Wondering if a 1 hour layover is enough time in Toronto? I’ve got good news: in many situations, yes, that’s plenty of time. However, there are a handful of situations where it won’t be.
- In general, 45 minute domestic to domestic connections at YYZ are possible as long as you’re not changing terminals.
- The problem (as you’ll read below) is that there are two separate terminals at the Toronto Airport. They are not connected airside, meaning that you’ll have to go through a security checkpoint to get into either one. Combine that with a possible need to go through customs or US Preclearance, and it gets a little hairy.
Don’t worry though. I’ll explain the time that you’ll need for each situation in greater detail below. Feel free to reach for the antacid before proceeding (if you must).
The reason why a 1 hour layover is enough time in Toronto (sometimes)
If you are connecting from one Canadian city to another at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, and you’re not changing airlines, 1 hour or less is enough (most of the time).
You most likely won’t have to change terminals, and your connecting flight will be located within short walking distance to you were arriving flight. It’s easy.
For the majority of passengers who travel through YYZ, this will be the case.
Reasons why a 1 hour layover might not be enough time
The problem with the Toronto Airport is that there are two separate terminals. Although they are connected by a very convenient train (officially referred to as Terminal Link), you can’t get from one to the other without having to go through a security checkpoint.
If you are making a domestic to domestic connection at YYZ, and you need to change terminals, plan for a minimum layover of an hour and a half.
You’re going to need even more time than that if you need to pass through the US Preclearance checkpoint, or if you’re arriving from an international flight (since you’ll have to go through Canadian passport control and customs).
How does that antacid taste? Don’t worry, here’s where I start breaking down how long of a layover you’ll need for each situation…
What is the minimum layover for domestic flights at YYZ?
As noted above, and my personal minimum layover time for a domestic to domestic connection in Toronto is 45 minutes if I’m not changing terminals.
If I’m changing terminals, I would want an hour and a half since it’s impossible to know how long it’s going to take to get through the security checkpoint.
What is the minimum layover for international flights at YYZ?
Unlike many other major international airports in the world, making an international connection in Toronto is a little different depending on where you’re flying to. Here are the three possible scenarios and the time you’ll need for each layover:
1. Connecting TO a flight headed to the United States:
The good news about connecting to a US-bound flight in Toronto is that you’ll pass through United States passport control and customs at the Toronto airport. You won’t have to do that when you arrive in the US.
The bad news is that the US Preclearance procedure is going to add some extra time to your layover.
Going through US Preclearance takes just as much time as going through passport control at any other airport. Therefore, since it’s impossible to really know how long that’s going to take, I would want a 2 hour layover when connecting to a flight bound for the United States.
2. Connecting TO an international flight (anywhere in the world other than the United States):
Connecting to an international flight (other than one bound for the US) from a domestic flight in YYZ is about the same as it is for making domestic to domestic connections. You won’t have to pass through any passport control or customs checks, but you might have to change terminals. It just depends on what airline you’re flying.
If you don’t have to change terminals, a 1 hour layover will be sufficient. If you do have to change terminals, go easy on yourself and try for a 2 hour layover if it’s an option.
3. Connecting FROM an international flight:
Connecting from one international flight to a another in Toronto is going to happen one of three ways (I told you this was going to be complicated):
A. Connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight:
Since you’ll need to pass through passport control and customs upon arrival, give yourself a little extra time. A 2 hour minimum layover is what I recommend.
B. Connecting from an international flight to a US bound flight:
Instead of passing through passport control and customs to enter Canada, you will be directed towards the queue to enter the US Preclearance area to “officially” enter the United States (even though you’re technically still in Canada). This will take just about as long as it would if you’re entering Canada. Plan for 2 hours.
C. Connecting from an international flight to another international flight (other than the US):
Making a connection from one international flight to another in Toronto may require a terminal change. Not always, but it’s always better to plan for the worst. A 2 hour layover is the absolute minimum you would want for this type of connection.
