Car Rental in Vancouver

Why rent a car in Vancouver?

The largest city on Canada’s Pacific coast, Vancouver is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. From interesting history to busy cultural life, and the splendid nature surrounding it and even wineries, the city has more than a few aces up its sleeve.

Top ways to enter Vancouver

• Vancouver Airport. Located in the nearby Richmond, Vancouver Airport handled almost 26 million travelers in 2018, making it the second-busiest airport in Canada after only Pearson in Toronto. In addition to countless connections all across the Americas, the airport also hosts flights to and from Pacific Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Situated 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Downtown Vancouver, the airport can be reached in about 30 minutes.
• Victoria Airport. Another much smaller international airport in British Columbia, Victoria airport handled two million travelers in 2018. Victoria Airport has flights by 12 different airlines, although some only operate seasonally. Located on Vancouver Island, it’ll take around three hours and a ferry ride to get to Vancouver from Victoria. 
• Calgary Airport. Serving the largest city of Alberta Province, YYC Calgary Airport served 17 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for WestJet and has flights by around 20 other airlines. Calgary Airport is 990 km (615 mi) east of Vancouver and it takes 10 to 12 hours to travel between the two by car. There are many national parks and other attractions on the way, so it’s easy to split up the trip into two or three days. It is popular among travelers to arrive at one of the airports and leave from the other.
• Seattle Tacoma Airport. Often called Sea-Tac, one of the largest airports in the Pacific United States served nearly 50 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and hosts flights to destinations all over North America, as well as in Europe and Asia. Located just 250 km (155 mi) south of Vancouver, Seattle Airport can be reached in three hours. You’ll have to cross the international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Also, make sure whether you need a visa to enter either country.

City facts

• Vancouver is Canada’s warmest large city. Summers are warm and dry, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are mild are very wet. On average, there are only a few days of snowfall in the city per year, though the surrounding mountains offer some of the greatest skiing in Canada

• Vancouver is the capital and by far the largest city of British Columbia. As of 2023, it had a population of 675,000 in the city proper and another 2.7 million living in its larger metropolitan area. Although British Columbia has an area of 944,735 km2 (364,764 sq mi), larger than Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, more than 50% of its population lives in or around Vancouver.

Top sights and activities

• Museum of Anthropology. If you're looking to learn about the Indigenous Peoples of the Northwest Coast and some of their history,  visit the impressive Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, which houses several thousand objects from BC's First Nations. The museum is also home to significant collections of archaeological objects and ethnographic materials from other parts of the world.
• The Vancouver Art Gallery. The Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver combines local with international artworks through a variety of exhibitions and a permanent collection that focuses on renowned British Columbia artist, Emily Carr. Stanley Park. One of the largest urban parks in Canada, Stanley Park is very popular with tourists and locals alike. In addition to long walks, picnics, and birdwatching, the park also offers attractions like the Vancouver Aquarium, beaches, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and a pedestrianized and cycling-friendly route on the 10km section of seawall around the perimeter of the park.
• Vancouver Lookout. A 360-degree viewing platform at the top of the Harbour Center skyscraper, the Lookout is one of the best places to take in panoramic views of Vancouver. The combination of the city skyline and the surrounding ocean and mountains makes for a truly memorable experience.
• Marine Building. Vancouver is known for its many skyscrapers, and while most of them are largely made of glass and were built over the last few decades, there are also some that could be described as heritage skyscrapers. For this latter category, look no further than the Marine Building, an Art Deco skyscraper and office tower that dates back to 1930 and is arguably one of the most famous structures in the city. As known for its facade as it is for its lavish lobby, the Marine Building has been featured in many films and TV series.
• Gastown. Now forming the core of the city, Gastown is the original settlement of Vancouver. Also known as the first neighborhood and the location of the city’s first saloon, it dates back to the 19th century and is home to many heritage buildings and sites. Gastown has also withstood several large fires and other calamities but has always remained one of the symbols of the city.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limits vary between different roads. The general limits are 90 km/h to 100 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 license 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 911.

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in eastern Canada. However, as of January 2023 there are no toll roads in British Columbia.

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 day trips

• North Shore. Best known for the three mountais, Cypress, Grouse Mountain and Mt Seyour, the North Shore is a mecca for outdoors activities. You can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding in the winter and mountain biking, hiking and walking in the summer or even kayaking at Deep Cove. There is also the popular Capilano Suspension Bridge where you can explore the forests and cross over the canyon on impressive suspension bridges.
• Bowen Island. Easily reached by water taxis that depart from downtown Vancouver, Bowen Island and its beaches, walking trails, and small restaurants is a  perfect place to unwind from the more busy atmosphere of the big city.
• Whistler. Famous for the 2010 Winter Olympics and for being the largest ski resort in North America, Whistler is, of course, home to plenty of winter activities. In the summer you can go hiking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming in the alpine lakes, take a scenic ride on the Peak-to-Peak gondola, or relax at the Scandinave Spa year-round.
• Bowen Island. Known for its seemingly endless beaches, hiking trails, and quaint atmosphere, Bowen Island is one of the most famous day trip destinations among locals and tourists alike. There are both ferries and water taxis connecting Vancouver and the island, most of them taking off from the Horseshoe Bay area, but do look into your options beforehand if you wish to bring a car with you because while some companies permit this, it is by no means all of them.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car type in Canada is an economy, but fullsize and intermediate are also often picked. The most popular rental cars are the Kia Rio, the Jeep Wrangler, and the Nissan Rogue. 

Further destinations

• The Okanagan. Most people don't think of Canada as a wine destination, but Okanagan can change anyone's mind. Thanks to the mild ocean climate, this British Columbia region is home to high-class wineries and a number of tasting tours. Okanagan is more than four hours drive east of Vancouver so it’s best done as a weekend trip, but since you'll be coming here with a rental car, that will only let you experience more of what it has to offer.
• Seattle. Famous for its music, culture, and free spirit, Seattle is one of the most unique American cities. It is just about three hours drive away from Vancouver. Note that if you plan to drive from Seattle to Vancouver (or vice versa), you'll have to cross the border, so it's a good idea to contact your rental car provider in advance to make sure they allow it.
• Banff National Park. The oldest, and arguably most famous national park in Canada, Banff is the pearl of the neighboring Alberta province and has some of the pristine natural wilderness associated with the country. It is by no means a quick drive as it takes close to nine hours – some people choose to fly – but those who decide to hit the road will be rewarded with landscapes almost as spectacular as those that await them at their destination.

Car rental prices in Vancouver

• Large cars - from $25 per day
• SUVs - from $29 per day
• Small cars - from $43 per day
• Medium cars - from $46 per day
• Vans - from $63 per day
• Premium cars - from $70 per day
• Convertibles - from $87 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good rental car deal in Vancouver:

• 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 Vancouver is the cheapest in September when renting a car is about 65% cheaper than the yearly average.