Originally Posted by
karens
Hi all. On our flight home from Zurich to PHL, we have a 5.5 layover in Toronto.
I know it will take a good 1.5 hours to go through the motions of getting our luggage, etc.
Is there enough safe time to go into Toronto and walk around for a bit, or would we be cutting it too close?
What am I going to do for 5.5 hours with 2 boys?!
I know you didn't ask this question, but it is quite easy to visit Toronto during a layover on the way over to Europe, because your bags are checked through (no need to reclaim them). We rented a car, toured the waterfront downtown for a few hours and went back to YYZ with plenty of time to spare during a 7.5 hour layover.
As others have reported, on the way back to US, customs takes more time. You have a hard decision. There is nothing to do in the transborder area, and the food choices aren't great, but getting out of the airport would probably be a time-consuming hassle and you couldn't make it downtown safely. I would probably stay at the airport and make sure your boys have something to do--video games, laptop, book, magazines, etc.
On the plus side, customs will probably take up at least 1 of your 5.5 hours--and boarding 0.5. So, just 4 hours of boredom.