A brief overview of the terminal layout at the Toronto Pearson International Airport
The layout of the Toronto Pearson international airport drives my OCD absolutely nuts. There are two terminals (1 and 3), which are connected by a train which runs between them every few minutes.
The problem I have with the layout of YYZ is the naming of the terminals. Terminal 2 simply doesn’t exist. Not only that, the lettered gate groupings aren’t very well organized. It’s a little confusing.
Walking time between all terminals at YYZ
The Toronto Pearson International Airport is massive. It’s the largest airport in Canada (in both size and passenger volume), and it can be a bit intimidating on your first visit.
Thankfully, it’s a very passenger-friendly airport and walking from one end to the other isn’t all that challenging. The Terminal Link train which connects both terminals makes things go a lot faster. The bottleneck obviously is having to go through an additional security checkpoint to enter each terminal.
Here’s how long it takes to walk between all terminals and gates at YYZ:
Terminal 1 A gates to:
- Terminal 1 B gates: 5 minutes
- Terminal 1 C gates: 10 minutes
- Terminal 3 D gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 E gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 F gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
Terminal 1 B gates to:
- Terminal 1 A gates: 5 minutes
- Terminal 1 C gates: 5 minutes
- Terminal 3 D gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 E gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 F gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
Terminal 1 C gates to:
- Terminal 1 A gates: 10 minutes
- Terminal 1 B gates: 5 minutes
- Terminal 3 D gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 E gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 F gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
Terminal 3 D gates to:
- Terminal 1 A gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 1 B gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 1 C gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 E gates: 8 minutes
- Terminal 3 F gates: 11 minutes
Terminal 3 E gates to:
- Terminal 1 A gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 1 B gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 1 C gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 D gates: 8 minutes
- Terminal 3 F gates: 5 minutes
Terminal 3 F gates to:
- Terminal 1 A gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 1 B gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 1 C gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
- Terminal 3 D gates: 11 minutes
- Terminal 3 E gates: 5 minutes
As always, plan to give yourself a little extra time if it’s your first time at this airport. And maybe even a little more time than that if you’re traveling with anyone who just doesn’t want to be there with you. Hey, it happens.
How long of a layover do you need in Toronto for a no-stress connection?
Making a n0-stress connection in Toronto is going to take a bit more time than other airports. I blame this fully on the fact that you’ll need to pass through additional security checkpoints to move from terminal to terminal. Here’s how long I would want for a no stress layover in Toronto for a variety of different situations:
1. Domestic to domestic connections
Even though a terminal change is highly unlikely if you’re making a domestic to domestic connection, I would still want a 2 hour layover. Just in case.
2. Domestic to United States connections
Terminal change or not, you’re going to have to pass through US Preclearance before boarding your flight. This is exactly like going through passport control at any other airport. Call me paranoid, but I would want a 3 hour layover to keep from stressing myself out.
Note that I said the same thing in my guide to short layovers at YVR, so 3 hours isn’t a YYZ-specific thing.
3. Domestic to international connections (to anywhere other than the US)
2.5 hours is probably overkill, but you just never know what kind of hoops you’re going to have to jump through when transiting through the Toronto Airport.
4. International to domestic connections
No matter where you’re coming from in the world, making an international to domestic connection in Toronto will be a lot easier if you have 3 hours. Going through passport control and customs can be a mofo.
5. International to international connections
Would I sound like a sissy if I think that a 3 hour layover would be ideal for an international to international connection in Toronto? Nobody probably needs that much time, but I sure would like to have it (if possible).
Useful tips for making a 1 hour layover at Toronto
A 1 hour layover isn’t going to be possible for everybody transiting through the Toronto Airport. The good news is that, by doing a little research ahead of time, you’ll know exactly if it’s going to be possible in your situation.
If you think it might be possible, but you’re still a little unsure, here are a few tips to help you get through it:
- In order to avoid having to change terminals, make every effort possible to fly the same airline (or at least the same airline alliance). Airlines and airline alliances are grouped together well at YYZ, making terminal changes extremely rare.
