Yes, you read that right. 18 minutes.
Toronto Pearson airport has announced “Express Pass parking” as a new, convenient way to park when making a quick trip to the airport. It allows you to reserve a pass ahead of time online to get 18 minutes of free parking in the parking garages at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. They are advertising it as a safe, contactless parking option and is a free alternative to waiting curbside at the terminals.
How does it work?
Visit the booking page and book a parking reservation to receive a voucher for 18 minutes of free parking. You will receive an email with a barcode to be scanned upon entry to the garage at either Terminal 1 or 3.
You can register for this and future parking reservations or you can reserve 18 minutes as a guest by providing name, e-mail and license plate.
When you see the page displayed above, simply scroll down to enter your details and reserve as a guest
You should then get a confirmation page with the bar code and you should also receive an email.
You can use this voucher within three hours before and three hours after the selected time. If your time exceeds this three-hour grace period, you can amend your booking in “Manage booking”.
Note, if you are parked for more than 18 minutes, charges will apply at the posted garage rates.
Personally, I would not avail of this as I would rather either
a. use the Cell Phone Waiting Area
If you are picking up friends or family at Pearson Airport, you can wait in a cell phone waiting area at no charge for up to 45 minutes. While parked in the cell phone waiting area, you must stay with your vehicle at all times. This waiting area also provides free, high-speed charging stations for electric vehicles.
or
b. do a 1-minute pick-ups or drop-offs curbside at Terminals 1 and 3.
For 1-minute pick-ups or drop-offs, you may stop briefly outside the Arrivals or Departures areas at either terminal.
The other option if you know pretty much what time you will arrive and leave, then you can reserve online and save up-to 50%.
And, finally, remember, do not park on the roadsides leading into the terminals, as a photo will be taken of your licence plate and a $75 payment notice will be sent to your home address.
Written by Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy.
Image Photo by Rico Reutimann on Unsplash