Whether you’re passing through for a few hours or stuck with a long layover, Toronto Pearson can keep you reasonably occupied — or at least comfortable — while you wait. This is a large, busy airport with solid basics: food, Wi-Fi, places to sit, and a few ways to stretch your legs or reset before your next flight. It’s not a destination in itself, but with a bit of planning, a layover here doesn’t have to feel wasted or stressful.
1. Enjoy a bite to eat
You’ve got a solid range of restaurants, cafés, and bars, making it easy to grab a quick bite or sit down for a proper meal. Alongside familiar chains like Tim Hortons, Starbucks, and Subway, you’ll also find a few options that feel more local or less generic.
Travellers often look for Aera (Terminal 1, airside) for Japanese-inspired dishes, Fionn MacCool’s for pub-style comfort food, and Beerhive for casual plates with a wide drink selection. Feta is popular for sandwiches and baked goods, and The Hearth focuses on seasonal, Canadian-leaning menus.
There are limited 24-hour food options in both terminals, but choice overnight tend to be restricted to a small number of counters rather than full-service restaurants.
2. Hang out in a lounge
If you’re looking for a quieter place to sit, eat, or recharge your devices, airport lounges can make a long layover more manageable. Toronto Pearson has several lounges across both terminals, including options that allow pay-per-use entry, regardless of airline or class of service.
Access may be available through a lounge membership, credit card benefit, or by purchasing a single-visit pass. Amenities vary, but typically include seating, Wi-Fi, food, drinks, and sometimes showers. [ read more ]
3. Browse the shops
Shopping is a practical way to pass time at Pearson, especially if you’re staying airside. Both terminals have a familiar mix of duty-free, bookstores, convenience shops, and travel retail, with many of the same brands repeated throughout the airport.
For something more distinctly Canadian, look for shops selling maple products, Canadian chocolates, icewine gifts, Indigenous-inspired art, and locally branded souvenirs. You’ll also find Canadian retailers such as Roots, along with airport locations of Hudson-style travel and gift shops carrying Canada-themed merchandise.
Selection varies by terminal and concourse, and prices are typical airport pricing rather than bargains. If shopping is your goal, you generally won’t need to change terminals just for variety.
4. Take in the art
Toronto Pearson features a permanent public art collection displayed throughout the terminals, with works by Canadian and international artists. Pieces range from large-scale installations to smaller exhibits placed along walkways and seating areas, making them easy to view as you move through the airport.
Terminal 1 also hosts rotating exhibitions in public areas, which may include photography, sculpture, or cultural displays. These exhibits are meant to be experienced casually rather than as a formal gallery visit — a low-effort way to break up a long walk or kill a few minutes between connections.
5. Freshen up
If you’re arriving from a long flight or facing several more hours in transit, a shower can make a big difference.
Showers are available inside select airport lounges, where access requires airline status, a lounge membership, a credit card benefit, or a paid entry pass. In addition, travellers can use paid shower facilities offered through airport fitness or spa services.
There are no free, public-use showers in the terminals. Availability, pricing, and access rules can change, so it’s best to confirm current options in our Toronto Pearson Airport Guide before planning around a shower during a short layover. [ read more ]
6. Treat yourself at the spa
If you’re looking for a low-effort way to relax, Toronto Pearson has spa services offering treatments such as massages, facials, nail services, and grooming options. These are designed for travellers with limited time, with many services available in short sessions.
Some spa facilities also offer paid shower access, which can be useful if you don’t have lounge entry. Keep in mind that hours may be limited, especially in the evening, and availability can vary by terminal.
7. Hit the gym
Travellers can work out at GoodLife Fitness (Terminal 1, landside, Arrivals level). The facility includes cardio equipment, weights, locker rooms, and showers. Travellers can purchase a paid day pass, and clothing and shoe rentals are also available for an additional fee, making it possible to work out even if you didn’t pack gym gear.
8. Go sightseeing
Toronto is about 25 km from the airport, which makes city sightseeing possible on longer layovers — but only if timing, traffic, and energy levels cooperate.
The UP Express train is the fastest and most predictable option during daytime hours, running roughly every 15 minutes and reaching Union Station in about 25 minutes. Service is not 24 hours, with overnight gaps. Taxis and ride-shares are available at all hours but are subject to traffic delays, especially during rush periods.
Leaving the airport always comes with trade-offs. Factor in time to return, security screening, and possible lineups, particularly during peak travel periods. If you plan to head downtown, using luggage storage (pre-security in both terminals) can make a short outing more manageable.
Short Visit
With around 4 hours in the city, it’s safest to stay close to Union Station. Nearby highlights include the CN Tower area, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Hockey Hall of Fame, or a quick walk through St. Lawrence Market.
Full day
A longer layover opens up museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario, or neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market, Chinatown, or Queen West. Public transit is generally reliable, but distances can be larger than they appear on a map, so plan conservatively. For more suggestions, see our Toronto Airport Layover Sightseeing article.
If you’re feeling tired or anxious about timing, staying at the airport — or booking a nearby hotel — may be the less stressful option. However you spend your layover in the city, make sure to head back in time to get your bags, make it through Security, and board your next flight. Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Toronto.
9. Stay connected
The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals, making it easy to stay connected, message family, or pass time online.
10. Sleep
Sleeping at Toronto Pearson is generally manageable but not luxurious. You’ll find a fair amount of seating throughout the terminals, including some areas without armrests, both pre- and post-security.
Travellers frequently mention the Rest Zone in Terminal 1 (pre-security) as one of the more comfortable places to rest. Noise, lighting, and cool temperatures can be an issue, especially overnight, so earplugs and warm layers help.
For uninterrupted sleep, onsite and nearby hotels are often a better option. The Sheraton Gateway Hotel is directly connected to Terminal 3 via a climate-controlled walkway, and several other hotels—including ALT Hotel Toronto Pearson—are reachable via the airport train. See our Toronto Pearson Airport Guide for hotel details. [ read more ]
Updated 30 December 2025
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Toronto Airport. Visit our Toronto Airport Guide for more information about services and facilities, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.