Discover Vancouver on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Vancouver is arguably the least known Canada destination for European travelers. The city is also very different from other cities in Canada. Vancouver's climate is very different from Toronto or Montreal because, located on the Pacific coast, Vancouver enjoys moderate and pleasant weather conditions. Life here is also very different, with a much more relaxed pace.
Vancouver is the safest city
Vancouver is a port city located in the extreme west of Canada, in province of British Columbia. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and mountains (Seymour Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Grouse Mountain). After Toronto and Montreal it is Canada's third largest metropolitan area. Tourists visiting Vancouver during their stay in Canada are usually pleasantly surprised by the city and its very relaxed lifestyle. The city serves as an excellent starting point for cruises to Alaska. The city has 3 airports: "Vancouver", Bondery Bay, Col Harbor".
The young and vibrant city, like most major cities in the country, is cosmopolitan and characterized by ethnic diversity. Thus, more than half of Vancouver residents have a native language other than English, and almost a third are native Chinese by origin.
This city continues to attract immigrants to Canada. Magnificent scenery and accessible nature give Vancouver an incomparable charm. As for the cost of living, it is one of the highest in Canada, especially when it comes to housing. However, this is offset by the fact that salaries are slightly higher than in other Canadian cities, which contributes to the transformation of Vancouver into a city where the quality of life is excellent and where it is good to live.
Vancouver is also an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts such as fishing, biking and white water rafting, as it is located on the Pacific Ocean and < a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_River" target="_blank">Fraser River. It is also close to Mount Whistler, which is famous throughout the country for its ski resorts and also includes Mount Seymour, Cypress, and Grouse. In addition, Vancouver is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Canada due to its breathtaking scenery and the balance between an economic city and the tranquility of the surroundings.
What to see in Vancouver?
You can take long walks along the wide streets of the city, admire the old buildings of the 19th century, or enjoy the songs of birds and the rustle of leaves in a shaded park. When renting a car from Bookingautos,, tourists are advised to visit the unique Vancouver Aquarium. This aquarium is one of the largest in Canada, with at least 8,000 inhabitants of 570 species, including seals, freshwater fish, dolphins, piranhas, reptiles, sharks, and sea otters.
Travelers visiting the city during the warmer months should definitely spend a day at Kitsilano Beach. This beach is well equipped for relaxation. There are cafes and playgrounds on its territory.
Artistic The Vancouver Gallery includes several collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints (most of which are contemporary art), all within the city's old palace of justice. In particular, there is an exhibition dedicated to Emily Carr, one of the most famous Canadian artists.
Stanley Park impresses with the wealth of coniferous forests, the purest lakes are hidden in its depths, it is considered the most popular city park. Interestingly, on all sides it is surrounded by the ocean. Stanley Park has become a kind of visiting card of Vancouver, every tourist is obliged to walk along its beautiful alleys and enjoy clean and fresh air.
Ligthouse Park is another popular park that is almost entirely forested. Even some of its trees are over 500 years old. This park offers a great view of the city and leads to the lighthouse, where you can also admire the scenery.
The old part of the city is the Gastown area, it was here that the first houses were erected. While walking along the cobblestones, you will see old houses, burnt bricks were used in their construction. No less interesting and remarkable is the suspension bridge, a unique architectural structure. Not far from it there is a park of totems; Science. In this science museum, visitors can do interesting experiments and try out unusual interactive exhibits. Visitors to this museum will be able to visit the inside of a huge mock-up imitating the human body and find out why tiny meteorites weigh so much. When you go to this amazing museum with your rental car, be sure to bring your camera.
Where to go near Vancouver?
A weekend getaway is the small town of Squamish, just 490 minutes north, if no blockage. This is a real gateway to the world of wildlife. Nearby is Garibaldi, one of the most beautiful provincial parks.
Whistler is another small town in this province. It is worth noting that this place was key during the 2010 Winter Olympics. In winter, there are a lot of people here, since Whistler has a cool ski resort.
There are three hot springs nearby. The most interesting one is Keyhole Hot Springs. This is a very atmospheric and pleasant place. The second sources that deserve attention are T'sek Hot Springs. They are located on the territory of the Indian reservation. Here, from the source, the Indians led a network of pipes and hoses that fill barrels, bathtubs and other containers of varying degrees of deterioration. Sloquet Hot Springs can be found by driving your rental car approximately 50 km from T'sek Hot Springs deep into the forests of British Columbia.
Food: Vancouver's Best Restaurants
Vancouver has friendly restaurants and cozy cafes everywhere. In order not to get lost in the variety of gastronomic establishments, you need to pay attention to the most popular places among tourists and local residents. Among the luxurious establishments, the restaurant Chartwell (791 Georgia St W, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2T4; +1 604-844-6715) stands out, its menu contains only gourmet cuisine. The restaurant hall has a very rich decor, it is decorated with comfortable furniture made of precious wood.
Gallery Lounge (6133 University Blvd 4th Floor of The Nest, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1; +1 604-827-5660) - favorite a place not only for connoisseurs of local cuisine, but also for lovers of good music. Several times a week there are concerts of jazz bands, which always gather a lot of people.
Fans of modern cuisine should pay attention to Jam Cafe YVR (556 Beatty St, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2L3; +1 778-379-1992). A large selection of meat and fish dishes, author's delicacies and exceptional desserts, as well as a wide variety of wines - this will make it easy to choose a dish for every taste.
When visiting Vancouver grocery stores, tourists will be amazed to see so many different cheeses. Indeed, there are dozens of different types of this popular product. There are many historic farmhouses near the city. Some types of pressed cheeses are only available in Vancouver because they are not made anywhere else in the world. Cheese is also an important ingredient in many dishes.
Where to park in Vancouver?
The city has a competent transport line, so its residents do not suffer from many kilometers of traffic jams. You can park your vehicle on the streets of the city mainly from 9:00 to 22:00 on weekdays for $0.75-$7.55 per hour. The maximum allowable parking time is approximately 1 - 4 hours. On weekends and holidays, many car parks operate free of charge. Known parkings are:
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Vancouver 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 Vancouver is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €17, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Mercedes CLA is €60per day.
In Vancouver you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
In Vancouver budget cars like Ford Fiesta or Fiat 500 can be booked for €27-€38 per day. This is provided that the contract is concluded on the spot. If you choose the same cars in advance on our website, you will save. Cars with a class: Mercedes CLA, Toyota Rav-4, Peugeot 308 Estate - will cost an average of €27 per day. You can also find minivans, luxury cars, business class cars and electric cars. Rental costs from €38 up to several hundred euros per day.
In recent years in Vancouver the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent BMW i3 in Vancouver by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
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.
Early Booking Discount
Vancouver is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
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 500 or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Vancouver.
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. Peugeot 308 Estate will cost €29 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 at the time of 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 recommendations
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
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Vancouver, 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.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Vancouver - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Vancouver is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Vancouver
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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