Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) Car Rental — Complete Guide
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Is There Car Rental at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?
Yes, you can rent a car directly at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), but only through specific companies. Hertz, Enterprise, and National run physical counters and vehicle lots on the actual island where the terminal is located.
While aggregator sites and search engines also list Avis and Budget as YTZ options, these brands do not have a rental desk or any vehicles on the island. Booking with them means you must take a shuttle or travel roughly 5 kilometers into downtown Toronto (usually to Front Street or Bay Street) to sign your paperwork and collect your car.
Because YTZ sits on a small island just off Toronto’s downtown shore, the entire pickup and drop-off process functions differently than traditional, drive-up mainland airports.
Table of Contents
| Rental Company | Physical Desk Location at YTZ | Vehicle Lot Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Lower level of the terminal, next to baggage claim | On the island |
| Enterprise | Kiosk at the Eireann Quay parking lot | On the island |
| National | Shared kiosk at the Eireann Quay parking lot | On the island |
| Avis / Budget | None (Requires off-site shuttle) | Downtown mainland (Front St. / Bay St.) |
Hertz
Physical Desk Location at YTZ
Lower level of the terminal, next to baggage claim
Vehicle Lot Location
On the island
Enterprise
Physical Desk Location at YTZ
Kiosk at the Eireann Quay parking lot
Vehicle Lot Location
On the island
National
Physical Desk Location at YTZ
Shared kiosk at the Eireann Quay parking lot
Vehicle Lot Location
On the island
Avis / Budget
Physical Desk Location at YTZ
None (Requires off-site shuttle)
Vehicle Lot Location
Downtown mainland (Front St. / Bay St.)
If you choose one of the three on-island providers, you will pick up your keys right at the terminal area. However, because the vehicles are parked on the island, you face a unique logistical choice: you must either pay the vehicle ferry fare to drive the car across the short channel to the mainland, or leave the vehicle parked on the island if you only plan to use it for regional day trips later in your stay.
Not All "Billy Bishop" Rental Locations Are Actually at the Airport
When booking a vehicle for your arrival at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, third-party booking sites and search engines can be highly misleading. Many major car hire brands list locations under the “YTZ” airport code, but only a select few are physically located on the airport grounds at Eireann Quay. Booking with the wrong provider means landing and realizing your car is actually miles away in the downtown core.
Enterprise and National operate genuine on-site kiosks located at the Eireann Quay parking lot on the island, allowing you to walk straight to your vehicle after clearing arrivals. Hertz also maintains a physical counter inside the lower level of the terminal next to baggage claim.
Conversely, if you book through Avis or Budget under a “Billy Bishop Airport” listing, you will not find a desk or a car waiting for you at the terminal. Their designated branch is actually located inland at Brookfield Place (161A Bay Street), roughly 5 kilometers away. Arriving passengers must call the branch to arrange a shuttle bus or navigate their own way into the financial district to sign the contract and collect the keys.
| Company | Actual Location | On Airport Island? |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 2 Eireann Quay (Island Parking Lot Kiosk) | Yes |
| National | 2 Eireann Quay (Island Parking Lot Kiosk) | Yes |
| Hertz | Airport Terminal (Lower Level, Baggage Claim) | Yes |
| Avis | Brookfield Place (161A Bay Street / 20 Front Street West) | No (Requires Shuttle) |
| Budget | Brookfield Place (161A Bay Street / 20 Front Street West) | No (Requires Shuttle) |
Enterprise
Actual Location:
2 Eireann Quay (Island Parking Lot Kiosk)
On Airport Island?:
Yes
National
Actual Location:
2 Eireann Quay (Island Parking Lot Kiosk)
On Airport Island?:
Yes
Hertz
Actual Location:
Airport Terminal (Lower Level, Baggage Claim)
On Airport Island?:
Yes
Avis
Actual Location:
Brookfield Place (161A Bay Street / 20 Front Street West)
On Airport Island?:
No (Requires Shuttle)
Budget
Actual Location:
Brookfield Place (161A Bay Street / 20 Front Street West)
On Airport Island?:
No (Requires Shuttle)
How Island Access Works for Car Rentals (Tunnel, Ferry & Cars)
You cannot drive a vehicle directly off the island terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. While the airport operates both a pedestrian tunnel and a regular ferry crossing to connect the island to the mainland at the foot of Eireann Quay, these transit options are strictly walk-only for arriving rental customers.
