Jazmin Li
Toronto Pearson Airport is a busy airport with three terminals serving Toronto and the surrounding areas. When picking someone up, you can either park in the airport's parking garage or wait in the free Pearson Cell Phone Lot. The Cell Phone Lot is free for up to 45 minutes, but you must stay with your vehicle at all times. If you choose to park in the parking garage, you can park in covered garages in Terminals 1 and 3 for up to 20 minutes for free with an Express Pass. However, parking fees can be expensive, and parking is often hectic. It is recommended to plan with the person you are picking up to call or text once they have claimed their luggage and passed through customs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greeting | You can greet your friends and family at Pearson Airport |
| Waiting | Wait in the free Pearson cell phone lot for quick pickups |
| Parking | Park in one of the convenient lots, or use the free Cell Phone Waiting Area for up to 45 minutes |
| Luggage | International arrivals need 1-3 hours to complete customs and retrieve luggage, so plan to arrive 1-3 hours after the scheduled landing time |
| Meeting point | You can meet your arriving passenger on the Arrival or Departure level |
| Express Pass | Allows parking in covered garages in Terminals 1 and 3 for up to 20 minutes for free |
| Loading | You may stop briefly outside the Arrivals or Departures areas at either terminal for loading and unloading |
| Parking fines | Parking on the roadsides leading to the terminals is unsafe and subject to a fine ($50) |
| Toll | Entry to the parking garage is from the departure terminal, not the arrival terminal |
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What You'll Learn
Parking options at Pearson Airport
Parking at Pearson Airport can be expensive and challenging, so it is recommended to use the free Pearson Cell Phone Lot for quick pickups. This lot is about 500 feet away from the terminal and is marked on Google Maps. You can wait here until your passenger contacts you after disembarking and picking up their luggage, and then drive to meet them on the arrivals curb outside. It is free to use for up to 45 minutes, but you must turn off your vehicle and stay with it at all times.
If you want to park at the airport itself, there are several options available. The Express Pass allows you to park in the covered garages in Terminals 1 and 3 for up to 20 minutes for free when picking up or dropping off passengers. The parking rates for the Express Parking Garage are around $7 for 3 hours. Daily parking in the Value Park Lot starts at $25 a day, while daily maximums at the airport's garages can cost upwards of $38-$50 a day.
There are also off-airport parking options around Pearson that provide shuttles to and from both terminals and Viscount station. The free, fully accessible Terminal Link train takes passengers between Viscount station and Pearson Airport terminals. Park'N Fly offers several options, including valet and self-park services, with secure lots and free shuttles to the terminal. SpotHero is another option that allows you to search and compare the best parking rates near the airport and book your spot in advance.
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How to find the Cell Phone Waiting Area
If you're picking someone up from Pearson Airport, you can wait in your car at the free Cell Phone Waiting Area until your passenger has collected their luggage and is ready to be picked up. This is free for up to 45 minutes, but you must stay with your vehicle at all times and turn off the engine.
There are two Cell Phone Waiting Areas at Pearson Airport. To enter Cell Phone Waiting Area 1, drive west along Viscount Road, turn right at Network Road, and then turn right again. To enter Cell Phone Waiting Area 2, drive east along Viscount Road, turn left onto Network Road, and follow the signs.
The Cell Phone Waiting Area is around 500 feet from the terminal. Once your passenger is ready to be picked up, they can notify you of which pillar they are standing at outside the terminal, and you can drive to the arrivals curb to pick them up.
Alternatively, if you want to go inside the terminal to meet your passenger, you can park in the airport's short-term parking garage. However, parking at the airport is expensive.
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The cost of parking at the airport
When picking someone up from Pearson Airport, you can wait in the free Pearson cell phone lot, which is free for up to 45 minutes. However, you must turn off your vehicle and stay with it at all times. Alternatively, you can park in one of the airport's parking lots, which can be very expensive.
The cost of parking at Pearson Airport depends on the type of lot and the length of stay. Onsite lots are more expensive, with daily rates between $38 and $59. The Value Park Lot and Value Park Garage, which are located a 12-minute drive from the airport terminals, offer more affordable rates, with daily parking starting at $25. There are also off-site parking options located near the terminals, with rates as low as $7.99 per day, including a free shuttle service to and from the airport.
For short-term parking, rates start from $5 to $6.50 for every 20 minutes at the Daily and Express Park options. The Value Park Lot is the cheapest short-term parking option, with a daily rate of $25.
