Toronto Airport Terminals

Toronto Airport consists of two terminal buildings, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, as well as one additional concourse, the Infield Concourse, which is connected to Terminal 3. The former Terminal 2 was demolished in 2007 and replaced by the enormous new Terminal 1, which largely expanded over the area previously occupied by Terminal 2. As a result, today YYZ passenger traffic is handled by two terminals only.

Both terminals serve international and domestic flights. The division between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 is not based on destinations but rather on airline alliances.

Toronto Airport Terminal 1

Terminal 1 of Toronto International Airport is massive in size. Having absorbed the former Terminal 2, it now covers approximately 3,724,000 sq ft (346,000 square meters). Terminal 1 is the largest terminal in Canada and ranks among the 15 largest airport terminals worldwide.

It handles flights operated by Air Canada, Star Alliance member airlines, as well as unaffiliated carriers such as Air North, Canadian North, Emirates, Eurowings Discover, and Lynx Air. The terminal has a total of 58 gates, distributed across three concourses (D, E, and F). Two of its gates are capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, currently operated at YYZ exclusively by Emirates.

Terminal 1 is spread across four levels:

Ground Floor: Ground transportation services
Level 1: Arrivals
Level 2: Departures, with access to all gates
Level 3: International check-in and boarding area

Terminal 1 offers a full range of facilities and amenities, including an eight-story parking garage, multiple lounges, and the ThyssenKrupp Express Walkways — the fastest-moving walkways in the world — ensuring quick and easy passenger movement.

In addition to standard customs facilities, Terminal 1 includes a dedicated Customs B area. This facility serves international and transborder passengers connecting to another international flight (excluding the U.S.), allowing them to proceed directly to Pier E without rechecking baggage or undergoing additional lengthy procedures.

Toronto Airport Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is the second terminal at Toronto Pearson Airport. While smaller than Terminal 1, it remains a large and well-equipped facility. Opened in 1991, Terminal 3 serves as a hub for WestJet and handles flights for Oneworld and SkyTeam alliance members, along with several unaffiliated airlines.

Terminal 3 contains Gates A, B, and C and operates a total of 48 gates, bringing the airport’s total gate count to 106.

Its layout is similar to that of Terminal 1:

Level 1: Arrivals
Level 2: Departures, with direct connections to the parking garage, Sheraton Gateway Hotel, and Terminal Link Train
Level 3: Passenger connections level

Terminal 3 provides numerous passenger facilities, including parking, direct access to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, and a landside shopping area known as Node C. Please note that flights to the United States have a separate check-in and processing area.

The Infield Concourse is connected to Terminal 3 by bus and is considered part of Terminal 3 operations. Passengers arriving at or departing from the Infield Concourse are processed through Terminal 3. Originally built to handle traffic during the construction of Terminal 1, the Infield Concourse remains in use today, offering six additional bridged gates. When not required for flight operations, it is often used as a film set.

Transfer Between Toronto Airport Terminals

Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are connected by the automated people mover (APM) known as the Terminal Link Train. This free, fully accessible train operates 24/7.

During peak hours (03:30–08:00 and 11:30–12:30), the train runs every 4 minutes. At all other times, service is provided every 8 minutes. Depending on your origin and destination, travel time ranges between 2 and 8 minutes.

The Terminal Link Train also connects passengers to Terminal 1 Parking Garage, Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Alt Hotel, Value Parking Garage, and Viscount Station.

Train stations are located:

At Level 5 of the Terminal 1 Parking Garage
At the pedestrian bridge between Terminal 3 and the Sheraton Gateway Hotel (accessible via elevators or escalators)
At Level 4 of the Value Park Garage

FAQ

What is the difference between terminal 1 and terminal 3 at Pearson Airport?

Toronto airport terminal 1 is the largest of the two terminals. In fact, it is the largest Canadian terminal and among the biggest by floor space in the world. It mainly serves Air Canada and the other Star Alliance members, along with Emirates and a few other unaffiliated air carriers. On the other hand, terminal 3 handles flights operated by Oneworld and Skyteam members as well as by numerous independent airlines.

Is terminal 1 Toronto domestic or international?

The two Toronto airport terminals don’t serve international and domestic flights respectively. Conversely, they both handle flights to every part of the world. As a matter of fact, each terminal houses different airline alliances.

Can you walk between terminals at YYZ?

No, you can’t walk the distance between the two Toronto airport terminals. Still, the free APM Terminal Link Train connects the two terminals 24/7. It has available routes every 4 minutes during peak hours and every 8 minutes at other times, and needs about 2 minutes to travel from one terminal to the other.