Your parents land at 6:40 p.m. on December 19. They’ve been flying for 14 hours. They have four suitcases, a box of sweets, and no winter coat.
And you’re circling Terminal 3 for the third time because the curb police waved you on.
There’s an easier way. Book a pre-arranged Pearson airport pickup before December. Send us the flight number. Your driver tracks the landing and meets your family inside at Door A on the Arrivals Level. You stay home and put the kettle on.
Here’s how to plan it properly.
The dates that will be busiest at Pearson this season
The holiday rush is easy to predict this year, because the calendar is so clean:
- Fri Dec 18 – Sun Dec 20, 2026: the last weekend before school ends. Peel and Toronto public schools are off from Mon Dec 21, 2026 to Fri Jan 1, 2027.
- Fri Dec 25: Christmas Day. Sat Dec 26: Boxing Day.
- Fri Jan 1, 2027: New Year’s Day.
- Sat Jan 2 – Sun Jan 3: the return wave, the weekend before classes restart.
If your visitors land on one of those days, book now. December airport rides start filling up in November. The best drivers and the larger vehicles go first.
Give us the flight number, not just the landing time
A landing time changes. A flight number doesn’t.
With the flight number, we follow the flight itself. If the plane lands 40 minutes early or two hours late, the pickup moves with it. You don’t have to call anyone from the arrivals hall.
One thing people forget about international arrivals: “landed” isn’t “out.” After the wheels touch down, your family still has to walk to the hall, clear border services, and wait at the carousel for every suitcase. On a busy December evening that can take a long time. We plan the meet around that, so your driver is waiting when they come through, and your family isn’t the one waiting.
Tip: make sure your family has a working phone or Wi-Fi when they land. Pearson has free Wi-Fi. A quick “we have our bags” message makes the meet easy.
Where your family meets the driver: Door A, Arrivals Level
This is the part that trips up first-time visitors.
Pre-arranged rides at Toronto Pearson meet at Door A on the Arrivals Level, in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
The taxi stands are at different doors (Terminal 1 Doors C and D, Terminal 3 Door E). Tell your family not to join the taxi line. Their ride is already booked, and it’s at Door A.
Send them this one line before they fly:
“When you have your bags, go to Door A on the Arrivals Level. Your driver will be there with your name.”
Not sure which terminal? Your airline decides that, not the airport. Most Air Canada flights use Terminal 1; many other carriers use Terminal 3. Check the airline’s booking or the Pearson flight tracker the day before. Our Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 pickup guide has the walk-through.
Match the car to the suitcases, not just the people
Holiday visitors travel heavy. International economy tickets often include two checked bags each. Add gifts, carry-ons and a stroller, and it adds up fast:
- 2 people, 3–4 suitcases: a sedan usually works.
- 3–4 people, 5–8 suitcases: book an SUV or minivan.
- A big family landing together: ask about a Sprinter van so everyone rides in one vehicle.
When you book, tell us how many passengers and how many large suitcases. That’s the one detail that stops a driver showing up with a car that’s too small. A human picks up the phone and gets it right. You don’t have to guess from a list of icons on an app.
The winter coat problem (and other cold-weather details)
If your family is flying in from somewhere warm, they may not own a proper winter coat. Toronto nights in late December are usually below freezing.
The walk from Door A to the car is short, but it’s outside. Ask them to keep a warm layer, a hat and gloves in their carry-on, not packed deep in a checked bag.
Our drivers warm the car before pickup. The coat still matters, because the first thing your family feels of Canada is that curb.
Travelling with grandkids? Sort the car seats when you book
If little ones are landing too, tell us their ages and rough weights when you book. Ontario sets car-seat stages by weight and height, and the safest ride is the right seat for the child’s size. Ask about car seats on the call and we’ll confirm what’s available for your pickup.
More detail in our post on child car-seat safety in Toronto airport taxis.
If a winter storm hits on landing day
December snow and freezing rain are normal here. Here’s what happens if the weather turns:
- Check Environment Canada (weather.gc.ca) for Toronto and Peel warnings the day before.
- Check the flight status with the airline. Storms move flights by hours, not minutes.
- Don’t panic about the ride. Because we track the flight, a delayed landing doesn’t mean a missed pickup. If the flight is cancelled, call us and we’ll rebook the pickup.
We answer 24/7, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
The 60-second holiday pickup checklist
Copy this and send it to your family:
- ☐ Flight number sent to Pearson Airport Limo
- ☐ Number of passengers and suitcases confirmed
- ☐ Car seats requested (if kids are coming)
- ☐ Meeting point: Door A, Arrivals Level (Terminal 1 or 3)
- ☐ Warm layer in the carry-on
- ☐ Phone charged, Pearson Wi-Fi on
- ☐ Our number saved: (905) 929-4810
Frequently asked questions
Where do I meet my pre-arranged ride at Toronto Pearson?
At Door A on the Arrivals Level, in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The taxi stands are at different doors, so don’t join the taxi line. Your driver meets you at Door A.
How early should I book a Pearson airport pickup for the Christmas holidays?
Book as soon as you have the flight details. November is ideal for arrivals between December 18 and January 3. That’s the busiest stretch, and larger vehicles such as SUVs, minivans and Sprinters are booked first.
What happens if my family’s flight is delayed or lands early?
We follow the flight by its flight number and adjust the pickup to the real landing time. You don’t need to call us about a delay. If the flight is cancelled or moved to another day, call us and we’ll rebook the pickup.
Can you pick up a family with lots of luggage and young children?
Yes. Tell us the number of passengers, large suitcases and children’s ages when you book. We’ll match the vehicle, whether that’s a sedan, SUV, minivan or Sprinter van, and confirm car seats for your pickup.
Book your holiday pickup
Toronto head office: (905) 929-4810, 49 Thorncliffe Park Dr, Unit 417, Toronto
Mississauga branch, minutes from Pearson: (437) 291-6553, 120 Matheson Blvd E, Unit 102, Mississauga (about our Mississauga office)
Toll-free: 1-800-814-6936
Send us the flight number and the suitcase count. We’ll take care of the rest.
Written by Nick, Pearson Airport Limousine & Taxi Service.