Toronto Pearson Airport Parking

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Guide to Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) handled more than 44 million passengers in 2016, making it the busiest flight hub in Canada and the second-busiest in North America (behind JFK in New York City, USA).

YYZ serves the city of Toronto, the wider Toronto area and the Golden Horseshoe region of southern Ontario. It offers year-round flights to a number of domestic cities and international destinations on all six populated continents.

The airport’s official name is Lester B. Pearson International Airport, although many refer to it as Toronto Pearson or simply Pearson Airport.

Location of Toronto Pearson Airport

YYZ is not actually in Toronto, but in the city of Mississauga, 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) to the north west of downtown Toronto. As one of the busiest and most important airports in Canada, it is well-connected to all major roads in the region, including Highways 401, 409, 407 and 427.

Plenty of direct trains, buses and shuttles are available to take you to Toronto Pearson from across the region. Bus routes 52 Lawrence West and 192 Airport Rocket run throughout the day between the airport and the city, whilst routes 300 Bloor Danforth and 307 Eglinton West serve passengers throughout the night.

History of Toronto Pearson Airport

The airport now known as Toronto Pearson was first established in 1939 as Malton Airport and served as a base for the training of pilots and aircraft manufacturers during World War II.

YYZ quickly became one of Canada’s busiest and most important airports and was renamed Toronto International Airport in 1960 to reflect its growing status. In 1984, it became Lester B. Pearson International Airport in honor of Canada’s 14th prime minister.

The large-scale, modern facility currently standing at YYZ began to take shape in February 1991 with the opening of Terminal 3, the initial purpose of which was to ease passenger traffic at Aeroquay 1 (now closed) and Terminal 2. Major refurbishment began in 1999 with the building of the new Terminal 1 and the expansion of Terminal 3. Terminal 2 closed in 2007 and it was demolished the following year.

Toronto Pearson won the award for Best Global Airport in 2006. A decade later, YYZ was placed 6th on the World Airport Awards’ list of ‘Best Airports with 40-50 million passengers per year’.

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Airport facilities

As you would expect from a renowned global airport (and the second-busiest airport in North America), YYZ boasts a huge range of places to eat and drink. From a Canadian coffee shop and a restaurant showcasing fresh ingredients from local farmers to places serving food with French and Asian influences, there is plenty to choose from at Toronto Pearson.

You’ll also find a large duty free store selling a wide range of goods at bargain prices, as well as convenience stores, souvenir shops and even spas to help keep you busy.

Facilities at Toronto Pearson Airport include:

• ATMs

• Bag wrapping

• Baggage enquiries

• Car hire

• Car valeting service

• Currency exchange

• Disabled access

• Dry cleaning

• Faith and worship rooms

• Family and baby facilities

• Food and drink

  • Restaurants

  • Cafés

  • Bars

  • World cuisine

  • Breakfasts

• Hotels

• Information points

• Internet access

• Left baggage

• Lost property

• Lounges

• Parking facilities

• Shipping and courier services

• Shopping

  • High-street brands

  • Convenience stores

  • Duty free

• Smoking areas

• Trolleys

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Toronto Pearson International Airport hotel and parking

The four-star Sheraton Gateway Hotel is the only on-site hotel at YYZ. Connected directly to Terminal 3 and just a short, free train ride on the Link from Terminal 1, the hotel offers a very convenient place to stay during a layover.

As a guest at the Sheraton Gateway, you can print your boarding pass and check-in for your flight using the workstations in the lobby. The hotel is also home to a fitness center, indoor swimming pool and a grill restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. At additional cost, the Sheraton Gateway also offers WiFi in every room, covered parking in the on-site airport lots and 24-hour valet parking.

The ALT Hotel offers three-star accommodation at a location next to Viscount Station at the end of the free Link train line, just 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) from YYZ. From there, the train journey to the airport takes less than 10 minutes. Each pet-friendly room at the ALT Hotel features a work desk, wide-screen TV and free WiFi, while complimentary parking is also available on-site.

There is a wide range of hotels catering to different budgets within a two-mile (3.2-kilometer) radius of Toronto Pearson Airport, many of which offer a similar set of facilities to those described above.

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Top things to do in Toronto Pearson International Airport

Make yourself at home

There are five Plaza Premium Lounges at YYZ: three in Terminal 1 and two in Terminal 3. Each lounge offers all the creature comforts you need to make your time at the airport relaxed, including wide-screen TVs, your choice of delicious breakfasts, hot food, salads, coffees, wines and beers to help you feel right at home.

If you need to catch a few winks before your flight, you can just sit back and relax in the soft lounge chairs and workstations are available for those moments when it’s time to stop relaxing and get on with some work.

Get fit and fight jetlag

Working out is a proven way to help keep fatigue and jetlag at bay, so if you’re about to board a long flight from YYZ, you can head to Goodlife Fitness gym in Terminal 1 to stay energized and keep your body’s rhythms in check.

