Canada’s major airports, like Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary, all have specific rules and guidelines to follow when picking up or dropping off passengers. Most have a First-In-First-Out system in place where the first driver who enters the queue is the first driver who gets a pick-up request.
Dropping off passengers is even easier! Most airports allow you to drop your riders at their requested terminal entrance.
Remember that each airport has their own rules and regulations for pick-ups and drop-offs, be sure to follow the instructions of all airport staff while on airport property.
Want to know how to get started working as a rideshare driver? Choose your city and follow the steps!
The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.
-Airplane (1980)
Choose Your Airport
Most major airports have rules for rideshare and taxi drivers picking up passengers. You’ll find them below!
Looking for other rideshare options in your city? Head over to our Choose Your City page to find out what rideshare apps are available. Learn how to get signed up in no time!
YYC – Calgary International Airport Pick Ups and Drop Offs
In Calgary, Uber is permitted to pick-up and drop-off passengers at the airport. The airport has set up a First In First Out system for drivers who are looking for airport requests.
This means that drivers must wait for pick-up requests in a waiting area located northeast of the terminal.
Airport Rules
The Calgary International Airport (YYC) has regulations that drivers must adhere to while picking up or dropping off passengers. Additionally, you must always follow the direction of airport staff, if you do not follow these regulations, you may be fined by the airport authorities.
The following rules are to be followed while operating on airport property
- You must have the app open on your phone while you are on airport property, do not go offline until you have exited the airport property.
- Pick ups are based on a First In First Out basis, this means that the first driver in will be the first driver to receive a ping. You must be in the designated waiting area to be placed in the FIFO queue
- Your TNC sticker, and Uber stickers must always be displayed in the windshield.
Waiting Area
To receive a pick up request at the airport, you must be waiting in the designated waiting area. This space is located just off of Barlow Trail NE.
When you enter the waiting zone you will be placed in the current queue, you will not receive a ping until all of the drivers ahead of you in the queue have been pinged. Your proximity to the pick up area does not matter.
You will lose your place in the queue if you go offline, leave the waiting area, or if you cancel multiple requests.
Pick-Ups
Once you receieve a trip request, you will head to one of the designated pick up doors at the terminal. The rider will choose which door they want to meet at and the door number will be relayed to the driver. Doors 1, 12, and 17 are used for rideshare pick ups, all doors are located on the Departures level of the airport. To access the Departures level, stay in the left lane and do not head to the Arrivals area.
Drop-Offs
Riders can be dropped off anywhere at the airport, just remember not to park and wait in the terminal area. Follow the map and signs for the Departures level and ask your rider which door they would like to be dropped at.
Re-Match
With Uber, drivers who are dropping off passengers at the airport terminal may get a pick-up request even though they are not in the waiting area queue. If you do not get a ping after a drop off but you want to wait for one, you must wait in the designated waiting area.
YEG – Edmonton International Airport Pick Ups and Drop Offs
The Edmonton Interational Airport (YEG) has recently entered into an agreement with rideshare company TappCar. The company is now the airports only rideshare service allowed to operate on the property.
Drivers can pick up passengers at the P2 departures level, and can drop passengers off anywhere on the EIA property.
Airport Rules
Drivers must carry commercial drivers insurance and an Alberta Class 4 drivers license.
Pick-Ups
Drivers may pick up their passengers on the hourly level (P2) on the north end of the airport.
Drop-Offs
Drivers may drop-off passengers anywhere on EIA property, this includes the departures level of the main terminal.
YVR – Vancouver International Airport Pick Up and Drop Offs
The Vancouver International Airport has specific zones for drivers waiting for or connecting with a passenger pick up.
As with most airports, dropping passengers off at the airport is as simple as dropping them at the Departures area.
Airport Rules
At the Vancouver airport, drivers MUST wait for trips in designated waiting areas and obey the airports pick up directions. Make sure you have your Uber or Lyft stickers in your windshield and back window so airport staff can identify you as a rideshare driver.
The waiting area runs on a First-In-First-Out basis. If you leave the waiting area or turn off your app you will lose your spot in line.
Pick-Ups
You may pick up your passengers from any of the 3 designated pick up locations at YVR.
