Yes, you can leave Toronto Pearson during a layover, on two conditions: you must be allowed to enter Canada (for most visa-exempt nationalities that means an eTA, the C$7 electronic authorization, which is required even for transiting by air), and you need enough time. The practical minimum for stepping out is about 5 to 6 hours between flights; under that, the math of immigration, the trip downtown, and the return through security eats the whole window.
Here is how to judge your own layover at YYZ, hour by hour.
First: can you legally walk out?
Canada checks travelers at the border even when they only connect. If you are from a visa-exempt country (most of Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan and others), you need an eTA, which is usually approved online within minutes, but apply before you fly, not in the immigration hall. US citizens need neither eTA nor visa. If you need a Canadian visitor visa and only hold a transit visa, leaving the airport is not allowed.
A second practical question is your luggage: on many itineraries bags are checked through to the final destination, so you explore hands-free. If you must re-check bags or you carry everything, Pearson has staffed luggage storage in both terminals (our storage guide has hours and prices).
The hour-by-hour math
| Your layover | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Under 4 hours | Stay in the terminal; lounges and food are the better plan |
| 4 to 5 hours | Borderline; only with carry-on only, an eTA in hand, and appetite for risk |
| 5 to 7 hours | A real downtown visit: UP Express both ways plus 2 to 3 hours in the city |
| 8+ hours | Comfortable city time, a meal, and a relaxed return |
The supporting numbers: immigration at Pearson commonly takes 20 to 45 minutes, the UP Express reaches Union Station downtown in 25 minutes (every 15 minutes, $12.35, or $9.25 by card tap), and you should be back at the airport 2 hours before an international departure, plus a margin for the return trip.
What fits in a short visit
From Union Station, the CN Tower, Rogers Centre and the waterfront are a 10 to 15 minute walk; St. Lawrence Market (closed Mondays) is similar in the other direction. That triangle fills 2 to 3 hours nicely and never strays far from the train back. With 8 or more hours you can add the Distillery District or a Toronto Islands ferry loop; our day trips guide sorts ideas by available time. During the World Cup window (12 June to 2 July) add crowd buffer everywhere downtown, and see our fan guide to BMO Field if a match fits your gap.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an eTA just to change planes at Pearson?
Will my checked bag follow me automatically?
How early should I return for my next flight?
Is the city worth it for 3 free hours downtown?
Sources
Rules and fares verified in June 2026 against IRCC and Metrolinx pages. Border decisions are always made by the officer; carry proof of your onward flight. This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the airport. Photo: Jchmrt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
