Affordable Car Rentals Toronto
Things to See in Downtown Toronto
Toronto is a big city, and there’s a lot more to see than just the downtown core. From the CN Tower and waterfront to neighbourhoods like Ossington and Yorkville, you can easily spend several days exploring different parts of the city.
If you’re visiting Toronto and want the freedom to come and go on your own schedule, renting a car can make things a lot easier. You can visit the main attractions downtown, then head out to another neighbourhood or explore somewhere outside the city without having to work around transit schedules.
Essential Toronto Stops
CN Tower
You really can’t visit Toronto without seeing the CN Tower. It’s one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and one of the first things most visitors want to see.
The observation levels offer great views across downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario, and on a clear day you can see a surprisingly long way. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, the EdgeWalk lets you walk around the outside of the tower high above the city.
The CN Tower is right in the heart of downtown, close to other attractions including Ripley’s Aquarium and Rogers Centre, so it’s easy to combine a few stops in the same trip.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Located right beside the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium is a great choice for families, couples, or anyone who enjoys seeing marine life up close.
One of the highlights is the underwater viewing tunnel, where you can watch sharks, rays, sea turtles, and other marine life swimming around you. It’s also a good option if the weather isn’t cooperating, since you can spend a few hours indoors.
If you’re travelling with kids, putting the aquarium and CN Tower together makes for an easy downtown day.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
The Royal Ontario Museum is one of Toronto’s best-known museums and is worth checking out even if museums normally aren’t at the top of your list.
The exhibits cover everything from dinosaurs and ancient civilizations to natural history, art, and cultures from around the world. The building itself is also hard to miss, thanks to the modern Michael Lee-Chin Crystal addition.
It’s a particularly good stop on a rainy or cold day when you want to spend a few hours indoors.
Ossington Avenue
Want to get away from some of the more touristy parts of downtown? Take a drive over to Ossington Avenue.
The area around Queen Street West and Dundas Street West is packed with restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and independent businesses. It’s a good place to grab dinner, meet friends, or simply walk around and see a different side of Toronto.
Parking can be a little more challenging here than in some suburban areas, so check parking signs carefully before leaving your rental car.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma is one of those Toronto attractions that feels a little out of place—in a good way. The historic building looks more like a European castle than something you’d expect to find in the middle of Toronto.
You can explore the rooms, towers, gardens, and underground areas, and there are often special exhibits and events happening throughout the year.
If you’re driving, Casa Loma can be a convenient stop because there is parking available on-site. It’s also a good attraction to visit if you’re looking for something different from the usual downtown sights.
More Things to Do Around Toronto
If you have a rental car for more than a day, don’t feel like you have to stay downtown the entire time. Toronto has a lot of great neighbourhoods and attractions spread throughout the city.
Depending on what you’re interested in, you could also visit:
- Toronto’s waterfront and Harbourfront for walking, restaurants, events, and views of Lake Ontario.
- St. Lawrence Market for food and local vendors.
- Kensington Market for independent shops, restaurants, and a more eclectic side of the city.
- The Distillery Historic District for restaurants, shops, cafés, and historic architecture.
- High Park if you want some green space without leaving Toronto.
- Yorkville for upscale shopping, restaurants, and cafés.
- Toronto Zoo if you’re travelling with kids and don’t mind driving outside the downtown core.
Having a rental car is especially useful if you’re planning to visit several of these areas in one trip rather than spending your entire visit downtown.
A Quick Parking Tip for Our Renters
Driving in Toronto is generally straightforward, but parking downtown can be a different story. Street parking fills up quickly in busy areas, and parking rules can change from one street to the next.
Keep an eye out for the green Green P signs. These mark parking lots and garages operated by the Toronto Parking Authority and are found throughout the city.
Before leaving your rental car, always check the posted signs for parking restrictions, payment requirements, and time limits.
Pro tip: Download the Green P App before heading into downtown Toronto. You can use the app to pay for parking, keep track of your parking session, and add time from your phone when available.
If you’re spending most of the day downtown, it can sometimes be easier to park once and explore the surrounding attractions on foot rather than moving your car from place to place.
Renting a Car in Toronto
Toronto’s downtown core has plenty of public transit, but a rental car gives you more flexibility once you start travelling outside the central areas.
This is particularly useful if you’re staying in Toronto for several days, travelling with family, carrying luggage, or planning to visit attractions in different parts of the GTA.
For example, you could spend the morning downtown, head west to Etobicoke for the waterfront, drive north toward Vaughan, or visit Mississauga and the areas around Pearson Airport—all without having to plan your day around transit connections.
If you’re flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport, renting a car can also make it easier to get from the airport to your hotel and then explore Toronto and the surrounding area during your stay.
Don’t Forget Toronto CityPASS
If you’re planning to visit several of Toronto’s major attractions, it’s worth checking out the Toronto CityPASS.
Depending on your plans, the pass can help save money when visiting multiple attractions. It includes admission to attractions such as:
- CN Tower
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Plus additional participating Toronto attractions
It’s worth comparing the cost of the pass with the individual admission prices before buying, especially if you’re only planning to visit one or two attractions.
Make the Most of Your Toronto Rental Car
Toronto is easy to explore when you have the freedom to decide where you want to go and how long you want to stay.
If you’re visiting for a weekend, you can stick to downtown and some of the nearby neighbourhoods. Staying longer? Use your rental car to explore more of the GTA, including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Etobicoke, and other nearby areas.
If you’re looking for a car rental in Toronto, we’re here to help you find the right rental vehicle for your trip and get you on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can pick up your rental car shortly after you land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, as Airport Auto Rental is close to the airport.
Yes, we offer free pickup at Toronto Pearson Airport. We will bring you to our office, give you the rental and you’re on your way! When returning, we will also drop you off to Toronto Pearson Airport when you return your rental.
Absolutely. You may reserve your vehicle online or call us before you arrive to confirm availability and expedite your pick-up.
We have a great selection of compact cars, sedans, minivans and SUVs for you to choose from, making the perfect rental car for your travel needs.
A valid credit card is generally needed for the security deposit and rental contract. Hit us up if you want to discuss other payment methods.
You’ll need a valid driver’s license, a credit card in the renter’s name, and your reservation numbers. Foreigners may need a passport and/or an international driving license.
Other drivers can be added to your rental contract for a small daily fee, provided they also meet the age and license requirements.
Basic insurance is standard, and optional extended insurance features are available for increased protection while in Toronto.
Yes. After-hours drop-off is available at our Toronto Location.
You can drive all you want (within Ontario) with most rentals. Check your car rental contract to see if there are mileage limitations.