- International Arrivals (Level 2)
- Domestic Arrivals (Level 2)
- South Terminal
There is signage and directions to the designated pick up locations, look for the Ride App Symbol
Waiting Area
When waiting for a trip to accept you must wait in the Ride App waiting area at YVR. Once in the waiting area, you will be added to a queue of drivers waiting for the next pick up request. Then, when you get your pick up request, you can head to the pick up area requested by your rider.
Main Terminal
The main terminal has 2 pick up locations, International Arrivals, and Domestic Arrivals. While travelling towards the airport on Grant McConachie Way, look for the overhead signs directing you to the “Arrivals”. Follow this stretch of road. First you will arrive at the International Arrivals Pick Up location, if you continue on past that, you will arrive at the Domestic Arrivals Pick Up location.
International Arrivals Map Location
Domestic Arrivals Map Location
South Terminal
You do not need to be in the waiting area to receive a pick up request at the South Terminal. Picking up passengers at the South Terminal is just like picking a passenger up anywhere else. Follow Cowley Crescent until you find the pick up area at the end of the terminal. Look for the “Arrivals” sign.
Drop-Offs
Passengers can be dropped off at the regular taxi or public drop off location, which is the Departures Level 3. You may stop your vehicle anywhere within the permitted area to drop off your passenger.
Once the trip is over, you must leave the departures area. If you want to pick up another passenger you must head to the waiting area mentioned above.
YWG – Winnipeg International Airport
Rideshare operations are the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) are based on a First In First Out system. Meaning that drivers must wait in a waiting area and will be place in a queue to wait for a pick up request.
Drop-offs may be made on the Departures level of the riders requested terminal.
Pick-Ups
Drop-Offs
Ottawa – YOW – Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
Rideshare operations are the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) are based on a First In First Out system. Meaning that drivers must wait in a waiting area and will be place in a queue to wait for a pick up request.
Drop-offs may be made on the Departures level of the riders requested terminal.
Airport Regulations
The Ottawa International Airport (YOW) has regulations that drivers must adhere to while picking up or dropping off passengers. Additionally, you must always follow the direction of airport staff, if you do not follow these regulations, you may be fined by the airport.
The following rules are to be followed while operating on airport property
- You must have the Uber app open on your phone while you are on airport property, do not go offline until you have exited the airport property.
- Pick ups are based on a First In First Out basis, this means that the first driver in will be the first driver to receive a ping. You must be in the designated waiting area to be placed in the FIFO queue
- Your Uber TNC sticker must always be displayed in the windshield.
- Rideshare drivers are not allowed to use the taxi compound facilities next to the waiting area.
Ubers Guidelines
Pick-Ups
To receive a pick up request at the airport, you must be waiting in the designated waiting area. This space is located just off of Airport Parkway Private
When you enter the waiting zone you will be placed in the current queue, you will not receive a ping until all of the drivers ahead of you in the queue have been pinged. Your proximity to the pick up area does not matter.
You will lose your place in the queue if you go offline, leave the waiting area, or if you cancel multiple requests.
Once you receieve a trip request, you will head to one of the designated pick up doors at the terminal. the pickup location at YOW is located in the outermost lane at Pillar 12.
Drop-Offs
Uber drivers may drop off their passengers at their requested terminal on the Departures level.
Toronto – YYZ – Pearson International Airport
Uber and Lyft drivers may pick up passengers at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), requests are based on a First In First Out system and drivers must wait in a waiting area to join the queue.
Any rideshare driver operating with any company can drop off passengers at the airport. You may drop your rider off at their requested terminal entrance.
Airport Regulations
The Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) has regulations that drivers must adhere to while picking up or dropping off passengers. Additionally, you must always follow the direction of airport staff, if you do not follow these regulations, you may be fined by the airport.
The following rules are to be followed while operating on airport property
- Carry your commercial insurance if you have a livery license (limousine, vehicle-for-hire, taxi) license from the City of Toronto. This would be for Uber BLACK drivers.
- Your Uber or Lyft sticker must always be displayed in the rear windshield and you must display your limousine license plate if you have one
- You must have the Uber app open on your phone while you are on airport property, do not go offline until you have exited the airport property.
- Do not use any taxi thoroughfares, parking, or waiting areas.
