Hertz Car Hire
in Ontario

After collecting your luggage at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, follow the overhead signs for "Ground Transportation" and "Rental Cars." The Hertz rental counters are located on Level 1 of the car parks, which are directly adjacent to each terminal. The walk is short and fully covered, protecting you from the weather as you make your way to the counter to begin the pickup process.

It's wise to allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes from the time your aircraft lands until you drive away. This buffer covers disembarking, walking through the terminal, clearing customs if arriving internationally, and collecting your baggage. Time at the rental desk can vary depending on the number of other travellers, so having all your information ready will help speed up the process.

The most convenient option is to use one of the complimentary luggage trolleys available in baggage claim. Once you have your bags, push the trolley and follow the signs to the car rental facilities. The counters are a short walk away in the adjacent car park, and the routes are designed to be fully accessible for travellers with trolleys and luggage.

Hertz at Toronto Pearson is used to serving travellers from late-night arrivals and their counters are typically open well into the night. The procedure remains the same, though the airport and rental area will likely be much quieter. This can make negotiating the airport roads and getting onto the motorway less stressful, as traffic will be significantly lighter than during the day.

When hiring a vehicle in Canada, US travellers should be prepared to present their valid government-issued driving licence and passport for identification. It's always good practice to confirm the most up-to-date documentation requirements with the rental company before your trip. This ensures you have everything in order for a smooth and efficient pickup at the airport.

The process is straightforward and designed for international visitors. After you clear Canadian customs and immigration and collect your luggage, you exit into the main arrivals hall. From there, look for the prominent signs for "Car Rentals" and proceed to the Hertz desk in the terminal's car park. The rental process itself is standard and staff are experienced in assisting travellers from around the world.

Returning your vehicle is a well-signed process. As you approach the airport, follow the large overhead signs for "Rental Car Return", which will direct you away from the passenger drop-off lanes. To avoid confusion, set your satnav for the airport and then pay close attention to the specific return signage once on airport property. These dedicated lanes will guide you straight to the Hertz return area within the car park.

For a morning flight, it is highly recommended to return your car at least three hours before a domestic departure and four hours before an international one. This provides a comfortable cushion to complete the vehicle return, walk to your terminal, check in with your airline, and get through often busy security queues. Arriving early helps ensure a stress-free start to your journey home.

To avoid the complex airport road system, plan to refuel at a petrol station a few kilometres before you reach the airport. There are several convenient options on major access roads like Airport Road, Dixon Road and Viscount Road. Using a map app as you get close will show the best choices just off the motorway, allowing for an easy stop before you make the final turn into the rental return area.

For most first-time visitors, taking Highway 427 South to the Gardiner Expressway East is often the more straightforward route into the city centre. While both the Gardiner and the 401/DVP combination experience heavy traffic, the Gardiner provides more direct access to the central business and entertainment districts. Using a satnav for lane guidance is essential, as the downtown exits approach quickly.

Highway 401 is one of the world's busiest motorways and features a collector and express lane system in the Toronto area. As a visitor, it's generally best to stay in the collector lanes, as this is where all the exits are. Pay close attention to your navigation and the overhead signs, especially at the large interchanges with Highways 427 and 400, and get into your required lane well in advance.

Toronto's rush hours, roughly from 07:00 to 10:00 and 15:00 to 19:00, can easily double the travel time from YYZ to downtown. A 30-minute drive can quickly become 60–90 minutes during these peak periods. For the most pleasant experience, plan your drive during the midday window between 10:30 and 14:30, or later in the evening after 19:30, when traffic is significantly lighter.

Driving in downtown Toronto requires full attention due to its grid of one-way streets, dedicated streetcar tracks, and high volumes of pedestrians and cyclists. You must not drive in the streetcar lanes and must stop behind a streetcar when its doors are open. The Entertainment District is particularly dense, so driving slowly, yielding to pedestrians and relying on a satnav are key to navigating successfully.

