Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)
Toronto Pearson International Airport · Toronto, Canada
Verified airport guidance · Last checked September 2026
Toronto Pearson has two terminals linked by the free Terminal Link train. Check Pearson's gate tracker and the airport departure screens for your departure gate. Flying on to the U.S., you clear U.S. border checks here — that's U.S. Preclearance.
Connecting at Pearson
What you do depends on your terminal and where you're flying next.
Connecting from abroad to a flight within Canada, you go through Canadian customs and immigration. Flying on to the U.S., you clear U.S. customs and immigration at Pearson before boarding.
Source: Toronto Pearson — Connections: customs and immigration
Security on connections
For U.S.-bound flights, at both terminals CATSA security screening comes first, then the U.S. customs (USCBP) hall. For other connections, whether you're screened again can depend on your connection — follow Pearson's signs.
Checked bags on connections
For connecting flights, you may need to collect and re-drop checked bags. Confirm at your first check-in whether they're tagged through to your next or final destination — bags tagged onward may still need to go on the connection drop-off belt, and bags that aren't must be checked in again.
Border check on international connections
CBSA's Free Flow transit lets eligible international-to-international travellers at Terminal 1 skip the Canadian border check: your next international flight leaves Canada within 24 hours, you stay in the international departure area, and your airline transfers your bags automatically with a same-day departure. Otherwise you collect your bags and go through CBSA. Terminal 3 connections aren't eligible for Free Flow, so depending on your connection, Canadian border processing may be required.
Source: CBSA — International-to-international flight connections made easier
Getting between terminals
The free Terminal Link train runs 24 hours, taking 2–8 minutes between stations. It's outside security, so you're screened again at the other terminal.
Departing from Pearson
Pearson's rule of thumb is 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 3–4 hours before an international one. For U.S. flights, CATSA security comes first, then U.S. customs (open 3:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.).
Arriving at Pearson
From abroad, use a Primary Inspection Kiosk or — at Terminal 1 — an eGate (age 14+). Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN can speed things up. UP Express runs from Terminal 1 to Union Station in 28 minutes.
Connection tips
- Pearson's rules differ by terminal — check your boarding pass for Terminal 1 or 3.
- The Terminal Link train is outside security; changing terminals means screening again.
- Many travellers need an eTA or transit visa even just to connect in Canada.
Getting around YYZ
Where you can walk, and where you'll need a train or bus. Walking times are shown only where the airport publishes them.
| Between | Walk? | Other ways |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 ↔ Terminal 3Terminal Link train (before security) | No | Terminal Link train (before security) |
Sources: Toronto Pearson — Terminal Link train
Airport map — YYZ
YYZ indoor map
Map data © Mapbox. Indoor maps are an experimental Mapbox feature. We don't draw walking routes.
We don't mark gates or checkpoints until we have verified locations for them.
Getting away from YYZ
Official options, in no particular order. Times only where the operator publishes them.
UP Express to Union Station· about 28 min
Terminal 1, next to the Terminal Link train. From Terminal 3, take the Terminal Link train and follow the “Train to City” signs.
Every 15 minutes. $12.35, or $9.25 with PRESTO.
Source: Toronto Pearson — UP Express
TTC 900 Airport Express
Terminal 1 ground level and Terminal 3 arrivals level.
To Kipling subway station (Line 2) in about 20–25 minutes.
Source: TTC — Service to Toronto Pearson
Taxis and limos
Terminal 1 arrivals: taxis at Door D, limos at Door C. Terminal 3 arrivals: Door E.
Flat rates, no surge pricing.
Uber and Lyft
Terminal 1 ground level: Lyft at Zone 3 (Doors P/Q), Uber at Zones 4–5 (Doors Q–S). Terminal 3 arrivals: Zones 2–6 (Doors B/D).
These pick-up zones changed on March 2, 2026.
Source: Toronto Pearson — Ride sharing
Check fares and schedules with the operator before you travel.
Official resources
- Toronto Pearson — Connection guide (opens in a new tab)
- CBSA — International-to-international connections (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC — Transit through Canada (eTA / visa) (opens in a new tab)
- Toronto Pearson — Terminal Link train (opens in a new tab)
- Toronto Pearson — U.S. customs at Pearson (opens in a new tab)
- Official airport website (opens in a new tab)