Toronto Pearson International Airport Guide
Lasting Impressions....
Memorable comments left by travellers:
"Pearson International... now there is a hell on earth like no other. It is doing a fast race to the bottom and appears to be intent on winning." (Dave Herman)
"We spent the night on the floor using our dirty clothes as a way to keep warm." (Kanatagirl)
"I thought that I would be surrounded by young people but amazingly, the people sleeping in the terminal all seemed middle aged and middle class... all very respectable" (Danielle)
"there were lots of other people sleeping there, the airport staff, were friendly they even provided foamy mats for people to sleep on!" (?)
"Considering I had shared rooms with homeless people at a hostel in Toronto the airport was actually a rather pleasant experience." (Chris)
"a very nice security guard there promised she keep an eye on me and my stuff which made me feel a lot more secure. I told her the time I wanted to be woken up and 5 minutes prior to that time she gently shook me and off to check-in I went." (Chris)
FEATURED REVIEWS
by Jasmin
"I was flying to San Francisco from Ottawa and routing through Toronto. My flight got into Pearson at midnight and my connection wasn't till 6:30 am. YUCK! I had checked out this site before flying out and as a result brought a small blanket with me so that I could find somewhere to lie down for the night. (Best thing I did by the way! I will never travel without a blanket again!)
By the time I arrived though, the thought of sleeping on a bench in the airport was highly unappealing. I grabbed a shuttle train to the Sheraton which is attached to Terminal 3 of the airport. I was hoping to get a reduced rate since I would only be staying for about 4 hours.
When I asked the price, the receptionist behind the counter WROTE THE IT DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER and slipped it across the counter. 269 CND for 4 hours!!! I guess I was going to find the nearest bench after all.
Back in the airport I wandered around looking for a bench that didn't have arm rests. I saw none so I stopped an airport employee... "Listen I know I'm not really supposed to be sleeping here but I was just at the Sheraton..."
"Oh I know" he said. "Their prices are crazy! If you walk to the end of concourse B, there's a restaurant open all night. There are benches you can curl up on there."
Dragging my suitcase behind me, I found the spot he was talking about. It was right outside an all-night Wolfgang Puck's Express. There were all of TWO slightly padded benches but thankfully one of them was free. I lay down and managed to doze off but kept waking up due to cleaning crew and announcements and well, let's face it, because I was sleeping on a curved airport bench.
My travel alarm (which I had brought because of this site!!!) woke me after 3 hours and I went to check in.
Overall, it wasn't a great sleep but I am really happy that at the very least, I found a place to stretch out!"
Airport Guide
Terminal Guide:
- Airport Lounges
- Airport Facilities
- Airport Transportation: Getting Around
- Airport Transportation: Getting There
- Nearby Hotels
- Airport Maps
Toronto Pearson airport has two terminals - Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. We only use odd numbers when naming our terminals. I kid.... they knocked down the old Terminal 2 a few years ago.
Terminal 1 is the newer terminal, so considerable effort has been made to make this building as pretty, but useless, as possible. It is large and airy with lots of wasted space. You'll enjoy privacy here, but not much else! You will find little comfort, as there are armrests on every single chair - except for two 3 seaters on the 2nd level (landside). Landside it was cold with a draft on every level.
Terminal 3 is the older of the two terminals. Landside - the terminal shows signs of age and the carpets are old and faded. They are probably fine, but I wouldn't want to sleep on it. Fortunately, there is no need to, as the seats on the arrivals and departures levels do not have armrests. Since I live in Toronto, I did an airport sleeper inspection during a snow storm in 2009 to evaluate the airport's sleep worthiness. Considering flights were being cancelled and the airport was packed there was still lots of seating. Head down to the car rentals hallway on the arrivals level. It is quiet and there is one long wall of seats without armrests. Both levels are warm - making your rest even more enjoyable.
There is no entertainment here, so bring your own.
Staff are friendly and helpful in both terminals with the exception of the US Immigration officers who treat you like a security risk and potential illegal alien. Its one thing to explain your motives for visiting their country when you are actually in their country, but you may just want to cancel your trip after having to explain yourself on your own soil. Yes, if you are flying to the US, you will go through US Immigration in Toronto not in the US.
While this is not related to sleeping in the airport, my one pet peeve about this airport is the distance. If you have never visited Toronto Pearson airport before, take note that you will require good walking shoes and a Vitamin B12 injection for an energy boost. The trek from the gate you've just been dumped off to Immigration will get your heart pumping. Additionally, on a short flight from New York City you will be amazed that the time you've just spent navigating from the runway to the gate is almost as long as your flight. Ok, I exaggerate.... but just slightly! To get your bearings in Toronto Pearson airport, I recommend that you watch these airport wayfinder videos before your visit.
Read more Toronto Airport Reviews from our readers.
