Car Rental at Toronto Airport

Airport travel guide

The largest city of Canada, Toronto has plenty of art, entertainment, and sophistication going on – and that’s before we’ve mentioned the CN Tower. Some of Ontario’s most enjoyable day trips, such as the Niagara Falls, are also just a relatively short drive away. These are four of Toronto’s most interesting attractions:

• Royal Ontario Museum. Large, interesting, and partially located in one of the most impressive buildings in all of Canada, a visit to the ROM will be a highlight of any visit to Toronto. The busiest museum in the country, its countless exhibitions cover various aspects of world cultures, natural history, and art. Visit the museum’s official website to learn more.
• CN Tower. Dominating the city skyline and every tourism video and booklet ever made about Toronto, the CN Tower is another iconic landmark that you can only miss at your own peril. The way upstairs in the glass elevator is unforgettable and the views from the observation deck are truly dizzying. To avoid crowds of other tourists, the best idea is to visit as early in the morning as possible.
• Ontario Science Centre. Another huge, and hugely popular, place to visit, this fascinating cultural institution has a Science Arcade, a Space Hall and Planetarium, a simulated rainforest, a Family Nature Escape, and tens of others, equally fascinating exhibitions. The center is northeast of the city center, and, depending on the traffic, can be reached in about 25-40 minutes by car. Visit its website to learn more.
• Cabbagetown. Known for the colorful facades of its many Victorian heritage buildings, Cabbagetown is one of the most distinctive parts of Toronto. Despite its fancy look, the area has a strong working-class origin as it was initially populated mainly by immigrants from Ireland; its name comes from cabbages that were grown by them in their front and back yards. Centrally located, Cabbagetown is also home to such attractions as the historical Riverdale Farm.

Top international routes

• New York City
• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Calgary
• Ottawa
• Chicago
• Halifax
• Edmonton

Main airlines

Toronto Pearson is the main hub for Air Canada, Canada's flag carrier. Its regional brand, Air Canada Express, serves smaller regional destinations. Air Canada Rouge, the company’s low-cost brand, also has a base at the airport.

The Canadian low-cost airlines WestJet, Air Transat, and Sunwing Airlines provide service to and from many destinations in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Terminals

There are two active passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The Link Train provides a free shuttle service between them.

Location

Toronto Airport is about 22.5 km (14 miles) northwest of central Toronto. Ontario Highway 427 and Gardiner Expressway are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• SUVs - from €24 per day
• Small cars - from €16 per day
• Medium cars - from €22 per day
• Large cars - from €17 per day
• Premium cars - from €35 per day
• Station wagons - from €127 per day
• Convertibles - from €54 per day
• Vans - from €38 per day

Car rental desks

The desks of Alamo and National are located on level 1 of the parking garages net to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

Ace, Discount, Economy, Europcar, Green Motion, Mex, Nu, Surprice, Swift and Zoom provide shuttle services to their respective locations near the airport. Make sure to leave more time to pick up your rental car if using one of these companies.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a wide array of restaurants, cafeterias, and bars, a duty-free shopping area and other stores, an international currency exchange bureau with an ATM, a number of lounges, a lost and found service, a medical clinic, pharmacy, interfaith centers, an art gallery, and several exhibition spaces. The luggage storage service, called Excess Baggage, is on level 1 of Terminal 1. Wheelchair and mobility assistance is available but should be arranged in advance with the help of your airline. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

A Shell station is located right next to the airport at 5869 Airport Road. It takes about one minute to reach the airport from it and it is open 24/7. This is the most convenient station for those returning cars at the airport. Those returning cars to off-airport rental locations will find other gas stations more convenient. For example, there are two stations, a Shell and an Esso, at the intersection where Routes Car Rental is located (Derry Rd. and Rexwood Rd.).

If renting from Surprice, a Mobil station a block north of Surprice’s location on Highway 27 is convenient to fill up at before dropping off your rental car.

Zoom, which also services a Mex Rent a Car and Nu Car Rentals, is located right next to a Canadian Tire Gast + station. There is also a Husky station across the street.

Green Motion is located further north along the same street (Dixie Road) and is right next to another station, an Esso station in this case.

Finally, Discount and Ace are located very close to the airport across from the Toronto Congress Centre. A Shell station can be found 100 meters to the east along the same road (Dixon Road).

Popular one-way rentals

• Hamilton (147 km / 91 miles)
• Ottawa (411 km / 255 miles)
• Windsor (351 km / 218 miles)
• London (174 km / 108 miles)
• Montreal (551 km / 342 miles)
• New York City (752 km / 462 miles)