Entry Requirements
Canada requires different documents depending on your nationality and how you’re traveling.
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US Citizens
No Visa · No eTA Required
US citizens do not need a visa or eTA for tourism visits to Canada. A valid US passport book is required for air travel — a passport card is not accepted for flying into Canada. For land crossings from the US, a passport card or NEXUS card is accepted. No customs declaration form required in advance. Keep your boarding pass and declaration card for your stay.
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UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan & Most EU
eTA Required
No full visa needed, but an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required before flying to Canada. It costs CAD $7, is linked to your passport, and is usually approved within minutes at canada.ca. Valid for 5 years or until passport expiry. Apply before booking flights — airlines verify the eTA at check-in. Land crossings do not require an eTA.
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Other Nationalities
Visa May Be Required
Many nationalities require a full Canadian visitor visa applied for at a Canadian embassy or consulate. Processing times vary — for a World Cup trip, apply as early as possible. Some nationals holding a valid US visa may qualify for an eTA instead of a full visitor visa — verify with IRCC (canada.ca/immigration) before applying.
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All Travelers — Key Documents
Checklist
Valid passport (6 months validity recommended), eTA if required (linked to passport — airlines verify at check-in), return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. CBSA officers may ask about your plans and accommodation. Hotel confirmation helps. No fee for entry beyond the eTA cost where applicable.
Nonrev note: US-based nonrevs need a passport book for air travel to Toronto — no exceptions. Canadian carriers (Air Canada, WestJet, Porter) are generally well-covered for ZED travel from US carriers. Confirm your ZED bilateral specifically includes Canadian airports, as some US carriers have separate ZED agreements for Canada vs. domestic US.
Airport Info
Two Toronto airports, two Hamilton/regional options, and two US ground transfer airports within range — here’s how each one works for a nonrev.
Primary Toronto Airports
YYZ is the international hub and first call for most routings. YTZ is the city-center option — only two carriers but 3 km from BMO Field, which is exceptional on a match day.
YYZToronto Pearson International Airport22 km to BMO Field · UP Express to Union Station ~25 minAir Canada’s primary hub and Canada’s busiest airport. Two terminals (T1 and T3, connected post-security). UP Express train runs every 15 min between Pearson and Union Station for CAD $12.35 — the best option. From Union Station, take the GO Train to Exhibition Station (steps from BMO Field) or TTC streetcar 509/511. Total transit time YYZ to BMO Field: 50–60 min. Rideshare ~35 min in light traffic; budget 60+ min on match days.Airlines serving YYZ: AccesRail (9B), Aer Lingus (EI), Aeromexico (AM), Air Canada (AC), Air China (CA), Air France (AF), Air India (AI), Air North (4N), Air Serbia (JU), Air Transat (TS), Alaska Airlines (AS), American Airlines (AA), Arajet (DM), Avianca (AV), Azores Airlines (S4), BermudAir (2T), Biman Bangladesh (BG), British Airways (BA), Caribbean Airlines (BW), Cathay Pacific (CX), China Eastern (MU), China Southern (CZ), Condor (DE), Copa Airlines (CM), Delta Air Lines (DL), EgyptAir (MS), Emirates (EK), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), EVA Air (BR), Finnair (AY), Flair Airlines (F8), Hainan Airlines (HU), Iberia (IB), Icelandair (FI), ITA Airways (AZ), Korean Air (KE), KLM (KL), LOT Polish Airlines (LO), Lufthansa (LH), Pakistan International (PK), Philippine Airlines (PR), Porter Airlines (PD), Qatar Airways (QR), Royal Air Maroc (AT), Royal Jordanian (RJ), SAS (SK), Saudia (SV), Sun Country (SY), Swiss (LX), TAP Air Portugal (TP), Turkish Airlines (TK), United Airlines (UA), Virgin Atlantic (VS), WestJet (WS).
YTZBilly Bishop Toronto City Airport3 km to BMO Field · Pedestrian tunnel to downtownOn the Toronto Islands, connected to downtown via a free pedestrian tunnel and ferry. 3 km from BMO Field — the shortest airport-to-stadium distance of any venue in this tournament. No international flights. If you can clear Porter or Air Canada short-haul into YTZ, this is by far the most convenient landing for World Cup match days.Airlines serving YTZ: Air Canada (AC), Porter Airlines (PD).
Alternate Airports — Regional Overflow Options
When YYZ shows impossible loads on your routing airline, these regional airports within 100 km are worth a check. Hamilton is the most viable; Waterloo and Niagara are limited but real options depending on your carrier.
