My husband and I are flying Air Canada from IND --> YYZ --> LHR and back on Dec 29, '02 and Jan 6, '03.

My concern lies in our transfer at YYZ. I've heard tell of complete disorganization, difficultly tranferring from T1 to T2, difficult customs officials, etc. Is our concern justified?

We have a layover of just under 2 hours on the outbound leg and just over 2 on the return.

Is this enough to get from our arrival gate at T2 , collect our baggage, go through Canadian customs, travel to T1, and recheck them? I've also read that the interterminal shuttle buses are unreliable and intermittant at best.

Tips and comforting suggestions appreciated!!

Don't be terrified. You have more than enough time to make your connection, assuming no major delays. You will go through Canada Customs and will pick up your bags before leaving customs. Depending on your arrival time, you may find customs to be busy. You can than take the shuttle bus to terminal 1. They come by every ten minutes or so. I would take the bags with you instead of relying on the baggage handlers to transfer them for you.

Thanks for the tip - now I won't worry about it!

You can use the tunnel between T1 and T2 which is for the use of ticketed transfering passengers. Better than waiting for the shuttle bus. Especially in YYZ in January.

I'm not sure how easy it would be for you to use the tunnel. Since you will have arrived from a US flight, once you clear customs you will be outside of the secure area. The tunnel to T1 is on the secure side of the domestic gates in T2. It would mean clearing security once in T2 and again in T1. (the exit to the tunnel is on the non-secure side of T1)

On the way back it's worse, since you would probably have to shlep your luggage with you. You would have to clear security to get back into the tunnel from T1 to T2, Then exit the domestic gates, and go through US customs before you can check your bags again.

I think you're better off with the bus.

[This message has been edited by Toronto1970 (edited 11-29-2002).]