Popular Countries
24/7 SupportRent a Car at Toronto Airport - Compare Prices
Free comparison tool · 1000s of rental cars · Major brands · No booking fees
Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals
No Booking Fees
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Find Low Prices
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great car hire offers at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Simple. Choose from on-airport car hire at Terminals 1 and 3 or off-airport car hire 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.
Car Rental Locations & Options
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 Hire" 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 Hire" 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
- Terminal 1: Serves Air Canada, all Star Alliance partners, Emirates, and select others
- Terminal 3: Serves all other airlines including WestJet, Delta, and American
Reaching Hire Counters
- After clearing customs and collecting luggage, follow signs for "Car Hire"
- For on-site companies, take lifts or escalators to Level 1 of the parking garage
- For off-site companies, take the free Terminal Link train to Viscount Station and board the appropriate shuttle
Reservation Tips
- Reserve in advance, especially during summer and holiday periods
- Check both on-site and off-site options for best rates
Car Rental Prices
Saving Tips
- 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.
Car hire prices at Toronto International Airport 2025/2026
Parking and Driving
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
- Kerbside areas are for active loading/unloading only
- Vehicles cannot be left unattended
- Maximum waiting time of 3 minutes
- Police actively enforce these restrictions
Car Hire Return
- Follow "Car Hire Return" signs on approach to the airport
- Most car hire returns are on Level 1 of the garages
- Off-site hire companies provide shuttle service back to terminals
- Allow 30 minutes for the car hire return process plus time to reach your terminal
Local Driving Rules Near the Airport
- Speed limits: 100 km/h on highways, 60-80 km/h on airport approach roads
- Heavy enforcement of speeding in airport vicinity
- No right turn on red at certain airport intersections (watch for signs)
- Airport area has significant commercial traffic, stay alert
Why hire a car in Toronto Pearson 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
- Ottawa – 450 km, 4.5-5 hours
FAQs
How long does it take to pick up a hire 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 hire 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 hire 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.