- You may be asked for a waybill while waiting at the airport, you can find it under “Accounts” in the app.
Uber’s Guidelines
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is now allowing all rideshare drivers to pick-up at the Airport. This privilege used to be reserved for those with a livery license, so Uber BLACK drivers.
Uber SELECT rides are currently going only to Uber BLACK and Uber SUV drivers.
UberX & UberXL drivers have a different waiting lot than Uber BLACK and Uber SUV drivers.
Waiting Lots & How it Works
Pick ups are based on a First In First Out basis, this means that the first driver in will be the first driver to receive a ping. You must be in the designated waiting area to be placed in the FIFO queue
To receive a pick up request at the airport, you must be waiting in the designated waiting area.
The UberX & UberXL waiting lot is located at 3 Jetliner Road, at the corner of Jetliner Road & Silver Dart Drive (purple square).
For Uber Black and Uber SUV drivers, the waiting lot is located at 6340-1 Silver Dart Drive (green square).
For a better visual description, see the Lyft Map below.
When you enter the waiting zone you will be placed in the current queue. You will not receive a ping until all of the drivers ahead of you in the queue have been pinged. Your proximity to the pick up area does not matter. If there are no drivers in the waiting area then the request will go to the nearest driver, whether they are in the queue or not.
You will lose your place in the queue if you go offline, leave the waiting area, or if you cancel multiple requests.
Pick-ups
UberX YYZ pickups also happen in a different spot then Uber BLACK requests.
UberX & UberXL drivers will pick up passengers at:
- Terminal 1: Ground Level, Door Q (Inner Curb)
- Terminal 3: Arrivals Level, Zone 3 (Outer Curb)
Look for a BLUE curb.
Uber Black & Uber SUV drivers will pick up passengers at:
- Terminal 1: Arrivals Level, Curbside Door A
- Terminal 3: Arrivals Level, Curbside Column 9
The Greater Toronto Airport Authority charges $15 for every Uber pick-up at the airport. Uber pays this amount up front and charges the driver $11.25 per airport pick-up.
Drop-Offs
Passengers must be dropped off at their requested terminal on the Departures level. If you want to pick-up another passenger at the airport, you must drive to the waiting area to enter the First In First Out queue. Pay attention to the signage for proper drop-off locations so you don’t get a ticket.
Lyft’s Guidelines
Like with Uber, regular Lyft drivers are now allowed to pick up at the airport.
If you are a Lyft LUX Black or Black XL driver you will likely have commercial insurance and hold a livery license.
Always ensure that your Lyft emblem is displayed in your windshield, you must also display your livery license, plate and carry your commercial insurance if you are a BLACK driver.
You may be asked to present you waybill, which you can find in the app (Here’s How)
Waiting Lots & How it Works
Lyft also has a First In First Out system for airport pick-ups like Uber. To enter the FIFO queue you must enter one of the two waiting zones.
Lyft drivers will use the same waiting lots as Uber drivers so you can keep both your apps on. Depending on if you have a livery license (typically Lyft LUX Black or Black XL drivers), then you would wait where Uber Black and Uber SUV cars wait which is at 6340-1 Silver Dart Drive.
If you are a Lyft or LyftXL driver you will go to the waiting lot is located at 3 Jetliner Road, at the corner of Jetliner Road & Silver Dart Drive.
Have a look at the map below which is much more detailed compared to the Uber map.
When you enter the waiting zone you will be placed in the current queue, you will not receive a ping until all of the drivers ahead of you in the queue have been pinged. Your proximity to the pick up area does not matter. If there are no drivers in the waiting area then the request will go to the nearest driver, whether they are in the queue or not. If the staging area is full you must leave the airport and try again later.
You will lose your place in the queue if you go offline, leave the waiting area, or if you cancel multiple requests.
Pick-Ups
Once you receive a request you will head to the terminal to grab your ride. The pick-up areas are:
Terminal 1: Arrivals level (ground level), inner curb between posts P3 through Q1
(Doors P & Q, Zones 1 – 4)
Terminal 3: Arrivals level (ground level), outer curb between posts C14 through C30
(Doors D, Zones 1 – 3)
Follow the directions in the app to find the exact pickup location.