Because there is no bridge for passenger vehicles, rental agencies design their pickup logistics to bypass the water barrier entirely. You will not face a scenario where you load your rental car onto the ferry or navigate island roads to escape the airport grounds.
The Mainland Reality: While the service desks for providers like Hertz, Enterprise, and National are located inside or adjacent to the island terminal, the actual vehicles are not. You will complete your paperwork and collect your keys at the airport counter, walk through the pedestrian tunnel or take the free ferry as a passenger, and pick up your vehicle from the designated lot positioned entirely on the Toronto mainland.
When returning your vehicle at the end of your trip, you will drive directly to the mainland lot near Eireann Quay, drop off the keys, and walk back across the channel via the tunnel to catch your flight. This setup eliminates island traffic, ensures you avoid the vehicle ferry fee, and keeps your transition into downtown Toronto completely seamless.
Step-by-Step — From Landing to Driving Away
Terminal Exit and Rental Counters
Once you step off your plane at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, navigating to the rental counters takes less than five minutes due to the compact single-terminal design.
Hertz: The counter is located directly on the lower level of the island terminal, right next to the baggage claim area.
Enterprise / National: The shared service kiosk is located just outside the terminal at the Eireann Quay parking lot on the island side.
Navigating the Ferry Crossing
Because the rental vehicles are parked on the island, you do not need to take the pedestrian tunnel or the ferry as a passenger to pick up your vehicle. You will complete your paperwork and collect your keys directly on the island.
However, because there is no bridge connecting the island to the mainland, you must drive your rental vehicle onto the airport ferry to leave. The ferry ride across the 121-meter gap takes roughly 90 seconds and runs every 15 minutes. The rental agency will provide a pre-paid gate ticket to cover the vehicle’s ferry crossing fee.
Time Estimates: Paperwork to Drive-Away
Walk time from gate to counter: 2 to 4 minutes.
Paperwork and key collection: 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the queue.
Car seat installation / Vehicle inspection: 10 minutes.
Ferry queue and crossing: 5 to 20 minutes, depending on whether you just missed a departure.
Expect a total timeline of 30 to 50 minutes from the moment you deplane to the moment your tires hit the mainland pavement.
The Drive-Out Route
When the ferry docks on the mainland at the foot of Bathurst Street, insert your pre-paid ticket at the exit gate and turn left onto Bathurst Street. To avoid heavy downtown traffic, follow Bathurst Street north for three blocks and turn right onto Lake Shore Boulevard West. From there, the entrance ramps for the Gardiner Expressway (both Eastbound and Westbound) are accessible within two minutes, providing a direct link to the rest of the Greater Toronto Area.
Car Rental Companies at YTZ — Full Comparison
Third-party travel sites frequently list every major rental brand under Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport searches, creating massive confusion for incoming travelers. In reality, only three brands have physical service counters and vehicle lots directly on the airport property (island side).
If you book with Avis or Budget, your vehicle is not at the airport. You must take the ferry or pedestrian tunnel to the mainland, call for an off-site shuttle, and ride 10 to 30 minutes into downtown Toronto (usually near Union Station or Front Street) to sign your contract and pick up the car.