YHMJohn C. Munro Hamilton International70 km from Toronto · ~55 min by carThe most viable Toronto overflow airport. GO Transit Route 55 bus connects Hamilton to Burlington GO Station, then GO Train to Union Station — about 90 min total. Rideshare to BMO Field approximately 60–75 min. Worth checking if YYZ is showing impossible on your routing airline.Airlines serving YHM: Air Canada (AC), Porter Airlines (PD), WestJet (WS).
YKFRegion of Waterloo International~100 km from Toronto · ~70 min by carServes the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area. Limited carrier selection — Air Canada, Flair, and WestJet. GO Train from Kitchener station connects to Union Station (~2 hrs). A genuine last resort if YYZ and YHM are both impossible on your carrier.Airlines serving YKF: Air Canada (AC), Flair Airlines (F8), WestJet (WS).
YCMNiagara District Airport (St. Catharines)~130 km from Toronto · ~90 min by carSmall regional airport in the Niagara region. Air Canada only. Very limited schedule — primarily regional turboprop service. Only worth checking if you have an AC routing with no other options. GO Bus from Niagara connects to Burlington GO then train to Toronto.Airlines serving YCM: Air Canada (AC).
US Ground Transfer Options — Fly Here, Drive or Bus In
Two US airports within driving distance of Toronto with good carrier selection. Cross into Canada at Niagara Falls (Rainbow Bridge) or Peace Bridge (Fort Erie/Buffalo). Note: all travelers need a valid passport for the Canada land border crossing, regardless of nationality.
BUFBuffalo Niagara International Airport~150 km · ~90 min to Toronto via border crossingThe best US ground transfer option for Toronto — strong carrier selection and direct coach service to Toronto. Megabus and Greyhound run from Buffalo to Toronto (~2 hrs including border stop). By car, take I-190 north to the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie/Buffalo border crossing) then QEW into Toronto. Expect 90–120 min including the border. Budget extra during peak World Cup match weeks — border waits can spike.Airlines serving BUF: Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), JetBlue (B6), Southwest Airlines (WN), Sun Country (SY), United Airlines (UA).
ROCGreater Rochester International Airport~170 km · ~2 hrs to Toronto via border crossingSlightly further than Buffalo but good carrier variety. Drive north on I-390 to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge border crossing, then QEW into Toronto. No direct coach service to Toronto — a car rental or rideshare is needed. Worth considering if BUF loads are also showing impossible on your carrier but ROC has open seats.Airlines serving ROC: Allegiant (G4), American Airlines (AA), Avelo (XP), Breeze Airways (MX), Delta Air Lines (DL), JetBlue (B6), Southwest Airlines (WN), United Airlines (UA).
DTWDetroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport~250 km · ~6–7 hrs to Toronto via border crossingDelta’s hub with strong domestic and international coverage. The routing to Toronto is multi-step but confirmed viable: take the DAX bus or rideshare from DTW to downtown Detroit (~30 min), then the Windsor Tunnel Bus ($7.50 CAD, crosses into Windsor, Canada — passport required), then a taxi or Uber (~3 miles) to Windsor VIA Rail station, then VIA Rail direct to Toronto Union Station (~4 hrs, 4 daily departures). Total door-to-door approximately 6–7 hrs. Alternatively, Flixbus runs from Detroit Bus Station directly to Toronto (~5.5 hrs including border crossing) — no taxi needed. Check flixbus.com. Best used when DTW has open seats on your carrier and YYZ, BUF, and ROC are all impossible.Airlines serving DTW: AccesRail (9B), Aeromexico (AM), Air Canada (AC), Air France (AF), Alaska Airlines (AS), American Airlines (AA), Avelo Airlines (XP), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), JetBlue (B6), Lufthansa (LH), Royal Jordanian (RJ), Southwest Airlines (WN), Spirit Airlines (NK), Sun Country (SY), Turkish Airlines (TK), United Airlines (UA), Volaris (Y4), WestJet (WS).
IAGNiagara Falls International Airport (USA)~130 km from Toronto · Flixbus to Union Station ~2h50minAllegiant Air only — limited routes but worth checking if you have an Allegiant origin. Fly into IAG then take Flixbus from Niagara Falls NY directly to Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal. Flixbus runs 2–3 daily departures from 120 Old Main Street in Niagara Falls NY, includes the border crossing, and arrives at Union Station in approximately 2 hrs 50 min. From Union Station, GO Train or TTC streetcar to BMO Field. Total IAG to BMO Field: approximately 4 hrs. Book Flixbus in advance at flixbus.com — fares from ~$27 USD.Airlines serving IAG: Allegiant Air (G4).
