Travelling with kids means more luggage, more logistics, and more potential for things to go sideways. Airport parking — something solo travellers barely think about — becomes a multi-step operation when you add car seats, strollers, snack bags, and a toddler who just decided this is a great time for a meltdown. Whether you're flying from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) for a March Break trip or heading to Vancouver (YVR) for a family reunion, these tips will help.
Why Off-Airport Parking Makes Sense for Families
When you're buying 3, 4, or 5 plane tickets, every dollar counts. Off-airport parking at Canadian airports typically costs 40–70% less than on-airport garages. At YYZ, where on-airport daily parking runs $25–$35/day, off-airport lots often charge $10–$18/day. For a week-long family vacation, that's easily $100–$150 in savings — enough to cover a nice family dinner at your destination.
The trade-off is the shuttle ride, which adds 10–20 minutes and requires loading/unloading luggage, car seats, and kids. For most families, the savings are well worth it. But if you have a child under 12 months or a child with significant special needs, the simplicity of on-airport parking may justify the premium.
The Car Seat Question
This is the number one concern families have about off-airport parking: what do I do with car seats on the shuttle?
Option 1: Leave Car Seats in Your Vehicle
If you won't need car seats at your destination (e.g., you're renting a car with seats, or visiting family who have them), leave them installed in your car at the lot. They'll be ready when you return. This is the simplest approach and eliminates the shuttle juggle entirely.
Option 2: Bring Car Seats to the Gate
Canadian airlines (Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair) all allow you to check car seats for free — they don't count toward your baggage allowance. Most families carry them through the airport and gate-check them (the airline tags them at the gate and loads them in the cargo hold). This keeps the seat clean and protected until boarding.
On the shuttle, you'll need to hold the car seat or stow it in the luggage area. Shuttle drivers at most lots will help you load bulky items.
The Shuttle and Child Safety Laws
Provincial car seat laws in Canada generally require children under a certain weight and age to ride in car or booster seats. However, commercial shuttle buses and public transit are typically exempt from these requirements. The short shuttle ride (5–15 minutes) falls under this exemption at most lots. If you're uncomfortable with this, holding your child on your lap is the standard practice for these brief transfers.
Family tip: Invest in a car seat travel bag (around $25–$40 CAD). It protects the seat during airline handling and makes it much easier to carry through the airport. Some bags have backpack straps, which keep your hands free for kids and other luggage.
Timing: How Early Should Families Arrive?
Everything takes longer with kids. Here's a realistic timeline:
- Domestic flights: Arrive at the off-airport lot 3 hours before departure
- U.S. flights: 3.5 hours (customs pre-clearance adds time)
- International flights: 3.5–4 hours
This accounts for:
- Parking and unloading the car (15 minutes with kids and gear)
- Waiting for and riding the shuttle (15–25 minutes)
- Check-in and bag drop (15–30 minutes, longer with car seats to check)
- Security screening (20–40 minutes; family lines exist at YYZ and YVR)
- Buffer for diaper changes, snack stops, bathroom breaks, and the inevitable "I forgot something in the car" moment
Stroller Strategy
If you're bringing a stroller, you have two choices at most airports:
Gate-check the stroller: Use it through the airport (hugely helpful for keeping toddlers contained and luggage organized) and hand it to airline staff at the gate. It's loaded in the cargo hold and returned to you at your destination gate or baggage carousel. All Canadian airlines accept gate-checked strollers at no charge.
Check at the counter: If your stroller is large or heavy, check it at the airline counter. You'll need to carry or wrangle the child through security and the terminal without it.
For the shuttle ride, collapsible umbrella strollers are easiest. Full-size travel systems take up significant space on the shuttle. Most shuttle drivers will help you load strollers in the luggage compartment.
Packing Your Car for the Return Trip
This is the tip experienced family travellers swear by: leave a return-trip kit in your car before you park. After a long flight with tired, hungry kids, the last thing you want is a 45-minute drive home with nothing to eat or drink.
Pack a bag in your car with:
- Snacks: Granola bars, crackers, dried fruit — non-perishable items that won't spoil during your trip
- Water bottles: Leave empty bottles that you can fill at the airport or lot before driving
- Change of clothes: One set per child. Flights cause spills, stains, and accidents
- Comfort items: A favourite stuffed animal or blanket for the drive home
- Winter gear (November–March): Leave jackets and gloves in the car if you're flying somewhere warm. No point dragging winter coats through Cuba or Cancun
Booking Tips for Family Travel
Book Early During Peak Family Periods
Canadian family travel peaks during March Break (mid-March), summer (late June through August), and December holidays. Off-airport lots near YYZ and YUL can sell out entirely during March Break. Book 3–4 weeks ahead during these periods. See our booking timing guide for more details.
Use the Special Requests Field
When booking on MyAirportParking, note that you're travelling with young children. Many lots will ensure you get a spot close to the shuttle pickup and will have a larger vehicle ready for your luggage and gear.
Choose Lots with Covered Waiting Areas
Waiting outside with kids in January rain or July heat isn't fun. Look for lots with covered or indoor shuttle waiting areas, especially at Edmonton (YEG) and Winnipeg (YWG) where winter waiting outdoors is miserable.
The Return: Getting Back to Your Car
The return trip is where exhaustion hits. Kids are tired from the flight, luggage is heavier (souvenirs), and patience is thin. Here's how to make it smooth:
- Call the shuttle while waiting for bags. If the lot offers on-call return service, call as soon as you deplane. The shuttle will be closer to ready by the time you collect luggage.
- Know the pickup location. Return shuttle pickups are usually at a designated spot on the arrivals level. Know which door or pillar number before you land.
- Reinstall car seats before loading luggage. Get the kids buckled in and settled first, then load suitcases. Trying to do both simultaneously with tired children leads to chaos.
- Break out the return-trip snacks. Happy kids = peaceful drive home.
The Bottom Line
Off-airport parking is a smart money-saving choice for families, but it requires slightly more planning than on-airport parking. Allow extra time, plan your car seat strategy, pack a return kit in the car, and book early during peak family travel periods. The $100+ you save goes a lot further toward making your family vacation memorable.