How long to connect at Pearson?

[Gigi22]

After many years of avoiding Pearson Airport, we are flying home through Toronto on AC. We have 3 hours to come in, collect our checked luggage, go through Customs and re-check luggage for our connecting flight home. Our party is all adults, one who will require wheelchair assistance. Is 3 hours enough time?

 

[minnie mum]

And then some.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Depending on what airline and what terminal you are flying through you may not even have to get your bags. Terminal 1 is set up so they can transfer bags to US flights without you having to claim them. Also keep in mind you will be going through customs assuming you are flying to the US in the airport in canada.

 

[papertraveller]

You should be fine. While we have not had to make connections through Pearson (it's our final destination), it has never taken us more than about 30 minutes to clear customs & immigration and collect our bags.

 

[Tropics]

You should be fine. I have done connections in Pearson from a US flight to a domestic flight with people in wheelchairs, kids in strollers and way too much carry on luggage for the group. Three hours will give you enough time to go through customs, transfer your luggage to domestic, go through security again and likely have enough time to sit down and eat.

 

[Gigi22]

You should be fine. I have done connections in Pearson from a US flight to a domestic flight with people in wheelchairs, kids in strollers and way too much carry on luggage for the group. Three hours will give you enough time to go through customs, transfer your luggage to domestic, go through security again and likely have enough time to sit down and eat.

thanks, this is what I wanted to hear! We will be coming in from a trip to DL, and transferring at Pearson, which we avoid as much as possible, so we weren't sure. Last time through (pre 9/11) we didn't have enough time, didn't get all our luggage in time to transfer, and security destroyed a brand new bag.

 

[pbruce706]

Depending on what airline and what terminal you are flying through you may not even have to get your bags. Terminal 1 is set up so they can transfer bags to US flights without you having to claim them. Also keep in mind you will be going through customs assuming you are flying to the US in the airport in canada.

I could be wrong, as I've not had to connect through Pearson since moving to the GTA area, but I think you'll still have to collect your bags to clear customs, in case US Customs wants to search them. They do have a drop off right outside customs though.

 

[Gigi22]

I could be wrong, as I've not had to connect through Pearson since moving to the GTA area, but I think you'll still have to collect your bags to clear customs, in case US Customs wants to search them. They do have a drop off right outside customs though.

Thanks very much! We are returning from the US (DL in this case) to our home in Canada, so Canadian Customs is the issue for us. We are expecting the worst, since the last time, there were significant time-related issues. Even discussed ending our trip in To., somehow getting to Union Station, and taking the train home!

 

[dreamscometrue101]

Last year I went from Calgary to Orlando and had a 1 hour connection at Pearson. I was thrilled to find out that there is no longer a need to collect your bag and then recheck it when you pass through customs. They display your name on a screen once they've transferred your baggage and that clears you to go through to customs.

It is so nice and simple, I love the new system.

3 hours will be way more than enough time.

 

[ccudmore]

To familiarize yourself with what you'll have to do, you can go to http://www.airportwayfinder.com/wayfinders/yyz-wdemo/ - they have video walkthroughs of every possible combination of connection. I suspect you'll want to select either Terminal 1 Connections and then Canada to US (for Air Canada and a few other airlines) or Terminal 2 Connections and then Canada to US (for WestJet). Or US to Canada for the return flight. Great video walkthrough that show you ever step of the process and what to expect.

 

[mom_rules]

What time of year are you travelling and which airline?

The only time we had an issue clearing Canada Customs was when our flight came in after an A380. There had to be 400 or more people in front of us trying to clear Canada customs.

We got our Nexxus/Global Entry cards after that and have never been more than 5 minutes clearing customs.