Car rental near Toronto Pearson

Why off-airport is cheaper

Rental companies operating inside an airport pay concession fees to be there, and those fees are built into the daily rate you are quoted. It is not a scam, it is a cost of the location — but you pay it, and on a longer rental it adds up considerably.

We are about 15 minutes away in North York, off Weston Road. Same cars, no concession fee in the rate.

How the pick-up works

1. Book, and tell us your flight number and arrival time.
2. Call or text when you have your bags.
3. We collect you from arrivals and drive you to the lot, or bring the car to you by arrangement.
4. On the way back, we return you to the terminal for your departure.

Late arrivals are fine if they are arranged before you book. Outside our normal hours a $100 service charge applies, and we would rather quote it upfront than surprise you.

Two things that catch visitors out

Highway 407. The most obvious route from Pearson to parts of the GTA is an electronic toll road with no booths. There is nothing to pay at the time; the bill reaches us weeks later and we pass it on at cost. The 401 and 427 are free.

Winter. From November through April you can have the car fitted with proper winter tires for $14.99 a day. If you are arriving from a warm climate, this is not a nicety — Toronto roads below freezing are genuinely different. What to know about winter driving here.

What you will need

• A valid driver's licence. Licences from most countries are accepted for short visits; an International Driving Permit alongside it is sensible.
• A credit card in the driver's own name. Not debit, not prepaid. Why.
• Insurance: ours at $14.99 a day with a $2,000 deductible, or your own coverage if it transfers. The difference.