Are you thinking of renting a car in Calgary and hitting the open road?
Calgary is the getaway to the Canadian Rockies and Banff. Most tourists will land at the Calgary Airport to start their journey exploring the beauty of Canada’s wilderness.
In the article, I’ll tell you everything you should know when renting a car in Calgary, including the requirements to rent a car, and tips for finding the best rental prices.
But first… Should you be renting a car in Banff or Calgary?
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Best Car Rental in Calgary (& Airport): Try Discover Cars
When it’s time to search for car rental companies and rent a car online, try Discover Cars.
Discover Cars is an international car rental website that provides bookings for most destinations, including Calgary, Canada.
Discover Cars helps you find the best car rental companies in Calgary like Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National and many more. Alamo, with its 9.0/10 rating, is the highest-rated company on their site.
Search for a car rental in Calgary with Discover Cars.
Should You Be Renting a Car in Banff or Calgary?
If you want to rent a car while travelling around Banff, the best place to do so is at the Calgary International Airport.
There are car rental locations in both Banff and Canmore. However, they are limited and typically cost more than Calgary locations, including a car rental at Calgary airport).
On top of that, you will have to spend money getting from Calgary to Banff or Canmore (either by using the Banff Airporter, a bus service, or public transport).
So it’s essential to do some research about all your options. But we highly recommend you rent a car directly at the Calgary Airport.
Search for a car rental in Calgary with Discover Cars.
How to Rent a Car in Calgary
If you’re planning on renting a car in Calgary, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind before making your reservation. Also, don’t miss the section below for all information on Calgary rental cars’ winter tires.
Age Requirements
The primary driver and any additional drivers must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Canada. However, some rental companies may have a minimum age requirement of 23 or even 25. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 may also be subject to a higher deposit and a “young driver fee.”
Driver’s License
All drivers using the rental car must have a valid driver’s license and have been driving for at least 12 months.
Plus, if your driver’s license is not in English or French, it’s recommended to have an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is valid for one year from the date it was issued.
Credit Card
A valid credit card is required to rent a car in Canada. With a credit card, the rental company can hold a deposit for any potential damages to the car.
Also, many travel credit cards offer car rental insurance when the rental is charged to the card. This can save you money, as the insurance coverage for car rentals in Canada typically costs $10-20 per day.
Car Insurance
You’ll need to have insurance that covers you for the length of the car rental. All car rental companies offer car insurance, but the cost varies from around $10-$20 per day.
You can decline the rental company’s extra coverage if you have car rental insurance included with your credit card or your standard car policy.
Make sure to bring proof of insurance from your credit card or car policy when you pick up the car.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Calgary?
The cost of a car rental in Calgary varies a lot depending on the time of year and the type of car.
The lowest months to rent a car in Calgary are September, October and November. July and August are the months when the rentals are at their highest.
The type of car your renting will also make a difference. The bigger the car is, the most expensive it will be. Then, all the little extra can add up significantly. Options are:
- GPS navigation system
- Additional driver
- Kids’ Seats (Baby seat, Child Seat or Booster Seat)
- Insurance
Calgary Rental Cars Winter Tires
There are a few precautions to take when road tripping in the winter in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. It’s essential to ask about winter tires when renting a car in Calgary.
The province of Alberta doesn’t require winter tires to drive in Calgary (and most of Alberta). Some car insurance will require drivers to have winter tires or will offer a premium if they don’t.
But most visitors renting a car in Calgary are planning to hit the road and explore the Canadian Rockies, where some specific winter tires are required. You’ll need snow tires or chains to drive on Highway 93N (the Icefields Parkway) and Highway 93S (the Banff-Windermere Highway) between November 1 and March 31 or any other period during which the highways are covered with snow or ice.
When renting a car in Calgary in winter, you must ask the car rental company to have winter tires or if you can use chains. Not all rental companies will have winter tires available since it’s not a provincial requirement.
How to Have Winter Tires on a Calgary Rental Car
Winter tires are optional, and subject to availability at the time of rental. A small investigation done by CBC showed that only 4 rental companies in Edmonton had winter tires available.
- Book your car rental using DiscoverCars.com
- Call the rental company when the reservation is proceeded and inquire about winter tires or chains.
- Ask again for winter tires when you pick up your rental vehicle.
