Tips For Toronto Airport Taxi Service - To Taxi Or Not to Taxi?

Mar 8
08:56

2010

Amin Virani

Amin Virani

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Toronto is one of those metro cities that boasts good and reliable public transportation, however, Toronto Pearson International Airport is not part of this system. .

mediaimage

The airport is about 35km from the city center and not near any TTC stations. This makes it difficult for anyone arriving at the airport to reach the city center or any part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Tips are provided here on how to plan and book your transportation from airport and to airport. It is key to make sure your trip is as smooth and easy as possible at as much less cost as possible.

There are possible 3 ways of leaving the Pearson International Airport to reach your destination:

1. Rent a car - Many car rental agencies are at the airport so even if you haven't booked you can book after arriving at the airport. The drive to downtown is quite easy and the route is quite straightforward but once you reach downtown it is a bit complicated and over congested. To find a street in downtown that will allow you to drive in the direction you want to go is not that easy and so you might find yourself driving around for a while. If you know the city (not necessarily too well) it can take from 30 minutes to over 1 hour (in rush hour).

2. Taxi - Contrary to the belief that taxi generally is an expensive option,Tips For Toronto Airport Taxi Service - To Taxi Or Not to Taxi? Articles you will be pleasantly surprised in Toronto. Many Taxi can service companies have flat rates from airport or to airport services. A ride from Toronto Pearson airport to downtown will today (February 2010) cost a fixed 40 CAD or 50 CAD (normal or limo). Obviously this is the most convenient way to reach your destination in Toronto and will take from 20 minutes (at night, no traffic) to 1 hour or more during rush hour.

3. Airport shuttle - At Pearson International Airport a shuttle service operates every 20-30 minutes that will stop at 8 hotels in downtown. You might not be booked in one of these but you take the service and walk to your destination. However, please check with the information booth if you decide to take the service. Price is 15.50 per person. Journey time is from 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the time you are traveling and the hotel you need to go to.

Tips on how to book taxi from Toronto Pearson International Airport -

1. If you want to get the best deal and not pay unnecessary extra money, then check online. Many companies offer good rates from airport to downtown and to most of the destinations in Toronto and GTA.

2. Whichever company you decide to go with, make sure the communication is clear and time and dates confirmed.

3. Some companies are physically located near airport so you can check with them and call them once you land at the airport. Many a times if the flight is delayed and you don't land at the booked time, you will be left high and dry at the airport and forced to choose an expensive option. So always check with the company if they will come once you call them after you land and how long will they take to reach you.

4. If you are going to the airport and your flight is at a ghastly hour in the night, a few taxi companies also provide complimentary wake up call and also to confirm that they are on their way to pick you. This way you also know that you are not going to be left waiting!!

5. If you are coming or business or pleasure, some companies also provide very reasonable rates for full day booking. This works out to be better in terms of money and time.

6. Last but not least always ask they can give you a better rate. They just might!

So to make sure your trip to Toronto is the most pleasant and not expensive, always - search (online of course), book, confirm and re-confirm.

Good Luck!