Renting a Car in Canada: Everything To Know

Are you thinking of renting a car in Canada and hitting the open road?

Canada is a vast country, and it’s best to have a car to explore it fully. Some cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver have excellent public transport systems, but you’ll want a car to explore the beauty of Canada’s wilderness.

In the article, I’ll tell you everything you should know when renting a car in Canada, including the requirements to rent a car, tips for finding the best rental prices and a few additional information if you’re travelling with children.

Let’s dive in!

Renting a Car in Canada show

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Best Canada Car Rental Company: 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 rental car bookings for most destinations, including many Canadian locations such as:

and many other cities and airports.

They search through many local and international car rental companies to get you the best deal. You can find companies like Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National and many more.

The highest-rated car rental company in Canada on Discover Cars is Alamo, with a 9.0/10 rating.

Search for a car rental in Canada with Discover Cars.

How to Rent a Car in Canada

Before even thinking of renting a car in Canada, here are four (4) things you’ll need to be able to rent a car in Canada.

1. Be at least 21 years old

The principal driver (and all additional drivers) must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Canada. Some rental companies may ask for a minimum age of 23 or even 25. Most of the time, they will request a higher deposit and a “young driver fee” for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.

2. Have a Valid Driver’s License

Every driver using the rental car must have a valid driver’s license and have been driving for at least 12 months before the rental.

Do you need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Canada?

It’s recommended to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your driver’s license is not in English or French. An international driving permit is valid for one year from the date it was issued.

3. Have a Valid Credit Card on Hand

It’s important to use a credit card when renting a car in Canada, even if you can do a purchase online with your debit card (if you’re from Europe or example).

A credit card is also needed for the rental company to hold a safety depot, in the event of damage to the car.

But most importantly, most travel credit cards offer car rental insurance when putting the car rental on the credit card. It’s really useful, and it could save you a lot of money when you know that the insurance coverage in Canada for car rental is about $10-20 per day.

4. Have 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. The price varies from around $10-$20 per day. If you have car rental insurance included with your credit card or your standard car policy, you can decline the rental extra coverage. Make sure to have a coverage letter from your credit card or car policy when you pick the car.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Canada?

The cost of a car rental varies a lot. It will depend on:

The Location

For example, for a one-week rental in March, it’s around :

$200 for a car rental in Toronto,
$300 for a car rental in Vancouver and
almost $500 for a car rental in Calgary.

The Time of Year

Car rental prices vary with supply and demand, so there are typically more expensive during peak season. When travelling in Canada, prices are typically lower in February and higher in July and August.

The Type of Car

The bigger the car is, the most expensive it will be.

The Extras

There is a basic fee when renting a car, but then you can add a few options that can increase the overall cost of your rental.

Options are:

GPS navigation system
Additional driver
Kids’ Seats (Baby seat, Child Seat or Booster Seat)
Insurance

Renting a Car in Canada for a Family Road Trip

If you’re ready to rent a car in Canada for your road trip, remember a few points before selecting your car rental.

Compare Car Rental Prices Online

Same as when it’s time to book flight tickets, it’s important to do your homework and compare car rental prices online. It can end up saving you a lot of money.

There are plenty of websites where you can compare different car rentals. We highly recommend comparing a few car rentals before choosing the one for you. Discover Cars is a great car rental comparator website.

Confirm the Mileage Policy

Each rental is different, so it’s important to know the mileage policy. Many rental companies will offer unlimited mileage, but some will have a limit.

When selecting a limited mileage rental, remember that you’ll have to pay an extra charge for the extra kilometres. 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.

Same thing if you’re visiting Vancouver. You may be tempted to drive to Settle and explore the Pacific Northwest.

For example, SurPrice car rental allows you to drive to the USA, but Route Car rental won’t allow you to do so.

If you’re searching on DiscoverCars, you can click on “Rental Condition”, then “Geographical restrictions”.

Check if You Can Use a Ferry

Knowing if you can use a ferry with your car rental is also important, especially if you’re planning to rent a car in Vancouver and then explore Vancouver Island and Victoria.

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

Generally, a car rental will be more expensive if the pick-up and drop-off are from the airport. 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 there is a shuttle or public transportation from the airport to the city center and you plan on visiting the city for a few days, then it makes much more sense to explore the city without a car and take your rental on your last day in the city.

For example, it’s easy (and cheap) to get from Vancouver International Airport to the city center using the Canada Line train. Then, lots of things within the city can be done on foot. Plus, most hotels in downtown Vancouver charge a nightly fee for parking. In that case, renting a car from the city center is better.

But if you plan to arrive in Calgary and hit the road as soon as you land to explore the Canadian Rockies, it’s worth paying a little extra to get your car right away.

When you’re searching for a car rental on DiscoverCars, click “All Location,” so you can see the difference in pricing.

Inquire About Winter Tires if Planning a Canadian Winter Road Trip

There are a few precautions to take when road tripping in the winter. But it’s really important to inquire about winter tires when renting a car. Winter tire requirements in Canada vary depending on the province:

Quebec: Mandatory from December 1 to March 15 inclusive
Ontario: Recommended
Manitoba: Recommended
Saskatchewan: Recommended
Alberta: Recommended. Only required from November 1 to April 1 on highways in Banff and Jasper National Parks, as well as the Icefields and Banff-Windermere Parkways.
British Columbia: Required on most highways outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, from October 1st to April 30th (or March 31th)

It’s important to know the regulations, especially if you rent a car in one province and plan to drive with it through other provinces.

Not all rental companies will have winter tires available if it’s not a provincial requirement.

Select to Right Car Type for your Family

When choosing the 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 and driving on dirt roads. Also, remember your luggage and the trunk space when selecting an Economy or Compact car size.

Consider Dropping Off the Car at the Same Pick-Up Location

Car rental companies charge a drop-off fee when the pick-up and drop-off locations differ.

Depending on the trip you’re planning, 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.

Rent Your Car in Advance if Traveling in Canada in the Peak Season

In general, Canada’s peak tourist seasons are:

July and August
Mid-December to early January

Of course, there is some provincial and local specificity, that can add a few extra weeks as peak season (ex: spring break), but if you’re travelling in July, August and December, you’ll want to book your car rental in advance.

It will allow you access to more options, and prices will be lower than if booked last minute.

How far in advance should you rent a car in Canada? 3 months in advance is usually a good time to book your rental if you’re travelling in peak season.

A Quick Recap On What to Double Check When Renting a Car in Canada

Before hitting the “Book Now” button, double-check the following:

Read carefully the rental conditions to see if you can drive across the border, if you can take a ferry and what the age restriction is.
Make sure the mileage allocation is suitable for your trip
Ensure the car is big enough for your family and luggage.

F.A.Q – A Few Extra Things to Know When Renting a Car in Canada

Are most rental cars in Canada automatic or stick shift?

Most cars available from rental companies in Canada are automatic. There are some exceptions, but you’ll almost always have an automatic car.

What side of the road do they drive on in Canada?

In Canada, we drive on the right side of the road, the same as in the U.S. and most European countries.

Final Thoughts: Renting a Car in Canada

Renting a car in Canada is the best way to explore. Canada is a big country and public transportation is nothing like in Europe.

I recommend searching on a car rental comparator such as DiscoverCars.com to find the best prices.