Search and compare cheap car rentals in Calgary city from top brands
Explore ‘Cowtown’ with a Calgary car rental
Pick up a Calgary car rental and explore an exciting multicultural city centre infused with fantastic entertainment, sports mania, and cowboy culture. The largest city in Alberta and the engine room of Canada’s oil industry, contemporary Calgary sits just above the southern foothills and serves as a gateway to the mountains beyond. Freshwater rushes in via the beautiful Bow and Elbow rivers, a lovely sight against a backdrop of city skyscrapers, and its proximity to the Rockies lends itself to recreational and sightseeing opportunities of all kinds. Get a cheap car rental Calgary with Airport Rentals and hit the road.
Picking up a rental car in Calgary
Many car rental companies are located in and around Calgary, ideal for those staying in the city center. Other suppliers are operating at Calgary International Airport (YYC), making it easy to pick up your vehicle as soon as you arrive.
The airport is a busy travel hub with regular flights across Canada, the United States, and all over the globe. Pick up your vehicle in the Car Rental Centre, located on the Departures level across the roadway from the main terminal building.
If you wish to rent a car from off-airport locations in Calgary such as Routes Car & Truck Rentals, take advantage of their free pick up services. For your convenience, just arrange this with your chosen rental car company so you have the ease of reaching their depot in downtown Calgary Alberta.
No matter where you choose to collect your vehicle - whether at the airport or downtown, our website has the perfect car rental in Calgary in store for you. Find cheap car rental deals with Airport Rentals today and kickstart your journey.
Finding your way around with car rentals Calgary
Keep these driving tips in mind when you pick up a car rental in Calgary.
The airport is located 11 miles northeast of downtown Calgary. In light traffic, you can get to the central business district from Calgary International Airport in just 20 minutes via Deerfoot Trail and Memorial Drive.
Calgary is a very spread-out city that gets highly congested. The main highways like Deerfoot Trail (AB-2), Crowchild Trail, and Stoney Trail (AB-201) are designed to keep the flow of traffic moving. If you miss an exit, it takes time to get back on track. Plan ahead with a GPS and make sure you are in the correct lane.
Winter storms can create hazardous conditions and accidents in the snow are common. Make sure you are prepared and speak to your Calgary car rental provider about roadside assistance.
Hitchhiking is forbidden within the city limits, so don’t be tempted to pick anyone up while driving your car rental in Calgary.
Cyclists are regular road users, so always check your blind spot when opening your doors and give them plenty of space.
Use the Downtown Parking app to find a parking spot for your car rental at Calgary Airport or downtown. The Calgary Parking Authority offers free street parking after 6pm daily and all day Sundays and holidays. Shop and get free or next-to-free parking downtown with The CORE Shopping Centre, Banker’s Hall, and The Bay.
The usual speed limit on Calgary roads is 50 km/h (31 mph). Always be mindful when driving in school zones as the limit is just 30 km/h (19 mph). Freeways and highways are between 80 km/h (50 mph) and 110 km/h (68 mph). Always pay attention to the speed limits when driving your car rental in Calgary AB.
Calgary car rentals: Things to do
17th Avenue
Head here to enjoy a fantastic array of eclectic shops, delicious restaurants, and lively lounges. This exciting strip of road transforms to the Red Mile on NHL game nights when fans dress in red to cheer on the Calgary Flames.
Family-friendly
Calgary is full of attractions great for all ages, including the Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark Science Centre, Prince’s Island Park, Heritage Park Historical Village, Calaway Amusement Park, and Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Rocky Mountains
Head west to the mountains to enjoy hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and myriad other recreational opportunities. The beautiful resort towns of Banff and Canmore offer a touch of luxury and stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. If you still have time to spare, head to Lake Louise and Jasper for a nature tour.
Events
Calgary ropes in over 1 million visitors from all over Canada and across the world for its annual Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. Ten days of rodeoing, dancing, and cowboying takes over the city center, bringing one heck of a good time at the height of summer each year. Also, don't miss the Canada Day celebration and Calgary Folk Festival that is usually held in Prince's Island Park. Calgary also hosts some incredibly culturally diverse festivals, celebrating delectable cuisine, theatre, sport, winter, and more.
Dine
Hungry after a long travel in your rental car? Delicious eats are everywhere in Calgary! Take a break from your car rental journey and spend your whole visit strolling from venue to venue sampling delicacies. From Korean tapas and Mexican street food to delicious pub food and scrumptious fine dining, the foodie in you will never want to leave this urban centre. Great suggestions for restaurants like Alloy, Cibo, River Cafe, Rogue and Native Tongues will definitely satisfy your hunger.
City tour
You can opt to explore the streets and walkways of the city with ease on a guided Segway tour. Visit top spots such as the Bow River, Fort Calgary, Inglewood, St. Patrick's Island, and the Trans Canada Trail.
