Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Canada's busiest airport, in Mississauga about 23 km northwest of downtown Toronto. This is what to sort out before you land and what to expect afterwards: the terminals, getting online and the way into the city.
Before you land
A SIM bought in a Canadian shop is activated at the counter, and shops can ask for photo ID. The eSIM is bought on this page and installed at home, so there is no counter and no queue before you reach the taxi rank.
Keep the QR code where you can open it without a connection, printed or on a second device. The QR code shows on your order page seconds after payment, so bookmark that page or save the code before you leave it.
Getting online
Pearson's terminals have free Wi-Fi, so you can add the eSIM while you wait for your bags if you did not do it at home (install the eSIM). In each country the plan roams on a partner network and your phone shows its name, so turn on data roaming for the eSIM line after landing (switch it on after landing). Canada's networks are Rogers, Bell and Telus.
Your usual SIM stays in the phone with your number, and WhatsApp keeps the same number while the eSIM carries your data. Flying on to the United States or Mexico? The plan on the Canada eSIM page covers five countries with one eSIM.
From the airport to the city
The UP Express train leaves from Terminal 1, linked to Terminal 3 by a free shuttle, and runs to Union Station in downtown Toronto in about 25 minutes. The TTC bus 900, the Airport Rocket, runs from both terminals to Kipling station on subway line 2, where the subway continues downtown; it is the cheapest way and runs all day.
Taxis and app cars wait outside arrivals: follow the signs to the licensed taxi ranks, and agree the fare or use the meter before you set off.
Good to know
- Time. Toronto is on Eastern Time: UTC-5 in winter and UTC-4 in summer, with daylight saving from March to November.
- Emergencies. Call 911 for the police, the fire brigade or an ambulance; the call is free.
- Travelling on. The same plan keeps working in the United States and Mexico, with no second eSIM to buy.
