Rental
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty are represented at all three terminals. Other off-airport car rental companies are also available and pre-arranged courtesy shuttles will take customers to their offices outside the airport.

Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ): General Information

Bathurst Street, Toronto, Tel: 416-203-6942

Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ) (or TCCA) handles much less traffic than Lester B Pearson International. One of its main tenants is Porter Airlines which services New York (Newark), Ottawa, Montreal, Mont Tremblant, and Halifax. Toronto City Centre Airport mainly offers short-haul regional flights to neighboring Canadian cities, with a few Northeast US flights.

The airport is located on a small island only 121 metres off-shore, hence its nickname "The Island Airport". A free ferry service makes the short crossing (the world's shortest regularly-scheduled ferry route) between TCCA and the mainland every 15 minutes, from 6:45am to 10:07pm.

Frugal travellers coming from the US or Central America should consider flying into Buffalo (New York), due to cheaper prices. Megabus (prices vary, book early) runs from the Buffalo Niagara airport to Toronto; the trip takes 3 hours, including the border crossing.

Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ): Getting Into Town

Taxis
Once on the mainland, you can find taxis services located next to the ferry slip.

Public Transport and Trains
The airport is located a few minutes drive from Union Station for major centres within Ontario and Quebec. From here you will also be able to access the subway, and main bus terminal for long-distance bus connections within Canada as well as the US. A free shuttle bus is offered for Porter Airlines' passengers between the airport and Toronto's central Union Station.

Hotels in Toronto, Ontario