What is the average cost of renting a car per day or per month?

Car rental in Calgary is a key element of travel planning for tourists and business travelers alike. This analysis covers all aspects of cost, seasonal fluctuations, and long-term deals, based on data from leading service providers.

Daily rental market

The average daily rental cost ranges between C$25 and C$108 depending on the type of vehicle and pick-up location. According to KAYAK's analysis, the average price is C$78 per day, but aggregators such as Skyscanner report offers starting at C$16 for economy class.

Differentiation by car type

  • Standard sedans (Ford Escape): C$69–C$85
  • SUVs (GMC Yukon): C$95–C$119
  • Luxury models: from C$162 per day
  • Trucks: C$56–C$221 depending on the month

Central areas of the city show prices that are 45% higher than those in suburban offices. The best deals are available at Routes Car & Truck Rentals (C$13.98/day) and Zoom Rent A Car (C$17.03).

Long-term deals

For periods longer than 30 days, leading companies offer special conditions:

  • Hertz Multi-Month: minimum term of 63 days with no advance payment, mileage restrictions, and maintenance included
  • Budget/Avis: extension up to 11 months with the option to change cars up to 4 times per month
  • Enterprise: insurance included in the rental price and 24/7 support

The estimated monthly cost for a mid-range car is C$1,959 when renting through aggregators, but direct contracts with providers allow you to reduce the price to C$900–1,200 thanks to wholesale discounts.

Seasonal pricing factors

The Calgary market shows a clear cyclical pattern:

  1. Peak season (July-August): +132% above the annual average due to the Calgary Stampede
  2. Low season (November-January): prices drop to C$38/day
  3. Intermediate periods (March-May): discounts of up to 45% on SUVs due to the absence of mass tourism

Price dynamics by car type:

Class Low season High season
Economy C$29 C$71
SUV C$56 C$119
Minivan C$63 C$221

Top 5 providers in terms of price/quality ratio

  1. Alamo: 8.9/10 on KAYAK with an average price of C$69/day
  2. Enterprise: insurance included and free car replacement
  3. Thrifty: best deals for long-term rentals (C$18.24/day)
  4. Zoom Rent A Car: market leader with prices starting at C$14.24
  5. Hertz: premium service for business customers

Saving strategies

To optimize costs, experts recommend:

  • Book 21 days before your trip to save up to 30%
  • Use a “full-to-full” fuel policy to avoid penalties
  • Choose off-airport locations (up to 40% difference due to no airport fees)
  • Flexible rental dates: a week in September can cost less than 5 days in July

Conclusions

The Calgary car rental market offers a wide range of options, from budget C$14/day to premium offers for C$221. For short-term needs, Routes Car & Truck Rentals or Zoom are the best choices, while for longer periods, Hertz Multi-Month and Budget programs are worth considering. Seasonal price fluctuations make November and January the most affordable months to rent, especially for SUVs. Using aggregators such as KAYAK with a free cancellation filter allows you to minimize risks when planning your trip.