I am getting ready to book our flight from Windsor to Rome via Toronto International airport. The flight schedule I would like to book allows for an hour and 26 minutes between flights. I am hoping that will be enough time since we would have already went through border control/customs when we entered Canada in Windsor. The next flight has almost 3 hours. What are your thoughts on this? Is almost an hour and a half enough time? Thanks!
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
You are smart to fly from within Canada...takes a long time to get through their customs otherwise!
Unless your first flight is running late, your hour and a half should be more than enough especially if you're not changing airlines. If you are changing airlines it should be fine as long as your bags get transferred over.
Posted by
OP
Michigan, United States
703 posts
We are flying Air Canada for all flights so no changes, other than a bigger plane. I was hoping it would be enough time. I've always used Air France out of Detroit which are nonstop flights but the price to fly out of Windsor is much better than out of Detroit. Thanks!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4087 posts
It's a 50-minute flight on a small prop aircraft, so after you land at Pearson International your luggage will be out and moving in a hurry (it will be checked all the way through to Rome from Windsor, but you still hope it will be loaded onto the same big jet as you are.) In Toronto, step lively on the fair hike between the domestic and international sections of the terminal building. You will stay in secure areas but there are checkpoints to go through. Your boarding pass from Toronto will be printed for you in Windsor but it's always wise to double-check the departures screen in case of a last-minute gate change.
This page from the Pearson website may help. http://torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx#
If you return through Pearson, you will go to the immigration and border security line for foreigners visiting Canada, not to the pre-clearance for travelling to the US. Homeland will check you when you cross at Windsor Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge.
Posted by
OP
Michigan, United States
703 posts
So should I allow more time on the return flight? I would hate to cut it too close and miss a flight. Thanks!
Posted by
Here and there
108 posts
Yes, you should allow more time on the return flight. You will have to clear Canadian passport control and customs in Toronto, which will take time.
If you are frequent travelers to Canada, I'd suggest you investigate applying for a NEXUS card. It can save you time at the U.S.-Canada border and also in Canadian airports. Also, you can use it on the Global Entry kiosks at most U.S. international airports. The card is good for 5 years and can be well worth the investment.