The airport has two terminals - 1 and 3. Terminal 1 is one of the largest in the world and primarily serves Air Canada and other Star Alliance airlines. Detailed breakdown of airlines by terminal:
- Terminal 1 (gates D, E, F): Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Emirates, Eurowings, LOT, Lufthansa, Lynx Air, SAS, Swiss, TAP, Turkish Airlines, United
- Terminal 3 (gates A, B, C): Aer Lingus, Air France, Air Transat, American Airlines, British Airways, Canada Jetlines, Condor, Delta Air Lines, Flair, Icelandair, KLM, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Swoop, Virgin Atlantic, Westjet
Transfer between terminals
Transfer between terminals is not possible via the transit zone, the two buildings are connected by a free automated train that runs 24 hours a day. However, if you have connecting flights on one booking, transferring between terminals is not usual. You will always be transferred within one terminal, which is very clear.
There is a free automatic "Terminal Link" train that runs between terminals, but you must always go all the way out and follow the signs for "Terminal 1" or "Terminal 3". The train runs 24 hours a day at intervals of 2-5 minutes and the ride between terminals takes 2 minutes.
Transfer between flights
In Toronto, if you have a transfer purchased as part of a single booking, in the vast majority of cases you will only transfer within one terminal.
For a clear overview of transfer information, please visit the airport's website: torontopearson.com/en/connections
Do I have to go through immigration and collect my luggage?
Canadian airports, unlike those in the US, have a separate transit area. If you change planes in Toronto in one booking, your airline will likely check your baggage through to your final destination so you don't have to enter Canada at all - you stay in the transit zone.
Of course, this only applies if you are transferring from an international to an international flight. If you are transferring to a domestic flight within Canada, you must go through immigration. However, the airline can still send your luggage to your final destination, it is always case by case.
You must always pick up your luggage and re-check it when you change from an international flight to a domestic flight.
There is an advance US immigration checkpoint at Toronto Airport, so if you are connecting in Toronto for a flight to the US, you will not need to go through immigration once you arrive in the US.
Do I need an eTA?
Even if you are only transferring from an international flight to an international flight, you must obtain an eTA to enter Canada. It can be done conveniently online for a fee at 7 cad.