Nonrev strategy: YYZ is the obvious first call — Air Canada’s hub, widest carrier mix in Canada. YTZ is niche but excellent if you can clear Porter or AC short-haul: 3 km from BMO Field, no highway traffic to fight. For the Canada opener on June 12, treat June 10–12 as near-impossible on standby into YYZ. Position June 9 or earlier. BUF is a serious contingency — 8 carriers including all major US airlines, and a coach ride away from the stadium.
Getting to BMO Field
Transit is the right call — parking is limited and match-day traffic around Exhibition Place is brutal. The good news: BMO Field is one of the best-served stadiums in the tournament for public transit.
🚆GO Train — Exhibition StationThe Exhibition GO Station is literally steps from BMO Field’s main gates. From Union Station it’s one stop west. GO Transit runs extra service on match days. From YYZ: take the UP Express to Union Station (~25 min), then GO Train to Exhibition (~10 min). Best option for fans arriving from Pearson or staying in downtown hotels near Union Station.
🚃TTC Streetcar — 509 / 511The 509 Harbourfront streetcar boards at Union Station and runs west along the waterfront directly to Exhibition Loop — steps from the stadium. The 511 Bathurst streetcar connects from Bathurst Subway Station. A single TTC fare or Presto card tap covers both. Budget extra time on match days — streetcars will be very full in the hour before kickoff.
🚶From YTZ — Walk the WaterfrontIf you land at Billy Bishop (YTZ), BMO Field is 3 km away. Walk through the free pedestrian tunnel to the Harbourfront, then follow the waterfront trail west for about 20 minutes. On a clear summer evening before a match, this is genuinely one of the best ways to arrive. A taxi or rideshare also gets you there in under 10 minutes.
🏟️Fort York Fan FestivalFIFA’s official fan festival is adjacent to BMO Field at Fort York National Historic Site. Giant screens, food, entertainment. For the Canada opener, get there by noon — capacity will fill quickly. The GO Train to Exhibition Station drops you at both the fan festival and stadium entrance. No separate transit needed between the two.
🚗Rideshare & TaxiRideshare pickup and dropoff is in the designated green lot near the Southeast entrance. Pre-book your return ride before the match ends — post-game demand will be high and wait times can run 30–45 minutes. Driving and parking is strongly discouraged on match days. If you do drive, arrive at least 2 hours early.
🚌Flixbus — Niagara Falls to Union StationIf you land at IAG (Niagara Falls, NY) or are positioned in Niagara Falls ON, Flixbus runs directly to Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal. From Niagara Falls ON: 12 daily departures, ~1.5 hrs, from $12 CAD. From Niagara Falls NY: 2–3 daily departures, ~2h50min including border crossing, from $27 USD. Book at flixbus.com. From Union Station, GO Train to Exhibition is one stop west.
🚌From Buffalo / US BorderIf coming from BUF by coach (Megabus or Greyhound), buses arrive at Toronto Coach Terminal on Bay Street, a 5-minute walk from Union Station. From there, GO Train or TTC streetcar to Exhibition as above. Total time from Buffalo to BMO Field by bus: approximately 3–3.5 hrs including border crossing.
5 Things To Do in Toronto
Between matches — Toronto is a city that rewards exploration.
1Kensington MarketThe most eclectic neighborhood in the city — vintage shops, international street food, cheesemongers, and a vibe that resists every attempt to gentrify it. A 20-min walk from BMO Field or a short streetcar ride. Go on a non-match morning. Best street food per square foot in Toronto.
2Fort York Fan FestivalFIFA’s official fan festival directly adjacent to BMO Field. Giant screens, food vendors, cultural programming, thousands of international fans. For Canada match days, get there early — it will fill before noon and the atmosphere before kickoff will be unlike anything Toronto has hosted.
3St. Lawrence MarketOne of the world’s great food markets, open since 1803, five minutes from Union Station. The peameal bacon sandwich on a kaiserbun is the canonical Toronto food experience — not optional. Saturday morning is best. Pairs easily with the Distillery District two blocks east.
4The Distillery DistrictA beautifully preserved Victorian industrial complex turned arts and dining district — cobblestones, galleries, craft breweries, excellent restaurants. 10-min walk from Union Station. During the World Cup, expect international pop-ups and fan gatherings. One of the most photogenic spots in the city.
5Toronto Islands & the WaterfrontA ferry from Harbourfront takes you to the Toronto Islands in 15 minutes — bike rentals, beaches, and the best skyline views in the city. BMO Field is on the lake — on a summer evening before or after a match, walk the waterfront trail west from the stadium. On a clear day the views are exceptional.
