Flying IAD-YYZ a week from now, UA6196 scheduled arrival 6.40pm. Connecting to Union Station to catch the Canadian which is scheduled to leave at 10pm, but apparently is often delayed. Flight gets in to the dreaded gate 272. Is that allowing sufficient time to get the train? Is the Union Pearson Express the best option for getting into town?

Any advice gratefully received, as usual...

I've never even heard of gate 272. Is that meant to be D72?

Even with checked luggage, a non-NA passport, and a visit to secondary the most I've ever known to take getting through YYZ is 90 mins. Normal with non-priority luggage and no extra inspections etc... is about 30-45 mins from wheels down, could be a bit faster on what I assume is a E75/190/CRA. Note these times are based on people who generally walk faster than people walking on travelators so YMMV.

UPX is about 10-15 mins away and reasonably well signposted (compared to say the monorail) from T1 and fairly regular so you should be fine. But as you say, if you are significantly delayed or get grounded for a red alert (my favourite delay at YYZ) you may be spending a night downtown. If there is no way you're going to make the train it might be cheaper to check-out one of the two airport hotels accessible via the monorail.

Thanks. I think 272 is a remote stand, maybe involving a bus to the terminal?

NZ passport, but not planning to check bags; even if it took 90 mins I guess I should be OK.

Not sure, all US flights should arrive into F gates actually which is generally a far shorter walk, but I only do these US-CAN flights about four times a year so am not the expert. I don't think I've ever taken a bus at YYZ but again I don't do daily flights like some.

Make sure you have your eTA if on a NZ passport! And dump all fruit and veg so you don't have to declare anything as that is the one thing that got me personally sent to secondary (batting a good average as I've done it at least four other times without issues).

Looking at Google Maps, 272 does indeed appear to be remote, it is a good ways east of even the F gates. Tough to tell if there is any sort of building anywhere near it, there definitely isn't a jet bridge there, so I'm betting a bus is correct.

Good to know. Why do we think said flight is going to go here though? Aren't gates assigned day of, if not while enroute?

Not that 270 sounds much better today, and the last two days do indeed show 272.

Either way... https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/1194416-bad-feeling-about-where-gate-260-toronto.html

That flight usually ends up at the far F-gates (90+ iirc). There is no bus but instead you walk down a long hallway to get back to the main terminal and then the rest of the walk to immigration. The walk is basically an extra 5-10 minutes (n.b. the sign getting there say 10-15 min) depending on how fast you walk.

90 min is a comfortable estimate to get from landing out thru immigration/customs.

I never take the UPX so I can't talk to the transit time from the airport.

Yes and yes. Three hours will be plenty of time to clear customs, pick up bags and take UPX to Union Station. The train station is at Terminal 1 where you will be landing and not hard to find. UPX leaves 4 times an hour and the trip takes 25 minutes. The trains are comfortable and it's a short walk from the UPX station to Vial Rail departures.

Alles klar - many thanks to all for the advice, and especially jc94 for the ETA tip; I have not been to Canada for several years and didn't realize this was now a requirement.

UP Express will drop you off at Union Station which is where the Canadian is departing from. I took UP Express couple of weeks ago from YYZ into Union Station and it was a breeze. Just follow the signs for "Union Station" once you get off and it will take you into the main station building which is where Via Rail departs from.

Also, it took about 30 minutes for us to clear immigration and customs which includes the time to collect our checked bags.

FYI, VIA's Canadian typically leaves on time at the start of its journey... it just tends to lose time along the way.

As long as you hustle you should make the train with a bit of time to spare, OP. Definitely no time for stopping until you get to Union Station, though.

30 mins is about standard. And much faster (well 20 with bags) is indeed possible ... OP may have time to sightsee... but may not. Important to never rely upon things. There are a few places around Union to get a drink anyway if you end up in early. Or go outside and gaze up at the CN tower if you wish.