Traveling to and spending time in a busy airport can also be stressful and sometimes boring, so working out at YYZ gives you a great way to feel more positive and productive before take-off. Goodlife Fitness at Toronto Pearson Airport is open every day from 4am to 11:30pm.

Explore Canadian culture and history

Toronto Pearson Airport is home to a number of art and history exhibits. In the Permanent Collection, you can take a close look at spectacular pieces from artists all over the world. The collection was commissioned to highlight YYZ’s role as one of North America’s major flight hubs.

The Changing Exhibitions, which are dotted throughout both YYZ terminals, showcase a mixture of items from Canadian and North American art, history and popular culture. At different times, the exhibitions feature collections of toys and props from popular films, among many other fascinating items.

There's something for young minds to enjoy at the airport, too, particularly if your kids are interested in dinosaurs. Different locations across Canada have seen many great dinosaur discoveries and YYZ pays tribute to its archaeologists by displaying the bones of dinosaurs in Terminal 1.

Treat yourself to a manicure on the move

The :10 Minute Manicure outlet is an on-site mini spa offering a range of quick treatments to help you feel refreshed for your flight. Whether you just want to relax with some time to spare before check-in or you need to look your best before getting down to business, you can come to this chain outlet for your choice of massages, manicures, pedicures, teeth whitening, hair care and more.

Enjoy a mix of cosmopolitan cuisine

With its dark red booths and track-mark designs on the floor, the Red Rocket restaurant pays tribute to Toronto’s streetcars (trams), while its international menu reflects the city’s deeply cosmopolitan culture. For example, Ontario is home to Canada’s highest concentration of Greeks and the chicken souvlaki on the menu is testament to this. For a true taste of Toronto, mix these skewers with classic American fries or your choice of the many other items on the grab-and-go menu.

Stock up in time to travel

Whether you need to pick up some essential items you’ve forgotten in your rush to YYZ, you want to go on the hunt for bargains or you’re just looking to browse the shops to pass the time, YYZ provides the opportunities for it.

The Travel Store in Terminal 3 sells high-quality luggage, bags and backpacks, as well as jewelry, watches and belts. You can even buy an umbrella, just in case the sun stops shining and the heavens open while you're on your travels.

Hudson's Bay Company Trading Post sells souvenirs that make great gifts for friends back home or mementoes of your time in Canada, while the Toronto Duty Free store offers you the chance to make big savings on premium brand perfumes, colognes, alcohol, chocolate, handmade Canadian curios and a range of other items.

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Top things to do near Toronto Pearson International Airport

Learn about aviation during your layover

The flight simulation course at Threshold Aviation Airliner Adventures gives you a fun and hands-on way to learn more about what it takes to fly a Horizon 737NG jet plane. If you have a long wait before your flight at YYZ, the courses there offer fun and enlightening ways to pass the time.

Booking an hour in the simulator could be the first step towards your future career as a pilot and the experience might help nervous travelers conquer their fear of flying.

See the world’s biggest heart

Royal Ontario Museum is one of the largest museums in North America and it’s also home to the biggest and best-preserved animal heart on planet Earth – that of the mighty blue whale. The heart’s blood vessels are so big that a human baby could crawl through them.

This world-class museum also showcases a number of interactive exhibits, games and related mobile apps, some of which use augmented reality (AR) to bring dinosaurs and other natural wonders to life. In the Bat Cave, you can hang out with lifelike model bats in a recreated version of their true habitat. Royal Ontario Museum boasts dedicated areas for adults and kids and is sure to amuse and enthral your entire family.

Take part in the national obsession

Along with lacrosse, ice hockey is one of Canada’s two official national sports and this obsession extends to Toronto, where there is fervent support for the local NHL team, Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite not winning the Stanley Cup since 1967 (the longest active drought in league history), the Maple Leafs remains the third-most-valuable team in the NHL.

Come to the Air Canada Center between October and April every year to cheer on the Maple Leafs or have a go at playing the game yourself at Nathan Philips Square skating rink.

See a guaranteed rainbow over a waterfall

The three waterfalls at Niagara Falls can be found on the Canada-USA border between the province of Ontario and the state of New York. Most agree that the best views of the Falls are to be found on the Canadian side of the border where, on a bright day, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll see a rainbow form over the water as the sun sets. For even more excitement and breathtaking views, you may wish to take a helicopter ride over the area.

It takes around 70 minutes to drive from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls, but the experience of seeing 75,000 gallons (341 liters) of water hurtling over the imposing cliffs is well worth the trip.

Take in the best views of Toronto from up high

From 1976 to 2007, the CN Tower was the tallest building in the world at 1,815.4 feet (553.33 meters) high. While the building no longer holds this accolade, the tower is still impressive, both inside and out.

Visit the CN Tower to take in the incredible views of the city. You can even check out live footage from CN Tower for a sense of what your visit has in store for you.

Enjoy thrills aplenty with the whole family

With its 69 rides, 200 attractions and waterpark spanning 20 acres (8.1 hectares), Canada Wonderland has a great reputation. The Leviathan is a huge rollercoaster that reaches speeds of up to 92 miles per hour (148 kilometers per hour), on which you’ll be plummeted into an exhilarating 80-degree drop.

