Istanbul to Toronto (IST–YYZ) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Turkish passport holders need a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) to enter Canada. Apply online through the IRCC portal at canada.ca/immigration or at a Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC). The fee is CAD 100 per person (about TRY 2,500). Required documents include passport photos, proof of funds, a travel itinerary, hotel bookings, a letter of invitation if visiting family or friends, and evidence of ties to Turkey (employment, property, family). Passport must be valid for the duration of the intended stay. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are required at a VAC, costing an additional CAD 85.

Processing times vary from 2 to 8 weeks depending on the season and application volume. Apply well in advance. If you hold a valid US visa or US permanent resident card, you may qualify for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) instead, which is simpler and costs only CAD 7. Canadian immigration at the port of entry may ask about your trip purpose, length of stay, and proof of funds. A border officer determines the actual length of stay, up to 6 months.

Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) run about 10 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Air Canada. Istanbul to Montreal (YUL) runs about 10 hours on Turkish Airlines. Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD), trading at roughly 25 TRY per CAD 1. The UP Express from Toronto Pearson to Union Station takes 25 minutes for CAD 12.35 (TRY 309). Toronto's PRESTO card works on TTC subway, buses, and streetcars at CAD 3.35 per ride. Card payments work everywhere in Canada.

Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.

UP Express from T1 to Union Station runs every 15 minutes (25 min, CAD $12.35). The station is inside T1; take the LINK train from T3 arrivals first (free, 3 min). Taxis to downtown use a meter; expect CAD $55–75.Ride-hail (Uber, Lyft) picks up at the designated Ground Transportation area; follow signs. TTC buses run to the Kipling and Bloor–Yonge subway stations (CAD $3.30) for a longer but cheaper option. Car rental agencies are at T1 and accessible from T3 via the LINK train.

Humid continental climate. Winters are harsh (−10 to −1°C, December–March) with significant snowfall. Pearson closes runways for plowing and de-icing regularly, causing wave delays. Ice storms (freezing rain) are more disruptive than snowfall and can halt operations for hours. Buffalo-effect lake-effect snow can bring heavy accumulations with little warning.

Summers are warm and humid (22–30°C) with afternoon thunderstorms that delay departures July–August. Spring and fall are pleasant but unpredictable. YYZ connections in winter require significant schedule buffer. It is Canada's most weather-disrupted major hub.