Car Rental Calgary
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 15:53 on 2020-02-23. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English,
French
French
Currency
CAD
Country code
1
Average car rental length
7 days
Economy car rental price
$34.00 / per day
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
60 - 100 km/h
37 - 62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
30 - 80 km/h
19 - 50 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.0–0.15%
Why rent a car in Calgary?
Renting a car in Calgary is a good idea - not only you’ll be able to drive around this interesting city and visit its many neighborhoods and landmarks, you’ll also have the freedom to visit the great province of Alberta and its many nature areas.
Top ways to enter Calgary
- Calgary Airport: Also known as YYC Calgary Airport, it handled 17.3 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a hub for Air Canada and WestJet, and has flights by around 15 other airlines. Located 20 km (12.4 miles) northeast of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 25 minutes by car.
- Edmonton Airport: Serving the second city of Alberta, Edmonton Airport handled over eight million travelers in 2018. The airport has flights to and from all the largest Canadian cities and a lot of small settlements in the north of the country. It also provides connections with the United States, Mexico, Iceland, the Netherlands, and other countries. Located 270 km (168 mi) north of Calgary, Edmonton Airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Useful city facts
- Calgary has a humid climate with warm summers and cold winters. The average high temperature is 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in July, the warmest month, and -0.9 °C (30.4 °F) in December and January, the coldest. The precipitation is quite high during the summer months, but very low from December to February; however, Calgary experiences significant snowfall every winter.
- Calgary has often been mentioned as one of the cities with the highest quality of living in North America and the whole world. Factors like very high levels of income, high public safety, and availability of many services contribute to the high livability. Calgary is also the richest city in Canada by median household income.
- With a population of 1.23 million (plus an additional 150,000 living in the metropolitan area), Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fourth-largest in all of Canada. Calgary is also one of the fastest-growing large cities in North America, its population having increased by 13% from 2011 to 2016. Calgary is made up of five districts: Eau Claire, the Downtown Commercial Core, the Downtown West End, the Downtown East Village, and Chinatown; these are further divided into sub-districts.
Top destinations and activities
- Calgary Tower. Going to the top of one of the city’s most famous landmarks is a special experience. Not only you’ll see all of the city from above, on a clear day you can also spot the Rocky Mountains to the west. Besides the observation deck the tower also has a restaurant and a bar.
- Glenbow Museum. One of the largest museums in North America has more than 20 galleries and countless collections that focus both on the local history and such different topics as Canadian art, geology, First Nations history, and cultures from around the world.
- Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Center. A large nature reserve on the eastern outskirts of the city near the Bow River, Inglewood Wildlands is home to nearly 300 species of birds, including great gray owl, great blue heron, belted kingfisher, and osprey, as well as mammals, fishes, and butterflies.
Traffic and parking tips
- The speed limits vary between different roads. The general limits are 90 km/h to 110 km/h on motorways and outside cities and from 30 km/h to 50 km/h inside cities.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05%. Driving under influence exceeding the limit is a criminal offence and can lead to hefty fines, a driving ban, and even imprisonment.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- Using the mobile phone while driving is prohibited. The rule is strictly imposed with high fines.
- The phone number for emergencies is 112.
Toll roads
There are a number of toll roads in Canada. However, as of February 2019, there are no toll roads in Alberta.
In the rest of Canada, payment method and fees differ for different toll roads. It is best to look them up in advance, finding the information for each province in which you plan to travel. You can also use a toll calculator to calculate the approximate fees for your upcoming ride.
Ideas for a day-trip
- Banff National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most famous nature reserve in Canada, Banff is famous for its mountains, glaciers, and canyons, a great diversity of flora and fauna, and world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
- Waterton Lakes National Park. Featuring such varied habitats as grassy prairies, alpine meadows, mountains, lakes, and wetlands, this national park is a true Canadian wilderness. It borders the Glacier National Park in the state of Montana, U.S., another great wild place to visit.
- Edmonton. Alberta’s capital and second largest, Edmonton is best known for its extractive industries, but the city also has vast and beautiful parks, as well as great museums, galleries, and science centers.
