Vancouver is one of the biggest cities in Canada and is located within British Columbia.
It’s famous for its breathtaking landscapes and laid-back atmosphere, which has made it one of the most ‘liveable places in the world’.
As we discovered on our visit, there are tons of awesome things to do in Vancouver itself, but its fantastic location also means it’s a great starting point for a road trip.
Nearby you’ll find Vancouver Island, but there are many more places to explore in this part of Canada.
For those who don’t plan to hire a campervan in Vancouver, there are plenty of options when it comes to car rentals. This will allow you complete flexibility when it comes to planning your own itinerary.
You’ll find lots of options to choose from when it comes to renting a car in Vancouver.
To help with your decision, we’ve put a list together of the best rental companies out there!
Let's get straight into it ...
You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Vancouver car rentals, so how do you possibly decide? Well, we’d recommend checking out Rentalcars to make your search that much easier.
Rentalcars is an online comparison tool that compares rental prices from over 500 different suppliers, including the likes of Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis.
It’s an extremely easy platform to use and you can save up to 70% off rental prices. That’s a lot of extra money that you can spend while on your trip!
All you need to do is input your pick-up location, the dates of your trip, and your age, then you’re good to go. This platform will then show you all the best deals - it’s that simple.
Some other great reasons to book with Rentalcars include:
Hertz is one of the most popular rental companies in the world. Offering an extensive vehicle fleet, a best-rate guarantee, and a flexible cancellation policy, it’s not hard to see why!
One of the highlights of this company is its loyalty program - Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. It’s free to join and you can save up to 10% off rentals.
You can also enjoy long-term hire with Hertz if you need to rent a vehicle for longer than 28 days. Not only that, but this company offers the cheapest car rentals in Vancouver!
There are a variety of vehicles to choose from with Hertz, and they typically seat 5 people. This makes the company a great option for families and groups.
The majority of rentals are automatic and they range in size from a standard car to a large SUV such as a Toyota RAV4.
If you’re looking to rent a car in Vancouver, Canada, then make sure you check out this awesome rental company!
National has over 1,500 rental locations across the world, with many of these being located in North America. As such, it’s a great option for one-way rentals, especially as unlimited mileage is included with some vehicles.
This company also offers the ‘Emerald Club’ where you’ll benefit from special privileges, free rental days, and priority service.
National offers a variety of vehicles, with many of them featuring automatic transmission. Typically, the cars seat 4-5 people, which makes them a great option for families and groups.
Some of the makes available include the Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta, Chevy Colorado, and the BMW 3 series. If you’re looking to head off the beaten path, then there are also some great jeeps.
Alamo is one of the best options for car rental in Vancouver, Canada. This rental company has been around since 1974 so they’re well established.
Alamo prides itself on having no hidden charges, fully inclusive prices, and award-winning customer service. Not only that but free breakdown assistance is included with every rental. All prices include vehicle taxes and fees too.
As the pickup location is located in Vancouver International Airport, you can simply pick up your vehicle, and then get going!
You’ll have a wide variety of vehicles to choose from with Alamo. This includes small cars, full-size vehicles such as the Toyota Camry, and large pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Siverado 1500 Crew Cab.
With this company, you’ll also have the option of 4x4 jeeps, luxury convertibles, and large SUVs. The majority of vehicles are automatic transmission.
If you’re looking to hire a car in Vancouver, then make sure you check out Mex. Originating in Mexico (hence the name) this company now has a variety of locations across North America.
Mex offers some of the cheapest rental rates in Vancouver by far, especially as car hire can be super expensive in this city.
Each vehicle also includes CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), and you don’t need a credit card to book which is always helpful. Not only that, but Mex offers one-way rentals.
There are plenty of great cars on offer with Mex, including a Mazda 2, Toyota Camry, Infinity QX60, and Chevrolet Tahoe. Whether you’re after a compact vehicle or a large SUV, this company has something for everyone.
Now, you can’t choose a particular vehicle with Mex so just keep that in mind.
Dollar Car Rental is one of the most popular rental options when it comes to hiring a car in North America. They offer affordable hire cars and have a large fleet, especially as new vehicles are added every year.
On their website, you’ll often find some special discounts too, and this can be up to 25% off the rental. Dollar also offers monthly and long-term car rentals.
Even better, many of their vehicles include unlimited kilometers, so you won’t have to worry about extra expenses when it comes to fuel.
Like many other rental companies in Vancouver, the vehicles are split up into categories; Mid Size, Standard, Full Size, Premium, and SUV (the latter includes three separate categories).
Some of the cars available include a Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, Dodge Charger, and a Jeep Compass.
Ace has been around for decades so they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to car rentals.
Offering branches across Canada and the United States, this company is another great option if you’re looking to do a one-way trip and drop the vehicle off elsewhere.
