Luggage Storage at Toronto Pearson Airport: Locations, Hours and Tips
If you’re arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport several hours before check-in, have a long layover, or indeed just want to explore Toronto without having to carry your bags around, then utilizing a porter service at Pearson Airport or opting for luggage storage can be a real help.
Pearson has staffed baggage storage available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 via Excess Baggage. This guide will walk you through where the counters are, their published opening hours, what you need to check before you leave your bags, and how you can then plan the remainder of your day.
Is luggage storage available at Toronto Pearson Airport?
Yes, Toronto Pearson has Excess Baggage counters in both terminals. The counters are in the public areas prior to security, so you don’t need to go through security to get to them.
The service will accept your luggage for both short and long periods, as per the airport’s service information, and also provides a range of related services, including parcel delivery, luggage accessories, and baggage transfers to and from hotels.
Luggage Storage in Terminal 1
The Excess Baggage counter in Terminal 1 is located prior to security in the Domestic Arrivals area. Toronto Pearson’s hours are listed as 5:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. Head along the terminal signs to Domestic Arrivals and refer to the terminal map if you need any assistance in finding the counter.
Before you leave any luggage, confirm the closing time for the date you intend to collect it. Don’t assume the counter will be open simply because the airport is open all night.
It comes with amenities like
- Comfortable reclining seating
- Adjustable lighting,
- Charging outlets for the phones and laptops
- and a cosy mattress.
Moreover, the sleep pods are designed to offer privacy, which is a significant advantage over traditional airport seating. These sleeping pods are situated in Terminal 1 near the Canadian departures hall, and adjacent to Aisle 15 and Lounge 15.
Luggage Storage in Terminal 3
Terminal 3 also has an Excess Baggage counter listed by Pearson as prior to security in the Check-In area. The counter is open daily from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. The layout of the terminal is different to that of Terminal 1, so again, use the airport signage and the official map rather than just the directions given for Terminal 1.
If you’re arriving at one terminal and need to get to the other, then confirm the easiest route before you start walking around with your heavy bags. Pearson operates a free Terminal Link train between the terminals.
How much does luggage storage at Toronto Pearson Airport cost?
The amount you pay will be determined by the service’s current pricing and the amount of luggage you require to store. The service is listed on the official Toronto Pearson site, and the locations are confirmed there, but there is no full luggage storage price list available on those pages. For that reason, don’t go looking for an old online price or assume that every suitcase will cost the same.
Ask the counter for the current rate prior to handing over your bags. Let them know how many bags you have, whether any are particularly large, and whether you’re going to be storing them for a long period of time.
If you’re storing a number of bags or planning to leave them for more than a few hours, get the full cost before you commit to it. This way you can properly compare airport storage with storage options available elsewhere in Toronto.
How to Store Your Bags
Head to the Excess Baggage counter in your terminal, let them know how many pieces you’d like to store and when you expect to retrieve them. Ask them about the charge, what you can store, what ID you’ll need, and any conditions that may apply to your booking.
Next, follow the operator’s instructions and keep the receipt or claim details somewhere safe. Before you leave the counter, make sure you have the exact collection point and the latest pickup time.
When you come back, go to the same counter and go through the collection process. Build in a time buffer. A queue, a terminal transfer, or some other unforeseen delay could mean you end up taking longer than you expect, and the storage counter may well have closed prior to your flight.
What should you keep with you?
Don’t put everything you need for the day in your checked luggage. Your passport or other travel docs, your boarding pass, your wallet, your payment cards, your phone, your keys, and your medication should all be with you.
Take your valuables and anything you can’t easily replace. If you need an item during your layover, then take it out before the bag is accepted.
Can you store luggage overnight?
Don’t assume that luggage storage at Toronto Pearson Airport is available for collection at any time. The counters, as published, do close at night: T1 is listed as open until 11.00 pm and T3 until 10.00 pm.
The airport may be able to store your luggage for longer than that, but you would still be required to collect it during the counter’s operating hours.
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Is airport storage useful during a layover?
Luggage storage can be a real time-saver on a long layover, especially if you’ve got several hours between flights and want to go off and do something. First of all, you need to check that you’re actually allowed into Canada, that your bags are being checked all the way through to your final destination, and how much time you actually have between flights.
Work backward from your next departure. Allow time to get back to Pearson, collect your luggage, check in if necessary, and go through security. With international itineraries you may well need additional time for border formalities.
Getting To and From Pearson with Your Bags
Once you’ve got your luggage collected, then decide on the appropriate form of transport based on your destination, the number of passengers and the amount of luggage.
Public transport will be quite adequate for a single passenger with a small bag, whereas a pre-booked car service is likely to be the more convenient option for a family or group of people, or indeed anyone with a lot of luggage.
Pearson Airport Limo Taxi Service is an option if you’re looking for a pre-arranged airport taxi service. You should check out their current service details, fare, vehicle options, and pickup instructions prior to booking. Don’t assume that any luggage storage fees, waiting time, etc. are included in your transportation quote unless the provider explicitly states that they are.
FAQs
Yes, Pearson has Excess Baggage counters in both T1 and T3. They’re both prior to security in the public terminal areas.
Pearson has Terminal 1 listed as open 5.00 am to 11.00 pm daily and Terminal 3 as open 5.00 am to 10.00 pm daily. Check the hours before you go.
The airport’s service pages don’t give you the full storage pricing. You’ll need to ask Excess Baggage for the current rate based on the number and size of bags and the length of storage.
You might be able to check your luggage and leave the airport, but you need to plan your return very carefully. Make sure you allow sufficient time to collect your bags and deal with all the airline, border, and security formalities.
Only if the counter is open when you get there to collect it. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have different listed closing times, so be sure to check the times that apply to your terminal.
Plan Ahead for a Smoother Airport Visit
Luggage storage at Toronto Pearson Airport can be a very useful thing. If you’re arriving early, have a long layover, or just a few hours between check-out and your flight, it can be very handy. Just select the counter that corresponds to your terminal, check the current opening hours and fees, and of course keep your valuables and travel docs with you. Most important of all is to allow yourself plenty of time to get your bags back prior to check-in or boarding.