Billy Bishop or Pearson? Which airport fits your trip

Billy Bishop vs Pearson comes down to where you fly, how much luggage you carry and where you stay. Billy Bishop is the small airport on the Toronto waterfront, a short ride from downtown. Pearson is the big international airport west of the city. This guide compares the two so you can choose with confidence. Read on for Billy Bishop vs Pearson in plain words.

The basic difference

• Billy Bishop (YTZ) sits on an island just off the downtown shoreline. It is compact, and it is close to downtown hotels and the business district.
• Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is Canada’s largest airport, with two terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 3) and flights to far more destinations.

Which airports your airline uses decides most of the choice. Check your booking first, and then read on.

Getting to Billy Bishop

You reach the Billy Bishop terminal from the mainland. A pedestrian tunnel, opened in 2015, connects the mainland to the island. It is about 853 feet (roughly 260 metres) long, has moving walkways and escalators and takes less than six minutes from the mainland entrance to the check-in area. There is also a short ferry from the foot of Bathurst Street and a free shuttle bus, with services about every 15 minutes. PortsToronto, which runs the airport, posts the current schedules and opening hours, so check them for the day you travel.

Cars do not drive onto the island. Your driver meets you on the mainland side, and we tell you the exact spot when you book.

Getting to Pearson

Pearson is a longer ride from downtown, about 45 minutes in normal traffic in our experience, and more in rush hour. It also has a train, the UP Express, which runs to Union Station in about 25 to 28 minutes. Read more in how long the ride from Pearson takes.

Luggage and groups

With a lot of luggage, the tunnel walk at Billy Bishop is easy because of the walkways, but a pick-up in the car at the mainland end saves carrying. At Pearson, a meet-and-greet inside the terminal does the same job. If you travel with a family or many bags, tell us the numbers so we can confirm the vehicle. See our vehicles.

Which one is better for you?

• Staying downtown on a short trip: Billy Bishop can save you time, if your airline flies there.



• Flying internationally or to many destinations: Pearson.
• Staying in the suburbs (Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan): Pearson is usually closer.
• Heavy luggage: either, with a driver at the right spot.

Our rides for both airports

We drive from both airports at fixed, all-in prices with HST included. See the Billy Bishop airport transfer page and the Toronto airport transfer from Pearson page. For one-way and return rides between the two, ask us for the price.

One last tip

Airport hours, ferry times and tunnel access can change. Check PortsToronto for Billy Bishop and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for Pearson before you travel, and tell us your flight so we can plan the pick-up around it.

Billy Bishop vs Pearson in one minute

In the Billy Bishop vs Pearson choice, the best airport is the one that fits your flight and your hotel. Check your airline’s page and the Billy Bishop airport website for terminal and check-in details. Whichever side of Billy Bishop vs Pearson you land on, we can meet you there. A little planning keeps Billy Bishop vs Pearson simple.

Quick answers

Can the car drive to the terminal at Billy Bishop?

No. Cars do not drive onto the island. Your driver meets you on the mainland side, and we tell you the exact spot when you book.

Is the tunnel free?

Access to the pedestrian tunnel is free, according to PortsToronto. Check their site for current information and opening hours.

Which airport is cheaper?

It depends on your airline and your destination, so compare the whole trip. Our ride prices for both airports are on our price page.