Parking for a flight from Toronto Island

[greenclan67]

We are flying porter from Toronto island to Melbourne Florida in march. We are gone for 2 fulls weeks. Never even thought of parking. We usually fly southwest from Buffalo. But with the exchange we got flights for $1500 return. Not my first pick but we have 11 of us going on that flight and that's what they wanted. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[sk8jdgca]

I'd leave the car at home and take the subway to union where there is a free shuttle to the airport. Is this possible for you?

 

[greenclan67]

I'd leave the car at home and take the subway to union where there is a free shuttle to the airport. Is this possible for you?

Not at all, we live 6 hours away. Or otherwise we would be all over that. We are in Northern Ontario.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Did a bit of research for you ... here's the link to the parking they have

http://www.bbtcaparking.com/#!rates/c1ato

http://torontoparking.spplus.ca/air...parking.html?gclid=CJHO-vzX0cgCFVU2aQodqy4FCw

There is also the possibility of calling some of the hotels in the downtown core to see if they offer park & fly rates?? Not sure BUT there are several ways to get to the airport now .. ferry, free shuttle from downtown AND the new pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks!!

 

[juleeper]

You can park for free at GO train stations and go to Union. I take the train from Scarborough station everyday. You are looking at $10 round trip per person and free parking. The total time from Scarborough to union is 15 minutes and trains run every half hour. You could also grab a train on the Lakeshore west line - depending on what is closest for you. There are stations that are minutes from the 401 if you want to avoid city traffic to boot.

 

[greenclan67]

You can park for free at GO train stations and go to Union. I take the train from Scarborough station everyday. You are looking at $10 round trip per person and free parking. The total time from Scarborough to union is 15 minutes and trains run every half hour. You could also grab a train on the Lakeshore west line - depending on what is closest for you. There are stations that are minutes from the 401 if you want to avoid city traffic to boot.

Would our car be safe doing that for two weeks? We have thought of doing this but wondered about our car.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Would our car be safe doing that for two weeks? We have thought of doing this but wondered about our car.

That would be a NO here's a quote from the GO site
Customers can park in any space for a maximum of 48 hours

BUT since i last posted i did have an idea .... you *might* have luck finding a hotel at the top end of the subway line that will let you park?? You'll probably need to resort to calling since if you search for "park-n-fly" packages they will assume you're flying out of Pearson. (BUT I also had another thought ... i don't ever recall them asking to see proof that we were flying out of Pearson ... so you just need to get to the TTC system somehow) If you can do this, subway fare to Union and then the shuttle to the airport will run you about 3.00 per adult. IF you are going on a weekend you can get the family day pass for "2 adults and not more than 4 youths 19 years of age or under; $11.50" Bunch of other options for tokens/tickets if you are going on a weekday .. just ask the person in the booth!

 

[allybabba98]

This is what I found when I typed in Porter airlines and where to park. That is a fantastic rate you got for flying. Have a wonderful time!
https://www.flyporter.com/travel/BBTCA-Parking?culture=en

 

[greenclan67]

This is what I found when I typed in Porter airlines and where to park. That is a fantastic rate you got for flying. Have a wonderful time!
https://www.flyporter.com/travel/BBTCA-Parking?culture=en

I know.....we lucked out.....the parking on the island would be $237.00 for two weeks. Eeeek. I am going to do some digging with hotels tomorrow. My biggest concern with subway is the luggage. We will have two suitcases and some carry ons..

 

[greenclan67]

That would be a NO here's a quote from the GO site
Customers can park in any space for a maximum of 48 hours

BUT since i last posted i did have an idea .... you *might* have luck finding a hotel at the top end of the subway line that will let you park?? You'll probably need to resort to calling since if you search for "park-n-fly" packages they will assume you're flying out of Pearson. (BUT I also had another thought ... i don't ever recall them asking to see proof that we were flying out of Pearson ... so you just need to get to the TTC system somehow) If you can do this, subway fare to Union and then the shuttle to the airport will run you about 3.00 per adult. IF you are going on a weekend you can get the family day pass for "2 adults and not more than 4 youths 19 years of age or under; $11.50" Bunch of other options for tokens/tickets if you are going on a weekday .. just ask the person in the booth!

Thanks. It is a Saturday, and 2 adults 2 kid . I will be doing this tomorrow. Appreciate your help

 

[bankr63]

Didn't they put in a high-speed shuttle train from Pearson to downtown for the Pan-Ams? You could use long term parking at Pearson, but just grab the shuttle to Union/Island. The shuttle should be able to handle the luggage no problem.

ETA: Okay maybe not. Just looked it up online. Return shuttle is $53pp. At that rate, you could probably afford to park on the island! That's crazy stupid pricing for rapid transit!

 

[Donald - my hero]

Didn't they put in a high-speed shuttle train from Pearson to downtown for the Pan-Ams? You could use long term parking at Pearson, but just grab the shuttle to Union/Island. The shuttle should be able to handle the luggage no problem.

ETA: Okay maybe not. Just looked it up online. Return shuttle is $53pp. At that rate, you could probably afford to park on the island! That's crazy stupid pricing for rapid transit!

