Car hire in Canada
Hiring a car in Canada
Canada is a popular holiday destination among those looking for something a bit different to America.
Some of the top places visited by tourists every year include Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg, although there are so many more towns and cities to choose from.
You'll find great diversity between the different locations, so where you choose will depend on what you're looking for from your holiday to Canada.
What you need to know
With such a wide number of choices for car hire providers in the towns and cities of Canada, you'll find that searching on our booking engine helps you to choose the best deal.
Some of the top suppliers in Canada include Budget, Alamo and Hertz, but many others can provide hire cars in the different destinations across the country.
In addition, since many of these providers service all of the major areas, if you're planning a road trip then you'll find it easy to arrange to pick up your vehicle in one location and return it to another.
Where to pick up your car
There's a huge number of airports in Canada where you can collect your hire car, so searching on our booking engine will help you to narrow down your search.
The different airports will have supplier desks placed differently, although the majority will be based in the arrivals hall and be clearly signposted. Make sure to check when you make your booking, as the different car hire firms will each advertise where to find them.
You can also collect your vehicle from many of the major towns and cities in Canada, so you can be confident that wherever you are, a hire car should be available nearby.
Best Car Hire Companies Canada
Car Hire Reviews Canada
Where to go
There are so many places in Canada to visit, each offering a different culture and experience.
Vancouver is undoubtedly one of the most popular places to visit. The city is bustling with tourists and locals alike, and is surrounded by stunning mountains that are a hub for outdoor activities.
Another favourite for tourists is Toronto, a city that is filled with some stunning green spaces, as well as all of the amenities that you'd expect from a large city.
For something a bit different, why not head to Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province in eastern Canada? Naturally, the culture is different to many of Canada's other large cities, giving you the chance to explore another side to this beautiful country.
Driving in Canada
In Canada you drive on the right-hand side of the road, which can take a bit of getting used to if you're used to driving in the UK.
Speed limits will vary depending on where in the country you are, but generally you'll find that rural motorways have a 100km/h limit and general motorways are 80km/h, while it's a 50km/h limit in cities.
Driving in Canada can be quite different to any other destination. The country is so large that is spans six time zones, so you'll find that many of the motorways are very long. There is often a lot of rural land between the different towns and cities, so we advise that you pack plenty of food and water, check that you have a full tank of petrol when you leave a city, and make sure to take plenty of rest stops to ensure you don't get too tired.
Longer drives
It would be impossible to visit everywhere in Canada during your visit, but there are some stunning drives if you're looking to enjoy a bit of a road trip.
The province of British Columbia on Canada's west coast is one of its most popular. Here you can visit the vibrant city of Vancouver, or just an hour and a half north of there is Whistler, an area that is a hub for skiers.
For a real exploration, why not travel eight hours north-east of Vancouver to reach Banff? We'd advise that you spread this trip across a few days so that you can see the stunning scenery along the way.
Banff contrasts greatly to Vancouver, with the Rocky Mountains dominating the skyline, while massive areas of parkland are home to many creatures, including elk and grizzly bears.
Top attractions to visit in Canada
There truly is no end to the different places you could explore during your trip to Canada, but below we've outlined some of the most popular destinations and the things you can see and do there.
Vancouver
The city of Vancouver is buzzing with culture, so you'll never find yourself short of things to see or do.
Commercial Drive runs through the centre of the neighbourhood of Grandview-Woodland and is a hugely diverse area. John Hendry Park surrounds the stunning Trout Lake, and is the perfect place to relax with a picnic. Many weekends you can also explore the farmer's market which is held here.
Or why not head out to the West End, which is filled with parks and beaches? A popular activity here is to hire a bike and ride through the streets and parks, exploring everything this neighbourhood has to offer.
Toronto
Another of the most popular cities to visit in Canada is Toronto, which is often considered one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
Over 140 languages are spoken in the city of Toronto, with its residents flocking from across the globe to make a home in this beautiful destination. On sunny days, visitors from the bars head out on to the street, making the entire city feel like one large community.
Calgary
Calgary is another of Canada's most popular cities, sitting between the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the mysterious Badlands.
The area is filled with the spirit of the Wild West, which is celebrated at the annual Calgary Stampede, a ten-day event embraced by the whole city.
In addition, the city is hugely popular for its arts, often hosting a number of shows at the theatre.
Kensington Village is an immensely popular area, with an array of vintage shops and independent boutiques for you to browse, as well as coffee houses and cafes serving divine meals and snacks.
null
view all