The table below outlines the exact operations, direct contact numbers, and strict drop-off limitations for the five major brands marketed for YTZ.
| Company | Location | Hours | Phone | After-Hours Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | On-Island: Lower level of the main terminal, right next to the baggage claim area. | Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM | (416) 203-0386 | No. Vehicles must be returned during operating hours. No after-hours drop box is permitted. |
| Enterprise | On-Island: Outer kiosk located directly inside the Eireann Quay parking lot. | Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sat–Sun: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | (416) 208-5036 | Yes. Drop box available beside the mainland parking lot kiosk or the island rental lot. |
| National | On-Island: Shares the outer kiosk with Enterprise inside the Eireann Quay lot. | Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sat–Sun: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | (416) 208-5036 | Yes. Shares the same island and mainland drop box facilities as Enterprise. |
| Avis | Off-Site: No airport counter. Terminal pickup via shuttle to 161A Bay St / 20 Front St W. | Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Shuttle operational hours vary) | (416) 777-1618 | No. Unattended returns are strictly prohibited. Cars left after hours accrue active daily charges. |
| Budget | Off-Site: No airport counter. Dispatches a shared shuttle with Avis to the mainland side. | Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | (416) 777-1618 | No. Must be returned to the downtown garage during standard daytime operating hours. |
| Hertz | |
|---|---|
| Location | On-Island: Lower level of the main terminal, right next to the baggage claim area. |
| Hours | Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | (416) 203-0386 |
| After-Hours | No. Vehicles must be returned during operating hours. No after-hours drop box is permitted. |
| Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Location | On-Island: Outer kiosk located directly inside the Eireann Quay parking lot. |
| Hours | Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sat–Sun: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (416) 208-5036 |
| After-Hours | Yes. Drop box available beside the mainland parking lot kiosk or the island rental lot. |
| National | |
|---|---|
| Location | On-Island: Shares the outer kiosk with Enterprise inside the Eireann Quay lot. |
| Hours | Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sat–Sun: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | (416) 208-5036 |
| After-Hours | Yes. Shares the same island and mainland drop box facilities as Enterprise. |
| Avis | |
|---|---|
| Location | Off-Site: No airport counter. Terminal pickup via shuttle to 161A Bay St / 20 Front St W. |
| Hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Shuttle operational hours vary) |
| Phone | (416) 777-1618 |
| After-Hours | No. Unattended returns are strictly prohibited. Cars left after hours accrue active daily charges. |
| Budget | |
|---|---|
| Location | Off-Site: No airport counter. Dispatches a shared shuttle with Avis to the mainland side. |
| Hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Phone | (416) 777-1618 |
| After-Hours | No. Must be returned to the downtown garage during standard daytime operating hours. |
Requirements, Documents & Rental Prices at YTZ
Renting a vehicle directly from the island terminal requires meeting strict Canadian rental parameters and navigating specific payment rules that trap unprepared travelers.
Age Requirements and Underage Fees
Minimum Age: You must be at least 21 years old to rent a vehicle from major suppliers at Billy Bishop (including Enterprise, National, and Hertz).
Young Driver Surcharge: If you are between 21 and 24 years old, expect a mandatory daily fee typically ranging from $25 to $35 CAD.
Vehicle Restrictions: Drivers under 25 are usually restricted to economy, compact, and standard sedans, meaning agencies will not rent you SUVs, minivans, or luxury vehicles.
Mandatory Documents and Payment Policies
Driver’s License: You need a valid, full-privilege driver’s license (a Ontario G license or equivalent from your home province/country) held for at least one full year. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required only if your license is written in a non-Roman alphabet.
Credit Card Rule: A major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) in the primary driver’s name is standard. The card must have enough available credit to cover both the estimated rental total and a security deposit hold, which typically ranges from $300 to $500 CAD.
The Debit Card Trap: Major brands operating out of YTZ do not accept Canadian debit cards or Interac for security holds at the time of pick-up. While US or international debit cards are occasionally accepted by select suppliers, they always require proof of a ticketed return flight departing from the airport and a larger security deposit hold.
Average Rental Car Rates at Billy Bishop Airport
Rental prices fluctuate heavily depending on Toronto’s seasonal tourism spikes, with summer (June to August) bringing the highest rates. The table below represents realistic, typical daily price ranges including baseline local airport taxes.
| Vehicle Type | Average Daily Rate (Off-Peak) | Average Daily Rate (Peak Summer) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy / Compact (e.g., Hyundai Accent, Nissan Kicks) | $35 – $55 CAD | $75 – $95 CAD |
| Standard / Intermediate (e.g., Hyundai Sonata, VW Jetta) | $40 – $65 CAD | $80 – $110 CAD |
| SUV / Crossover (e.g., Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape) | $55 – $80 CAD | $95 – $140 CAD |
| Minivan (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica) | $85 – $120 CAD | $150 – $210 CAD |
Can You Get a Child Car Seat With Your Rental?