You've got that right!! Hubby and I used it last month and while it was super fast & convenient, good grief, expensive enough (even with the PRESTO discount) When i came home I used the new GO bus that goes to Square One and transferred there to home. I was able to get from Pearson to Guelph for a whopping 12.35!!!

 

[LemonNeko]

I know.....we lucked out.....the parking on the island would be $237.00 for two weeks. Eeeek. I am going to do some digging with hotels tomorrow. My biggest concern with subway is the luggage. We will have two suitcases and some carry ons..

I don't think you can park on the island. Does porter have a lot on the mainland where you can park for two weeks? If so this is likely your best bet even if it is $237.00 because parking downtown is so expensive. You might be able to purchase a one month pass for a lot on queens quay and that would run about $200.

If you choose the hotel that includes parking you will likely need to get one nearish to Pearson. Depending on how early your flight is the subway may not be an option. It's about $50 for a cab from Pearson to where Porter is (I took a cab a couple of years ago so it could be more now)

 

[greenclan67]

I don't think you can park on the island. Does porter have a lot on the mainland where you can park for two weeks? If so this is likely your best bet even if it is $237.00 because parking downtown is so expensive. You might be able to purchase a one month pass for a lot on queens quay and that would run about $200.

If you choose the hotel that includes parking you will likely need to get one nearish to Pearson. Depending on how early your flight is the subway may not be an option. It's about $50 for a cab from Pearson to where Porter is (I took a cab a couple of years ago so it could be more now)

I don't mind paying for a cab from Pearson as I can do a park & fly hotel at Pearson plus cab there, cheaper then a downtown hotel and parking.

 

[bankr63]

I don't mind paying for a cab from Pearson as I can do a park & fly hotel at Pearson plus cab there, cheaper then a downtown hotel and parking.

So how many of the 11 in your car? The UP shuttle return for two is about the same as 2 cab fares, and you won't have to worry about being stuck in Toronto's traffic (well except the last few blocks on the Porter shuttle). If you've got a carload, then the cab might be cheaper. I've spent one of the worst weeks of my life in an afternoon stuck in a cab in Toronto traffic.

 

[greenclan67]

So how many of the 11 in your car? The UP shuttle return for two is about the same as 2 cab fares, and you won't have to worry about being stuck in Toronto's traffic (well except the last few blocks on the Porter shuttle). If you've got a carload, then the cab might be cheaper. I've spent one of the worst weeks of my life in an afternoon stuck in a cab in Toronto traffic.

There is 4 of us in our car. I don't technically after to worry about the other 7, they have a sister that lives in Whitby, and she is hoping she can drive her van down that seats 8 and drop them all off, so I can look after myself all is good. I emailed a couple of cab companies that I found online adeverstising flat rate from Pearson to Toronto Island Airport and the few that emailed me back were the same price, averaging $50 each way, flat rate. So a $100 plus tip, no matter what was I slice it, I have to get a hotel the night before regardless of what I do. So what's my best option, paying the $237 for 2 weeks parking, or paying a $100 for the cab plus a $100 (from the few I have looked up through travelzoo) for park and fly up to 15 days of parking?

 

[Donald - my hero]

Ok I've never been one to give up on a challenge so I've dug around a bit more for you
Do you have an Airmiles card? I checked their site and they have a discount for Park n Fly ...
2 weeks runs $114.00 for the 2 weeks

You said you have 2 kids the UP express has a family rate
2 adults and up to 3 children under 18 is $55.00 each way. to pay individually it would run you about 83.00 each way!!WAY cheaper than the rate you were quoted for cab ... NO tip, NO traffic and a fun ride for the kidlettes to start the trip. It starts running at 5 am and takes you right to Union .. from there you could pop onto either the shuttle or take the super nifty tunnel!!

 

[minnie56]

I love Porter ..my DD lives in New York City and often flies home with them, one thing I'd never thought of ..when she was home for thanksgiving, her flight was delayed from LaGuardia landing at 10:45 pm and as we sat outside the terminal a security guy came along and asked were we waiting the flight from Boston. We said no, he said ok ,,,it's also delayed, but scheduled to land after 11:00 pm and the island A/P closes at 11:00 so it was redirected to Pearson.

I said to my husband..wow what a pain for all those folks that have parked here at the island or close by.
I guess something to consider when booking a late return flight ...

 

[greenclan67]

Donald

Ok I've never been one to give up on a challenge so I've dug around a bit more for you
Do you have an Airmiles card? I checked their site and they have a discount for Park n Fly ...
2 weeks runs $114.00 for the 2 weeks

You said you have 2 kids the UP express has a family rate
2 adults and up to 3 children under 18 is $55.00 each way. to pay individually it would run you about 83.00 each way!!WAY cheaper than the rate you were quoted for cab ... NO tip, NO traffic and a fun ride for the kidlettes to start the trip. It starts running at 5 am and takes you right to Union .. from there you could pop onto either the shuttle or take the super nifty tunnel!!

You are my hero. Off to explore now. Do I have to book the park and fly on air miles?

 

[LemonNeko]

That's a great find about the family rate for UP. All I knew was there ridiculous single rider rates. I've never been on it but I pass by it daily on the Go train and it looks very nice and not very busy so luggage would not be a problem.