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 €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
In the summer, you should be prepared for an increase in the cost of rent. Price growth can be about 30-50% with a simultaneous reduction in the range of available offers. For example, the average price during July for Mercedes C Class starts from €33per day.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
We have the largest selection of cars in Vancouver - Downtown. What do we offer:
New cars 2024 of the year.
Cars of any class from budget to premium.
A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.
Car rental costs in Vancouver depend on its duration, car class and specific season. A budget category Ford Focus or Renault Twingoare available for just €42-€28 per day. When booking through Bookingautos.com, the price will be from €13. The higher segment will cost more. The daily fee for Mercedes C Class, VW Tiguan, VW Passat Estate will be about €42. There are also available minivans, luxury cars, electric cars and business class cars. Their rental starts from €70 and can reach several hundred euros per day.
Recently, in Vancouver 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 Vancouver, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Hyundai Ioniq.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Everything you need to know about car hire in Vancouver
Download Google maps offline
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 now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Renault Twingo or Ford Focus. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting VW Passat Estate in Vancouver will cost €33 per day.
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
Rental companies in Vancouver may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). 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 Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel Policy
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 Vancouver - Downtown 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
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 prices and conditions from different car 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
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 Vancouver are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Car pick-up procedure
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 main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Vancouver - Downtown
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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