Pay attention to signage and airport staff instructions and remember don’t use taxi or limo stands unless you have a livery license.
Drop-Off
When dropping off riders
- Go to the departure terminal and gate specified by the rider.
- DO NOT wait on the airport property after your drop off. If you do not have the proper license, you won’t receive a trip request anyways at the airport and if you do have a license, you have to go to the waiting zone to get in queue.
Taxify, Facedrive, Instaryde
Pick-up information for Taxify, Facedrive and InstaRyde is not available at this time.
Drivers can drop passengers off at the airport by following the same guidelines as with Uber and Lyft.
- Drop the passenger at their desired terminal and entrance.
- Do not wait around on airport property for another ride request.
Billy Bishop International Airport – YTZ
Any driver can accept a trip request to and from the downtown Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ).
While on the airport property, ensure you are always online and your rideshare sticker is properly displayed as it always should be per the City of Toronto’s By-Laws.
Pick-Ups
All drop offs and pickups must be done at Eireann Quay, the bay at the bottom of Bathurst Street.
Once you get a pick-up request,
Drive south on Bathurst Street past the Queens Quay intersection
Pick up your rider at the foot of Bathurst Street in the Eireann Quay.
There is no First In First Out queue at Billy Bishop Airport.
Drop-Offs
Passenger drop-offs happen at the same location as a pick up, south of Queens Quay on Eireann Quay. After you drop-off your passenger you must leave the departures area, do not park and wait for another trip request.
Billy Bishop Airport Flight Schedule
Other GTA Airports
Greater Toronto Airports
Occasionally you may have a request for one of the GTA’s smaller airports, these airports do not have special rules for rideshare drivers.
Follow these standard guidelines while operating at these airports
- Drop-off your passenger at the terminal entrance for your riders carrier of choice
- Pick-up you rider from their carrier of choice’s Arrivals entrance
- Display you companies emblem in your windshield at all times
- Do not loiter on airport property to wait for a pick up request
Other Airports
Brampton Airport | CNC3
Burlington Executive Airport | CZBA
Downsview Airport | YZD
Markham-Buttonville Airport | YKZ
Markham Airport | CMU8
Oshawa Executive Airport | YOO
Toronto Billy Bishop Airport | YTZ
Montreal – YUL – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
The Montreal International Airport (YUL) requires rideshare drivers to wait for pick-up requests in a waiting area to the east of the main terminal.
Drivers receive pings on a First In First Out basis, meaning that the first driver in the queue is the first driver to receive a pick-up request.
Passengers can be dropped off at either the US Departures entrance or the Domestic/International Departures entrance.
Airport Regulations
The Pierra Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL) has regulations that drivers must adhere to while picking up or dropping off passengers. Additionally, you must always follow the direction of airport staff, if you do not follow these regulations, you may be fined by the airport.
The following rules are to be followed while operating on airport property
- You must have the Uber app open on your phone while you are on airport property, do not go offline until you have exited the airport property.
- Pick ups are based on a First In First Out basis, this means that the first driver in will be the first driver to receive a ping. You must be in the designated waiting area to be placed in the FIFO queue
- Your Uber sticker must always be displayed in the rear windshield.
- Rideshare drivers are not allowed to use the taxi/limousine compound facilities at the airport.
Uber’s Guidelines
Pick-Ups
To receive a pick up request at the airport, you must be waiting in the designated waiting area. This space is located at 740 Avenue Avoca.
When you enter the waiting zone you will be placed in the current queue, you will not receive a ping until all of the drivers ahead of you in the queue have been pinged. Your proximity to the pick up area does not matter.
You will lose your place in the queue if you go offline, leave the waiting area, or if you cancel multiple requests.
Once you receive a trip request, you will head to the designated pick up area at door number 6 at the departures level.
Drop-Offs
Riders can be dropped off anywhere at the airport, just remember not to park and wait in the terminal area.
Canadian and International Departures – Doors 1-6 on the upper level
US Departures – Doors 7-11
Re-Match
With Uber, drivers who are dropping off passengers at the airport terminal may get a pick-up request even though they are not in the waiting area queue. If you do not get a ping after a drop off but you want to wait for one, you must wait in the designated waiting area.