Most popular rental types and cars
The most popular rental car type in Canada is an economy, but travelers also like intermediate and fullsize. Getting a fullsize car is a good idea if you plan to travel outside the city and into nature areas. The most popular rental cars are the Kia Rio, the Jeep Wrangler, and the Nissan Rogue.
Further destinations
- More Alberta. We’ve already mentioned Banff, Waterton, and Edmonton, but Alberta Province has even more to offer. Larger than most world countries, it doesn’t stop to amaze a truly curious traveler, especially in terms of its pristine nature.
- British Columbia. Alberta’s neighbor to the west should be visited for fun Vancouver, the long Pacific coastline, and the great Okanagan wine region.
- Washington and Montana. The two U.S. states bordering Alberta are just a few hours drive away from Calgary and offer just as much in terms of regional history, hospitality, and natural beauty as their Canadian counterpart.
Car Rental Prices in Calgary
- Large cars - from $54 per day
- Medium cars - from $42 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $82 per day
- Premium cars - from $60 per day
- Small cars - from $46 per day
- SUVs - from $72 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
Here's a list of the things you can do to get a good rental car deal in Calgary:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Calgary is the cheapest in December when renting a car is about 21% cheaper than the yearly average and about 43% cheaper than renting a car in July.
Top 18 Cities near Calgary
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Vancouver Car Rentals from $16.67 per day686.4 km / 426.5 miles away
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Abbotsford Car Rentals from $39.62 per day638.5 km / 396.8 miles away
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Edmonton Car Rentals from $30.62 per day246.0 km / 152.9 miles away
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Victoria Car Rentals from $32.96 per day727.0 km / 451.7 miles away
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Saskatoon Car Rentals from $32.96 per day518.4 km / 322.1 miles away
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Regina Car Rentals from $69.16 per day661.7 km / 411.2 miles away
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Kamloops Car Rentals from $39.62 per day452.6 km / 281.2 miles away
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Grande Prairie Car Rentals from $46.79 per day556.2 km / 345.6 miles away
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Courtenay Car Rentals from $39.62 per day784.9 km / 487.7 miles away
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Nanaimo Car Rentals from $39.62 per day738.6 km / 458.9 miles away
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Fort McMurray Car Rentals from $78.32 per day642.5 km / 399.3 miles away
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720.8 km / 447.9 miles away
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Cranbrook Car Rentals from $39.62 per day208.7 km / 129.7 miles away
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399.8 km / 248.4 miles away
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Chilliwack Car Rentals from $39.62 per day604.7 km / 375.7 miles away
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Port Hardy Car Rentals from $57.13 per day936.0 km / 581.6 miles away
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357.4 km / 222.1 miles away
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Prince George Car Rentals from $70.49 per day661.8 km / 411.2 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Calgary
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Calgary, Downtown Car Rentals from $24.20 per day
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Calgary Airport Car Rentals from $24.53 per day
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Cranbrook, Canadian Rockies International Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day208.7 km / 129.7 miles away
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Edmonton Airport Car Rentals from $30.62 per day246.0 km / 152.9 miles away
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Kamloops Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day452.6 km / 281.2 miles away
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Saskatoon Airport Car Rentals from $32.96 per day518.4 km / 322.1 miles away
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Grande Prairie Airport Car Rentals from $46.79 per day556.2 km / 345.6 miles away
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Chilliwack Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day604.7 km / 375.7 miles away
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Abbotsford International Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day638.5 km / 396.8 miles away
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Fort McMurray International Airport Car Rentals from $78.32 per day642.5 km / 399.3 miles away
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Regina International Airport Car Rentals from $69.16 per day661.7 km / 411.2 miles away
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Prince George Airport Car Rentals from $70.49 per day661.8 km / 411.2 miles away
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Vancouver Airport Car Rentals from $16.67 per day686.4 km / 426.5 miles away
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Victoria International Airport Car Rentals from $32.96 per day727.0 km / 451.7 miles away
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Nanaimo Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day738.6 km / 458.9 miles away
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Courtenay, Comox Valley Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day784.9 km / 487.7 miles away
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Port Hardy Airport Car Rentals from $57.13 per day936.0 km / 581.6 miles away
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Winnipeg Airport Car Rentals from $32.96 per day1191.4 km / 740.3 miles away
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Thunder Bay International Airport Car Rentals from $39.62 per day1791.8 km / 1113.4 miles away
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Windsor International Airport Car Rentals from $24.88 per day2541.1 km / 1578.9 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Calgary?