- If your connecting to a flight bound for the United States, it would behoove you to sign up for a fast track program such as NEXUS or Global Entry. These programs will allow you to expedite the process of going through the US Preclearance procedure, you’ll be on your way faster than most.
- Study the terminal maps ahead of time! The Toronto Airport doesn’t look all that gnarly on paper, but it may seem overwhelming on your first visit. Your experience is going to be a lot nicer if you already know what to expect before you arrive.
Your entry on Toronto airport was so thorough, informative, and helpful- I want to go to Paris from Vancouver and was wondering if an hour and 50 minute layover in Toronto would suffice. Sounds like it may be okay. Thank you for clearing up a lot of questions I had! Keep doin what you’re doin!
Thanks Chloe – glad you found this helpful! Yes, 1:50 will be more than enough time to do a domestic to international connection in Toronto. Upon arrival at YYZ, follow the signs for international connections. That will lead you to a passport verification area, and it should only take 5-10 minutes to get through. After that, proceed directly to your connecting gate. Easy!
Thank you for this post! When flying from the US with a connection in Toronto for connecting flight to Europe, do I need to go through security and customs if staying in the same terminal? Either way, do you think an hour and 40 min for the connection is cutting it too close? Thanks!
Hi Nicole – just follow the signs for international connections. That will lead you to a passport verification area (not a security checkpoint or customs) which takes just a few minutes to get through. You’ll likely not have to change terminals, but even if you do, an hour and 40 minutes will be easy. Have a great trip!
I have a similar question as Nicole: flying from the US to Toronto, then from Toronto to Edinburgh, Scotland. It’d be United Airlines for both flights, but unlike Nicole I’d have only one hour to connect. Do you think that’s doable? Thanks.
Hey Colin – that’s a connection I’d book for myself without any worries. The only thing you’re going to have to do is go through a quick passport verification check. One hour is enough time.
United doesn’t fly from YYZ-EDI. You would need to take an Air Canada flight for this route.
How much time do I need from the us connecting in Toronto to Halifax. Also from st Johns through Montreal to the us.
Hi Robert – connecting in Toronto on your way to Halifax will require at least an hour IMHO. You’ll need to go though Canadian customs and immigration, which can be fast or slow depending on what time of day it is. I wouldn’t be comfortable with anything less than an hour.
Connecting in Montreal on the way back to the US will require at least an hour as well, since you’ll go though US customs and immigration before you depart.
Hi Scott, thank so so much – this is so helpful! I am flying from the US to Vancouver with a layover in Toronto. Wondering if a 1 hour and 20 minute layover will be okay? Thank you so much!
Hi Nicole – you’re very welcome! As long as you’re flying the same airline (or airline alliance), 1:20 will be plenty of time. Note that you will have to go through customs and immigration upon arrival at YYZ, so you probably won’t have a lot of time to spare once you get through that. But you’ll be fine – I’m sure of it.
FWIW, it’s probably not enough time if your flight from the US to YYZ and the flight from YYZ to YVR is on a separate ticket (and you have checked luggage). This will require re-checking that luggage with your connecting airline after getting through customs, which could take a while. Have a good trip!
I am flying from Victoria to London connecting in Toronto and the layover is 1 hour 25 minutes. I don’t have to change terminals and I am with Air Canada. My question is if that’s enough time for luggage transfer.
Hi Narine – as long as your luggage is checked all the way through to London, you won’t have to worry about it. It will transfer automatically, and yes – 1 hour and 25 minutes will be more than enough time. Have a great trip!
Hello, I will be flying from Mexico to Amsterdam with a 1 hour 35 minutes stop in Toronto. Is the time sufficient enough?
Hi Nicol – yes, as long as everything is part of the same ticket (and your luggage is checked all the way through to Amsterdam) an hour and 35 minutes should be more than enough. Just follow the signs for international connections, which will lead you to a quick passport notification checkpoint. After that, you can proceed directly to your gate. Have a great trip!
