Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport is located near the Toronto suburbs of Downsview, Etobicoke, Malton and Rexdale. The airport is the 30th busiest airport in the world moving over 30 million passengers a year and seeing over 400,000 aircraft movements annually. The airport is the main hub for Air Canada and a major hub for WestJet. The airport has many ground transportation options to and from the airport traveling to Toronto and the surrounding areas.

There are conference and business facilities for the business traveler as well as many shopping and dining facilities. There are many parking areas at the airport as well as accommodation possibilities very close to the airport. All the terminals in the airport have Internet access. The airport is very modern and even has a current art exhibit with commissioned pieces from Canadian artists.

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In January of 2007 the Airport Development Program (ADP) was completed and the end of January saw the last service for terminal 2. Pier F in terminal 1 opened in its place to handle flights formerly for terminal 2. $4.4 billion dollars has been invested in the ADP for future terminal development. The new Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have replaced the older Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These are the two main passenger terminals at the airport. In the future the improvements on the airport will allow it to handle over 50 million passengers annually.

There has also been development of the airside and infield systems at the airport. The cargo facilities have been improved and a new runway was constructed. With all of the improvements and current construction on the airport, the Toronto Pearson International Airport is one of the most modern airports in the world, which makes it more attractive and convenient for passengers.

Toronto Pearson International Airport first opened in 1939 and is growing every year in terms of passenger and cargo movement. In 1959 the airport took the name Toronto International Airport. In 1984 it was renamed Toronto Pearson International Airport after one of the more notable Prime Minister's of Canada, Lester B. Pearson. The airport received 19 diverted flights entering the United States on September 11th 2001 in what was called "Operation Blue Ribbon". Toronto Pearson International Airport received the prestigious "Best Global Airport" award in 2006, selected by the Institute of Transport Management. The airport is one of eight airports throughout Canada that has United States Pre clearance facilities. These facilities are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

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Toronto Pearson International Airport is very easy to get to as it is close to many roads such as the MacDonald-Cartier Freeway (401). The airport is located to the north of Mississauga and to the east of Brampton. The airport has connections to the highway network of Ontario. The highways that give direct access to the airport are Highway 409 and Highway 427.

Besides these two highways the major roads that go towards the airport are Highways 400, 401, 403, 407, 410, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Highway. When driving follow the signs then turn into the airport. There are many signs posted so it is not difficult to find the airport from the road. The signs have a green background and a silhouette of a plane. Toronto is a major city so there is traffic especially during morning and late afternoon rush hours.

Make sure you allow yourself enough time to check in, especially for international flights. Within the airport there are many signs that will tell you which terminal to go to for your flight or for picking up passengers. The Terminal 1 sign is yellow, the Terminal 2 sign is red, and the Terminal 3 sign is silver.

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Toronto Pearson International Airport has many travel options for every passenger need. These include bus services, various shuttle buses, rental cars, limousine services, and taxis. There are limousine services inside the airport and you can reserve one by calling ahead.

Toronto Pearson International Airport has many public bus services available from the terminal buildings to Toronto and the surrounding areas. The Airport Rocket Buses travel between the airport and the Kipling Subway Station and have many stops in between. There are several bus stops at the airport at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

Travel time from the Airport to the Kipling Subway Station takes around 20 minutes depending on traffic. There are also the TTC Buses that travel to the Lawrence West Subway Station in Toronto. The Go Transit Buses run both east and west to and from the airport. The Mississauga Transit Bus 7 travels from the airport to Walton, a suburb of Toronto. The buses at the airport run at regular intervals beginning at 5:30 AM and ending at 3 AM. The bus system at the airport is the most inexpensive travel option to and from the airport.

There are many shuttle buses available at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Some of these shuttle buses are the Airport Express, Toronto Transit Commission, OG Transit, and Mississauga Transit. The airport shuttle buses include the Airport Express Aeroport and give a quick and convenient way to get to and from the airport from Toronto and the surrounding areas. There are also many free hotel shuttles that can give a ride to and from the airport from your hotel. Check with the hotel you are staying out to find out if they have a courtesy shuttle bus.

There are many taxis available at Toronto Pearson International Airport that can give a ride to and from the airport. The trip from the airport to downtown Toronto, and vice versa, takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic. It is recommended that you use the official airport taxis to make sure you stay safe and are not overcharged. These airport taxis are metered and begin with a standard fare, however there are additional charges for luggage, driving late at night, and traveling on holidays. You should ask the driver about the fare to your destination before departing. There are also zones for flat rate charges. Many of the taxis accept credit cards but ask the driver beforehand to make sure.

