Car hire in Canada

Canada is one of the world’s largest countries, offering visitors the chance to experience a variety of cultures, a beautiful landscape and a rich history. From the unique French heritage of Quebec to the vibrant cities of British Columbia, there is something for everyone. Given the vast size of each Canadian region, it is well worth considering booking car hire in Canada as a mode of transport during any visit. We offer one of the best opportunities to grab a deal with giants such as Budget, National, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo and Hertz. Canada car hire depots are available in the majority of it's cities and towns.

Car hire driving tips in Canada

Considering that flying from one side of Canada to the other usually takes between five and six hours, it’s unsurprising that Canada car rental suppliers offer one of the most popular ways to see the country. However, given the vast size of each Canadian province, most visitors generally concentrate on just one of them during their stay here. Canada rental car firms are generous in that they offer free unlimited kilometres to all customers hiring a vehicle. However, those that leave the province in which they hire a vehicle may find that the free limit drops as low as 200kms. This is another good reason to limit a trip to the confines of a particular region.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: foreign visitors are allowed to drive on their home country license while visiting Canada.

Which side does Canada drive on: the right.

Speed limits: vary according to province but are usually marked.

Highways (outside urban areas): 100kph

Two-lane highways outside cities: 80kph

Local roads: 60-70kph

Urban roads: 40-50kph

Alcohol limits: vary according to province, but can be as low as 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. Visitors exceeding the designated national limit of 0.08 per cent can expect a heavy fine or deportation.

Driving age: varies according to province but is generally 17 (between 21 and 25 to hire a car).

Compulsory items: snow tyres are mandatory in Quebec (15 December to 15 March) and British Columbia (1 October to 30 April).

Seatbelts: must be worn at all times. Front-facing child seats are mandatory for small children.

Mobile phones and GPS: conventional usage of a mobile phone while driving is illegal, so a hands-free kit is necessary for those who wish to make or receive calls. Those who wish to use a GPS unit should enter the relevant information before departure as some provinces have heavy fines for using GPS while driving. If you decide to book cheap car hire in Canada through CarRentals.co.uk then you can select Sat Nav as an added extra if you don't have one of your own.

Cost of fuel in Canada: unleaded petrol (87, 89, 91 and 94 octane) and diesel are just over half of the cost as in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: To obtain a Canadian hire car the customer must be able to produce a valid credit card in order to reserve a vehicle. However, final payment can be made by cash or debit card. Unlike in the UK, some Canadian provinces require customers to pay for fuel upfront, but almost all petrol stations accept credit cards.

Insurance: third-party insurance is mandatory and usually provided by the car hire firm. Many credit cards (when used to pay for a rental car) cover additional costs in the event of a collision. Those who don’t have such cover should consider investing in Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).

Traffic and parking: visitors should try to avoid parking on the street in restricted areas as this could lead to the car being towed away. Instead, they should look for municipal car parks, marked by a green ‘P’ sign. Outside congested large cities, driving can be a pleasure, but Canada’s harsh winters lead to some challenging road conditions.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Revel in the Rockies – departing from Revelstone, this scenic journey takes in 220kms of the Trans-Canada Highway, through the Canadian Rocky Mountains before eventually arriving at the breathtaking Lake Louise.

Reach for the sky – the ‘Sea to Sky Highway’ takes in some of the most varied and stunning scenery in the country. This 150km stretch of Route 99 features fjords, mountains and waterfalls between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler, British Columbia.

Badlands Loop – this route offers drivers the chance to get away from the more typical forested and coastal routes, allowing them to experience some of Alberta’s moon-like landscapes. The journey can be completed in two hours, but it is well worth spending a week exploring the region’s many attractions.

Cabot Trail – this 185-mile long trail is most famous for its views of St Lawrence Bay, where motorists and cyclists alike can spend two or three days discovering this beautiful part of Cape Breton Island.

Canada travel tips

Canada is a popular holiday destination among those from the UK, appealing to more than 700,000 Britons each year. It is easy to feel at home in ‘English Canada’, but this cultural melting pot ensures a touch of exoticism and allure along with familiarity. Most visits are without incident, but it is common sense to do a little research about any destination before departure in order to ensure a stress-free trip.

Canada weather and tourist seasons

Given the vast area which Canada covers, it is difficult to describe the country’s climate. Areas in the south of Canada avoid the most extreme weather that is often experienced by the north. In fact, summers in southern cities can get quite hot. Coastal weather is a lot more temperate than the weather inland, with coastal areas seeing much more rainfall than other parts of the country. The peak tourist season is from the end of May to the beginning of September across much of the country. Up in the mountains ski seasons can run throughout the year. Make sure you purchase our added extra snow chains when reserving Canadian Car Hire.

Canada contact numbers (+1)

Emergency services – 911

Non-emergency services – 311 (main cities)

British High Commission – 1 613 237 1530

US Embassy – 1 613 688 5335

Irish Embassy – 1 613 233 6281

Australian High Commission – 1 613 236 0841

New Zealand High Commission – 1 613 238 5991

Canadian Tourism Commission – 1 604 638 8300

Holidays and festivals

Canadians observe the main Western holidays, such as New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day. In addition, Canada Day (1 July) and Labour Day (first Monday in September) are both mandatory. Many employers join state enterprises in closing their doors on Easter Monday and Boxing Day. Depending on the province, federal employees have the privilege of a number of other public holidays such as Thanksgiving (second Monday in October), when families and close friends come together for a magnificent turkey feast.

Money matters

The Canadian dollar (C$) is the local currency, readily available by exchanging foreign currency at a local bank. In addition, many businesses accept US dollars (US$), sometimes giving a slightly worse rate of exchange than the banks. Private currency exchange booths tend to beat the banks in terms of fees and exchange rates.

Health and safety

Health issues in Canada tend to be similar to those in other developed countries in the West. However, it is worth keeping a look out for any of the mosquito-borne outbreaks which occur from time to time, such as West Nilevirus. Travellers should ensure that their health insurance is up to date since healthcare is not free for those visiting Canada.

Fitting in…

Nearly half of all Canadians claim to be British descendents, with locals retaining many of the cultural norms that are familiar in the UK. Many others are of French descent, especially in Quebec, where a few words of French can go very far. Canadians strongly identify themselves with their province, meaning that there are significant regional differences. As such, guests might want to avoid discussing the sensitive issue of Quebec while travelling elsewhere in Canada.

Visas for Canada

Citizens of the UK, the USA, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand are among those who do not require a visa to enter Canada. These nationals will receive an entry stamp on arriving, allowing for a stay of up to six months.

Electricity

Canadian electronic appliances run on 110-120 Volts, meaning that travellers from the UK and Australia must use a transformer with their 240 Volt appliances. Canadian plug sockets are suitable for North American ‘Type B’ plugs only, so some travellers will need to purchase a plug adaptor.

Business hours
Like other aspects of life in this country, business hours can greatly depend on the province. In many provinces, such as British Columbia, shops can open 365 days a year if they wish. Other provinces, such as Quebec, force their shops to close on public holidays. A smaller number of territories, such as Manitoba, restrict Sunday opening. Generally, shopping centres are open from 10:00 until 21:00 during the week, 09:30 to 18:00 on Saturdays and noon until 17:00 on Sundays.

Helpful phrases

Canadian English;

Check - Bill

Washroom – Toilet

Lounge (hotel) – Bar

First floor – Ground floor

French (Quebec);

Bonjour – Hello

S’il vous plaît – Please

Merci – Thank you

Oui/non – Yes/no

Resources online