The airport you book your flight from can impact more than just your travel itinerary. It can alter your travel time, transportation and even how fast you can get to your hotel or meeting in the center of Toronto. When it comes to choosing between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), many travelers find themselves torn between the two. The Toronto region is served by both airports, but they have different aircraft capacities.
When booking a limo from the Toronto airport, you need to know the strengths of each airport to be able to select the most convenient one. Billy Bishop is much closer, and much faster to reach, for a trip down town Toronto, while Pearson has numerous more flight options and international connections.
🛫 Toronto's Two Airports at a Glance
Canada's largest airport is Toronto Pearson. It handles most of the country's long haul and international flights and is situated in Mississauga, which is approximately 25-30 km from downtown Toronto.
Billy Bishop is much smaller. It is located on the Toronto Islands, right next to downtown Toronto, and near Union Station. The airport is particularly used by business travelers for flights across Canada and to certain U.S. destinations.
A quick comparison:
Feature | Pearson (YYZ) | Billy Bishop (YTZ) |
|---|---|---|
Distance to downtown | 25-30 km | 3-4 km |
International flights | Extensive | Limited |
Main airline types | Global and domestic | Regional and business-focused |
Typical arrival time to Union Station | 35-60 min | 10-20 min |
Best for | Long-haul and connecting trips | Downtown business and short trips |
📍 Is Billy Bishop Airport closer to Downtown Toronto than Pearson?
Yes. Billy Bishop is much closer to downtown Toronto than Pearson.
With a pre-booked chauffeur car, it takes about 10-20 minutes to get to the financial district, waterfront, or Union Station from YTZ. The journey from Pearson can take between 35-60 minutes depending on the traffic.
If you are travelling nearby:
Union Station
The Financial District
Harbourfront
Entertainment District
King West
Billy Bishop is typically the more convenient airport.
That shorter transfer can make a big difference after a flight, particularly if you are arriving late in the evening or straight to a meeting.
✈️ Which Airlines fly into Billy Bishop Airport?
The airport's most notable asset is Porter Airlines, which set its operations up for easy access to downtown. Seasonal or charter flights may be available by other airlines, but Porter is the name most identified with Billy Bishop.
Common destinations include:
Ottawa
Montreal
Halifax
Vancouver
Calgary
New York (selected services)
Boston (selected services)
Billy Bishop can save a lot of time with ground transportation if you start or end your trip in one of these cities.
🌍 When Pearson is the better choice
Although it's a bit longer drive, Pearson is a commonly used airport for many travelers.
Choose YYZ when:
You're traveling overseas.
A connecting flight is required.
You have a big family and you're traveling with them.
You are carrying a considerable amount of luggage.
Your hotel is located outside downtown Toronto
Pearson has a lot more flight options and typically offer competitive pricing on long-haul routes. If you are arriving from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, or the United States, you will likely land at Pearson.
When it comes to these trips, hiring a limo from Toronto airport is particularly beneficial since it gives you the freedom to avoid stressing out due to terminal handling, taxi service and traffic congestion after a long flight.
⏱️ How Much Faster Is a Billy Bishop Arrival for Downtown Meetings?
For a downtown business meeting, Billy Bishop is often 20-40 minutes faster than Pearson.
A typical comparison:
Route | Typical Travel Time |
|---|---|
Billy Bishop → Union Station | 10–20 min |
Pearson → Union Station | 35–60 min |
That difference matters when you are:
Attending a morning meeting
Connecting to a train at Union Station
Visiting clients for only a few hours
Returning to the airport the same day
Many of our corporate clients choose Billy Bishop specifically to reduce non-productive travel time.
🤝 Can a Chauffeur Service Pick Up From Both Pearson and Billy Bishop?
Absolutely. Our luxury chauffeur service Toronto is available from both airports.
At Pearson we offer:
Flight tracking
Meet-and-greet service
Assistance with luggage
Pickup at all the terminals
At Billy Bishop, pickups are often quicker because the airport is smaller and easier to navigate.
If you are traveling on business, you can book an airport limousine service Toronto for sedan, or if it's a larger group, a van is available. You can book in advance either online via our website or through our Android and iOS app.
🚦 Travel Time Matters More Than Distance
It's not the distance from the airport to the city center that many travelers consider. In Toronto, it's usually the traffic. For example, a 30 km trip in the traffic jam from Pearson can take longer than a 4 km trip from Billy Bishop even in busy days.
If your schedule is tight, consider:
Arrival time