Car rental prices in Calgary vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Calgary
The best month to rent a car in Calgary is November (when prices for an Economy class start from $23.20). This is 46% cheaper than the yearly average and 66% cheaper than renting in July (when rental prices start at $68.20 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Calgary?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in December, travelers rent a car for an average of 13 days in June, the average rental period is 1 days.
Average Rental Length in Calgary
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Calgary?
While travelers visit Calgary year-round, the most popular month for renting a car is February, and the least popular is August.
Calgary Car Rental Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Yaris Advance | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Corolla Sedan | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 1 | Large cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Kia Rio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Ford Escape | 4 | 4 | SUVs |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Honda Civic | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Dodge Caravan | 4 | 4 | People Carriers/Vans |
| Routes Car & Truck Rentals | Jeep Wrangler | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Mazda 2 | 4 | 1 | Medium cars |
FAQ
Should I rent a car in Calgary?
A majority of the ratings and reviews left by Discover Cars’ customers recommend renting a car (9.2 from 4 reviews).
What do you need to rent a car in Calgary?
In most cases, you need a driver’s license, passport or ID card, and a credit card (in the name of the main driver), and the booking voucher to rent a car. Some companies may have additional requirements (be sure to check the rental conditions).
On what side of the road do they drive in Canada?
Drivers must drive on the right side of the road.
Can I rent a car at 18 in Canada?
No, you can not rent a car at the age of 18.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Calgary?
You must be between 25 and 99 years old.
Can you rent automatic cars in Calgary?
Yes, automatic cars are available from Zoom Rent A Car, Alamo, National, Ace Rent a car, MEX RENT A CAR and Routes Car & Truck Rentals in Calgary.
Can I rent a car with a debit card?
Though most companies require a credit card to leave a deposit, some accept debit cards. Check the rental conditions for more information.
Can I rent a car without a credit card?
Most companies require a credit card to pick up the car. Some may accept debit cards or cash. Check the rental conditions for more information.
What car classes can I rent?
Small cars, Medium cars, Large cars, SUVs, People Carriers/Vans and Premium cars vehicle types are available in Calgary.
Can I rent a car in Calgary with my home country’s driver's license (for example, U.S., U.K., or Australia)?
In most cases, a driver’s license from your home country is acceptable if it uses the Latin alphabet. In some cases, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check the rental conditions for more information.
If your driver’s license does not use the Latin alphabet, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Calgary.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Calgary?
In most cases, if your driver’s license uses the Latin alphabet, you can rent a car in in Calgary without an International Driving Permit (IDP). In some cases, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check the rental conditions for more information.
If your driver’s license does not use the Latin alphabet, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Calgary.
How much does an additional driver cost? Is there an option for a free additional driver?
No rental company in Calgary offers a free additional driver.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Calgary?
A rental car costs $63 per day, on average. The lowest daily price found in the past 48 hours was $24 at Zoom Rent A Car.
How much is car rental for a week?
The average price for a weekly rental in Calgary is $439. In the past 48 hours, the lowest price for a weekly rental in Calgary was $169.
What car rental companies are located in Calgary?
Zoom Rent A Car, Alamo, National, Ace Rent a car, MEX RENT A CAR and Routes Car & Truck Rentals can be found in Calgary.
What is the best car rental company in Calgary?
Ratings and reviews left by our users indicate that the best providers are Alamo (8.9, 12 reviews), Routes Car & Truck Rentals (8.6, 40 reviews) and Europcar (8.4, 3 reviews).
