Best Car Hire Toronto Airport

Renting a Car in Toronto Airport? Read our guide before Hiring a Car

Lester B. Pearson International Airport (usually shortened to Toronto Pearson or similar), is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located approximately 23 km northwest of the city’s downtown area, and overlapping into the city of MIssissaugua, Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the city of Canada. Handling nearly 45 million passengers a year, and accounting for nearly 500,000 aircraft arrivals and departures, it ranks 32nd on the list of the world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic. It’s also 22nd on the list of busiest international airports, and 15th by number of flights. In North America, it ranks only behind New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in terms of international traffic.

Served by 75 airlines facilitating 1,250 departures to nearly 200 worldwide destinations, it’s no wonder that so many people depend on Toronto Pearson International Airport for their travel needs. The airport has two active terminals (numbered 1 and 3), one currently inactive/backup terminal (IFT or “infield terminal), and one VIP terminal that is reserved for private flights.

There are six major companies operating car rental services out of Toronto Pearson International Airport (and two branded sub companies): Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Hertz, and National/Alamo).

Here’s everything you need to know about renting a car at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

What are the age restrictions when hiring a car at Toronto Pearson Airport?

As is typical in Canada, the companies at Toronto Pearson International Airport are able to set their own minimum age for car hire services. The overall minimum age for renting a vehicle without a surcharge is 25 years old. Some companies will rent to younger drivers as well, but charge a daily fee in addition to the rental charges. Here’s the breakdown:

• • Hertz
    • Minimum age: 20 years old
    • Surcharge (20-24 years old): $25/day
    • 25+ years old: no surcharge
  • Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Enterprise, and National/Alamo
    • Minimum age: 21 years old
    • Surcharge (21-24 years old): $25/day
    • 25+ years old: no surcharge

• Carr rental companies can limit or refuse rentals at their own discretion. They may not list all restrictions on drivers under 25 online. If that applies to you, please note that the classes of cars available for your use may have limitations. For example, in the event that you require a luxury car for your reservation you should contact the company directly prior to confirming your reservation to ensure that it will be honoured.
• Maximum age policies on car rentals in Canada are unusual. However, as rental companies can refuse rentals at their discretion, it is best to contact the company ahead of time if advanced age is likely to be a concern.

How much does it cost to add a second driver to your rental car contract at Toronto Pearson Airport in New York City?

The car hire services at Toronto Pearson International Airport generally charge $12-$14 per day for additional drivers (up to two). This fee may, in some cases, be waived (for example, if the additional driver is your spouse).

• Additional drivers must meet all driver requirements.
• Rental agencies at Toronto Pearson have the right to refuse additional drivers at their discretion. Also, the company may impose stricter age limitations on optional additional drivers. Contact the agency ahead of time if you have concerns about the driver’s ability to qualify, especially if they are under 25.

What documents are required to hire a car at Toronto Pearson Airport?

Canada Drivers

• All drivers must have a current, valid driver’s license.
• A valid credit card in the lead drivers name with an appreciable balance that can be held (usually $200+). The held funds will not be available for use during the rental.
• Debit cards are not accepted per policy by the companies operating out of Toronto Pearson International Airport. If you do not have a credit card suitable for the credit authorization, you’ll need to contact the companies individually to determine whether there is any viable workaround.
• Some car rental companies at Toronto Pearson International Airport may require additional drivers to have a valid credit card as well.
• Insurance can be purchased at the counter if you do not have car insurance yourself. If you do have your own insurance, be aware that insurance at the counter is fully optional.

International Drivers: Car hire services operating in Ontario may require an IDP, especially if the driver is not from Canada or the United States, contact the car rental company you plan to use at Toronto Pearson International Airport to determine their exact policy.

• A valid driver’s license from their country of origin. If you are not from the United States, and especially if your license is in a language other than English, contact the company prior to arrival to determine policies.
• A valid credit card in the lead drivers name with an appreciable available balance to hold ($200+).
• Debit cards are not accepted per policy by the companies operating out of Toronto Pearson International Airport. If you do not have a credit card suitable for the credit authorization, you’ll need to contact the companies individually to determine whether there is any viable workaround.
• Insurance can be purchased at the counter if you do not have car insurance yourself. If you do have your own insurance, be aware that insurance at the counter is fully optional.

