Pearson Airport (YYZ) · Canada
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Quick answer
Entry
Canada eTA required for most visa-exempt nationalities (except US) — apply at canada.ca/eTA ($7 CAD, instant approval). US citizens need passport only.
Into town
UP Express (to Union Station): 25 min, CAD $12.35.
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from YYZ arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
The sights in Toronto worth leaving the airport for.
1Victorian industrial complex turned arts district. Free to wander. Best Christmas market in North America (Dec).
Photo: Geo Swan stitched by Marku1988 This image was created with Hugin., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
2Ripley's Aquarium (CAD $40) beneath the CN Tower is excellent for families. The CN Tower glass floor is CAD $55.
Photo: EuroCarGT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Toronto's most bohemian neighbourhood — vintage shops, global street food, and the best empanadas in Canada.
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
Pearson is one of the busiest airports in North America. NEXUS/Global Entry lanes move very fast for pre-cleared travellers. UP Express departs every 15 minutes.
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| UP Express (to Union Station) | CAD $12.35 | 25 min |
| Taxi / Uber | CAD $55–75 | 30–50 min |
Poutine (fries, cheese curds, gravy) at PDC (Poutineville) in the Distillery District — Toronto's definitive comfort food, CAD $15.
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Toronto
Take UP Express (to Union Station) (25 min, CAD $12.35).
1–4 hrs
Distillery Historic District
Victorian industrial complex turned arts district. Free to wander. Best Christmas market in North America (Dec).
4–6 hrs
CN Tower & Ripley's Aquarium
Ripley's Aquarium (CAD $40) beneath the CN Tower is excellent for families. The CN Tower glass floor is CAD $55.
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Poutine (fries, cheese curds, gravy) at PDC (Poutineville) in the Distillery District — Toronto's definitive comfort food, CAD $15.
8–10 hrs
Kensington Market
Toronto's most bohemian neighbourhood — vintage shops, global street food, and the best empanadas in Canada.
10–12 hrs
Back to Pearson Airport
Head back to Pearson Airport by UP Express (to Union Station) (25 min, CAD $12.35). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Canada eTA required for most visa-exempt nationalities (except US) — apply at canada.ca/eTA ($7 CAD, instant approval). US citizens need passport only. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Toronto by UP Express (to Union Station) takes 25 min each way.
UP Express (to Union Station): 25 min, CAD $12.35. Taxi / Uber: 30–50 min, CAD $55–75.
Luggage storage near Pearson Airport and in Toronto is listed in our Toronto luggage storage guide.
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Car hire at Toronto Pearson Airport: desks, ratings and pricesLock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Toronto and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse TorontoJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Toronto? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Toronto.Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
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With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Toronto
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Toronto Destination Guide →Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from YYZ.
Flights to Toronto from 87 cities: fares and airlines →
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Canada eTA required for most visa-exempt nationalities (except US) — apply at canada.ca/eTA ($7 CAD, instant approval). US citizens need passport only.
03
Head back to Pearson Airport by UP Express (to Union Station) (25 min, CAD $12.35). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight in Toronto runs from about 8.8 hours in Dec to 15.2 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.