Weekly parking is also available, with rates starting at $215 for the week at the Daily Park Garage. The Value Park Lot and Value Park Garage offer weekly rates ranging from $130 to $150.
For long-term parking, off-site lots offer the best value, with rates as low as $7.99 per day. Onsite long-term parking rates start at $38 per day, but pre-booking an off-site lot can result in savings of up to 70%.
In addition to these options, Pearson Airport also offers valet parking, with a one-time cost of $20 and a daily maximum of $56.
When picking someone up, it is important to consider the time it takes for arriving passengers to complete customs and retrieve their luggage, which can take 1 to 3 hours for international arrivals. Planning to arrive 1 to 3 hours after the scheduled landing time can help avoid unnecessary parking fees.
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Picking up passengers from different terminals
Picking up passengers from Pearson Airport can be a daunting task, especially with the airport's multiple terminals. Here are some tips to make the process smoother:
Terminal 1 or 3
Firstly, it is important to know which terminal your passenger is arriving at. Pearson Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, which are quite far apart and have separate exits from the highway. The terminal your passenger arrives at will depend on their airline.
Parking Options
There are a few parking options available at Pearson Airport. One option is to use the free Cell Phone Waiting Area, where you can wait in your car until your passenger notifies you that they are ready to be picked up. This area is located about 500 feet from the terminal and is marked on Google Maps. It is free to use for up to 45 minutes, but you must turn off your vehicle and stay with it at all times. Alternatively, there is a large parking garage available for a fee. This option may be more convenient if you wish to go inside the terminal to meet your passenger.
Meeting Point
When your passenger arrives, they can communicate their location by telling you which pillar they are closest to. You can then drive up to the arrivals curb outside and pick them up. It is important to note that waiting is not allowed at the curb, as it is only for quick passenger pick-up. The pillars on the arrival floor are labelled, making it easier for your passenger to locate you.
International Arrivals
If you are picking up an international arrival, plan to arrive 1-3 hours after the scheduled landing time to allow for customs and luggage retrieval. You can meet your passenger on the Arrival or Departure level.
Express Pass
If you need to park for a short period of time, the Express Pass allows you to park in the covered garages in Terminals 1 and 3 for up to 20 minutes for free when picking up or dropping off passengers.
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How to avoid illegal parking
Illegal parking at Pearson Airport is dangerous, creates congestion, and delays passengers. To avoid illegal parking, drivers can use the free Pearson Cell Phone Waiting Area to park their cars and wait until their passengers contact them after disembarking and collecting their luggage. This lot is located around 500 feet away from the terminal and is marked on Google Maps. It is free to use for up to 45 minutes, but drivers must turn off their vehicles and stay with them at all times.
Alternatively, there are covered parking garages in Terminals 1 and 3, where drivers can park for up to 20 minutes for free with an Express Pass. For longer stays, drivers can choose the Daily Park lot. However, it is important to note that parking rates can be expensive, with rates of around $7 for 3 hours.
For those who want to leave their vehicles to greet or bid farewell to passengers, Pearson Airport offers 18 minutes of free parking in their covered garages with an Express Pass.
To improve customer experience, sections of the parking garages (T1, T3, and Value Park Garage) may be closed for maintenance, so it is advisable to allow extra time when parking at the airport.
Drivers should also be aware that parking on the roadsides leading to the terminals is unsafe and subject to a $50 fine, enforced 24 hours a day. Camera technology and security teams are in place to monitor and enforce this policy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can enter Pearson Airport to pick someone up. You can either park in the airport's parking garage or use the free Cell Phone Waiting Area to wait in your car until your passenger contacts you after disembarking and collecting their luggage.
The Cell Phone Waiting Area is located within the airport premises, just minutes from the three terminals. To enter, turn right and follow the signs to Cell Phone Waiting Area 1 or drive west along Viscount Road, turn right onto Network Road, and follow the signs to Cell Phone Waiting Area 2.
You can wait in the Cell Phone Waiting Area for up to 45 minutes. While parked, you must stay with your vehicle at all times.
After receiving your passenger's location, drive to the arrivals curb outside the terminal and pick them up. The curb is labelled with numbers or letters, making it easier to locate your passenger.
You can park in the airport's parking garage, but it is expensive. The Express Pass allows you to park in the covered garages in Terminals 1 and 3 for up to 20 minutes for free when picking up passengers.