Car Hire Companies at Toronto Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport two public terminals, numbered 1 and 3. Each services has a counter in both terminals, located on the first level of each terminal’s parking garage.

The car hire companies available at Toronto Pearson International Airport include:

• Avis

Main Number: 1-800-TRY-AVIS (1-800-879-2847)

Terminal 1 and 3: (905) 676-1100

• Budget

Main Number: 1-800-268-8900

Terminals 1 and 3: (905) 676-1500

• Dollar/Thrifty

Main Number: (Dollar): 1-800-800-4000

Main Number: (Thrifty): 1-800-THRIFTY (1-800-847-4389)

Terminal 1: (905) 676-9127

Terminal 3: (647) 547-6022

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Main Number: 1-800-RENT-ACAR

Terminals 1 and 3: 416-798-1465

• Hertz

Main Number: 1-800-263-0600

Terminals 1 and 3 – (416) 674-2020

• National/Alamo

Main Number: 1-800-CAR-RENT or 1-800-GO-ALAMO or 905-676-4000

Opening Times Car Rentals Desks at Toronto Pearson Airport

Please be aware that you should schedule your pick up and drop off times when making your vehicle reservation; some companies will have after-hours drop off policies, while others will not. Hours of operation below. Hours will be subject to change based on holidays. Please contact companies individually for holiday schedules, especially if you are unfamiliar with Canadian holidays.

• Alamo/National Mon-Thu: 6AM-1AM; Fri-Sun: 6AM-1:30AM
• Avis Sun-Sat, 6AM-1AM
• Budget Sun-Sat, 6AM-1AM
• Dollar/Thrifty Sun-Sat, 6AM-12AM
• Enterprise Sun-Sat, 6AM-12AM
• Hertz Sun-Sat, 6AM-1AM

Best car hire Companies at Toronto Pearson International Airport?

Enterprise and National are far and away the best reviewed of the car hire companies at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Enterprise is lauded for its short waits, and its exemplary customer service. National receives many of the same compliments, and its Emerald Aisle program is, as usual, considered a huge perk. Customers need only pre-enroll and choose a compatible vehicle (mid-size), and they can go directly to the vehicles and choose the one they want.

Worst car hire companies at Toronto Pearson Airport?

Hertz loses major points in online reviews for failing to hold reservations (sometimes having no vehicles matching the customer’s preferences at all). This location also seems to be very oriented toward insisting that customers purchase extra insurance (sometimes even applying it to their account after being told no).

Budget’s long waits, rude customer service, and inability (or unwillingness) to handle reservation issues on site (insisting that customers call “corporate” on their own time) seem to be the prevailing themes in their online reviews.

Leaving Toronto Pearson Airport

Toronto is one of Canada’s biggest cities, and the airport itself is very busy. You’ll find there’s likely to be construction in and around the airport, as well. Finally, be aware that traffic conditions can worsen during severe weather, which Toronto has its share of during the winter months.

GPS navigation is always a plus when driving in a new city. Apps like Waze can also be helpful in large cities, as they use crowd sourced information to document temporary traffic conditions.

Like most North American cities, Toronto does not have congestion charges, but they have been proposed in the past, and may change in the near future.

Please note, however, that there are charges on toll roads in Canada. The only toll road in Ontario is the 407 ETR (Express Toll Route). If you are driving a rental car you should AVOID this road. That’s because there are no toll booths to pay the toll yourself; the toll is determined by cameras with sensors, and the bill will be sent to the rental company. They in turn will charge an (often hefty–$50+) administration fee in addition to the toll.

Speed Limits at and Around Toronto Pearson Airport

If you’re traveling from Toronto Pearson International Airport by car, you should be familiar with the city’s policies regarding maximum speeds. Maximum speeds (unless otherwise):

• Public parks: 20km/h
• Local streets in neighbourhoods and near parks and schools: 40km/h
• Other local strets: 50km/h
• Busy collector/arterial roadways: 60km/h
• Controlled access arterials: 70/80 km/h
• Controlled access highways and expressways: 90km/h

Petrol Stations Near Toronto Pearson Airport

There are three conveniently located gas stations near Toronto Pearson International Airport:

• Shell

5869 Airport Rd·

Tel. +1 905-677-3893

• Petro-Canada

5835 Airport Rd·

Tel. +1 905-678-3480

• Petro-Canada

6625 Airport Rd·

Tel. +1 905-677-5815