Hi Scott, I’m flying from Newark, NJ to Vancouver with a 90 minute layover in Toronto. From EWR to YYZ is listed as a SUBSIDIARY/FRANCHISE airline, with the connecting flight on Air Canada. I’ve already done the CBSA Declaration form online so, will this be enough time? I arrive YYZ at 730am if this makes a difference. Thanks!
Hi Mike! 90 minutes is more than likely going to be plenty of time, but keep in mind that the full Canadian customs and immigration thing does take some patience. Yes, the CBSA declaration will speed up the process slightly, but it’s not going to make a significant difference IMHO.
Your biggest advantage will be arriving at 7:30 AM. This is long before the daily influx of European flights, so the lines to get through passport control and customs should be relatively short.
Thanks Scott, for the quick reply. Here’s hoping the travel gods are listening! I’ll follow up and let you know how I make out. BTW, the information you provided is greatly appreciated; thanks again for taking the time and effort to post this!
Terrific post, Scott! I am flying from Las Vegas (in the USA) to St John’s, Newfoundland (with a possible layover in Toronto). The Air Canada flight I found has a 1 hour 20 minute layover in Toronto. Should this be sufficient? Google flights tells me that my flight from Vegas to Toronto is “often delayed by 30+ minutes.” Thank you so much!
Thanks Jack! I wouldn’t be comfortable with an hour and 20 minutes, since you’re going to have to do the full Canadian customs and immigration thing in Toronto.
Past experience has taught me that YYZ customs and immigration can be a bit slow at times.
I’d choose a longer layover if possible!
Scott: I’m planning to fly from Seattle to Toronto (on Air Canada) with a layover of 1 hr. 4 minutes to then catch a Lufthansa flight to Frankfort. I’m nervous about such a short layover time even if my arrival from Seattle is on time. Dare I take a chance with such a short layover?
Hi Ron – yeah, it is a bit of a risk. That said, you’ll have plenty of time if your flight from Seattle arrives relatively close to on time. The only thing you’re going to have to do in Toronto is go through a quick passport verification / check. It shouldn’t take long.
Personally I would choose a flight with a longer layover (just in case).
Thank you for writing this article, I found it very helpful. I was wondering if you think an 88-minute layover would be sufficient for a flight bound for Tokyo.
It arrives in Toronto (from Detroit) at 12:02pm, and departs from Toronto (for Tokyo) at 1:30pm. Both flights would be with with Air Canada.
You’re very welcome Jordan! Yes, as long as both flights are Air Canada, an hour and a half is going to be no problem at all. You will have to go through a quick passport verification check, but nothing else. Have a great trip!
Hey, I’m flying Winnipeg to Toronto (westjet) and then from there flying to New York (delta) with a 1 hour 49 minute connection. Do you think it’s doable?
Thanks in advance!
Hi April – yes, that should be fine. You will have to go through US customs and immigration prior to departing Toronto though, so you’re probably not going to have a lot of time left over once that’s all taken care of.
Hi Scott! This is a GREAT article. Thank you! We have booked United Airlines flights from Chicago to Toronto and Toronto to Paris with only an hour layover in between. Do you think that is enough time to get through passport verification? Thank you in advance!
Thanks (and you’re very welcome) Allyson! One hour will be just the right amount of time. The passport verification process for connecting passengers at YYZ is usually fairly quick, so you’ll be unlikely to have any issues. Have a great trip!
Hi! Love the article! I’m a US citizen in Detroit and thinking about booking a flight to Paris from Windsor, Ontario and back. The return flight to Windsor from Paris has a 1hr 35min stop in Toronto. Is that enough time to clear Canadian customs and passport control? Thanks!
Hi Sara! You shouldn’t have any issues as long as your flight from Paris arrives on time. Even a slight delay is going to make things a little tricky IMHO. That said, missing a connection on the trip home is much less of a bummer than missing a connection on the way there.
Go for it if the price is right!
