Going to have an 8 hour layover at Toronto Pearson, whats the best thing to?

Assuming you need to be back to the airport to check in another flight, which means you should be back 2 hours before your next flight, then you got 5 to 6 hours in between.

If you don't mind the cost (CAD $33 round-trip tickets), take the Airport Express bus to downtown Toronto, say, The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where you can browse around downtown for some shopping, head to the Harbourfront for a walk (nice in the summer) and enjoy the breeze from Lake Ontario.

If you know the way, take the subway from Union Station (also at Fairmont Royal York Hotel) and go up the Yonge Street line to Dundas Station for Eaton Centre, one of Toronto's largest shopping malls.

Time yourself to make sure you go back to the Royal York for the Airport Express bus back to the airport.

Hey

I have been in this situation myself and as a travel industry worker it's pretty straight forward however to regular passengers it can be daunting getting back on time.

OK so here goes....

BEFORE you do anything else make sure that you have NOT got to collect your luggage at baggage reclaim when you land and that instead it is taken to your next flight. This may seem pretty straight forward however for long waits many airlines are giving the responsibility back to the passenger during their weight - stupid I know!

Anyway IF you DON'T have to collect your luggage between flights and don't mind paying the fair then grab a taxi down town Toronto (approx $50 each way). Ask them to drop you at The Sheraton Centre Hotel - Queen Street.

This is central to everything so you have a multitude of choices of where to go from there.

Across the street is the Eaton Centre, a mall, which is pretty cool and has everything you want and more including some really good food outlets.

If it is day time and a nice day then my suggestion would be to walk down to the water front or ask the cab to drop you there. By the marina you will see a small supermarket, which sells great fresh produce.

Call in there to grab some lunch to take out and then back to the marina and catch a ferry across to Toronto Islands (10 min trip). Once on there you can have your lunch, sit on the beach and read a book etc. It's very calming and peaceful with a nature reserve too.

If you do want more busyness then go to the CN tour. It certainly wont take you all day but is amazing all the same and a great thing to do in between flights.

All in all I would say you have 5 hours to spare if you go to the city BUT you have to be careful of the time of day 3pm - 8pm the roads are VERY VERY busy going from Toronto down town to the airport so make sure you leave enough time.

Hope this helps!

Toronto is one of the most multicultural varied cities on the planet and with hotelbye you could have the chance to visit it. Toronto is a blast, if the wheatear is excellent; is a radiant, big-time town abuzz with activity. In Toronto you will discover a few of the world's finest restaurants but in addition famous landmark. One of many areas must-see from Toronto may be the 553 yards CN Tower. Imposing above the downtown, the structure is seen from very nearly all around the city. Readers have the choice of only appreciating the creating from the bottom, or going for a trip up to one of the observation places or restaurants for fantastic views of the town and Lake Ontario. The CN Tower was created between 1972 and 1976 and was once, quite a while before, the tallest freestanding design in the world.

If you stay in the airport there's not much to do you're right. I know there's a 24 hour bar there and a lot of restaurants/snack bars. There are stores there but they tend to be expensive (tourist prices). If you're willing to spend money you could buy a book/magazine/puzzle. There are currency exchange places there if you need to change currencies for a certain country.

The closest city to you would be Mississauga. Missisauga is pretty industrial...I can't think of much to do there. you could go have a meal in the city as there are a lot of restaurants there and there are a lot of malls as well. You could see a movie in the city. Just ask an info booth in the airport for directions and information about Mississauga.