Rental car companies at Billy Bishop Airport provide child car seats and booster seats upon request, but they require a daily rental fee—usually ranging from $13 to $15 per day, capped at a maximum charge per rental period. You must reserve these seats in advance when booking your vehicle, as counters do not keep unlimited inventory on hand for walk-ins.
Navigating Toronto with children requires a clear understanding of local traffic laws, especially if you plan to mix rental cars with other modes of transport:
Private and Rental Vehicles: Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, you are legally required to secure any child under the age of 8 in an approved child car seat or booster seat matching their height and weight when driving a rental or private car. Failing to do so carries a $240 fine and two demerit points.
City Taxis: Licensed Toronto taxicabs are legally exempt from the car seat requirement when transporting passengers for hire. If you take a taxi from the mainland ferry terminal or tunnel exit, your child can legally ride using only the vehicle’s standard seatbelt.
Rideshares (Uber/Lyft): This legal exemption does not apply to rideshare services in Ontario. If you hail an Uber or Lyft in downtown Toronto, you are legally required to provide and install your own car seat, and drivers will refuse the trip if you do not have one.
If you prefer not to pay the daily rental agency fees or trust the cleanliness of a shared seat, you can bring your own car seat on the flight. Major airlines flying into Billy Bishop, such as Porter and Air Canada, allow you to check a car seat or booster seat free of charge as part of your baby equipment allowance.
Rental Car vs Uber, Taxi & Transit — Which Is Actually Worth It?
Renting a vehicle directly at Billy Bishop Airport is rarely the most efficient choice if you plan to spend your entire trip within the downtown core. Because downtown Toronto is highly walkable and plagued by heavy traffic, a vehicle can often become an expensive logistical anchor rather than a convenience. However, if your itinerary involves immediate travel outside the city center, the math shifts.
The decision heavily depends on your final destination, budget, and who you are traveling with. The table below breaks down the true commitment of each option for a typical three-day stay:
| Transportation Option | Total Estimated Cost (3 Days) | Speed & Travel Time | Daily Convenience | Kids/Family Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-Site Car Rental | $350 – $550+ (Base rate + $30–$50/day hotel parking + gas) | Slowest downtown due to gridlock; fast for suburban highway trips. | Low downtown. You must constantly hunt and pay for parking at every stop. | High. Keeps all family gear contained; no need to carry car seats on transit. |
| Uber / Lyft | $90 – $180 (Based on 2–3 short downtown trips per day) | Subject to traffic, but eliminates time spent parking. | High. Door-to-door service without navigation or parking stress. | Moderate. Moving multiple young kids requires swapping your own car seats into rideshares. |
| Taxi (Airport Stand) | $100 – $200 (Fixed city zone rates from the mainland dock) | Matches rideshare speeds; readily lined up outside the terminal. | High. No app required; instant curb pickup upon exiting the ferry or tunnel. | Moderate. Safe and reliable, though you remain responsible for child seat setups. |
| TTC Public Transit | $25 – $40 (Flat $3.35 per adult ride; kids under 12 ride free) | Fastest downtown during rush hours by using the subway lines. | Moderate. Requires short walks; the free airport shuttle connects directly to Union Station. | Low to Moderate. Inexpensive, but navigating strollers through busy stations can be tiring. |
On-Site Car Rental
Total Estimated Cost (3 Days)
$350 – $550+ (Base rate + $30–$50/day hotel parking + gas)
Speed & Travel Time
Slowest downtown due to gridlock; fast for suburban highway trips.
Daily Convenience
Low downtown. You must constantly hunt and pay for parking at every stop.
Kids/Family Friendly
High. Keeps all family gear contained; no need to carry car seats on transit.