The one thing to keep in mind with Ace is that their rentals are more expensive than others that we’ve mentioned in this guide. However, as their vehicles include unlimited mileage, you won’t have to buy any additional km packages.
All of Ace’s vehicles are automatic transmission and they seat between 5 to 7 people. The cheapest option includes the likes of a Kia Rio, while the more expensive vehicles include a BMW X3 and Tesla Model 3.
Whether you’re after a standard car or a luxury BMW, this rental company has something for everyone!
Whether you’re looking for long-term hire or a one-way rental, you’re sure to find what you're looking for with Sixt.
This renowned rental company operates in over 100 countries across the world and has lots of experience when it comes to hire cars. One of the highlights of this company is that many of the vehicles come with unlimited mileage!
However, keep in mind that you need to be at least 25, if you’re wanting to rent a car in Vancouver with Sixt.
There are several vehicles to choose from in Vancouver with Sixt. These seat up to 7 people so are perfect for families, and the majority of them are automatic transmission.
Some popular makes include the Ford Escape, BMW 3 Series, Ford Edge, and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Thrifty has branches throughout Canada and the United States and they pride themselves on having no hidden fees.
Not only are their rentals affordable, but they’ve got a branch at the airport, so your road trip can start as soon as you land. You can also save up to 10% off your rental if you pre-pay which is certainly worth looking into.
The one thing to consider with Thrifty is that you won’t have as much choice when it comes to vehicles. However, there are still some great options on offer.
There are four categories to choose from with this company; Standard Size, Full Size, Premium, and SUV. The vehicle you get will all depend on which category you go for, as the cars are grouped by size.
Carwiz is primarily located in Europe, but they have started opening branches in North America. The Vancouver branches are relatively recent, but you can find some fantastic rental deals here.
Each rental comes with a collision damage waiver, theft protection, and Third Party Liability (TPL), so you know you’re covered while out on the road.
Better yet, many of the vehicles come with unlimited mileage, so you won’t have to worry about racking up expenses (especially as many of the other rentals have a limited mileage policy).
Carwiz offers a variety of vehicles from affordable cars to luxury jeeps. The majority of them are automatic transmission, and they typically seat between 5 to 7 people.
Some of the vehicles available with Carwiz include a Honda Civic, Chevrolet Sonic, Toyota Camry, and Ford Explorer. If you don’t mind forking out the cash, then you can always go for a Jeep Wrangler.
The depot for Economy Rentacar is just a 20-minute drive from Central Vancouver, so it’s still in a great location. Here, you’ll have a wide variety of vehicles to choose from.
Economy Rentacar also offers a toll-free customer service line, so you’ll be able to contact the team if you have any queries or issues.
If you’re after affordable car rental in Vancouver, BC then you’ll want to check this company out. However, just keep in mind that taxes aren’t included, so this will be an additional expense
If you opt for Economy Rentacar, then you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to vehicles. The cheapest option is a small 2/4 door and includes the likes of a Chevrolet Spark.
There are more expensive vehicles available too including luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5, and luxury sports cars, like the Porshe 911 Carrera.
The cost of car hire in Vancouver will all depend on the type of car you go for, the company you choose, and the time of year. Your age is also likely to play a part in the price!
Generally, you can expect to pay between £80-£100 per day for a small vehicle and between £110-£130 per day for a large car. Unfortunately, car rental is extremely expensive in Vancouver.
Typically the minimum age for renting a car in Vancouver is 21, although, in other areas of Canada, people can hire a vehicle as young as 18.
However, you’ll find that many companies will only hire to you if you’re over the age of 25. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to pay a young driver’s surcharge fee.
If you’re only planning to stay in Vancouver, then you don’t need a car to get around the city. The public transport network here is very efficient, so it just wouldn’t be worth it.
However, there are tons of fantastic day trip opportunities from Vancouver. If you’re planning to head out of the city, then we’d definitely recommend hiring a car, as this allows you more flexibility.
To rent a car in Canada, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, a passport (if you’re not a resident), and a credit card (in most cases).
If your driver’s license isn’t in English, then you’ll also require an International Driver’s Permit. The documents required will differ depending on your country of origin, so make sure you do your research first.
Vancouver is undoubtedly one of the best places in Canada to visit as it’s got so much to offer. However, you’ll also find plenty of incredible spots outside of the city.
First of all, there are lots of awesome day trips you can do from Vancouver. This includes Vancouver Island, Squamish, and Whistler.
However, if you’re looking to head out on an awesome Canadian road trip then the beautiful province of Alberta is just next door. Here, you’ll find the popular national parks of Banff and Jasper.
There are endless places to visit in this incredible country, so you may want to work out how much time you have first. This way, you can then plan your itinerary around that, and prioritize the destinations that are at the top of your list.
If you’re planning to explore Canada here are some other guides you may find helpful:
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