Our Customers Reviews
MS
United Kingdom
Nissan Versa
October 14, 2019
Good Service, & Location
CB
Canada
Toyota Corolla
September 11, 2019
This city is best explored by car because there are some many cool drives just outside the city and in general the city is fairly spread out.
ZH
Canada
Toyota Yaris Advance
August 27, 2019
Icefield parkway worth to have your own car to stop where you want
WY
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
July 26, 2019
Routes is good to save money but understand you are not at the airport. The shuttle is a ten minute ride but it was not clear where you go to get the shuttle. In Calgary it is column 22 and 23. Easy airport though. Language barriers can be a problem.
PP
Canada
Honda Civic
June 17, 2019
Best place to rent a car for a tour of the parks in the Canadian Rockies. We visited 3 National Parks : Banff, Kootenay and Jasper.
RS
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
May 30, 2019
Short drive to Banff, and totally worth it.
MA
Canada
Kia Rio
May 15, 2019
A lot of downtown parking options.
MA
United Kingdom
Kia Rio
May 10, 2019
I used to live in Calgary. It's a nice, clean city. The new library is beautiful and the Shaw music studio is awesome. A trip to the mountains is a must, beautiful scenery all the way.
RW
United Kingdom
Jeep Wrangler
April 2, 2019
Great city next to the wonderful Rocky Mountains.
H
Canada
Toyota Yaris Advance
March 8, 2019
I used to live in Calgary. the driving is fast paced. one needs a good map or a very good GPS system as many of the old routes have been altered. the ring road is a very helpful way to get to where you wish to go but once rush hours start one needs to be ready to have lots of patience due to the volumes of traffic.
TA
Canada
Jeep Wrangler
January 7, 2019
Calgary is a wonderful city. Its easy to navigate, large, clean roads, and the airport is a good location to rent from.
EY
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Rogue
January 5, 2019
I loved Banff and the surrounding areas. The vehicle was really great with getting around.
GW
United States of America (USA)
Jeep Cherokee
January 2, 2019
Watch your agreement for a mileage/kilometer limit. Ours was 800km max.
RG
United Kingdom
Mazda 2
October 6, 2018
Barely spent time in calgary, didn’t travel 10+ hours to see just another city. Got the hire car to travel across the rockies out West. Would definately recommend a truck in Autumn ir Winter, you need a vehicle to get around and see some parts of Canada.
JS
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Rogue
September 23, 2018
I highly recommend flying into Calgary, renting a vehicle and heading to the National Parks!
LN
United States of America (USA)
Jeep Wrangler
August 24, 2018
I used the Jeep to see the country around Banff, Kananaskis to Waterton. Beautiful mountains, cool temps, and great Canadians!
JW
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
August 20, 2018
We rented a car for a trip to Banff National Park. Would recommend doing that
NB
Canada
Toyota Yaris Advance
August 12, 2018
Overall, good value and decent service!
KC
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Rogue
August 12, 2018
Renting a car allows you to go outside the city limits. We took a day trip to Drumheller so this worked out well.
SB
Canada
Kia Rio
July 30, 2018
A great place to visit
Top 10 Suppliers for Calgary in 2020
Alamo
+14034445464
120 10 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta
National
4034445449
120 10 AVE SW,
NuCarrentals
4033983930
130-588 AERO DRIVE NE
Europcar
+14032656821
140 17th Avenue SE
Economy rent a car
+15873567888
2120 16 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 1L4
Zoom Rent A Car
+15878858888
11124 36 St NE #2010,Calgary, AB T3N 1L3
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
+14033983930 / +14033983931
130-588 Aero Dr Ne Calgary, T2E 7Y4
NuCarrentals
+18883179666 / +19056707368
Calgary City 11124 36 St Calgary
Ace Rent a car
+14032656821 / +18778223872
140 17 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1H2
MEX RENT A CAR
+15878858888
11124 36 St NE UNIT#2010, Calgary, AB T3N 1L3
Highly recommended by our customers
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