Car rental in Canada

Traveling Canada by car

Canada is the second largest country in the world. The country is located in North America. Europeans began to settle on its banks in the late 15th - early 16th centuries.

For foreigners, Canada is a cold country where people live only on hockey and maple syrup. However, this is not the case at all. Canada is a country with breathtaking architecture, both medieval and modern styles. In addition, in some cities of the country there are chic gardens that attract tourists. So, what cities to visit while traveling in Canada:

Vancouver you can boldly called the center of the arts of the country, as it contains major museums, galleries and exhibitions.

Vancouver's architecture combines shining glass skyscrapers and buildings made in the ancient Roman style. In 2010, the city hosted the Winter Olympic Games, which left behind many sports facilities. They are available for tourists to visit.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada. Its most famous landmark is CN Tower. Its heightis 553.33 meters.

You can also visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum. Not far from the city is one of the wonders of nature - Niagara Falls.

Quebec is a city of medieval architecture. Here are collected 37 historical architectural structures, among which:

• Notre Dame de Quebec Cathedral;
• Fortress Quebec;

Banff

Located in Alberta. The city is perhaps the main resort center of Canada. Tourists love it for its colorful mountain scenery and warm springs.

Lake Minnewanka is surrounded by mountains with snow-capped peaks on one side, and coniferous forests on the other.

Banff is known for its colorful festivals that take place almost every month.

Architecture connoisseurs will also find something to do. For example, you can visit the Gothic Cathedral of St. Andrew, built in 1892.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. The city is notable for the peculiarity of its architecture. All buildings that are under construction or have already been built have a strict maximum heightlimit. This approach allows the architecture of the city to retain its uniqueness.

How to rent a car in Canada

Because Canada is a fairly large country, it will be more convenient to travel around it if you rent a car. This will allow tourists from another continent to travel regardless of public transport schedules.

Basic rules and documents

Common documents when renting a car in Canada are:

1. international driver's license;
2. passport.

Practically all rental companies have two main conditions - age and length of service. The driver must be at least 21 years of age. At the same time, his driving experience cannot be less than one year.

Rental companies

There are several international companies in Canada where you can rent a car. Many of them are located right at airports. These companies include:

• Avis,
• Budget,
• Dollar,
• Discount,
• Hertz.

In each region, lessors can set their own conditions for providing cars. When drawing up a contract, it is necessary to pay attention to the ability to move between provinces. The receipt of the car must be accompanied by a thorough inspection of the vehicle by the driver. If there are damages, they should be brought to the attention of the manager.

Another important point is insurance. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with what is not included in the sum insured. For Budget, this includes:

• damage to windows and interior trim;
• damage to tires and rims;
• loss of documents for the car;
• theft of personal belongings of the driver;
• damage to the car, which was the result of intoxication (alcohol or drugs) of the driver.

All of the above are not insured events. There are some seemingly small details that companies pay a lot of attention to. For example, when renting a car from Avis, the driver is not allowed to smoke in the cabin. This may result in a fine. When a client pays for full car insurance, it becomes possible to rent it without a franchise.

Driving considerations

In Canada, you drive on the right side of the road. Canadian drivers have the most relaxed driving style. In this country, the participants in the movement are mutually polite to each other. A driver from Canada can pass someone who breaks the rules without aggression.

Permissible speed

One of the most important parameters is the speed of movement. Each province of the country can independently set the threshold value. However, most regions adhere to generally accepted restrictions.

• So, in rural areas, the maximum speed of traffic can be 50 km / h. For cities, this figure is 80 km / h. At the same time, in certain areas of settlements, for example, related to schools, the maximum permissible speed should be lower.
• On freeways, the government of each province sets the limit independently. On average, the highest speed can reach 100 km / h. The Cokihulla Highway is the fastest way to travel at 110 km/h.

Toll roads

Canada has several major toll highways. You can pay for most of them either in cash or by card. However, for driving on some roads, tolls are collected using special devices - transponders. Let's name the main toll highways of the country.

• 407 Express Toll Route stretches from Queen Elizabeth Way to Highway 403. Geographically, the road is located in Burlington. The ownership of this highway belongs to a private person. The fare is paid using the same transponder.
• Royal Highway or 412 Highway is located in the province of Ontario. Its length is very small - only ten kilometers, and it connects highways 401 and 407. It is possible to pay both by card and cash.
• The Cobequid Pass highway connects Cumberland and Colchester counties. The length of the road is 45 kilometers. Fare can be paid by card, cash and using a transponder. At the same time, paying with the help of the device, the driver saves 50% of the cost. The fare varies from two to 24 dollars, depending on the type of vehicle.

There is a major highway in Canada that has recently become free for drivers. This is Highway 5, which is about 520 km long. It connects the southern Trans-Canada Highway and the northern route of Yellow Head - Highway 16.

Congestion

Traffic congestion in Canada occurs in major cities such as Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, as well as in their suburbs. This is where people spend a lot of time in traffic jams. The reason for such traffic congestion is the intensive economic development of these cities. These four locations in the country are the largest centers of employment.

Canada has one of the lowest population densities - about 4 people per square kilometer. And therefore, the farther a tourist moves away from megacities, the fewer cars he meets on his way. Therefore, if you do not plan to visit the big cities of Canada, then renting a car is the most convenient option.

Renting electric cars in Canada

A tourist can rent a car not only with a gasoline engine, but also with an electric engine. Avis offers the largest selection of electric vehicles:

• Toyota Prius - $0.18 per kilometer;
• Nissan Leaf - $0.2 per kilometer.

The final cost of renting sustainable vehicles depends on the total rental time. Despite the slow development of electric vehicles, there are several charging stations in Canada. They are in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec. There will be no problems with refueling electricity in any Canadian metropolitan area - Vancouver, Toronto and Monreale. Most Canadians support the idea of ​​switching to electric transport. The government of the country is actively engaged in expanding the network of stations for charging electric vehicles, as well as the construction of specially equipped parking spaces.

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

The most popular cars in Canada

Fiat 500

Fiat 500

4x

2x

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

Citroen C1

4x

2x

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta

4x

2x

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

Ford Focus

5x

3x

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

Opel Astra Estate

5x

4x

€28 / Day

Audi A4

Audi A4

5x

3x

€32 / Day

BMW X1

BMW X1

4x

3x

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

Ford Foxus Estate

5x

4x

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

Mercedes C Class

5x

3x

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

BMW 5 series

4x

3x

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

Ford Tourneo

8x

4x

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

BMW 4 Cabrio

4x

2x

€65 / Day

Audi A6

Audi A6

5x

3x

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

Audi A5 Cabrio

4x

3x

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

Mercedes Vito

9x

4x

€80 / Day

Documents required for car rental

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

Car rental tips in Canada