Where can I rent a car in Calgary?

Car rental in Calgary is a convenient and popular way to get around for tourists, business travelers, and locals who need mobility for a short or long period of time. As one of Canada's largest cities and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Calgary offers a wide selection of car rental companies located both at the airport and throughout the city. In this article, we will review the main locations, popular companies, rental features, and provide tips for a profitable and safe rental.

Car rental at Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Calgary International Airport (YYC) offers the largest selection of companies and vehicles. The Rental Car Center is located here, featuring international brands such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Enterprise, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar, and others. The center is open daily and allows you to return your car after hours using special key drop boxes.

Renting a car at the airport is convenient for those who arrive in the city and want to start their journey right away. All offices are located on the second level of the international terminal and can be reached by following the signs after baggage claim. To rent a car, you must have a valid driver's license, passport or other document, as well as a credit card. There is an additional fee for drivers under 25 years of age.

Most companies accept international driver's licenses, but if they are not issued in Latin letters, an international driving permit is required.

Car rental in downtown Calgary and surrounding areas

If you are already in the city or want to avoid additional airport fees, you can use car rental services in downtown Calgary or residential areas. Most major companies have several offices in different parts of the city.

This is convenient for locals as well as those who do not plan to start or end their trip at the airport. The most popular locations are downtown, the Macleod Trail area, 5th Avenue SE, 17th Avenue SE, and the industrial areas in the northeast of the city.

The same brands are represented here as at the airport: Hertz, Enterprise, Thrifty, Dollar, National, Alamo, as well as local operators.

Car rental outside the airport: alternative operators and specialized companies

In addition to international brands, Calgary also has local operators that often offer competitive rates and special conditions for long-term rentals, truck rentals, minivans, or specialized vehicles.

Some companies are located near the airport but operate as off-airport, meaning they provide free transfers from the terminal to their office. This can be beneficial as it allows you to avoid airport fees and get a lower price.

Such companies include Zoom Rent A Car, Maxx Car Rental, Mr Rent A Car, and others. They also have good user ratings and often offer additional services (truck rental, long-term rental, etc.).

Features, prices, and tips for renting a car in Calgary

The cost of renting a car in Calgary depends on the season, the class of the car, the duration of the rental, the pick-up and drop-off locations, and the availability of additional options (GPS, child seat, insurance).

The cheapest options can be found with local operators or when booking in advance through online aggregators. The average price for renting an economy car is 30 to 50 CAD per day, an SUV is 50 to 100 CAD, and minivans and premium cars are more expensive. Prices at the airport are usually slightly higher due to additional fees.

To rent a car, you must have a driver's license (international if yours is not in Latin), passport or ID, and a credit card for a deposit. The minimum age for renters is 21-24 (different companies have different rules), and there is an additional fee for younger drivers.

It is recommended to book a car in advance, especially during high season (summer, winter holidays), to guarantee the desired car class at a favorable price.

It is also worth paying attention to the fuel return conditions, insurance policy, availability of additional options, and the possibility of free cancellation.

Conclusions

Calgary offers a wide range of car rental options, from international brands at the airport to local operators with competitive prices and specialized services. You can rent a car immediately upon arrival or in any part of the city.

The main thing is to decide in advance on the class of car, the duration of the rental, the pick-up and drop-off locations, and to carefully read the terms of the contract. This will make your trip around the city and region as comfortable, mobile, and safe as possible.