Car Hire at Toronto Airport

Airport travel guide

The largest city in Canada, Toronto is a true metropolis. Brimming with energy and innovation, the city is home to an interesting history, lovely architecture, fun cultural life, and diverse neighborhoods. Here are four of its most interesting attractions:

• CN Tower. The tallest structure in the world for three whole decades (and still the highest in the Americas), the CN Tower is undoubtedly the main symbol of Toronto. More than 550 meters (1,815 feet) high, the tower offers dizzying views of the city and the rest of Ontario below. A landmark that’s not to be missed, the CN Tower is in Downtown Toronto and can be easily accessed from anywhere in the city.
• Royal Ontario Museum. More than 100 years old and significantly expanded in 2007 via the futuristic Crystal building, Royal Ontario is the largest museum in Canada. With more than 6 million items on display, it would be impossible to list all the museum’s sections and collections; you can explore the museum’s website to have a glance for yourself (and if there’s a topic you’re particularly interested in, you’re likely to find an exhibition dedicated to it). A fascinating place to visit, Royal Ontario Museum is near Queen’s Park and the University of Toronto.
• Waterfront. Situating alongside the coast of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Waterfront is one of the city’s most scenic places to visit. Arguably its most recognizable feature is the Scarborough Bluffs escarpment that is located in the neighborhood of the same name and features no fewer than nine public parks. The waterfront also has several city beaches that are very popular with locals and tourists alike during the warmer months of the year.
• Niagara Falls. Another symbol of Ontario and the rest of Canada, Niagara Falls are the three impressive waterfalls at the end of Niagara Gorge, on the border with the United States. In addition to the majestic falls themselves, the area is also home to attractions like botanical gardens, the Bird Kingdom aviary, the Butterfly Conservatory, and the Niagara Falls History Museum. During the summer and early autumn months, you can take a cruise to get even closer to the falls. Located about 130 km (80 miles) south of Toronto, Niagara can be reached in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Top international routes

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

Main airlines

Toronto Pearson is the main hub for Air Canada, Canada's flag carrier. Ti’s 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 Candian low-cost airlines WestJet and Sunwing Airlines provide service to and from many destinations in the United States, Mexico, and the Carribean.

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 hire car

• Small cars - starting at £12 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £15 per day
• Large cars - starting at £12 per day
• SUVs - starting at £20 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £54 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £28 per day
• Convertibles - starting at £42 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £133 per day

Car hire 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 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 petrol 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 hires

• London, Ontario (174 km / 108 miles)
• Hamilton (63 km / 39 miles)
• Ottawa (459 km / 285 miles)
• Montreal (551 km / 342 miles)
• Windsor (351 km / 218 miles)
• Quebec City (813 km / 505 mi)
• Kitchener-Waterloo Airport (104 km / 65 mi)