Car Hire at Toronto Union Railway Station

Stepping off the train at Union Station puts you right in the beating heart of downtown Toronto. It’s a brilliant starting point for exploring not just the city, but everything beyond it too. Sure, the TTC subway and streetcar network will get you around the downtown core just fine, but what about that weekend trip to wine country? Or that spontaneous drive up to cottage country? That’s where having your own set of wheels transforms your trip from “nice city break” to “proper Canadian adventure.” Picking up a car hire here means you can roll your suitcase off the train, grab your keys, and be on the road within the hour—no schlepping out to the airport required.

What makes Union Station particularly clever as a pickup point is the flexibility it gives you. Maybe you’ve taken the train from Ottawa or Montreal and want to drive back at your own pace, stopping in places the railway bypasses. Or perhaps you’ve flown into Pearson, taken the UP Express train downtown to avoid the chaotic airport car hire queues, and are collecting your vehicle somewhere with actual character. Union Station itself is a stunner—recently revitalised with soaring ceilings and gorgeous architectural details that make you feel like travel is still something special. It’s connected to the PATH underground walkway system, so even in January’s bitter cold, you can reach your car hire desk without freezing. That’s the kind of thoughtful detail that makes a difference.

Picking Up Your Rental Car

Here’s the thing about Union Station: the major car hire companies don’t have desks right inside the historic main hall. Instead, you’ll find them in the surrounding blocks, typically within a five to ten-minute walk or a quick complimentary shuttle ride. Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis all have locations on or near Front Street, York Street, and Wellington Street West. Some are connected via the PATH system, which is a proper lifesaver when Toronto decides to show off its winter personality.

When you book, double-check the exact address and opening hours—downtown locations sometimes keep different hours than their airport counterparts, and a few spots close entirely on Sundays. Most suppliers will let you take the car and return it outside hours using a drop box, but you’ll want to confirm that upfront. Also worth noting: because this is a city centre location rather than an airport, the vehicle selection can be smaller. If you’ve got your heart set on something specific—say, a spacious SUV for a family trip to Algonquin Park—book early and maybe call ahead to ensure they’ve got what you need waiting for you.

Parking in downtown Toronto is, frankly, a bit of a nightmare and expensive to boot. Factor in CAD 20-30 per day for hotel parking, or hunt down the Green P municipal lots which tend to be slightly more affordable than private ones. When you return the car, some locations have their own small lot, while others require you to park in a nearby garage and walk over with the ticket. Ask for specific return instructions when you pick up—it saves that frantic Google Maps searching when you’re running late for your train home.

Where to Go

Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake: This is the classic day trip from Toronto, and for good reason. Head south on York Street to the Gardiner Expressway, which turns into the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) toward Niagara. It’s about 1.5 hours without traffic, though summer weekends can stretch that considerably. The falls are spectacular, sure, but the real gem is Niagara-on-the-Lake about 20 minutes further along—a perfectly preserved Victorian town surrounded by award-winning wineries. Book a tasting at Peller Estates or Inniskillin, and pick up something Ontario-grown to take back with you.

Blue Mountain and Collingwood: Come winter, this is where Toronto heads for skiing and snowboarding. Take Highway 400 north from the city, then connect to Highway 26 west toward Collingwood—about two hours total driving time. Blue Mountain Resort has a proper European ski village feel with tons of restaurants and bars, plus slopes suitable for everyone from nervous beginners to seasoned experts. Summer transforms the area into hiking and mountain biking territory, with Georgian Bay’s turquoise waters offering beach days that feel a million miles from downtown.

Prince Edward County: For something a bit more under-the-radar, drive east about 2.5 hours to “The County,” as locals call it. Take the Don Valley Parkway to Highway 401 east, then cut south through the rolling farmland. This skinny peninsula jutting into Lake Ontario has become Ontario’s hippest food and wine destination—think farmhouse cheese shops, cideries, antique barns, and Sandbanks Provincial Park with its ridiculous white sand dunes. It’s the kind of place where you end up buying too much local produce because everything looks that good.

Muskoka and Cottage Country: When temperatures climb, Torontonians flee north to the lakes. Highway 400 North turns into Highway 11, threading through forest and granite Canadian Shield country toward Muskoka—roughly two hours if traffic behaves. The towns of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Huntsville each have their own personality, with steamship cruises, farmer’s markets, and dockside restaurants. Rent a cottage for a week, or just do a day trip to see what all the fuss is about. Warning: you’ll want to come back.

Tips for Driving

Canadian roads are, by and large, excellently maintained—Ontario takes its infrastructure seriously. That said, winter driving from November through March (sometimes longer) demands genuine respect. Snow tyres aren’t legally required in Ontario the way they are in Quebec, but they’re absolutely worth having if you’re doing any significant driving during colder months. All-season tyres are fine for city driving, but hit a proper snowstorm on the highway and you’ll wish you’d splurged for winters. Most car hire companies offer them as an add-on—say yes.

Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour, naturally. In the city, expect 50 km/h on most streets, though school zones drop to 30 km/h when lights are flashing. Highways range from 80 km/h on smaller routes to 100 km/h on the 400-series motorways—though everyone drives 110-120 km/h in the middle lanes, and the OPP generally won’t bother you unless you’re being reckless. Keep right except to pass; it’s both the law and basic Canadian motorway etiquette.

The 407 ETR is the big toll road running north of the city, and here’s the thing: it’s fully electronic. No booths, no tickets, nothing. Cameras photograph your licence plate and bill the registered owner. If you’re in a rental car, the hire company will pass that charge along to you, usually with a processing fee attached. The 407 can save serious time during rush hour—Toronto traffic is genuinely brutal—but check your rental agreement for how they handle tolls. Sometimes it’s cheaper to just sit in traffic on the 401.

Pedestrians in Toronto are aggressive and plentiful, particularly downtown. They’ll step into crosswalks expecting you to stop, and jaywalking is practically a local sport. Drive defensively, especially around universities and entertainment districts. Also, right turns on red lights are permitted unless specifically signed otherwise—but you must come to a complete stop first and yield to any crossing traffic or pedestrians.

One last thing: gas up before returning the car. Stations near Union Station charge premium prices for the convenience. Stop a bit further out where locals buy their fuel, fill up to the same level you picked it up at, and save yourself the eye-watering refuelling fee most companies charge.

Ready to explore beyond the city? Pop your dates into the search widget and we’ll show you what’s available from Union Station and nearby downtown locations. Your Canadian road trip starts here.