Airline Crew Layover Guide

Toronto is one of North America’s strongest airline crew layover cities — large, easy to enjoy in focused districts, full of restaurants, and unusually straightforward from the airport if you use the right transfer. Toronto Pearson has a reliable direct rail link to downtown, which makes even a shorter crew layover much more workable than in many other major North American cities.

Emergency Numbers — Toronto / Canada

In Ontario, 911 is the number to call for ambulance, police, and fire emergencies.

Critical note for crew: For any life-threatening emergency or crime in progress, call 911 immediately. UP Express itself also specifically directs passengers to use 911 for emergencies rather than customer service numbers.

Getting from Toronto Pearson to the City

Toronto Pearson is one of the more crew-friendly large airports in North America because of the direct airport rail link into downtown. For most crew, the main choice is simple: UP Express for speed and predictability, or taxi / rideshare for door-to-door convenience.

UP Express — recommended UP Express connects Pearson Airport and Union Station in downtown Toronto in 28 minutes.

• Adult one-way fare Pearson to Union: $12.35 CAD
• PRESTO one-way fare Pearson to Union: $9.25 CAD
• Journey time: 28 minutes
• Frequency: every 15 minutes
• Weekday first train to Union: 5:27 am
• Weekend / holiday first train to Union: 6:27 am
• Last train to Union: 12:57 am
• Best for: downtown Toronto hotels and short layovers

Station note: The UP Express station at Pearson is in Terminal 1, directly beside the Terminal Link Train that connects Terminals 1 and 3.

Taxi and limo — easiest door-to-door option Toronto Pearson’s licensed taxis and limos charge flat rates to Toronto destinations, with no surge pricing, and they accept all major credit cards.

• Use only licensed airport taxis or limos
• Terminal 1 taxi pick-up: Arrivals Level, Door D
• Terminal 1 limo pick-up: Arrivals Level, Door C
• Terminal 3 taxi pick-up: Arrivals Level, Door E
• Terminal 3 limo pick-up: Arrivals Level, Door E
• Limos charge approximately 10% more than a taxi
• A $15 surcharge may apply for more than 4 passengers and/or excess baggage

Rideshare Pearson officially authorises Uber, Lyft, and Hopp for airport pick-ups.

• Terminal 1 rideshare pick-up: Ground Level, Zone 3, 4 or 5, depending on provider
• Lyft and Hopp: Zone 3
• Uber: Zone 4 or 5
• Check the app for your exact assigned bay

Pro tip for crew: If your hotel is downtown, UP Express is usually the best option by far. If your hotel is outside the Union Station corridor or you arrive with heavy luggage, a licensed taxi can be the calmer choice.

Best Areas for Crew Stays in Toronto

Downtown / Union Station area The most practical base for short layovers because of direct UP Express access. Best for first-time crew stays.

Entertainment District Strong for restaurants, nightlife, and easy movement on foot. Good for crew who want energy without overcomplicating the layover.

Yorkville More upscale and quieter, with better premium hotel feel and shopping. Good for rest-focused longer layovers.

Old Toronto / St. Lawrence area Better for crews who want a more local and historic feel rather than a glass-tower downtown experience.

What to Do on a Layover in Toronto

Under 8 hours — one core district only Stay downtown and keep it simple. Toronto is best enjoyed by choosing one area and walking it properly rather than trying to cover too much ground.

8–16 hours — classic Toronto half-day Combine downtown, a waterfront walk, and a proper meal. This gives a much better layover than racing between scattered landmarks.

16–48 hours — fuller Toronto experience Add Yorkville, St. Lawrence Market area, or another neighbourhood depending on your hotel and energy. Toronto works especially well when crews treat it as a food-and-neighbourhood city rather than a checklist city.

Crew Tips for Toronto

Weather: Toronto can vary sharply by season, and winter conditions can change the feel of a layover completely. Dress for the actual forecast, not the calendar.

Transport choice: UP Express is one of the best airport train links in North America. Use it whenever your hotel geography makes sense.

Costs: Toronto is not a cheap layover city, especially for hotels, bars, and downtown dining. Budget accordingly.

Timing: Even though Pearson is well connected, always build margin for the return trip. Large airport procedures still take time.

Safety: Toronto is manageable for crew, but normal big-city awareness still matters late at night and around busy transport areas.

Drinking Water

Toronto tap water is generally safe and high quality, so bottled water is usually unnecessary unless you simply prefer it.

Crew Discounts in Toronto

Below you will find our curated crew discounts for car rentals, hotels, and things to do in and around Toronto.