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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Simple. Choose from on-airport car rental at Terminals 1 and 3 or off-airport car rental via the free Terminal Link to Viscount Station, with 24/7 options from major brands. Book early for summer and holiday travel to secure low prices and a wide choice of vehicles for downtown Toronto, Niagara Falls and beyond.
Toronto Pearson offers both on-site and off-site hire options:
| Hire Type | Companies | Pick-up Details | Service Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Site Hire | • Avis/Budget • Enterprise/National/Alamo • Hertz • Dollar/Thrifty |
• Terminal 1: Level 1 of parking garage • Terminal 3: Level 1 of parking garage • Follow "car rental" signs in arrival areas |
• No shuttle needed • Typically open 24/7 • Wider selection of vehicles • Prices may be higher due to airport location fees |
| Off-Site Hire | • ACE • Discount • Routes • Zoom |
• Take Terminal Link train to Viscount Station • Free shuttles from Viscount Station • Follow "Off-Airport car rental" signs |
• Free shuttle service • Potentially lower rates • Takes slightly longer to pick up your car • May have limited hours compared to on-site |
Terminal Layout:
Reaching Hire Counters: 1. After clearing customs and collecting luggage, follow signs for "car rental" 2. For on-site companies, take lifts or escalators to Level 1 of the parking garage 3. For off-site companies, take the free Terminal Link train to Viscount Station and board the appropriate shuttle
Reservation Tips:
On average, car rentals at Toronto International Airport cost around CAD $73 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from CAD $12 per day.
Compare on-site vs off-site at YYZ. Off-site companies reached via the free Terminal Link to Viscount Station and shuttles can be 10-15% cheaper. Check their hours if you land late.
Weigh airport vs downtown total cost. Include train/taxi into the city and time lost. For short hires in Toronto, airport pick-up often still wins on overall value.
Time bookings to the season. For Toronto summers and holidays, book 2-3 months ahead. Off-peak, monitor prices and book 2-3 weeks out or when a drop appears.
Check weekly pricing. A 7-day rate is often cheaper than hiring 5-6 days.
Trim extras and fees. Limit additional drivers, make a 25+ traveller the primary driver if possible, use your phone for GPS, and bring your own child seat if practical.
Avoid avoidable charges. Fill up on Dixon Rd or Airport Rd before returning and keep the receipt. Skip the 407 ETR toll road and use 401/427 if you want to avoid toll costs.
If picking up or returning someone at the airport:
| Parking Option | Location | Rates (Approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal Garages | Attached to Terminals 1 & 3 | • Fees apply per 30 minutes • Daily maximum rates are also available |
• Short meetings at airport • Bad weather days • Quick pick-ups/drop-offs |
| Value Park Garage | Short shuttle ride from terminals | • Hourly rates apply • Daily maximum rates are also available |
• Slightly longer stays (few hours) • More economical option |
| Value Park Lot | Short shuttle ride from terminals | • Hourly rates apply • Daily maximum rates are also available |
• Budget option • Stays of several hours |
| Cell Phone Lot | 5-minute drive from terminals | • 45-minute maximum | • Waiting for arriving passengers • Avoiding terminal congestion |
Terminal Kerbside Regulations:
car rental Return:
Local Driving Rules Near the Airport:
Get a hire car so you can easily:
Downtown Toronto – 25 km, 30-60 minutes
Mississauga – 5-10 km, 10-20 minutes
Niagara Falls – 130 km, 1.5-2 hours
Cottage Country (Muskoka) – 175-215 km, 2-2.5 hours
How long does it take to pick up a rental car after landing at Toronto Pearson? You should plan for about 30-45 minutes to get from your plane to your hire car on a normal day. When it's busy, like on summer weekends or holidays, it might take you 45-60 minutes.
Is it better to hire from an on-site or off-site company at Pearson? Companies at the airport are very convenient but usually charge more. Companies located off-site need a shuttle ride but you could save 10-15%. If you're short on time or arriving late, hiring at the airport is the easiest option.
What's the best route from Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto? The quickest way is to take Highway 427 south to the Gardiner Expressway east. During rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM on weekdays), you might want to try other routes like Highway 401 east to the Don Valley Parkway south, especially if you're going to the east side of downtown.
Can I return my hire car outside of business hours? Yes, the major hire companies at the airport let you return cars 24 hours a day. You should follow the signs for after-hours returns. This usually means you park in a special spot and put the keys in a secure drop box. We suggest you take photos of the car's condition and the fuel gauge for your own records.
Is there a way to avoid paying airport fees on hire cars? To completely avoid airport fees, you have to hire from a location away from the airport. But, you'll need to think about the cost of getting there. It's about $12-13 per person on the UP Express or $50-75 for a taxi or ride-hail to downtown. Hiring at the airport might still be cheaper overall, especially if you only need the car for a short time.
How far in advance should I book a rental car at Toronto Pearson? If you are travelling during busy times like summer or holidays, you should book 2-3 months ahead. For quieter travel times, booking 2-3 weeks in advance is usually enough. You can rent a car at the last minute, but it will often cost more and you'll have fewer cars to choose from.
What happens if my flight is delayed? Most hire companies at the airport track flight times and will hold your car if your flight is late. We recommend you add your flight number when you book. If your flight is delayed by a lot (more than 3 hours), you should call the hire company to make sure they will still hold your car.
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