Other scary rides at the park go by ominous names like Behemoth and Shockwave, while Skyhawk is the first ride of its kind to allow park visitors to control certain elements of their experience. The Planet Snoopy ride, train, carousel and the huge Splash Works waterpark all contribute to a fun day out for the whole family.

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Which terminal?

Toronto Pearson has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 was closed in 2007, but YYZ kept the original names to prevent confusion. Both terminals handle domestic, international and trans-border journeys, with flights from each building organized according to airline alliances, rather than routes.

YYZ is a hub for Air Canada and WestJet, as well as being a focus city for Air Transat and Sunwing Airlines. Shuttle buses are on hand to provide a link between terminals.

The airlines currently offering public flights to and from Toronto Pearson Airport can be found on the Toronto Pearson Airport website.

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How to get to Toronto Pearson International Airport

Car

If you’re using sat nav, the postal code L4W 1S9 will get you to YYZ Terminal 1 and L5P 1B2 will take you to Terminal 3.

To get to the airport from downtown Toronto, find your way onto the Gardiner Expressway westbound from University Avenue and York Street. Turn north onto Highway 427, continue for six miles (10 kilometers) and follow the signs to the airport. This journey usually takes 25-30 minutes.

Bus

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a number of bus services to YYZ from the local area. The 192 Airport Rocket connects Kipling Station in downtown Toronto to both terminals. On weekdays, this service runs intermittently from 4:56am, with buses arriving every 10 minutes from 5:29am until 2:11am the next day. On Saturdays, the 192 bus runs from 5:18am until 2:15am and operates on Sundays from 8:00am until 2:15am.

Brampton Transit operates the 115 Airport Express service to YYZ from the nearby city of Brampton, while provides buses from downtown Toronto and its nearby suburbs. MiWay runs a local service to Toronto Pearson from Mississauga and Greyhound provides routes to the airport from destinations in Ontario and Buffalo in New York State.

Train

The Union Pearson Express is a regular service that makes the journey from Union Station in central Toronto to YYZ every 15 minutes. This service runs from 5:30am and 1am and each trip takes 25 minutes. Every Union Pearson Express train offers easy access for disabled passengers and plenty of storage space, while free WiFi is also available onboard.

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Useful tips

There are medical services available on-site

Skyhealth Express is an on-site medical clinic that offers a full range of services. There’s also a pharmacy next door, so whether you need to consult a doctor, pick up prescriptions or buy nutritional supplements, YYZ allows you to keep an eye on your health when you're on the go.

You can work out at YYZ

Unlike many airports, Toronto Pearson is home to a gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment to help you keep fit. The gym features changing rooms with showers, toiletries and hair dryers. You can even rent gym clothes and shoes to ensure you have all you need for a proper workout before take-off.

The airport is open around the clock

YYZ is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you’ll never be stranded without shelter while you wait for your flight. You will find 24-hour concessions landside at the airport, too.

Look out for the 'Pet Zone' locations

If you’ll have pets with you in the airport, you’ll be pleased to know that there are pet relief areas in both terminals. At Terminal 1, you’ll find a Pet Zone on the east side of the building on the Departures level outside Aisle Q and another on the ground level outside Door P. The Terminal 3 Pet Zone is located on the Arrivals level outside Door A. Each Pet Zone features synthetic grass and they are strictly non-smoking areas.

Both terminals handle domestic and international flights

Flights to and from Toronto Pearson are organized according to airline alliances, so the setup is unusual when compared to other airports. For more information, go to the YYZ website.

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Toronto Pearson International Airport FAQs

What are the quickest and cheapest ways to get to Toronto Pearson Airport from Niagara Falls, ON?

There are no forms of direct public transport connecting Toronto Pearson to Niagara Falls. The quickest way to get to the airport from Niagara Falls is by car and this journey takes around 70 minutes. If you don’t have your own car, renting one is only slightly more expensive than using a combination of public transport, but the latter will make the journey much longer (three hours or more).

Does the airport have free WiFi and, if so, how do I log on?

Yes, WiFi is free throughout YYZ. To log on, simply choose “Toronto Pearson Wi-Fi” from the list of available networks and the American Express landing page should pop up. If this doesn’t happen, launch your browser, tick the box to confirm you accept the terms and conditions and tap the green button.

Is smoking allowed in either terminal?

No. In line with Ontario law, YYZ does not allow smoking inside any of its buildings. However, there are smoking areas outside each terminal.

Can I fly to New York from Toronto Pearson?

Yes. Air Canada, American, Delta, United and WestJet all offer flights to New York.

Are dogs allowed in either terminal?

Pets are not allowed at YYZ unless they are service animals or kept within a cage.

Are there showers at YYZ?

Showers are not freely available. However, you will find showers in the Plaza Premium lounges and the Goodlife Fitness gym, both of which are accessible by all passengers at extra cost.