Airport Lounges
There are a total of 5 pay-per-use lounges in Toronto Pearson International Airport. Located airside in Terminals 1 and 3.
- Plaza Premium Lounge
Offers food & beverages, alcoholic drinks, Internet / WiFi and more. Rates: CA$ 30-35 for 3 hours.
- Terminal 1 - Pearson Lounge - Airside, near Gate 177 on Level 3. Hours: 0500-2130
- Terminal 1 - US Transborder - Airside on level 2. CA$ 30-35 for 3 hours. Hours: 0500-2030
- Terminal 1 - Domestic - Airside. CA$ 30-35 for 3 hours. Hours: 0500-2230
- Terminal 3 - Domestic - Airside, Level 2. Hours: 0500-2130
- Terminal 3 - International - Airside, Concourse C, Level 3, across from Gate C32. Hours: 0500-2000
- KLM Crown Lounge - Terminal 3 - Airside, Concourse C, next to Gate 33. Offers beverages (including alcohol), Internet/WiFi, and more. Hours: 1300-2359.
book this lounge
Airport Facilities
- Luggage storage / Lockers
Terminal (Level 3) - hidden at the far end of the terminal behind the A section ticket counters.
Terminal 3 (Level 2) - located at the center of the airport in the Canada ticket counter. It is hidden behind the ticket counters before entering security.
Rates are per day, according to size $4 (small), $6 (medium), $8 (large), $10 (extra large). Open 05:00-01:00 - Showers
Airside in the Plaza Lounge (Terminal 3). See also Sheraton Gateway (in the Nearby Hotels section listed below) - WiFi / Internet
There is WiFi airside. Look for the Bell or Boingo networks on your device. At the time of writing, you had to pay for the service. - Prayer Rooms
...or the Aviation Interfaith Ministry as it is referred to at the Toronto airport. According to the airport web site, the interfaith centers "provide an oasis for people of diverse faiths to enter into reflection, prayer and quiet time amid the bustle of airport life. " Worship services are offered throughout the day. Rooms are located landside Terminal 1 (Level 1) and Terminal 3 (Level 2) - Children's Play Areas
Your little rugrats will be mildly entertained here with a few small play areas available airside.
Terminal 1 (Level 2) - You'll find them at gates 105, 124 139, 145
Terminal 3 (Level 2 ) - this play area seems to be an after thought. It is located at the far end of the terminal at C35. Any further away and it would be on the tarmac.
- Food / Dining
There are plenty of dining options landside and airside. None open 24 hours. - Food / Dining
If you have any food recommendations/warnings, email me and I will add it to the list.- Tim Hortons - Terminal 1, landside, Arrivals Level
- Entertainment
Travellers in transit will be bored out of their minds. There is nothing to do here. The landside art exhibit in Terminal 1 will take about 5 minutes of your time. Beside that, it is recommended that you bring a good book or a laptop with some movies loaded onto it.
Ground Transportation: Getting There
Public Transportation - The airport is very accessible by public transit.
- TTC -
192 Airport Rocket - express bus service to/from Kipling Subway Station. Departs from Arrivals Levels at Terminals 1 and 3. Journey time:
20 min Fare: $3.00. No additional payment at the subway which you will take to continue to downtown. See Schedule here.
Express Airport Shuttle Buses
The Airport Express is a direct shuttle link between downtown and the airport.
Journey Time: 30-60 depending on time of day. Fare: $ 20
Taxis
While you can take a taxi to the airport, taxis
are not permitted to pick-up passengers. You need to take a Limosine.
Airport Limo
They have set fares according to what zone you are going to. It pisses me off that I have to pay $ 50 + tip for a 15 minute ride to where I live, so I call Mom a lot!
Airport Transportation: Getting Around
The free 24-hour Link Train connects Terminal 1 and 3. It only takes a few minutes, so if you are looking for comfort head over to Terminal 3.
Nearby Hotels
Sheraton Gateway - has a 24 hour fitness center with gym, pool, whirlpool, sauna and change room. Purchase a day pass at the front desk for $ 25.
Airport Maps
Click to download Toronto Airport Terminal Maps
Toronto Airport Travel Tips
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:
- helpful airport employees will tell you where the best spots are located
- terminal 3 has better sleep spots than terminal 1
- more seats without armrests at terminal 3
- seating with armrests at terminal 1
- pre-security Tim Hortons in Terminal 1. There might be one at Terminal 3, but I did not see it.
- clean
- baggage crew apparently do not unload planes when there is thunder or lightning, so you may have to wait in baggage claim for longer than expected during a storm
Toronto Discount Travel Links
- Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Toronto - I've booked my own accommodation here. If you are too old for hostels and too cheap for hotels, like me, you'll find some good properties here.
- Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about hotels in Toronto
