Most international arrivals at Toronto Pearson clear the airport in about an hour. You deplane, confirm your identity with the Canada Border Services Agency at a Primary Inspection Kiosk, collect any checked bags, and walk out to ground transport. Domestic flights and US arrivals that were precleared skip the customs hall and reach the curb faster. Here is the full process, which terminal you land at, and how to get downtown once you are through.
Live Toronto Pearson arrivals board
Track landings in real time below. Each flight shows its terminal, status, and scheduled time. If you are meeting someone, check the board against the airline's own app before you leave home, since gate and baggage details change after a plane is in the air.
The YYZ arrivals process, step by step
- Deplane and follow the signs. International passengers head to Canada Customs; domestic passengers go straight to baggage and the exit.
- Confirm your identity and declare your goods at a Primary Inspection Kiosk (PIK) or eGate. Up to five travellers from the same household can use one kiosk together.
- Collect checked baggage from the carousel listed for your flight.
- Hand your kiosk receipt to the border officer on your way out, then step into the arrivals level.
Customs and immigration at YYZ
CBSA screens everyone landing on an international or US flight. The quickest route through is Advance Declaration: submit your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours before you fly, then follow the green Express Lane signs after you land. Toronto Pearson confirms that Advance Declaration users get their own express lanes at the kiosks. Connecting onward? You still clear customs at your first Canadian airport, so if YYZ is your entry point you pick up your bags, clear, and re-check them for the next leg.
Which terminal will I arrive at?
Toronto Pearson has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, and there is no Terminal 2. Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners land at Terminal 1; WestJet and most other carriers use Terminal 3. Our guide to which terminal each airline uses breaks it down by carrier. Both terminals have full customs halls, and if you need to switch buildings the free LINK Train runs around the clock. See the terminals guide for the layout.
What is in the arrivals area
Each terminal's arrivals level has ATMs and currency exchange, car-rental desks, and clearly marked meeting points. Seating and food are limited once you are landside, so it pays to arrange your ride before you reach the carousel. Taxis, limos, rideshare pickup, and the UP Express train are all signed from the arrivals hall.
Getting from arrivals to downtown
You have four main ways into the city. The full breakdown of fares and routes is in our guide to the cheapest way from Pearson to downtown; the table below is the quick version.
| Option | Approx. fare (CAD) | Time to downtown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UP Express train | ~12.35 | ~25 min | Station at Terminal 1; fastest to Union |
| Taxi or limo | ~60 to 75 | 30 to 50 min | Flat-zone fares, all terminals |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | ~40 to 65 | 30 to 50 min | Designated pickup zones |
| TTC 900 bus + subway | ~3.35 | 50 to 70 min | Cheapest, but more transfers |
Fares move with demand and season, so treat these as a guide. For Union Station specifically, see how to get from the airport to Union Station.
Checking real-time arrival information
The board above pulls live data, but your airline's app is the most accurate source for gate and carousel numbers. Search the code YYZ on any flight tracker to follow the inbound leg. Plan for 15 to 60 minutes between touchdown and the curb once you add taxiing, customs, and bag claim. Evening arrival waves, when several wide-body flights land together, sit at the long end of that range.
Arriving in winter
From December through March, snow and de-icing can delay landings and slow the roads outside. Build in buffer time if you have an onward connection, have warm layers reachable before you hit the curb, and confirm your ride can still reach the airport in a storm. Toronto Pearson keeps operating through winter weather, but schedules drift on the worst days.
Tips for a smooth arrival
- File your Advance Declaration the day before and follow the green signs to skip the regular customs queue.
- Have a small amount of Canadian cash for tips and the odd machine that is card-shy.
- Book your transfer or rental before you land so you are not deciding at the carousel.
- If you are connecting at YYZ, leave at least two to three hours; you re-clear security after customs.
- Note your terminal in advance so anyone meeting you waits at the right building.
Lost something on the way through the airport? See our guide to lost and found at Toronto Pearson.
Need to get online? See how to connect to free WiFi at Toronto Pearson.
Flight not going to plan? Our guide to delays, cancellations and APPR compensation at Toronto Pearson covers what the airline owes you and what to do first.
