Because airlines may occasionally shift operations, passengers should always verify their terminal assignment on their airline ticket or the official airport website before heading to the airport. ## Traveling Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 If your travel plans require you to move from one terminal to the other, you do not need to walk or hire a taxi. The airport provides a complimentary shuttle train. * **The Terminal Link Train:** This automated people mover operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is completely free and wheelchair accessible. Trains arrive every few minutes, and the travel time between terminals is approximately two to three minutes. * **Viscount Station Stop:** In addition to connecting the two terminals, the train stops at Viscount Station. This station provides access to the airport's value parking lots, the Alt Hotel, and the employee parking areas.
### How to Access the Train * **From Terminal 1:** Head to the Terminal 1 parking garage (Level 5) and follow the overhead signs for the Terminal Link train. * **From Terminal 3:** Locate the pedestrian bridge on the retail level (Level 3) near the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, which leads directly to the train platform. ## Navigating Connecting Flights Connecting at Toronto Pearson depends heavily on your point of origin and your final destination. The airport uses color-coded signage to guide passengers through the connection process. Always follow the purple "Connections" signs if you are transferring to another flight. ### Domestic Connections If you are arriving on a domestic Canadian flight and connecting to another domestic flight within the same terminal, you can usually walk directly to your next gate without leaving the secure area (airside). If your connection requires a terminal change, you may need to exit to the public area (landside), take the Terminal Link train to the other terminal, and clear security again.
### International and US Connections * **Arriving from the US or International Destinations:** If you land in Toronto from an international location and are connecting to a Canadian destination, you must clear Canadian customs, retrieve your checked baggage, and recheck it at the designated drop-off counters before heading to your domestic departure gate. * **Departing to the US:** Passengers flying from Toronto to a US destination clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Toronto Pearson before boarding. This process, known as preclearance, means you will arrive in the US as a domestic passenger. Be sure to allow extra time to clear both security and customs. ## Ground Transportation and Parking Both terminals offer access to ground transportation on the arrivals levels. * **Union Pearson (UP) Express:** This dedicated rail link connects the airport to Union Station in downtown Toronto in approximately 25 minutes. The UP Express station is located in Terminal 1, adjacent to the Terminal Link train station. Passengers arriving at Terminal 3 must take the free Terminal Link train to Terminal 1 to access the train. * **Buses and Taxis:** Local public transit buses, including the TTC and GO Transit, stop at designated columns outside the arrivals level of both terminals. Taxis and rideshare pickup zones are also clearly marked outside both terminal buildings. * **Parking:** Daily parking garages are attached to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. For long-term parking, travelers can park at the Value Park Lot or Value Park Garage near Viscount Station and take the free Terminal Link train to either terminal.
## Tips for a Smooth Transit To ensure a seamless experience when navigating the airport: * **Check Flight Status Online:** Always consult the official Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) website or your airline's app for real-time gate and terminal updates. * **Arrive Early:** The airport recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international or US flights. * **Keep Travel Documents Handy:** Have your passport, boarding pass, and any required customs declarations ready as you move through transition points.
