At this year’s Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS), free parking is available during the week after 6 p.m. until closing time at 10:30 p.m.
On Saturday, free parking lots open at 10 a.m. and stay open up to 10:30 p.m. and up to 6 p.m. on Sunday when the show ends.
Paid parking in downtown Toronto can easily cost $15 and often exceeds $20 during peak periods. That’s why free parking is an effective way to encourage higher attendance at this year’s 10-day event that showcases over 1,000 new vehicles.
Where Free Parking Lots Are Located
Free parking lots are located south of Front Street West.
During the week, free parking lots are opened up after 6 p.m. at:
- Rees Street just south of Rogers Centre off of Bremner Boulevard
- Radisson Plaza Hotel at 249 Queens Quay West, east of Rees Street but west of Lower Simcoe.
Of these, the Rees Street parking lot is closest and requires the least walking to reach the auto show ceremonial entrance for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) South Building.
In addition, more free parking lots are available on the weekend.
- Harbourfront Centre at 235 Queens Quay West
- Captain John’s Harbour Boat Restaurant docked at the start of Queens Quay near Yonge Street.
Paid Parking Near Auto Show
Some attendees prefer the underground parking at the MTCC South building. However, these parking spaces fill up quickly. Another option is the paid parking lot at Lower Simcoe Street just south of Bremner Blvd.
There is also paid parking available at 539 Queens Quay West.
Free Shuttle Buses
Another key marketing discount for the auto show are the free shuttle bus services that run every day during auto show hours.
Given the cold temperatures that even caused glass panelling to shatter at the South MTCC entrance this past Saturday, free shuttles present another bonus attraction for families who want to visit each of the 3 venues for the Toronto international auto show: North MTCC, South MTCC and the nearby Rogers Centre.
Where Shuttle Buses Pick Up
Two separate shuttle bus services run. Shuttle buses with a yellow sign with black lettering on the passenger side of the coach deliver and pick up from the free parking lots. All bus shuttles for the parking lots start at the South MTCC Ceremonial Entrance at a clearly marked yellow sign. Parking shuttles also end their routes at that same sign.
The other buses loop around 4 stops. Also starting at the South MTCC Ceremonial Entrance but at a black sign with white lettering, buses drive about a minute to get to the Rogers Centre entrance then proceed to the North MTCC building. The fourth pickup shuttle bus pickup is in the docks of the South MTCC, which is level 800 where the NASCAR exhibits are located.
Free Parking And Bus Shuttle Marketing
Organizers for this year’s auto show are realizing the significant incentives that free parking and bus shuttling present. One proposed idea for next year is to include right on the tickets a map with the locations of the free parking lots and shuttle bus pickup spots. Another suggestions is that same map be available online at the Canadian International Auto Show website. With ticket prices to the auto show at $20 per adult and $40 for a family pass, avoiding the paid parking lots offers a significant discount for getting to see the latest and greatest automobile models at the show. The free shuttle services from the parking lots and to the 3 exhibition venues ensure that everyone can economically move around the show area – both outside and inside.