Toronto is Canada’s primary global hub. Whether you are traveling for business in the Financial District or visiting for leisure, your trip begins at one of two main airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Pearson is the massive international gateway located in Mississauga, while Billy Bishop sits on an island steps away from the downtown core. Most international travelers will arrive via Pearson, which handles over 50 million passengers annually. This guide covers how to secure the best rates, choose the right terminal, and navigate ground transportation efficiently.
Which airport should you fly into?
Toronto is served by two primary airports and one secondary regional option. Choosing the right one depends on your origin and your final destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): Located 27 km (17 miles) northwest of downtown. This is the main hub for Air Canada and WestJet. If you are flying long-haul from Europe, Asia, or South America, you will land here.
- Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ): Located on Toronto Island, less than 3 km (2 miles) from the city center. This airport is primarily used by Porter Airlines and Air Canada Jazz for short-haul flights from the US Northeast and Eastern Canada. It is the most convenient option for downtown business travelers.
- John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM): Located 85 km (53 miles) southwest of Toronto. It is a secondary hub for budget carriers. While flights are often cheaper, you will spend significantly more on transit or a two-hour shuttle to reach Toronto.
Best time to book flights to Toronto
Timing your booking is the most effective way to lower your travel costs. Data shows that for domestic Canadian flights, you should book at least 3 to 5 weeks in advance. For transborder flights from the United States, the sweet spot is 7 to 10 weeks before departure.
If you are flying internationally from Europe or Asia, aim to book 4 to 6 months out. Mid-week bookings—specifically Tuesdays and Wednesdays—consistently yield lower prices than weekends. Avoid booking on Sundays, as demand spikes from business travelers planning their coming week.
Cheapest months to fly to Toronto
Toronto's flight prices fluctuate based on the season. To find the cheapest flights to Toronto, target the "shoulder" and "off-peak" seasons:
- Lowest Cost: January and February. These are the coldest months. Demand drops, and airlines slash prices to fill seats.
- Best Value: May and October. The weather is mild, but you avoid the summer peak pricing.
- Highest Cost: July, August, and late December. July and August are peak tourism months. December prices surge due to holiday travel.
If you are flexible, flying during the first two weeks of November often results in significant savings before the winter holiday rush begins.
Direct flights vs connecting flights
Direct flights to Toronto are available from almost every major global hub. If you are flying from the US East Coast or major European cities like London or Frankfurt, a direct flight is usually worth the slight premium for the time saved.
However, if you are looking for the absolute cheapest flights to Toronto, consider a connection.
- US Travelers: Connecting through hubs like Detroit (DTW) or Chicago (ORD) can sometimes save $100–$200 compared to a direct flight from the West Coast.
- International Travelers: Flights with a layover in Montreal (YUL) or Reykjavik (KEF) via Icelandair are often the most budget-friendly ways to reach Pearson (YYZ).
- The Trade-off: A direct flight to YYZ from London takes 8 hours. A connecting flight can take 12 to 15 hours. Evaluate if the savings outweigh the loss of a half-day of your trip.
Best airlines flying to Toronto
Several major carriers dominate the Toronto market. Your choice will likely depend on your loyalty program and departure city.
- Air Canada: The national carrier with the most frequent domestic and international schedules into Pearson (YYZ).
- Porter Airlines: Known for a premium economy experience on short-haul routes, flying primarily into Billy Bishop (YTZ) and Pearson (YYZ).
- WestJet: Canada’s second-largest airline, offering extensive North American coverage and growing international routes.
- United/Delta/American: These US legacy carriers operate dozens of daily flights into Toronto from their respective domestic hubs.
- Flair Airlines: A "Ultra Low-Cost Carrier" (ULCC) that offers basic fares for travelers prioritizing price over amenities.
Getting from the airport to the city center
Toronto has modernized its airport transit significantly. You have several options depending on your budget and luggage.
From Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
- UP Express (Train): The fastest option. It runs every 15 minutes and takes you from Pearson to Union Station (downtown) in 25 minutes. Cost: ~$12.35 CAD one way.
- Taxi/Limo: Fixed-rate fares are determined by airport zones. Expect to pay $60–$80 CAD to reach the downtown core.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Available at designated pickup zones in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Prices fluctuate based on surge pricing but usually range from $50–$70 CAD.
- TTC (Public Transit): The cheapest option. The 900 Airport Rocket bus connects to the subway system. Cost: $3.35 CAD.
From Billy Bishop (YTZ)
- Pedestrian Tunnel: A free 6nd-minute walk underground connects the island airport to the mainland.
- Ferry: A free 90-second ferry ride runs every 15 minutes.
- Shuttle: A free dedicated shuttle bus runs between the airport mainland terminal and Royal York Hotel (near Union Station).
Flight duration from major cities
Approximate flight times to Toronto (YYZ) for your planning:
- New York (LGA/JFK): 1 hour 30 minutes
- London (LHR): 8 hours
- Los Angeles (LAX): 5 hours
- Chicago (ORD): 1 hour 45 minutes
- Vancouver (YVR): 4 hours 30 minutes
- Dubai (DXB): 14 hours 30 minutes
- Mexico City (MEX): 5 hours
Tips for finding cheap flights to Toronto
- Use Private Browsing: Airlines track your search history via cookies. If you keep searching for the same route, prices may artificially increase. Use an incognito window.
- Monitor Secondary Airports: If YYZ is too expensive, check flights into Hamilton (YHM) or even Buffalo, NY (BUF). If you are flying from within the US, flying to Buffalo and taking a 2-hour bus/shuttle across the border can sometimes save hundreds of dollars.
- Fly Mid-Week: Tuesday and Wednesday are statistically the cheapest days to fly. Avoid Friday afternoon and Sunday evening departures when demand is at its peak.
- Set Price Alerts: Use a flight aggregator to track "flights to Toronto" and set an alert. Prices change daily; booking when the algorithm flags a "low" fare saves you from manual checking.
- Bundle Your Travel: If you need a hotel, booking your flight and accommodation together through a single platform often unlocks "hidden" wholesale rates not available to the public.