It may not be possible to reserve winter tires in advance. Some rental companies don’t take reservation and it’s upon availability at pick up.
Winter tires can be expensive. For example, it costs:
- $8.00 CAD per day of $ 49.00 per rental for winter tires at Alamo
- $20.00 CAD per day for winter tires at Hertz
- Enterprise doesn’t offer winter tires. They have M&S tires.
- Avis and Budget offer some options with winter tires at Calgary Airport
Tips for Renting a Car in Calgary
When renting a car in Canada for your road trip, keep these points in mind before selecting your rental.
Compare Car Rental Prices Online
When you’re ready to book a car rental, it’s important to do some research and compare prices. You can find many websites that compare different car rentals, but we highly recommend Discover Cars.
Confirm the Mileage Policy
When renting a car, make sure you know the mileage policy. Some companies offer unlimited mileage, but others charge extra per kilometre over a certain number.
And it can add up quickly.
Check if you Can Cross the US Border
Some car rental providers allow you to drive to the USA with the rental car, but others won’t.
If you’re travelling to places near the border and considering visiting the USA, you’ll want to know you’re allowed.
For example, if you’re planning a trip to Alberta and visiting Waterton Lakes National Park, you might want to visit Glacier National Park in Montana while you’re there. SurPrice car rental allows you to drive to the United States, but Route Car Rental doesn’t allow it.
If you’re searching on DiscoverCars, you can click on “Rental Condition”, then “Geographical restrictions”.
Compare the Price for a Rental at the Airport VS in the City
It’s usually more expensive to rent a car directly at the airport than from a city location. In fact, a study performed by Nerd Wallet showed that it was 26% more expensive to rent a car directly at the airport than from a city location.
But you don’t want only to base your decision on the car rental price.
If you’re planning to drive straight from the airport to explore the Canadian Rockies, it’s worth paying a little extra to get your car right away. But if you want to visit Calgary for a few days, than it may be worth using public transportation (Route 300 BRT Airport/City Center) or a cab to get into the city.
When in Calgary, you can explore most of the city without a car. The train is even free of charge in a section of downtown Calgary. Then, you can rent your car on your last day in Calgary to explore the Rockies.
When you’re searching for a car rental on DiscoverCars, click “All Location,” so you can see the difference in pricing.
Select to Right Car Type for your Family
When choosing a car, make sure it’s the right one for your family and the trip you’re planning.
A luxury car may not be a good option for exploring remote areas or driving on dirt roads. Plus, having a 4-wheel drive car can be good when driving along the Icefields Parkway. The weather is unpredictable, and it can snow almost all year round.
Also, remember luggage and trunk space when selecting Economy or Compact size cars.
Consider Dropping Off the Car at the Same Pick-Up Location
Most car rental companies charge a drop-off fee when the pick-up and drop-off locations differ.
It’s worth considering different options and seeing what is the most economical, but also what makes the best itinerary before you book your rental car.
If you’re thinking of visiting British Columbia up to Vancouver during your trip, then it may be with it to pick up your car in Calgary and drop it off in Vancouver. With the gas price, it would probably be a similar cost to pay the extra drop-off fee than driving back to Calgary.
Rent Your Car in Advance if Traveling in Canada in the Peak Season
If you travel in July, August, or December, you may want to book a car rental in advance. Advance reservations will allow you access to more options, and prices will be lower than if booked last minute.
When is the best time to book a rental car in Calgary? Three months before your trip is usually the best time to book if you’re travelling during peak season.
A Quick Recap On What to Double Check When Renting a Car in Calgary
Before booking a car, make sure you read the rental conditions and check:
- Read the rental agreement carefully to see whether you can drive across the border and the age restriction.
- Make sure the mileage allocation fits your travel needs.
- Make sure your car is big enough for you, your family, and your luggage.
Final Thoughts: Renting a Car in Calgary
Renting a car in Calgary is the best way to explore Alberta and the Canadian Rockies.
I recommend searching on a car rental comparator such as DiscoverCars.com to find the best prices.
Related Articles – Itineraries for Canadian Rockies Road Trips
If you enjoyed this post, you might also be interested in the following Canadian Rockies itineraries:
These articles will have everything you need to get inspired to visit the Canadian Rockies with your little ones.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.