Calgary is a cosmopolitan city and one of the most famous tourist centers in the province of Alberta, in western Canada. Calgary is a lively and modern seaside resort. It is also recognized as the cultural capital of the country. The city attracts outdoor enthusiasts, as there are many sports facilities on its territory. A variety of shops, restaurants and museums, shady parks and alleys - all this ensures a comfortable stay. It is also one of the most important Canada cities in terms of population, economy and tourism.
Interestingly, the city's economy is based on the oil industry, but other industries such as agriculture, tourism, and high technology are also important. It is a fast growing city that is both cosmopolitan, modern and diverse. The city has also managed to preserve its traditional features. Calgary is known as the center of country music in Canada. For those who like to have fun, the famous Red Mile area is full of nightlife. In addition, transport is very well developed here, there is a modern airport.
What to see in Calgary?
Culturally, Calgary is very strong: there is not only na few museums and galleries, but also several major festivals, music, film and other events. In addition, its proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes it a very popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
The Military Museum is a must-see for military history buffs. This allows you to learn more about the Canadian Forces.
A special symbol of Calgary is Stephen Avenue pedestrian street, located in the heart of the city. On this street you can see many beautiful historical buildings and preserved houses, which were built of sandstone at the beginning of the 20th century. These historic buildings now house famous restaurants and hotels, as well as shops and other places of entertainment.
Kensington is a picturesque area of the city where there are several restaurants, bars and specialty shops. You can drive here in a rental car and admire the sculptures of a local artist.
Art lovers should visit Glenbow Gallery with over 28,000 paintings. Travelers with children are advised to visit Telus Museum, which is located near the planetarium. For children, excursions and performances are organized every day, telling about the features of our planet and its development.
Climbing the Calgary Tower, which is 91 meters high, you can explore the surroundings of the city. The design of the tower is very unusual, even with small gusts of wind it sways a little, but remains stable even during strong hurricanes.
The largest historical museum is the Heritage Park, whose area is 27 ha, it will introduce you to the history of the city and give you the opportunity to see unique collections of items from different eras.
Where to go near Calgary?
The city is popular for outdoor sports, and there are several recreational activities nearby that not to mention that the Rocky Mountains are located nearby, which have no analogues in the whole world. Wealthy travelers come here to relax, breathe in the mountain air, climb mountains and, of course, play sports.
Having taken a car from the trusted company Bookingautos, you should definitely visit Lake Louise. It is also called the lake of small fishes. This place is famous for its beautiful ski slopes and well-developed tourist infrastructure. Lots of wild animals and vegetation can be seen here.
About 110 km from the city is the amazing Banff National Park. It is considered the largest in the world. Every year it is visited by more than 4,000,000 million tourists from all over the world to enjoy the rich flora and fauna, dense coniferous forests and majestic mountains.
Food: The Best Restaurants in Calgary
Calgary has over 1,000 dining options to choose from. Moreover, cuisines from all over the world are presented in its restaurants. Restaurants of national cuisine, as well as pubs and pizzerias are especially popular with both locals and tourists.
Among the much simpler fine dining establishments, Romanos Rustic Italian restaurants stand out (2626 23rd St NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8L2 Canada; +1 403-281-7270) and Escoba Bistro and Wine Bar. Their menu is based on California cuisine, the latter restaurant has a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as cocktails.
The most famous oriental restaurant is Bow Bulgogi (3515 17 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta T3E 0B7 Canada; +1 403-686-6826). An exceptional menu that changes every week, the highest level of service and a luxurious atmosphere reigning in its hall will allow you to spend a truly unforgettable evening.
The most famous of the restaurants with affordable prices is Denny's (2450 16 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta T2M 0M5 Canada; +1 403-282- 1001). In the morning it offers a breakfast buffet, in the afternoon it offers a special set lunch formula and a special menu.
Where to park in Calgary?
Calgary is divided into areas that are and are not subject to special parking regulations. The first space includes places with a predominance of public institutions. Access to them generates a lot of car traffic. This, as a rule, the zone should consist of 10 or more blocks. It is worth noting that 70% of vehicles visiting the area must be from other areas.
Only resident residents are allowed to park their vehicles on the sides of the streets in these areas. Parking on the street in a regulated parking space without a sticker will result in a heavy fine. There are practically no free parking in the city, so it's easier to pay. Best Parking Spots:
Eau Claire Market - $24 (200 Barclay Parade SW);
Lot - Impark Lot (197 331 2 Avenue SW, Calgary);
Lot - CPA Lot 71 (public, zone 9071, 607 3 Avenue SW, Calgary).
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Avis
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
31 € / Day
Best price
22 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€174
February
€130
March
€118
April
€152
May
€174
June
€223
July
€242
August
€179
September
€124
October
€128
November
€120
December
€176
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Calgary rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Calgary is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €17 for a Compact car.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting Audi A3 Convertible during Summer period can costs €186 per day.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Calgary, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Ford Focusmodel can be rented for just €17 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €16. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Toyota Camry, VW Passat Estate, Toyota Rav-4, which can be rented for as little as €43-€42 per day. Approximately for €66in Calgary you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €186 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
Recently, in Calgary has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Calgary, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Renault Zoe.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
A complete guide to car rental in Calgary
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car in advance
Calgary is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Calgary. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat Panda or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in Calgary.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. VW Passat Estate will cost €33 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Calgary for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Rent without mileage limit
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Calgary, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Calgary are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
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Car rental reviews: Calgary
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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