Layover in Toronto
 

I've just learned that our flight from Minneapolis to Vienna will require a 5 hour layover in Toronto from 1:14 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. With that amount of time available, can we get into town to see a few sights (I've never been to Toronto) and still be back in time to catch our flight out to Amsterdam/Vienna? Is taxi the only way to get from airport to downtown? How long a ride? What kind of fare? What would be the thing(s) to see with that amount of time? Are there storage lockers available for our carry on luggage? How much time to allow for security checks on return? Lots of questions, I know. But the big one is just is this doable at all? Thanks for your help.

Well, le'ts work it backwards on this one. You shd be back @ PIA in the check-in lineup @ 4:20 for your 6:20 departure. Maybe earlier. I have not flown Internationally out of Toronto lately but when I check in for a domestic flight I get there a least 2 hours b/f flight departure. By the time we wend our way through security & grab some lunch they are calling our flight! So, you may want to leave more time for an International flight. Now, if you want to be @ PIA from downtown To for 4:20 you will have to leave Downtown To by 3:30 at the latest b/c you are getting into "rush hour". When you arrive from Minneapolis @ 1:14, by the time you de-plane, & get a cab/limo to downtown it will be 2:00. Allow 1/2 hour to get downtown. So you'll be there @ 2:30 & you'll have to leave @ 3:30 to get back!!! I thnk I answered your question.
But... what you cld do, is go to the The Gateway Sheraton Hotel in Terminal 3 & have a very nice, relaxing lunch & afternoon! That's what I wld do.

Here's what I'd do.

As soon as you arrive at Toronto, see how much you can accomplish with the Toronto-Vienna airline. Can you get your luggage taken off your hands, get boarding passes, etc. The goal is to give you more time coming back, and to minimize things you need to carry.

Then go out to the limo catching area; there ae big highway style buses, limos (regular Lincoln Towncars) and taxis.

Ask a limo driver what it would cost to take you down town, drive you around, and bnring you back to the airport.

Their are weird licensing regs regarding airport transportation, so the limo will have to agree.

Then talk to the driver about a two hour round trip that will show you from the comfort of the car some of the highlights of the city.

Airline Limousine is the name of one company, and I used to use it a lot for customized trips.

From the airport, your most intresting trip would be to go down by the lake, into Toronto on the Lakeshore, drive past Harbourfront, back and forth among the giant bank towers, perhaps go over to the distillery district and walk around for half an hour, up to the fancy shopping area around Yorkville, and then head back towards the airport trhough some of the very varied residential districts.

This could be a fun way of seeing a new city, for maybe $150cdn (US$120 or so)

BAK

Five hours is a long layover, but I'd take Wow's advice to relax and have a nice lunch. Time is too tight and traffic can be heavy even at 3:00 pm. on all the major highways. Add to that an unexpected slowdown (or complete stop) and you might be tearing your hair out. That's a very busy route from downtown Toronto.

International boarding time is 120 minutes prior to flight time, and at boarding gate 25 minutes prior. My travel experience is that it's not worth the hassle.

Thanks. You folks sure know your city and your airport. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with me. I'll be putting the limo rental idea vs. very leisurely lunch at the Sheraton to a vote with my 3 traveling companions. My husband is one of them and he's a kind of nervous nelly about getting to the plane on time so I'm guessing his vote will be for lunch at the Sheraton. Thanks for your help.

Judging by the 2 times we've had to connect in Toronto for an overseas flight-I'd say 5 hours to change planes and pass throught the nightmare that is the Toronto airport will be about the right amount of time. Good Luck.

Another consideration is date because I believe the new terminal is opening in April, hopefully it will improve things and speed but you never know.

Subject to your pastimes, another suggestion is Woodbine Racetrack which, depending on the date, may have live racing (either thoroughnreds or standardbreds) and/or simulcast. Woodbine also has a large slot machine area (approx 2,000 slots). It has reasonable restaurants. Woodbine is a 5-10 minute drive from the airport and is one of North America's premiere horse racing facilities.

About 5 years ago we had a 7 our layover and we rented a car and drove to see Niagara Falls. If you decide to rent a car and drive somewhere, just go booth to booth to get the best deal on a one-day rental, since you have a bit of time. However, if you want to go downtown, take the limo as suggested, since they know how to deal with traffic when it gets heavy. The last thing you want si to be parked on the 401 as time gets too close to your flight!