What's New with Parking at ONT: Cashless Technology and Streamlined Entry

If you've parked at Ontario International Airport recently, you may have noticed things look a little different.

The parking lots at ONT have gone through a meaningful upgrade! Whether you're a frequent flyer or planning your first trip through ONT, here's what you need to know before you arrive.

Over the past several years, ONT has worked hard to repave existing lots, improve signage and add additional spaces for travelers. Since the airport returned to local control in 2016, ONT has gone from having 6,847 parking spaces to now having 8,387 spots.

Parking 101: Learn more about ONT airport parking options, online reservations and transportation choices so you can plan ahead for a quick, stress-free airport experience.

Most recently, the airport added technology to streamline parking at ONT, with all parking lots now fully automated. The staffed booths are gone, replaced by a modern Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS) that handles entry, exit and payment without any human intervention required. The upgrade also brought License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to the lots, which changes how entry and exit work for passengers who pay in advance online. (More on that in a moment.)

The short version: Parking at ONT is faster, more seamless and no longer requires you to dig for cash or wait for the person ahead of you to stop chatting with the booth attendant. It's a meaningful improvement for travelers who just want to get in, park and catch their flight, then get on the road to home when they return.

ONT's parking lots no longer accept cash. Payment is handled one of two ways: pre-booking online or paying with a credit card on site.

When it comes to parking at ONT, you don't have to show up and hope for the best. ONT offers advance parking reservations through the pre-book parking page. It's worth doing for several reasons — especially if you're traveling during a busy period. As an added bonus, you always save 10% off your parking fees if you book online in advance!

For passengers who want the smoothest experience possible, we recommend pre-booking on flyOntario.com and entering a license plate number at that time. The LPR system is then key to how this all works. When a pre-booked passenger who entered their license plate number during booking pulls up to the entry gate, a camera reads their license plate automatically and lifts the gate — no ticket to grab, no button to push. When they exit, the system works the same.

If passengers pre-book parking but don’t enter a license plate number (or if the LPR doesn’t work for any reason) they will also receive a QR code. They can scan that code through the PARCS system to quickly get in and out of the parking lots.

Here's how to reserve parking in three steps:

1. Visit the ONT pre-book parking page and select your lot and dates
2. Complete your reservation (entering your license plate number when possible) and save your confirmation QR code
3. At the airport, scan your QR code at the entry gate (and again at exit)

For passengers who pull up to park without paying in advance, they can grab a ticket from the automated machine on the way in. When it’s time to leave, just scan the QR code on that ticket and use a credit card to pay your fees.  

One practical note worth knowing: There's a 15-minute grace period before parking charges kick in. So if you're dropping someone off or realized you forgot something or went to the wrong lot, you've got a short window before the clock starts. And remember, if you need to wait longer, you can hang out in our cell phone waiting lot for up to an hour for free!

Insider Scoop: Parking at ONT should get even easier in the years to come! As part of the ONT BOLD Program, launched in May 2026, the airport aims to build a multistory parking garage near the terminals. The garage should include additional electric vehicle chargers, with a consolidated Rental Car Center also planned. Visit flyOntario.com/BOLD for more information and updates on this exciting vision for the future of ONT!

A few things that will make your trip easier:

• Pre-book when you can. It locks in your spot, speeds up entry and exit, and gives you access to any available discounts. You can reserve at the ONT pre-book parking page.
• Enter your license plate number. If you enter your plate number during pre-booking, the LPR system will open automatically when you pull up to the lot.
• Have your QR code ready before you pull up. If you pre-booked, pull up your confirmation on your phone before you get to the gate. It keeps the line moving.
• Know your lot options. ONT has multiple lots at different price points. The parking lots page breaks down the options so you can choose what works for your trip and budget.
• Give yourself a buffer during busy travel periods. Even with a faster entry process, lots can fill up during peak travel times. Booking in advance and giving yourself extra time is the easiest way to avoid any last-minute stress.
• Remember the grace period. If you're just dropping off or picking up, you have 15 minutes before charges apply. Plan accordingly.

For a full overview of parking options at ONT — including lot options, valet service, pre-book parking links and more — visit the airport's parking lots page.

We hope you enjoy these latest upgrades to the parking experience at Ontario International Airport. And we can’t wait to announce even more upgrades in the months and years to come!