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The terminals at Toronto Pearson International Airport have many facilities and courtesy shuttle buses between the terminals. At the airport there are business services, currency exchange desks, airport information desks, and many ATM machines. The airport information desks are spread throughout all three of the terminals and they can give you information about the airport itself, directions, travel information, tourist information, and information about flight arrival and departure times. The telephone number for airport information is (1) 416 776 5100.

Toronto Pearson International Airport has currency exchange desks, communication facilities, and business and banking facilities. There are many ATM machines located in all three terminals. There are also computers available with high speed Internet access. There are a few several bureau de change desks where you can change money at the most up to date exchange rates. There are business and conference facilities at the airport, which have fast Internet access. A state of the art business center is located in Terminal 2. Some of the private airline lounges also have business facilities.

Toronto Pearson International Airport has many facilities for disabled people. There are lifts, elevators, ramps, and wheelchair access all throughout the airport. There are many disabled parking spaces in the parking areas. If a disabled passenger has any special needs they should contact the airport ahead of time. For any other disabled facilities information or questions the information desk will be happy to answer any inquiries and take care of any special needs.

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Toronto Pearson International Airport has many shopping possibilities, which are all located in the terminals. There are newsstands, gift shops, food shops, and a few duty free shops, which sell tax-free items. There are also several retail stores located in the airport. Just a few of the shops include Joe Boxer, Lush Cosmetics, Business Essentials, Fruits & Passions, Official Sports, Sunglass Hut, and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

There are many places to eat and drink in the airport. There is a selection of cafes, fast food outlets, snack bars, and restaurants. The eating and drinking establishments are located all around the airport. Just a few of the eating and drinking options are Brioche Doree / Play Write Bar and Grill, Arts & Letters Bistro, Coyote Jacks Island Bar, Fridays American Bar, Wolfgang Puck Marketplace, and two Starbucks coffee shops.

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Toronto has art that is on display throughout the airport. There are eight commissioned pieces of art that was chosen from 300 submissions. These art pieces were specifically designed to show the role of Toronto as being the gateway to North America. Each piece shows the art of flying through abstract, conceptual, or realistic ways. There are also large-scale pieces of art that are seen in the new Pier F area of the airport. There is also a new public art exhibition called Artstage at the airport.

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Toronto Pearson International Airport has several options for parking. Many of the parking areas are close to the entrance of the airport. There is short-term parking, long-term parking, economy parking, and valet parking available. Each of the terminals has its own separate parking areas, as well as disabled parking spaces in every parking area closest to the entrance of the airport. Parking at the airport uses an "autopay" system where the driver can pay when they leave the parking are by using a machine.

Terminal 1 at the airport has parking spaces above level 4 of the parking area. Terminal 2 has in excess of 4,000 parking spaces available. Terminal 3 has in excess of 2,500 parking spaces available. There is economy parking, having over 2,000 spaces, that offers less expensive rates. You can park at the economy parking area and then take a courtesy shuttle directly to the entrance of the airport. Cars must have relevant permits in order to park in the disabled parking spaces.

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Toronto is a very popular tourist destination and there are a wide variety of accommodation options from budget hotels to 5 star luxury hotels. There are many hotels near Toronto Pearson International Airport for business travelers and travelers having short stays. The hotels that are within 2 kilometers are the Sheraton Gateway, Econo Lodge Inn and Suites, Four Points Toronto Airport, Park Plaza, Quality Suites Toronto Airport YYZ Toronto, Hampton Inn and Suites, Hilton Toronto Airport. Many of these hotels offer courtesy shuttles for drop off and pick up from the airport. Check beforehand to see if the hotel you are staying at offers these free shuttles.

Most of the hotels can be found in the city of Toronto itself. There are many hotels in various districts as well as near the harbor. The busy season in Toronto, in terms of travelers, is in the summer so it is recommended that you book accommodations well ahead of time if you are planning on visiting Toronto during the summer. The Beaches Jazz Festival in the end of July and the Canadian National Exhibition in August are very popular and accommodations are filled during these two events. There are many high-rise hotels in the center of Toronto and good budget options are the Bed and Breakfast establishments, which are located outside the city center. The largest hotel in Toronto is the Delta Chelsea inn with almost 1,600 rooms. There are also many quaint hotels in the districts of Greektown, Chinatown, Cabbagetown, and near the University of Toronto.

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