By Air
Toronto is served by two airports. Pearson International Airport, managed by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority is Canada’s principal airport with travel connections to every continent and ranks among the top 30 world airports in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements. There are over 76 scheduled and charter airlines currently serving Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air carriers provide non-stop service to 26 Canadian and 42 United States (transborder) destinations and same-plane service to 56 other International cities.
Air Canada, Canada’s flagship carrier and a founding member of the Star Alliance, relies on Pearson International Airport as its major Canadian hub with a wide variety of domestic, US and international connections.
Air carriers serving Pearson International:
Airlines operating out of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
Toronto City Centre Airport is one of the most convenient urban airports in the world. It is located on Toronto Island, minutes from the downtown core with links to the city by a short ferry ride and shuttle, and is served by Porter Airlines. Porter provides a unique and personal flying experience with air connections to regional Canadian and U.S. destinations, including Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, New York City (Newark) and Chicago. Visit www.flyporter.com for current flight schedules and additional information.
Flight Times from Major Cities to Toronto:
| Atlanta, GA |
2hrs, 20 min |
| Boston, MA |
1 hr, 30 min |
| Buffalo, NY |
55 min |
| Calgary, AB |
4 hrs |
| Chicago, IL |
1 hr, 30 min |
| Cleveland, OH |
1 hr, 10 min |
| Dallas, TX |
3 hrs, 25 min |
| Detroit, MI |
40 min |
| Halifax, NS |
2 hrs |
| Los Angeles, CA |
5 hrs, 20 min |
| Miami, FL |
3 hrs |
| Minneapolis, MN |
2 hrs, 10 min |
| Montreal, QC |
1 hr, 10 min |
| New York, NY |
1 hr, 30 min |
| Ottawa, ON |
1 hr |
| Philadelphia, PA |
1 hr, 30 min |
| Pittsburgh, PA |
1 hr
|
| San Francisco, CA |
5 hrs, 20 min |
| Vancouver, BC |
5 hrs, 10 min |
| Washington, DC |
1 hr, 30 min |
| Winnipeg, MB |
2 hrs, 30 min |
| Frankfurt, Germany |
7 hrs, 25 min |
| Hong Kong, China |
16 hrs, 30 min |
| London, England |
7 hrs |
| Osaka, Japan |
13 hrs, 10 min |
| Paris, France |
7 hrs, 25 min |
Borders & Customs
Canada has one of the most advanced customs organizations in the world, and our borders and the processes we have in place to manage them are critical to our ability to provide Canadians and visitors to Canada with the security and opportunity they expect. Visitors entering Canada must clear Canada Customs border security upon entry.
Entry into Canada
American visitors travelling by air require a valid passport to re-enter the United States.
Exception: U.S. citizens entering Canada by car or rail who plan to return to the U.S. prior to June 1, 2009 do not need to show a passport, but a government-issued ID with photo, such as a driver’s license, and proof of citizenship is required. As of June 1 2009, all individuals will be required to hold a valid passport to enter/re-enter the United States.
For more information on travel security and border procedures, visit the U.S. Department of State.
International Visitors: For specific information on travel documents required to visit Canada from countries other than the U.S., please refer to www.cbsa.gc.ca and www.cic.gc.ca.
UPDATE: As of July 13, 2009 the Canadian government requires visitors from Mexico to have a visa to travel to Canada. Visa information and application forms in Spanish can be found at: www.canada.org.mx or by calling toll free to 01-800-CANADA-0 (01-800-226-2320).
Bringing children into Canada
Children 15 years of age and under are now required to show proof of citizenship (a certified copy of their birth certificate is acceptable). They are not required to show photo ID. If you are travelling with children, you should carry identification for each child. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children. When travelling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children when arriving at the border. Customs officers are looking for missing children and may ask questions about the children who are travelling with you.
Returning to the United States
Every 30 days, returning U.S. citizens are allowed to bring back $800 (retail value) in merchandise duty-free, provided they have been out of the U.S. for 48 hours. This amount can include:
- one carton of cigarettes
- 100 cigars (not Cuban)
- two kilograms of smoking tobacco
- one litre of liquor, provided the buyer is 21 years of age
If the length of the stay is less than 48 hours, $200 in merchandise may be taken back to the U.S. duty-free (including up to five ounces of alcohol and 50 cigarettes). The following items are not permitted into the U.S.:
- Cuban or Iranian products
- fruits and vegetables
- uncooked grains
Goods bought in Canada but manufactured in the U.S. are duty-free and not included in the basic exemption. Original handmade crafts and works of art are also exempt; however, a receipt of purchase may be required.
For further information on U.S. customs regulations, please visit www.cbp.gov.