I have an international flight to Toronto with one hour and a half layover to connect to St. John’s with the same airline. Can I make it?
Hi Norvi – assuming it’s Air Canada, I doubt you’ll have much of an issue. You should be OK as long as your inbound flight to Toronto is on time.
Thank you for this! I’m travelling from Frankfurt, Germany, via Toronto to Calgary. I’d have one hour and 20 layover in Toronto… is this doable? My travel agency recommended this flight combination but I’m still hesitant 🙁
You’re very welcome Susanne! That will be a tight layover IMHO. Is there any way you could change to a later flight to Calgary? If not, you’ll probably be OK as long as you hustle. Try to sit as far forward on the aircraft as you can – it will save you a lot of time. Good luck!
Hi Scott,
First off, thanks soo much for this article and for answering people’s questions! I am planning our first trip to Europe – from Ohio to Greece. The intinerary I am considering includes a 1 hour 7 min layover at Toronto. The incoming and outgoing flight to Athens are both Air Canada. Our bags will be checked all the way to Greece. Is this layover time sufficient? Thanks in advance!
Hi Aparna – you’re very welcome! Yes, that will be enough time. Plan to go through a quick passport verification check (but not security). If the line to get through that is short enough, you’ll even have time left over to grab something to eat before the flight. Have a great time in Greece!
Hi I will be flying with westjet vacations to StLucia from Halifax with a 1 hour layover in Toronto. Any tips or tricks to ensure we don’t miss our connection would be helpful. thanks
Hi Donna – I highly recommend sitting as far forward on as you can on that flight from Halifax. I don’t think you’ll have much to worry about with a 1 hour connection, but being one of the first off the plane will definitely help.
Hi Scott, thank you for this very informative article. Very helpful.
To be on the safe side, I would like to get your input on this. I am looking into a flight with Air Canada from YWG to Toronto to London, UK. There is a 1h9m layover in Toronto. I will be checking in a bag, and I’m assuming my bag will be sent to my final destination, so I won’t have to check in again. Will that be enough time to get to my connecting gate for the flight to London? It’s also going to be an afternoon flight, and I know that airports are busiest during that time. Thank you in advance!
You’re very welcome Camille! You are correct – your checked luggage will be transferred all the way through to London automatically.
One hour and nine minutes should be plenty. You will have to go through a quick passport verification, but that’s a very quick process most of the time (even in the afternoon). I’d do it!
Hi Scott. Very useful article.
So worried about flights my husband has booked for transit through YYZ – and hoping for a glimmer of hope! He’s booked on a flight from MAN to YYZ arriving at 16:05 with Air Transit arriving in Terminal 3 I believe. He then has to clear customs and get to terminal one for an Air Canada flight to YOW at 18:10. Fortunately cabin baggage only!!
I know he will likely get a bit confused about where to go and what to do, but may not have very much time to dither about, especially if the inbound flight is delayed at all.
So – what are the chances of this being ok 95% of the time, and any hints/tips to speeding the process up? Would a meet and greet service help? Thanks
Hi Alison! There’s not much to be worried about IMHO. Two hours is admittedly a bit tight, but perfectly within the realm of possibility if everything goes right (which it usually does).
The signage at YYZ (all terminals) is quite good. Not only that, there will be plenty of airport staff around to offer assistance if he needs any. The main thing to remember is that it’ll be very difficult for him to get lost on the way through immigration. There’s only one way to go (through immigration), and he’ll quickly be corrected by airport to personnel if he strays off track.
The only wrinkle in all of this is if his Air Canada and Air Transat reservations are separate itineraries. If his Air Transat flight arrives late, and he misses his Air Canada flight, the reservation will automatically be canceled (and he will have to purchase a new ticket).
On the other hand, if it’s all part of the same reservation, none of that matters. He will automatically be put on the next Air Canada flight.
Arranging meet and greet service would definitely help if you’re still concerned.
Personally? I’m optimistic about his chances of making it through just fine.