Getting to Toronto Canada

Toronto is a major international destination and is serviced by major airlines, private transit, and rail operators.

By Plane
Most flights arrive at Pearson International Airport, in the northwest corner of Metro Toronto, approximately 30 minutes from downtown. The trip may take longer during the morning rush 7 to 9am. A few commuter flights land at the Toronto Island Airport, a short ferry ride from downtown.

Pearson has three terminals, served by more than 50 airlines. The most spectacular is the Trillium Terminal 3 905/612-5100. This supermodern facility has moving walkways, a huge food court, and many retail stores. There is a new, equally grand terminal currently under construction, which will one day replace the existing terminals 1 and 2.

To get from the airport to downtown, take Highway 427 south to the Gardiner Expressway East. taxi; flat-rate limousine, and hotel shuttles are ways of travel from the airport to town.

The Airport Express bus 905/564-6333 travels between the airport, the bus terminal, and all major downtown hotels.

There is also bus service between the airport and York Mills and Yorkdale subway stations every 40 minutes.

The cheapest way to go is by subway and bus, which takes about an hour. The TTC airport bus no. 58A travels between the Lawrence West subway station and Pearson Airport Terminal 2. 416/393-4636.

By Train:
By train, you'll end up at Union Station, which is at the base of Yonge Street at the beginning of downtown Toronto and across from the Royal York Hotel, near the harbourfront. Union Station is served by VIA Rail and GO Transit commuter trains. Reservations are essential, and various passes are available. The US Amtrak train company also runs services between the US and Canada.

By Bus
If you take a bus or train to Toronto from anywhere in North America, you will end up downtown. Numerous Ontario buses and Canada-US Greyhound buses leave from and arrive at the Metro Toronto Coach Terminal at the corner of Bay and Dundas Sts. Some buses also depart from an adjacent terminal on the western side, including GO Transit commuter services.

Private taxis are the quickest way into the city and out of the airport. Between CAD$40 and 50 should do the trick.

Expressways on all four sides of Toronto experience continual congestion and, except during winter, construction never ends. Still, car and motorcycle travel allow you to choose your own route. If you can get to Pelee Island, Ontario, a ferry crosses over to the US, to Ohio. Innovative, alternative services - such as jump-on and jump-off buses - geared to budget travelers and hostelers also operate throughout Canada.