Thrifty Car Rental Toronto Airport – Your Complete Guide to a Smooth Rental
Need to call Thrifty at Toronto Pearson Airport? Here are the direct numbers:
📞 Terminal 1: (905) 676-9127
📞 Terminal 3: (647) 547-6022
📞 Toll-free: 1-800-847-4389
🕐 Pick-up hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight)
💡 Good to know: The return counter may be open 24/7 for drop-offs only. If you have a late flight, you can still return the car – but you cannot pick up a car after midnight.
Table of Contents
Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3 – Which One & How to Get There
📍 Terminal 1: Go to Level 1 of the parking garage. You can walk directly from the terminal – no shuttle needed.
📍 Terminal 3: Also Level 1 of the parking garage. Take the free Terminal Link train from Door B to reach the rental car centre.
📍 Full address: 6301 Silver Dart Dr, Mississauga, ON L5P 1B2
💡 Quick tip: Both terminals share the same rental car centre. Just go to Level 1 of the parking garage – Thrifty counter is there.
What You'll Actually Pay – Real Daily Rates Inside
| Car Type | Price / Day (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Economy (Nissan Versa, Chevy Spark) | $31 – $55 |
| Compact (Toyota Corolla) | $33 – $58 |
| Midsize SUV (Toyota RAV4) | $35 – $52 |
| Minivan (Dodge Grand Caravan) | $48 – $54 |
| Convertible (Ford Mustang) | $50 |
What They Don't Tell You at the Counter – Hidden Fees Explained
💰 Deposit: $300 to $5000 – depends on which car you pick. Luxury cars need higher deposit.
👨 Young driver fee (age 20-24): Extra $15 per day on top of your rental price.
👶 Child seat: Around $13 per day. Add it when you book – limited availability.
📍 GPS: Around $15 per day. Or use your phone to save money.
🛡️ Insurance excess (CDW): CAD $300 to $500. This is what you pay if the car gets damaged.
Before You Go to the Counter – Keep These Ready
✅ Driver’s license: Must be valid and held for at least 1 year.
✅ Credit card: Visa or Mastercard. Debit card is limited – better to bring a credit card.
✅ Age: 20 to 99 years old. If you’re under 25, you pay an extra young driver fee.
✅ International drivers: Bring your original license PLUS an International Driving Permit (IDP). Photocopies are not accepted.
Getting Your Car & Bringing It Back – Step by Step
🚗 Pick-up instructions:
Go to Level 1 of the parking garage at your terminal. The Thrifty counter is right there. After you finish paperwork, the cars are parked nearby – just walk to your car.
🚗 Drop-off instructions:
Follow the signs for “Airport Parking” first, then look for “Car Rental Returns”. You’ll find the Thrifty parking stalls on the ground floor. Park the car, take your belongings, and drop the keys at the counter.
📍 Google Maps address for drop-off:
6301 Silver Dart Dr, Mississauga, ON L5P 1B2
Direct link: https://tinyurl.com/ThriftyYYZ
Rules That Can Save You Money – Read These Before You Drive
⛽ Fuel: Full to Full policy. You get the car with a full tank. Return it full. If you don’t, Thrifty will charge you a high refueling fee.
🌍 Cross border: You can drive to the USA. But not allowed in Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Mexico. Tell the counter before you go.
❄️ Winter tires: Ontario law says winter tires are mandatory from October to April. Thrifty cars usually have them, but ask when you pick up.
🔄 One-way rental: Yes, possible. You can drop the car at a different city. Call Thrifty first to confirm the extra fee.
🚫 Late flight? If you arrive after midnight and the counter is closed, you cannot pick up your car. Call Thrifty ahead if your flight is delayed.
Honest Customer Reviews – The Good, The Bad & The Workarounds
| ✅ What's Good | ❌ What's Bad |
|---|---|
| Car clean – 8.1/10 | Long lines at the counter |
| Easy drop-off – 9.5/10 | Price mismatch between booking and counter |
| Modern vehicles | Snow tires on cars in summer – check before you drive |
Quick Answers to What Travelers Ask Most
Yes, Thrifty is part of the Hertz group. But they are different brands. Hertz is the premium brand with higher prices and newer cars. Thrifty is the budget brand – cheaper rates but you may wait longer at the counter. Both share the same rental location at Pearson Airport.
You cannot pick up your car if the counter is closed. Thrifty hours are 6 AM to midnight. If you arrive after midnight, you will have to wait until morning. However, you CAN drop off your car – just park in the Thrifty stalls and put the keys in the key drop box.
Call Thrifty as soon as you know about the delay. Give them your new arrival time. If you arrive before midnight, they will hold your car. If your flight is delayed past midnight and the counter closes, you cannot pick up until the next morning. Some customers have lost their booking this way – so call ahead.
Yes, one-way rentals are possible. For example, you can pick up at Toronto Pearson and drop off at Ottawa or Montreal. But there is an extra fee – sometimes $50 to $200 depending on how far. You must tell Thrifty when you book. Not all cars are allowed for one-way, so call to confirm first.
You must return the car by the exact time on your rental agreement. If your return time is 10 AM and you come at 12 PM, Thrifty may charge you an extra full day. Some companies give a 30-minute grace period, but Thrifty is strict. To be safe, return at least 30 minutes before your time. If you know you will be late, call them – they might reduce the extra fee.
It's a security deposit – not an extra fee. You get it back after you return the car (within 3 to 10 days).
Domestic flight: 2 hours before
US flight: 2.5 hours before
International flight: 3 hours before
Don't Feel Like Driving? Let Us Take You Instead.
Renting a car sounds like a good idea. But think about this:
You have to find the counter → wait in line → do paperwork → find your car → drive in traffic → pay for parking → return the car full of fuel.
That’s a lot of work after a long flight.
Here’s a better option:
🚖 VIP Airport Limo Service – Toronto’s most trusted flat-rate limo
✅ Fixed rates – no surge pricing, no hidden fees
✅ Flight tracking – we wait if your flight is delayed
✅ Professional chauffeurs – they handle your luggage
✅ Clean luxury fleet – SUVs, sedans, and stretch limos
✅ 24/7 service – even after midnight
Compare for Yourself
| Renting a Car | VIP Limo Service |
|---|---|
| Price | $90 flat rate (all inclusive) |
| Stress | Zero – just sit back |
| Luggage help | Yes – driver handles |
| Flight delay | We track and wait |
| Hidden fees | None – fixed rate |