Visiting Calgary for a special occasion? There are premium/luxury vehicles available but the selection is limited. Book well in advance to secure the vehicle you want.
There is a wide selection of SUV car types in Calgary. If you have a large group or a lot of equipment, make sure you choose a 7-seater. The 5-seater vehicles can be deceptively small.
If you are planning a Canada road trip, most car rental companies allow you to pick up a vehicle in Calgary and drop it off somewhere else like Castlegar, Kelowna or other car rental locations in Canada. Type your chosen destination in the search function to see availability and the associated costs.
Rental cars Calgary: Frequently asked questions
Which car rental companies in Calgary have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The vast majority of car rental companies in Calgary have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies in response to the pandemic. You can check the individual policies of the companies on the listings in the search results, and you can also filter the results by ‘Enhanced cleaning’ to ensure thorough disinfection of your rental vehicle.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Calgary?
Calgary car rental prices vary depending on multiple factors including supply, demand, season, and dates of pick up and drop off. Calgary Alberta car rentals generally cost around CAD$87 per day. Check current prices and special offers across multiple companies instantly by typing your dates into the search function on this page.
Airport Rentals will give you all the options, so you can make the right choice. We also offer great deals on your rental cars in Calgary such as extra days of rental, upgrades, and other bonuses. Keep checking back so you don’t miss out.
What happens if I need to cancel my Calgary car reservation?
Most Calgary car rental companies offer free cancellation. Check the individual policies from each company on the rental listings before booking.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Calgary?
The ideal car rental for your trip to Calgary will depend on your plans. If staying in the city for a short time with friends, a compact car that is easy to maneuver will suit you. If heading to the mountains with ski equipment, a spacious SUV may be the best option. Ultimately the car type you are most comfortable driving is the best when navigating unfamiliar territory.
If you wish to filter by location, car types, passenger number, or rental company, simply click on the filter tools on the left-hand side of the page. You can also see the specifications of your vehicle rental deal. There could be unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft protection, and breakdown assistance.
What is the most popular rental car in Calgary?
As of the moment, the most frequently booked car type is Premium (Chevrolet Impala or similar). However, you may want to choose a vehicle that perfectly suits your needs and budget and not just by popularity.
With so many companies offering car rentals in Calgary, it’s difficult to know which option to choose. The beauty of our site is that we take all of the top brands so you don’t have to trawl the web searching for the best car rental deals in Calgary. All you have to do is input your travel details and the cheapest vehicle will appear first. From a two-door Toyota car to Opel mini-van or Ford four-wheel-drive, we have you covered.
What driver’s license do I need to drive a rental car in Calgary?
You need a full and valid driver’s license to drive a car rental in Calgary. If your license is in a language other than English or French, you may also require an International Driver’s Permit or a suitable translation.
Make sure you and any additional drivers carry the driver’s licenses when picking up the rental vehicle and when you’re out on the road.
What is the minimum rental period?
The minimum rental period for car rentals in Calgary varies per brand. Some suppliers allow rental for at least 24 hours, while others have a minimum of 3 days. Please double-check the rental agreement of your chosen rental car company or call their office directly for any clarifications.
Can I return the car rental outside operating hours?
In returning your auto, you must check the individual policy of each car rental company. Any special arrangements must be made with the local depot or airport locations, which will advise you of the associated costs.
Do I need to return my car rental with a full tank?
It’s always a good experience to start any road trip with a full tank. Please note that you’ll need to top it up before you drop off your Calgary car rentals.
Can I return the vehicle to other car rental locations?
Yes, most car rental companies in Calgary offer one-way rentals. You can collect your vehicle in Calgary and complete your adventure in other cities like Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, or anywhere in Canada. Make sure to check out our website and see available pick-up and drop-off locations to plan your itinerary well.
What is included in the rental rate?
Once you have made your selections for your rental car in Calgary, just hit the SELECT button and this will take you to a summary of the optional extras you may want to avail. Here you will find everything itemized and showing what charges have to be paid. There may be separate listings for additional protection payments. Then you should be ready to press the GO FINAL STEP button so you can enter your complete personal and payment details. All charges are listed here including credit card charges. Don't worry, there are no hidden charges!
How to get the best car rental deals in Calgary?
Looking for cheap car rentals in Calgary? Gone are the days of having to browse the Internet catching discount code after another discount code from multiple websites just to secure the cheapest prices. Airport Rentals's partnership with the top-performing brands allows us to offer unbeatable deals you can access here.
More than 900,000 business and leisure renters have successfully used our robust search engine, with a fully trained customer service team ready to answer any queries on rental cars. Our Price Beat Guarantee means that if you find the same vehicle from the same supplier for the same dates at a cheaper price within 48 hours of booking, we will match that price and refund your Booking Service Fee. Just contact our customer support team and provide the dated competitor quote for the same vehicle for the travel dates and we will refund you the amount of our Booking Service Fee and the difference in price.
