"Airport transport options" Toronto Transportation Tip by rsilva

Toronto Pearson International Airport is about 35km away from the city center and you basically have 3 ways of getting there:

- Rent a car. There are several car rental agencies at the airport, but I would recommend trying to get a good rate online and then pick it up. It is quite easy to drive in Toronto, this is until you get downtown. There it is more difficult to find a street that will allow you to drive in the direction you want so you might find yourself driving around for a while. Depending on how well you know the city it will take from 30 minutes to over 1 hour (in rush hour)
- Taxi. A ride anywhere downtown will today (November 2005) cost a fixed 44 CAD or 46 CAD (normal or limo). This is obviously the most convenient way and will take from 20 minutes (at night, no traffic) to 1 hour or more during rush hour.
- Airport shuttle. There is a shuttle departing every 20-30 minutes that will stop at 8 hotels downtown. Even if yours is not one of them, it might be possible to walk there, so ask at the information booth. Price is 15.50 per person. It will take from 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the hotel you need to go to (in rush hour, it will take longer).

Obviously, 3 or 4 people will be better of with a taxi as it will be cheaper and faster.

I have personally tried all 3 options and my conclusion is:
Taxi is the most convenient, but if you have the time and your hotel is on the route take the airport express. I would rent a car downtown, and only when you really need it (plan the days you need to drive out of the city as you should not need it there), as parking can be expensive.

Mode: TO
Type: Other
Website: http://www.torontoairportexpress.com/