Uber / Lyft
Total Estimated Cost (3 Days)
$90 – $180 (Based on 2–3 short downtown trips per day)
Speed & Travel Time
Subject to traffic, but eliminates time spent parking.
Daily Convenience
High. Door-to-door service without navigation or parking stress.
Kids/Family Friendly
Moderate. Moving multiple young kids requires swapping your own car seats into rideshares.
Taxi (Airport Stand)
Total Estimated Cost (3 Days)
$100 – $200 (Fixed city zone rates from the mainland dock)
Speed & Travel Time
Matches rideshare speeds; readily lined up outside the terminal.
Daily Convenience
High. No app required; instant curb pickup upon exiting the ferry or tunnel.
Kids/Family Friendly
Moderate. Safe and reliable, though you remain responsible for child seat setups.
TTC Public Transit
Total Estimated Cost (3 Days)
$25 – $40 (Flat $3.35 per adult ride; kids under 12 ride free)
Speed & Travel Time
Fastest downtown during rush hours by using the subway lines.
Daily Convenience
Moderate. Requires short walks; the free airport shuttle connects directly to Union Station.
Kids/Family Friendly
Low to Moderate. Inexpensive, but navigating strollers through busy stations can be tiring.
Renting makes sense when…
Your primary destination is outside the city: If you are immediately heading to the Greater Toronto Area suburbs (like Mississauga, Vaughan, or Markham), or taking a day trip to Niagara Falls, picking up a car on the island terminal saves you an extra trip to a downtown rental depot.
You are traveling with a large family or heavy gear: When managing multiple young children, strollers, and bulky luggage, having a dedicated trunk space outweighs the frustration of navigating downtown traffic.
Your hotel includes complimentary parking: If you are staying outside the immediate downtown core where parking fees are waived, a rental becomes significantly more cost-effective.
Skip renting when…
You are staying strictly downtown: If your itinerary consists of the CN Tower, the Rogers Centre, the Eaton Centre, or business meetings in the Financial District, you can easily walk, use the subway, or take short rideshares.
You want to avoid hidden fees: Between Toronto’s high gas prices and overnight hotel parking rates that frequently top $50 per night, the actual cost of keeping a vehicle downtown can easily double your initial rental quote.
You have tight schedule constraints: Navigating the airport ferry or walking the pedestrian tunnel just to return a car to the island terminal adds an extra 30 to 45 minutes to your departure routine compared to a quick rideshare drop-off at the mainland curb.
Frequently Asked Questions
After-hours return policies depend entirely on the specific company you book with, making it crucial to check the rules before finalizing your rental. Enterprise and National allow after-hours drops by letting you place your keys in designated drop boxes located either near the rental kiosk on the mainland or on the island. Conversely, companies like Avis, Budget, and Hertz strictly do not permit returns outside of their standard operating hours, meaning you must drop off the vehicle during regular branch hours to avoid major penalties.
Yes, most major providers at the airport permit one-way rentals that allow you to drop the vehicle off at a different location, such as Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or a downtown branch. However, you will almost always be assessed a one-time drop charge or a mileage fee, which varies depending on the destination. You must arrange this modification at the time of booking to ensure the provider accepts the vehicle at your intended drop-off spot.
No, and this is a major point of confusion for travelers looking to secure a billy bishop toronto city airport car rental. Enterprise, National, and Hertz operate desks and keep their vehicle fleets directly on the island at 2 Eireann Quay, allowing you to pick up your keys right at the terminal. Other major brands, like Avis and Budget, list the airport as a location but actually require you to take their dedicated shuttle service to an off-site facility—such as 20 Front Street West or 161A Bay Street—on the mainland to complete your contract and collect the car.
Renting a car for a single-day trip is rarely worth the hassle if you plan to stay within downtown Toronto, as the city features dense traffic, limited parking, and robust transit options like the TTC streetcars. However, a rental becomes highly practical for day trips if your itinerary includes traveling outside the urban core to destinations like Niagara Falls, Prince Edward County, or the Oakville corporate corridor. If you choose to rent, opting for an on-island provider saves valuable time by eliminating the mainland shuttle commute.