Most downtown hotels offer on-site parking for guests, but it is almost always an additional daily charge and spaces can be limited. It is crucial to contact your hotel in advance to confirm parking availability and their policies. If your hotel's car park is full, be prepared to use a nearby public parking garage, which are plentiful but can also be costly.

The most convenient parking for these attractions is the large underground car park beneath the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which is right next door. The easiest approach is via the Gardiner Expressway, using the Spadina Avenue or York/Bay/Yonge exits. Following signs for the CN Tower will lead you directly to this central parking area, providing easy walking access to nearby attractions.

The best way to reach the Distillery District is via the Gardiner Expressway, exiting at Parliament Street and then heading south. The historic core is a pedestrian-only zone, so you cannot drive through it. Instead, there are several large, clearly marked pay-and-display car parks around the perimeter where you can leave your car and explore on foot.

Street parking in these vibrant and congested neighbourhoods is extremely hard to find. The most effective strategy is to bypass searching for a street space and head directly to a Green P municipal car park. There is a large multi-storey car park at 20 St. Andrew Street, right between the two neighbourhoods, which provides a reliable and central place to park before you explore on foot.

Driving and parking near the arena on a match night is exceptionally challenging due to extreme traffic congestion and a high volume of pedestrians. Roads immediately surrounding the venue are often closed or restricted, and parking rates in the area increase significantly. The best advice is to arrive more than an hour before the event starts or to park at a garage further away and use the underground for the final approach.

On event nights, expect significant traffic delays around Rogers Centre. The primary bottlenecks are the Gardiner Expressway ramps at Spadina Avenue and York/Bay/Yonge, as well as surface streets like Bremner Boulevard and Blue Jays Way. Thousands of pedestrians also fill the streets before and after events, so drive with extreme caution and allow plenty of extra travel time.

Yes, collecting your hire car at YYZ is by far the most convenient option if you’re staying in Mississauga or Brampton. The airport sits right at the junction of these cities and Toronto. Hiring directly from the airport gives you immediate access to the main motorway network, including the 401, 427 and 410, allowing you to reach your local destination quickly without an extra trip.

For first-time drivers, the most confusing part of the Gardiner Expressway is the series of frequent, closely spaced on-ramps and off-ramps in the downtown section. On the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), challenges include winding curves, very short merge lanes and its tendency to become severely congested. Using a satnav with lane-assist guidance is highly recommended for navigating both of these key Toronto arteries.

In downtown Toronto, drivers are not permitted to drive or idle in dedicated streetcar lanes, which are typically in the centre of the road. When a streetcar stops and opens its doors, all vehicles behind it must stop and wait until the doors close. Left turns across streetcar tracks are often restricted at busy intersections, so you may need to make three right turns to go left, a manoeuvre commonly referred to as a "Toronto left."

Drivers must be very mindful of posted speed limits, especially in designated school zones and community safety zones where limits are reduced at certain times. The City of Toronto uses automated speed enforcement cameras (photo radar) extensively in these areas, and they operate 24/7. Remain vigilant and adhere to all posted signs to ensure safety and avoid receiving a fine.

Highway 407 ETR is an all-electronic toll road running north of Toronto; there are no cash booths. Cameras capture the hire car's licence plate and toll charges are billed directly to the rental company. The company will then charge you for the tolls plus an administration fee, so be aware of this process before deciding to use this faster but more expensive route.

To enjoy the best experience, plan to leave Toronto either early in the morning before 07:00 or after the morning rush hour, around 10:00. This will help you avoid the heaviest outbound commuter traffic on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). For your return, try to leave Niagara before 15:00 to get ahead of the afternoon rush back into the city.

The most convenient place to park is the large Falls Parking lot (Lot A), located directly opposite the Table Rock Welcome Centre and the edge of the Horseshoe Falls. To get there, take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) into Niagara Falls and follow the well-marked signs for "Falls Parking." This central lot provides easy walking access to the main viewing areas and attractions along the Niagara Parkway.

