How to Get to Toronto

Short answer: fly into Toronto Pearson and take the airport train to Union Station, or arrive by rail from Montreal or Ottawa. Both put you in the middle of downtown, from where most hotels are a short walk or subway ride away.

By air

Pearson, in Mississauga to the north-west, is Toronto's main international airport and handles most long-haul and US flights. It has two terminals, so check which one your airline uses before arrival. The UP Express train is the simplest link, since it runs non-stop to Union Station in under half an hour. A bus connects Pearson with the western subway, and ride apps and taxis cover door-to-door trips. Allow extra time at rush hour on the highways, and keep your passport and landing paperwork within reach for the immigration hall, where queues vary a great deal by time of day.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport sits on an island just off the downtown waterfront. It serves short-haul flights, mainly domestic and nearby US routes, and the terminal is reached through a pedestrian tunnel or a short ferry crossing. If your route uses it, you can be in your hotel faster than from Pearson. Check the airlines currently operating there.

Some travellers also look at smaller airports at Hamilton, to the west, or Buffalo in New York State, across the border. They can offer cheaper flights, but the ground journey is long and the border crossing adds time and complication, so only choose them if the saving is large.

By train

Union Station is the rail heart of the region. VIA Rail runs the long-distance corridor trains from Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston, and from Windsor and London in the south-west. Services from Niagara Falls and Hamilton arrive on GO Transit, the commuter network. A New York to Toronto Amtrak service has operated via Niagara Falls, though its schedule and border arrangements have changed, so check before relying on it. Reserve rail tickets ahead for weekends and holidays. The train is the pleasant choice from Montreal or Ottawa, with city-centre arrival and no airport queue.

By bus and car

Long-distance coach networks reach Toronto from Ontario towns and across the border. The main coach terminal is near Union Station, and operators change often, so check current timetables and companies. For driving, the main routes in are Highway 401 across the city, the QEW from Niagara and Hamilton, and the Gardiner Expressway along the lakeshore. The 407 toll road is electronic with no booths, and the bill follows your licence plate, which matters for hire cars. Our guide to getting around Toronto explains why you will not want a car once you arrive. Border crossings from the United States need a passport, and entering Canada by car is straightforward when the paperwork is ready.

Arriving: first practicalities

From Union Station you can walk into the downtown core underground or at street level. The CN Tower, hotels and Harbourfront are within a few blocks, and the subway starts right under the station. Pay for transit with a contactless card or PRESTO. If you land at night, use the UP Express where it runs or a licensed taxi, and avoid unlicensed offers in the arrivals hall.

For a first trip, the where to stay page explains which zone suits your arrival point. Our travel guide covers entry paperwork, money and the basics. Check official transport sites for current schedules, as services are adjusted for works and seasons.

One more planning point: if you are combining Toronto with Niagara Falls or Montreal, rail is often the calmest option, and GO buses and trains cover many day trips from Union Station. Travelling light helps, since station stairs and streetcar steps are less friendly to large suitcases than the airport train.