Toronto has two airports — Pearson (YYZ) in Mississauga and Billy Bishop (YTZ) on Toronto Islands. Most international fans arrive at YYZ and ride the UP Express 25 minutes to Union Station. YTZ is the rarer option but lands closer to BMO Field. US fans only need a passport (no eTA); other nationalities need a Canadian eTA — apply at canada.ca/eta for $7 CAD before flying.
The Two Airports
YYZ vs YTZ
Most international flights land at Pearson. Billy Bishop is for select East Coast US routes (Porter Airlines + limited Air Canada) and is uniquely close to downtown — but won't be the right answer for most arriving fans.
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Pearson (YYZ)
Canada's largest airport, ~22 km NW of downtown / ~28 km from BMO Field. Two terminals: T1 (Air Canada / Star Alliance + most international) and T3 (Oneworld, SkyTeam, WestJet, low-cost). Free Terminal Link train (~4 min) connects them. Direct flights from major US/European/Asian/Middle East gateways.
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Billy Bishop (YTZ)
On Toronto Islands, 90-second free ferry from downtown (or a 230 m underground pedestrian tunnel). Single terminal. Porter Airlines hub plus limited Air Canada from BOS, EWR, ORD, IAD, MDW. ~3 km from BMO Field as the crow flies — closest airport-to-stadium of any host city.
Immigration & Customs
Getting Through
US passport-holders need no visa or eTA. Visa-exempt visitors from other countries (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Korea, etc.) need a Canadian eTA — apply at canada.ca/eta for $7 CAD before flying. Non-eTA-eligible nationalities need a temporary resident visa.
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CBSA & ArriveCAN
CBSA primary inspection kiosks (PIK) handle most arrivals. The ArriveCAN app's Advance CBSA Declaration is currently optional but speeds up processing — fill it out within 72 hours of arrival.
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FIFA Fast-Track Lane
CBSA has announced a dedicated FIFA fast-track processing lane at YYZ Terminal 1 for ticketed match-day passengers landing within 36 hours of kickoff. Verify on torontopearson.com closer to your match.
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Wait times
Normal: 15-30 min. Match-day surge: 45-75 min expected. Pearson publishes live wait-time data at torontopearson.com. NEXUS members keep their fast lane.
Ground Transit
From the Airport
From YYZ, the UP Express is the dominant choice for downtown — fast, predictable, drops you at Union Station where the GO and TTC connections live. From YTZ, you walk to the ferry, ride 90 seconds, and you're already downtown.
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UP Express (YYZ → Union)
~$12 CAD cash / ~$9 CAD with Presto. 25 min, every 15 min from 5:30 AM-1 AM. Direct from YYZ T1 to Union Station; transfer at Union for GO/TTC. Verify current fares at upexpress.com.
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192 Airport Rocket (YYZ)
$3.30 CAD from YYZ to Kipling Subway, then TTC Line 2 to Union. ~60-75 min total. Cheapest but slowest — only worth it if you're staying near a Line 2 station.
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Authorized airport taxi (YYZ)
~$60-75 CAD flat to downtown. Use the official Airport Taxi & Limo desk in arrivals. Avoid unmarked drivers approaching curbside or inside the terminal.
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Uber / Lyft (YYZ)
Both operate at YYZ. $50-80 CAD downtown, ~30-45 min. Designated rideshare zone — exit terminal, follow "Uber/Lyft" signs.
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YTZ ferry / tunnel
From YTZ: walk 5 min from terminal to Eireann Quay mainland → 90-second free ferry (or use the underground pedestrian tunnel). From there it's a 10-min walk to Union or 5 min to BMO Field via streetcar 509/511.
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Direct to BMO Field
No direct YYZ→BMO rail. From YYZ: UP Express to Union → GO Lakeshore West to Exhibition Station → 5-min walk. Total ~45 min. From YTZ: ferry → 509/511 streetcar → Exhibition Loop. ~20 min total.
Money, Phones, Practicalities
On Arrival
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ATMs & FX
Use Canadian-bank ATMs in the terminal: RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO. Avoid the standalone EuroNet / ICE machines — markup ~10%. ICE Money Exchange counters charge poor rates; a Canadian-bank ATM with a no-FX-fee debit card is the cleanest path.
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SIM / eSIM
Airalo, Holafly, or Saily eSIM activate before you land — easiest option. Physical prepaid SIMs from Bell, Rogers, Telus available at Hudson News kiosks in arrivals. Roam Mobility is also at YYZ T1.
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Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD). $1 USD ≈ $1.35 CAD (verify). Cards accepted nearly everywhere; Apple Pay / Google Pay widely used. Tip 15-20% in restaurants.
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2026 quirks
YYZ has added charter slots and extended T1 international hours for the tournament. Billy Bishop expanded ferry frequency to ~5-min headways during matches. Verify status at torontopearson.com and portstoronto.com.
Common pitfalls: ① Don't confuse YYZ with YTZ — Porter and a few Air Canada flights from US East Coast use YTZ; almost everything else is YYZ. ② Don't take rides from drivers who approach you inside or just outside the terminal — use the marked taxi rank or rideshare zone. ③ ArriveCAN is currently optional but the UI flow at PIK kiosks goes faster if you've pre-filled. ④ For US-bound return flights, build extra time — there's no US pre-clearance at YYZ (unlike YVR), so you clear US immigration on arrival back home.