Absolutely — combining both destinations in a single day trip is very popular and easily achievable with a hire car. A good itinerary is to visit the falls in the morning, then take the leisurely 25-minute drive along the scenic Niagara Parkway to the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can enjoy lunch, explore the historic main street and visit a winery before driving back to Toronto in the evening.

The drive to Blue Mountain typically takes about two hours, heading north on Highway 400 and then west on Highway 26. In winter, this area is part of Ontario's 'snow belt', meaning conditions can change rapidly with heavy snowfall, high winds and icy roads. Check weather and road reports before you leave and ensure your rental vehicle is properly equipped for challenging winter driving.

Winter driving in Ontario requires extra caution. Increase your following distance significantly, as braking on snow or ice can take much longer than on dry surfaces. Be particularly wary of black ice, a transparent layer of ice that is hard to see, especially on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas. Always drive smoothly, avoiding sudden acceleration, braking or steering.

A great route is to take Highway 400 north to Barrie, then continue north on Highway 11 towards Huntsville, which serves as the main western gateway to the park. The drive takes about three to four hours. Huntsville is an excellent place to stop for a meal and pick up any last-minute supplies before you enter the park via the West Gate entrance off Highway 60.

The most direct route is to take Highway 401 East from Toronto for about two hours until you reach the Belleville area. From there, exit south on Highway 62, which is the main artery into Prince Edward County. A good plan is to base yourself in a central town like Picton or Wellington, allowing for easy day trips to the various winery clusters throughout the region.

During midday off-peak hours, typically between 10:00 and 14:30, the drive from Toronto Pearson to the city centre usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. However, during the evening rush hour, from 16:00 to 19:00, the same journey can easily stretch to 60 to 90 minutes or more due to heavy congestion on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway.

Before planning a cross-border trip, verify with the rental company that their policy permits taking the vehicle into the United States. You must also ensure that all travellers in the vehicle have the required travel documents, such as passports and any necessary visas. Always check the official US Customs and Border Protection website for the most current entry requirements before your trip.

The most direct route is to take Highway 401 East from Toronto until it becomes Autoroute 20 in Quebec, which leads directly to Montreal. The drive takes approximately five to six hours. For convenient breaks, use the ONroute service centres located on the motorway; they offer fuel, a variety of food options and clean restrooms without requiring a detour into a town.

To create the most efficient route, travel eastwards from Toronto along Highway 401. The logical sequence is to drive from Toronto to Kingston first, which is about a three-hour trip. After exploring Kingston, continue east and then north to Ottawa, a drive of about two hours. This linear progression prevents unnecessary backtracking and makes for a well-paced road trip.

In Toronto, the zipper merge is the standard practice; drivers should use both lanes up to the merge point and then take turns proceeding. When making a left turn at an intersection without a dedicated green arrow, drivers are expected to pull into the middle of the junction and wait for a gap in oncoming traffic. It is common for one or two cars to complete their turn just as the light turns red.

The best place to get organised is in a parking spot within the rental car car park itself, immediately after you've picked up your vehicle. Before you exit onto the busy airport roads, take a few minutes in this calmer environment to properly fit child seats, load your luggage securely and get everyone settled. This avoids the stress of trying to do it all while stopped in a live traffic lane.

A frequent mistake is accidentally entering the express lanes of Highway 401 when an exit is needed soon, as exits are only from the collector lanes. To prevent this, programme your full destination address into your satnav before you start driving. Using a specific address rather than a general neighbourhood name will prompt the navigation app to provide more precise, timely lane guidance for the crucial motorway interchanges just outside the airport.

The Toronto Islands are car-free, so you will need to park on the mainland and take a ferry. The best place to park is in one of the public car parks near the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. It's advisable to check the ferry schedule online in advance and arrive early, especially on summer weekends, as both the parking facilities and ferry queues can get very busy.

Driving to Canada’s Wonderland involves taking Highway 400 North to Vaughan. On peak summer days, expect heavy traffic on the motorway and significant congestion on the exit ramps leading to the park. To minimise delays, plan to arrive before the park opens. Be prepared for a slow exit from the large car parks at the end of the day, as thousands of visitors leave at the same time.