Toronto Pearson Airport: Clear US Customs Before You Even Board

Getting there, at a glance

Amenities, at a glance

Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ) is Canada’s busiest airport by a wide margin, serving more than 47 million passengers a year. It’s the primary hub for Air Canada and sits about 27 km northwest of downtown Toronto.

Overview

Pearson operates two terminals, both large enough to handle the full range of domestic, transborder, and international traffic. One of its most distinctive features is a huge US border preclearance facility — one of the largest of its kind anywhere — which lets US-bound passengers clear American customs and immigration before boarding, arriving in the US as a domestic flight. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority reported 46.8 million passengers for 2024, up 4.4% on 2023, with international travel — 30.4 million of the total — leading the growth.

Terminals

• Terminal 1: The larger of the two, home to Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners, along with several non-alliance carriers including Emirates.
• Terminal 3: Other international and domestic carriers.

Terminal 2 no longer exists in its original form — Pearson now operates with just Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, connected by the Link Train people mover.

Airlines

Air Canada dominates Pearson as its largest hub, operating an extensive domestic network alongside major international routes to Europe, Asia, and beyond, based mainly in Terminal 1. WestJet and a range of international carriers also serve the airport.

How to Get There

• UP Express Train: $12.35 for a walk-up adult ticket ($9.25 with a PRESTO card), the fastest and most reliable option at just 25 minutes direct to Union Station downtown, running every 15 minutes from about 4:55am to 1am.
• Taxi (flat rate): A regulated flat fare of $60–$75 applies to downtown Toronto regardless of traffic, about 30–45 minutes for the roughly 28 km trip.
• Uber / Lyft: Generally priced at or below the taxi flat rate, with no surge pricing complications for most trips, about 30–45 minutes.

Prices above are indicative and can change — always check current fares with UP Express or your ride-hailing app.

Getting Through Security and Passport Control

• Domestic flights: Security only. Typically 20–25 minutes off-peak, up to 30–40 minutes during busy periods.
• International / US flights: Security plus either Canadian passport control (for international) or full US preclearance (for US-bound flights) — a longer process than standard security since it functions as full US border processing. Typically 30–45 minutes off-peak, up to 50–70 minutes at peak, especially for US preclearance during busy transborder departure banks.
• Because US preclearance is essentially a full US customs and immigration process happening in Canada, treat a US-bound flight from YYZ with the same time buffer as a genuinely international departure — it is not a quicker “domestic-style” process just because you’ll land in the US.

Parking

Both terminals have extensive adjacent short- and long-stay car parks, plus more affordable off-site lots connected by shuttle. Pre-booking online is cheaper than the walk-up rate.

Wifi

Free, unlimited wifi is available throughout Pearson with no time cap.

Airport Hotel

The Sheraton Gateway Hotel is built directly into Terminal 3 — no shuttle or outdoor walk required, just an indoor connection from the terminal itself. Its in-house restaurant, &More by Sheraton, is a genuinely convenient option if you’re staying overnight or have a long layover and don’t want to leave security.

Best Times to Arrive

• Domestic flights: 90 minutes before departure is typically enough.
• International/US flights: Arrive 3 hours ahead, especially for US preclearance during peak transborder departure times, when the preclearance lines can be as busy as full international processing.
• Given Pearson’s significant volume of connecting traffic, build extra buffer time into tight connections, particularly if you’re switching between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

Where to Eat

Both terminals have a solid mix of Canadian staples — including, inevitably, several Tim Hortons locations — alongside national and international chains and sit-down restaurant options. Terminal 1 has the larger overall selection.

Lounges

• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges across Terminal 1, accessible with eligible tickets, elite status, or membership.
• Several Priority Pass-affiliated lounges are also available across both terminals.

Duty-Free Shopping

Pearson’s duty-free selection includes Canadian specialties — whisky, maple syrup, and ice wine — alongside the usual international fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands.

Airport Map

This is a simplified layout to help you get oriented — for real-time, gate-by-gate wayfinding, use Pearson’s official resources.

Useful Links

• Official airport site (Toronto Pearson) — terminal info, services, live flight status.
• UP Express — train tickets and schedules.
• CBSA — US preclearance info — Canada Border Services Agency.

Long Layover Tips

• With 5+ hours and eligibility to enter Canada, downtown Toronto is reachable via UP Express in just 25 minutes — the waterfront and CN Tower area are a short walk from Union Station.
• If staying airside, Terminal 1 has the widest range of lounges and dining for a long wait.
• If your onward flight is to the US, remember that preclearance means you’ll go through full US border processing in Toronto — don’t assume it’s a quick formality, and budget accordingly.