Toronto Ontario, Canada Travel Guide
Located in Mississauga, approximately 22 kilometers (14 miles) northwest of downtown Toronto, Pearson is Canada's largest and busiest airport. It serves as a main hub for international and domestic flights.
Situated on Toronto Island, approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) southwest of downtown Toronto. This smaller airport serves mainly regional flights to Canadian and some U.S. Cities, offering quick access to the city center.
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) has direct flights from major cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Tokyo, Dubai, New York, and Vancouver.
High Season (June-August) sees higher prices. Shoulder Seasons (April/May, Sept/Oct) have moderate prices. Low Season (Nov-March) generally has lower prices, except public holiday periods.
YYZ (Terminals 1 & 3): Duty-free, restaurants, lounges, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, car rentals. YTZ: Cafes, lounges, free Wi-Fi, duty-free for U.S.-bound flights, pedestrian tunnel.
Book online in advance for train and bus tickets to save time.
Confirm your flight or train status before going to your point of departure.
Look for any delays or gate changes for your departure.
VIA Rail Canada: Canada's national passenger rail service. Toronto's Union Station is a major hub. Routes: Connects Toronto to Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, Sarnia, The Famous waterfalls on the us-canada border. Long-distance routes to Western Canada (The Canadian) also depart from Union Station. GO Transit: The regional commuter railway network for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Routes: Connects downtown Toronto (Union Station) to surrounding suburbs and cities like Hamilton, Barrie, Oshawa, and Kitchener. Seasonal service applies to Niagara Falls. Purpose: mainly serves commuters but is useful for day trips to nearby towns.
Major Bus Terminal: The Union Station Bus Terminal, located next to Union Station, serves as Toronto's main hub for intercity bus travel. Companies: Megabus has routes connecting Toronto to Montreal, Ottawa, The Famous waterfalls on the us-canada border, and various cities in Ontario and the U.S. (e.g., Buffalo, New York City). FlixBus provides similar routes with a growing network. GO Transit Buses: An extensive network connecting Toronto to destinations within the GTHA and more. Ontario Northland: Services extend to Northern Ontario destinations. Benefits: Bus travel is generally more economical than train travel, though it takes longer.
Requirements: You need a valid driver''s driving license from your country of origin. If your license is not in English or French, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is necessary alongside your original license. Car rental companies typically require a major credit card in the driver's name. The minimum age for rental is usually 21 or 25, with an underage surcharge for drivers 21-24. Insurance: Rental cars include basic liability insurance. Additional coverage, like a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), is often offered and suggested. Driving Laws: Drive on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour (km/h). Distracted driving is illegal. A right turn on red is generally allowed unless a sign prohibits it. Tolls: Some highways in Ontario have tolls (e.g., Highway 407 ETR). Rental cars often have transponders, and tolls are billed to you later.
Canada-U.S. Border: Several land crossings are within a few hours' drive of Toronto, including Niagara Falls (Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge), Fort Erie (Peace Bridge), and Windsor (Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel). Requirements: A valid passport. U.S. Citizens do not need an eTA when entering by land. NEXUS card holders use exclusive lanes for faster processing. Expectations: Anticipate queues during peak travel times, holidays, and weekends. Border services officers ask about your purpose of visit, duration of stay, and goods you are bringing into Canada.
Toronto serves as a maritime hub of call for Great Lakes cruises. Cruise ships dock at the Cruise Ship Terminal located at the foot of Yonge Street, close to downtown attractions.
Toronto Island Ferries: State-run ferry service departs from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal (at the foot of Bay Street) to Ward's Island, Centre Island, and Hanlan's Point on Toronto Island. This service operates year-round, with increased frequency in summer. It has scenic views of the city skyline. Billy Bishop Airport Ferry: A free, short 90-second ferry ride (or a pedestrian tunnel) connects the mainland to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island.
Toronto does not have significant river transportation options for arrival or departure. The Don and Humber rivers are used for recreation (kayaking, canoeing) but not for major transport.
Passengers arriving by cruise ship undergo Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) border control and customs checks. These procedures are similar to those at air and land borders. A valid passport and eTA/TRV (if applicable) are needed.
Cruise Ship Terminal: Located downtown, it allows easy access to the city by walking, streetcar, taxi, or ride-share services. Union Station, a major transit hub, is not a long distance away. Ferry Ports: The Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is accessible by streetcar, subway (Union Station is a walkable distance), taxi, or ride-share.
International Flights (from YYZ): Arrive at Pearson International Airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. This allows for check-in, baggage drop, and security screening. U.S. Flights (from YYZ/YTZ): Arrive 2-3 hours prior to your flight. Both Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop (YTZ) airports have U.S. Immigration and Customs pre-clearance. This means you clear U.S. Customs before boarding your flight, speeding up your arrival in the United States.
Canada does not impose specific exit fees or taxes upon departure. Any airport improvement fees or other taxes are typically included in your airfare or cruise ticket price.
Standard check-in, baggage drop, and security screening apply for all departures.
For U.S. Flights, factor in the time required for pre-clearance, which occurs before boarding.
Arrive with sufficient time to find your way through the airport or station and find your platform or gate.
Confirm your flight or train status before heading to your point of departure. Check for any delays or gate changes.
