Toronto to New York Flights: Compare Cheap Fares & Tips

There’s something about the 475-mile hop from Toronto to New York that always seems to spark a debate: fly, drive, or ride the rails? With non-stop flights clocking in around 90 minutes, it’s easy to assume air travel is the obvious winner — but the real cost, total travel time, and flexibility may surprise you. This guide breaks down the cheapest Toronto to New York flights, compares travel modes, and shows exactly where your money and time go.

Average flight time: 1h 40min (Trip.com) ·
Cheapest one-way fare (recent): $109 (momondo) ·
Cheapest round-trip fare (recent): $165 (momondo) ·
Flight distance: 548 km (Trip.com)

Key figures at a glance: the most popular route is Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to New York LaGuardia (LGA), with several major airlines competing.

What is the cheapest way to get from Toronto to New York?

Budget airlines vs. major carriers

• Momondo reports the best round-trip fare in the last 72 hours at just $165 (momondo).
• Kayak lists a cheapest round-trip of $190, with a specific YYZ–LGA route at $151 (Kayak).
• Skyscanner shows next-month round-trip fares starting from $158 (Skyscanner).
• Expedia found fares from $226 round trip within the past 7 days (Expedia).
• Trip.com lists the cheapest one-way fare at $120 (Trip.com).

The pattern: budget carriers and flexible dates drive the lowest prices. For travelers who can book midweek and well ahead, flying under $200 round trip is realistic.

Off-peak travel seasons

• September is consistently the cheapest month — Kayak and Momondo both cite average round-trip prices around $234 (momondo, Kayak).
• Trip.com confirms the cheapest month is September (Trip.com).
• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest departure days (Trip.com).

The implication: if you can shift your trip to September and fly midweek, you’ll likely save $50–$100 per ticket compared to peak summer or holiday travel.

How long does it take to fly from Toronto to New York City?

Non-stop flight duration

• Trip.com states the average flight time is 1 hour 40 minutes (Trip.com).
• Expedia puts the average at 1 hour 43 minutes (Expedia).
• Skyscanner reports around 1 hour 40 minutes for direct flights (Skyscanner).
• Momondo lists a fastest time of 1 hour 21 minutes (momondo).

Four sources converge on roughly 1 hour 40 minutes, making this one of the shortest international hops. The fastest reported time (1h21min) likely reflects ideal wind conditions and a direct routing.

Total travel time including airport transfers

• Add 2–3 hours for check-in, security, and boarding at Pearson.
• Arrival procedures (customs for U.S. flights clearing at YYZ) add 20–30 minutes.
• Ground transfer from JFK to Midtown: 45–75 minutes by taxi or AirTrain.

The trade-off: door-to-door, flying takes about 4–5 hours, compared to 8+ hours driving and 12+ hours by train. The flight itself is the shortest leg.

How much does a train from Toronto to NYC cost?

Amtrak prices and booking tips

• Amtrak’s Maple Leaf runs daily from Toronto Union Station to New York Penn Station.
• Schedules vary; typical journey takes approximately 12 hours.
• Fares fluctuate by season and how far in advance you book — generally $50–$150 one-way.

While no single source provides a precise current fare, the trend is clear: train travel is cheaper than last-minute airfare but takes much longer.

Comparison with flight costs

• One-way flights can be as low as $109 (momondo), often undercutting train prices when booked early.
• Train offers city-center to city-center convenience, avoiding airport transfers and security lines.

The pattern: if your time is flexible and you prefer comfort, the train is a viable alternative. But for speed, flying is unbeatable even after airport overhead.

Confirmed vs. unclear — what we know and what’s fluid

Confirmed facts

• Non-stop flight time is reliably around 1h40min across multiple booking platforms.
• September is the cheapest month, with average round-trip fares near $234.
• Booking about 40 days (6 weeks) in advance yields the lowest prices (Trip.com).
• Air Canada, United, Delta, American, and Porter all offer non-stop service.

What’s unclear

• Exact Amtrak fares — they vary by day and booking lead time.
• Real-world door-to-door time for driving, given border traffic.
• How much the YTZ–EWR route saves vs. YYZ–LGA in practice.

“Skyscanner’s data shows next-month round-trip fares starting from $158, making it one of the cheapest periods to book.”

— Skyscanner (travel metasearch engine)

“Momondo found a best one-way fare of $109 in the last 72 hours — well below typical train prices.”

— momondo (flight comparison site)

For Toronto travelers, the choice is clear: if speed matters most, flying is the best option. If budget is the priority and you can book early and travel midweek, flights from Toronto to New York can cost as little as $165 round trip. For those who enjoy the journey, the train offers comfort and city-center convenience at a comparable price. Either way, September and Tuesday departures are your best friends. For Toronto travelers, the choice is clear: book early, fly midweek in September, and save — or take the train and trade time for ease.

Related reading: Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel Guide · Weather Near Toronto, ON

For travelers looking to save, exploring low-cost flights to New York from Toronto can reveal even more budget-friendly options.

Frequently asked questions