Car Rental in Canada

Why rent a car in Canada?

A vast and diverse country, Canada is as known for its multicultural society and high standard of living as it is for its beautiful landscapes. Cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are truly modern and sophisticated metropolises, but at the same time, mountains, the sea, and national and provincial parks are never far away. Getting a rental car is a good way to take in as much of this fascinating country as possible.

Top ways to enter Canada

• Vancouver Airport: The main airport of British Columbia, Vancouver Airport offers access to Western Canada and Northwestern United States, and offers great connections not only to the Americas but also to destinations in Europe and East Asia.
• Toronto Airport: Canada’s largest airport serves its most populous city and much of Canada’s East, and serves flights to and from countless destinations in all parts of the world.
• Montreal Airport. Located west of the city itself, the Montréal–Trudeau serves around 16 million travelers annually, making it the third-busiest in the country. In addition to domestic routes, the airport serves flights to and from other destinations in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
• Calgary Airport: Serving as the main access point to the picturesque province of Alberta, Calgary Airport is served by more than 30 airlines and offers flights to and from not only the rest of Canada and the USA, but also countries like Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, China, and others.
• By land: If your rental car provider permits it, it’s possible to rent a car in a neighboring country and then drive to Canada. Some large international airports near Canada are Seattle Airport in Washington, USA, Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport in Minnesota, USA, and Detroit Airport in Michigan, USA.

Top cities and places to visit

• Toronto. The most populous city in the country, Toronto is notable not only for the CN Tower, but also for being a hub of culture, music, and art. A true metropolis that’s full of creative energy, the city is home to world-class museums, diverse neighborhoods, and plenty of entertainment from sport to music. Toronto also offers easy access to the nearby Niagara region.
• Montreal. Montreal is one of the most distinct cities in North America thanks to its Quebecois culture and use of the French language. Notable for its well-preserved core and architectural heritage, as well as a youthful student population, Montreal is a truly sophisticated destination and can also serve as a hub from which to explore the rest of Quebec.
• Vancouver. A melting pot on the Canadian Pacific coast, Vancouver constantly has topped multiple rankings for its high quality of living. The city is also plenty of fun if you’re visiting on a shorter-term trip — don’t miss out on attractions like the Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Stanley Park. The beautiful coastal mountains can be seen from all over the city and destinations such as Whistler are just a few hours away.
• Alberta. So much more than just its oil wealth, the province of Alberta is home to Jasper and Banff, two of Canada’s most iconic national parks, as well as a number of smaller, but equally beautiful parks.. In addition to scenic nature, especially on the Icefields Parkway, they offer everything from dinosaur fossils to prehistoric indigenous rock art and some of the best skiing on the continent. Calgary, the largest city, is one of the most interesting urban destinations in the country, while Edmonton is both the political and the business capital of Alberta  and has lots of museums, galleries, and outdoor things to do.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in Canada is the Kia Rio, but the Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue are also often picked by travelers.

Driver's license requirements

• Canada recognizes some valid foreign driver’s licenses if you’re visiting for a limited amount of time (the exact permitted length varies from province to province). If you’re living in the country permanently, you need to obtain a local license instead.
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

The only neighboring country of Canada is the United States of America, both to the entirety of the country’s South, as well as to northwest (the state of Alaska). The USA has a different visa policy than Canada, and, depending on your citizenship, you may or may not need a visa to enter it. We strongly advise you getting in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to find out whether you need a visa to visit the USA.

Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in our Help Center.

Most popular types of rental car

The most popular rental car type in Canada is an Economy, but Fullsize and Intermediate are also frequently chosen.

Top driving routes

• Yukon and the rest of Northern Canada. Although much harder to access than the rest of the country, if you manage to get there, Northern Canada is a very rewarding travel destination. Sparsely populated, the north is pure wilderness and endless natural beauty. Whitehorse, the capital and the largest city in the Yukon, is perhaps the best entry point. Yellowknife Airport, located in the Northwest Territories, is another place with direct flights to Canada’s major cities.
• Nova Scotia. Remote and sparsely populated, but surprisingly diverse and culturally distinct, the Atlantic peninsula of Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s most underrated destinations. Home to a rugged coastline and wild nature preserves, the region has some of the most scenic car routes in the country.
• British Columbia: The province’s slogan is ‘Beautiful British Columbia’ and this couldn’t be more true. Whether you decide to drive the scenic Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, the rugged forests and coastline of Vancouver Island, of the deserts and wineries of the interior, there are many stunning drives in BC.
• Manitoba. Bordering Ontario to the west, the province of Manitoba doesn’t get as many visitors as some of the more famous Canadian regions but can be surprisingly fun to explore, especially if you travel by car. Its capital, Winnipeg, is one of the most underrated destinations in all of North America boasting unique history and cultural institutions, while Lake Winnipeg and Prairie Mountain promise plenty of outdoor fun.
• Newfoundland and Labrador. The largest of the four provinces that border the Atlantic coast, this is another less explored, but exciting part of Canada. The nature is wild, settlements sparse, and though exploring the Labrador portion of the province certainly requires some advanced planning, those travelers who are brave enough to face the challenges will be rewarded with gems such as St. John’s, the provincial capital and the oldest city in North America; the fjords of Terra Nova National Park; and the remains of the Viking settlement in L'Anse aux Meadows. 

Car rental prices in Canada

• Large cars - from $19 per day
• Medium cars - from $25 per day
• Small cars - from $22 per day
• SUVs - from $22 per day
• Premium cars - from $63 per day
• Vans - from $35 per day
• Convertibles - from $86 per day
• Station wagons - from $156 per day

Money-saving and other tips

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

• 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 Canada is the cheapest in February when renting a car is almost 40% cheaper than the yearly average.