When is March Break in Canada in 2026?

March Break dates vary by province. In 2026, Ontario's March Break falls on March 16-20, while Quebec's spring break (relâche scolaire) is March 2-6. Other provinces set their own dates. This staggered schedule means airport parking demand is elevated for 2-3 weeks across central Canada.

How far in advance should I book airport parking for March Break?

Book airport parking 3-4 weeks before your March Break departure date. Popular off-airport lots near Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) can sell out entirely during peak March Break days. Booking on MyAirportParking with free cancellation means you can secure your spot risk-free.

How much more does airport parking cost during March Break?

Airport parking rates during March Break are typically 15-25% higher than regular March rates. Off-airport lots see smaller surcharges than on-site airport parking, potentially saving families $100 or more on a week-long trip compared to parking at the airport.

Which Canadian airports are busiest during March Break?

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is the busiest, followed by Montreal-Trudeau (YUL). Calgary (YYC) and Vancouver (YVR) also see increased demand as families head to warm destinations. YYZ handles the highest volume because Ontario's population is the largest in Canada.

Do airport shuttle buses have room for car seats during March Break?

Most off-airport parking shuttle buses can accommodate car seats, but they are not pre-installed. Parents should bring their own car seats and install them on the shuttle. Some lots offer larger shuttle vehicles during March Break to handle family demand. Contact the lot in advance to confirm car seat compatibility.

Airport Parking During March Break: What Canadian Families Need to Know

Pericles Voutsinas · Founder & CEO
Last updated: April 15, 2026

Every March, hundreds of thousands of Canadian families head to airports across the country, bound for sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida. March Break is the single largest family travel surge in Canada, and it puts enormous pressure on airport parking — especially at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal-Trudeau (YUL). If you're flying with your family this March, here's everything you need to know about parking.

Ontario vs Quebec: Different Weeks, Same Problem

One of the unique aspects of March Break in Canada is that Ontario and Quebec schedule their school breaks on different weeks. Ontario's March Break typically falls in the third week of March, while Quebec's relâche scolaire lands in the first or second week. Other provinces set their own dates.

This staggered schedule has a compounding effect on airport parking:

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) sees its biggest surge during Ontario's March Break week, but also gets spillover from Quebec families connecting through Toronto.
Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) peaks during Quebec's week, but with significant Ontario overlap — many Ontario families fly out of Montreal for Caribbean charters.
The combined effect means 2–3 continuous weeks of elevated parking demand at both airports, making it the most sustained peak period of the year.

Which Airports Get Hit Hardest?

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) — Canada's largest airport handles the highest absolute volume of March Break travellers. Off-airport lots near YYZ can sell out entirely on peak departure days (typically the Saturday and Sunday before March Break).
Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) — Quebec families plus Ontario crossover traffic make YUL the second-busiest airport during the break. Lots along Côte-de-Liesse fill quickly.
Calgary (YYC) — Alberta's break often overlaps with either Ontario or Quebec, creating cross-country demand spikes.
Vancouver (YVR) — BC families heading to Hawaii and Mexico drive moderate demand increases.

When to Book: The Timeline

The March Break Booking Rule

Book your airport parking 3–4 weeks before your departure date. For the busiest corridors (YYZ, YUL), booking a full month ahead is ideal. On MyAirportParking, all bookings come with free cancellation up to 48 hours before check-in, so there's no risk in booking early.

Here's a typical timeline for a family departing during Ontario's March Break:

4 weeks before: Best selection of lots and rates. Popular covered/indoor options still available.
2 weeks before: Good lots beginning to fill. Rates starting to climb.
1 week before: Premium lots may be sold out. Last-minute rates are 15–25% higher.
Day of: Limited options. You may be forced to park on-site at the airport at premium rates ($25–35/day at YYZ).

Price Surge: What to Expect

During March Break week, airport parking rates typically rise 15–25% above normal March pricing. Here's what that looks like in practice:

Off-airport shuttle lot: Regular rate $10/day → March Break rate $12–13/day
Off-airport covered lot: Regular rate $14/day → March Break rate $17–18/day
On-site airport parking: Regular rate $28/day → March Break rate remains $28–35/day (fixed pricing, but availability drops fast)

For a typical 7-day family vacation, the savings of booking off-airport vs on-site can exceed $100. That's a family dinner at your destination.

Family-Specific Tips

SUV and Van Parking Rates

Families often drive larger vehicles — minivans, SUVs, and full-size trucks. Many parking lots charge a premium for oversized vehicles, typically $1–3/day extra. When comparing prices on MyAirportParking, make sure to select your correct vehicle type for accurate pricing. Some lots don't charge an oversized surcharge at all, which can save $7–21 on a week-long trip.

Shuttle Service with Car Seats

If you're travelling with young children, you'll need car seats for the shuttle ride between the parking lot and the terminal. Most shuttle buses can accommodate car seats, but they aren't pre-installed. Bring your car seat with you (you'll need it at your destination anyway), and install it on the shuttle. Allow an extra 10–15 minutes for this process, especially during March Break when shuttles are busier than usual.

Early Morning Departures

March Break charter flights often depart early — 6:00–7:00 AM is common for sun destinations. Off-airport lots typically start shuttle service by 4:00–5:00 AM, but confirm the exact schedule when booking. Arriving at the lot 90 minutes before your flight (instead of the usual 60) gives your family a comfortable buffer during the busy break period.

Money-saving tip: If you're flexible on dates, departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday during March Break week (instead of the Saturday before) can save 10–15% on parking rates, and flights are typically cheaper mid-week as well. The Saturday before and Sunday after March Break are the absolute peak days.

The Bottom Line

March Break parking doesn't have to be stressful. Book early, choose off-airport to save, and account for the extra time family travel requires. Your biggest advantage is planning — families who book 3–4 weeks ahead save the most and have the best selection of lots and parking types.