How to find a cheap car hire deal in Calgary
Pick up a cheap rental car in Calgary for an average of ج.م. 4,593 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, so you can easily compare prices and book.
The cheapest daily price for a rental in Calgary is ج.م. 805.
Staying a while and want to explore beyond the main attractions? ج.م. 3,589 is the best rate for a weekly rental.
If smart timing is part of your strategy, book about four weeks ahead to land the best price on a Calgary car hire.
Line up your ride with Routes Car Rentals, Avis or Hertz. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
The coverage Routes Car Rentals or another company offers for your Calgary car hire can vary, so be sure to go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge a fee for it.
Booking one-way could snag you a bargain on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Simply click 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Calgary.
Cut down on fuel costs by picking a vehicle that has a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car with a full tank and drop it off full, so you're only paying for what you use.
Want to explore without stressing about the number of miles you clock up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and drive as far as you like without the extra costs.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value for money comes from this company, with average prices at ج.م. 3,643 a day.
Offering daily rates of around ج.م. 5,240, this provider is next in line.
The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly ج.م. 2,321 a day with this supplier.
Need a car that covers most travel plans? The Compact rental category is the crowd favourite among travellers visiting Calgary.
Flying to Calgary? Think about an airport pick-up
Keep arrival day hassle-free by booking a car hire at Calgary International Airport. If you're flying to Calgary through this airport, simply pick up your wheels after landing and go. The drive to the city centre is about 19 kilometres and takes around 25 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Calgary
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Calgary gets you moving without breaking the bank. These compact, fuel-efficient rides are ideal for short trips and city driving.
Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the rental that's juuuust right! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are suited to small families and couples.
Large: Offering greater driving comfort and enhanced tech features, this Calgary car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV goes wherever you do. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for backroads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and improved safety features.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Calgary that can handle a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van has room where it matters. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group outings, moving or business needs.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your Calgary car hire is damaged or stolen. While not compulsory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Just remember that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you know exactly what's included.
Upgrade your ride with handy extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. These features can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Calgary.
Good to know
Rental age requirements aren't the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could encounter extra costs or restrictions. Check the exact rules for each supplier before booking your rental in Canada.
If the kids are tagging along, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Calgary car hire reservation. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.
Bring the right documents to avoid delays at pick-up. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no copies) and a second photo ID. Also keep a credit card handy to cover the required excess. If anything extra is required, you'll find it in your booking.
Driving in Canada may feel unfamiliar if it's your first time. Be aware that traffic travels on the right side of the road.
Follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 45kph in urban areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% applies in Canada. The most reliable way to be safe to drive is to avoid drinking completely.
Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid peak travel times generally for a more relaxed drive.
You'll be using the Canadian dollar (CAD) for everyday expenses here. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cards and cash to make sure you're always covered.
The language most commonly spoken in this country is English.
Best hotels in Calgary for drivers
Spend less time circling for a parking space and more time relaxing at Holiday Inn & Suites Calgary South - Conference Ctr. About 8 kilometres from central Calgary, it comes with parking, a restaurant and luggage storage.
The Dorian, Autograph Collection also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features parking, plus express check-in and luggage storage. Base yourself here and you'll be roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.
Browse the range of hotels in Calgary for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find exactly what you're after. You can also use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.
You're ready to make some memories now you've found a car hire deal in Calgary and your hotel. From Banff Trail Park to Stampede park and Calgary Stampede Trailblazer Centre, there's plenty to keep you busy here.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Calgary
Airdrie should be on your to-do list if you'd like to visit Fitzsimmons Brewing Company and Nose Creek Valley Museum. This city is about 27 kilometres north of central Calgary.
Best Western Plus Airdrie Gateway and Motel 6 Airdrie, AB are popular accommodation options with parking in Airdrie.
Or pick up your cheap car hire in Calgary and drive around 32 kilometres northwest to Cochrane. Featuring Historic Cochrane Ranche and Bow RiversEdge Campground, its highlights live up to the hype.
Relax after a day of exploring Cochrane at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cochrane or Super 8 by Wyndham Cochrane. These hotels cater to guests with cars.
Want to head even further out? Lethbridge is a top road trip destination that's around 177 kilometres southeast of Calgary. Consider making a few pit stops at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and Fort Whoop Up.
Browse the room options at Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre or Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Lethbridge. They're a convenient base for exploring everything Lethbridge has to offer. They also have parking available.
