Whether you are venturing into the stunning Rockies, exploring Toronto or road-tripping to Halifax, exploring all Canada has to offer is every travelers dream!
With so much to see, renting your own vehicle is essential for having the freedom to navigate this beautiful country at your own pace. If you aren't renting a campervan in Canada (like we did) hiring a car is the next best thing!
You will be able to get off the beaten track and plan your itinerary as you please without relying on public transport.
As renting a car is such a popular way to explore the country, you’ll find plenty of car rental companies available to you, but don't worry, we are here to help you narrow down your searches.
So let's get into the best car rental companies in Canada!
If you are hunting for the best car rental company in Canada, you might be wondering where to start since there are an overwhelming amount of options!
This is where Discover Cars comes in handy!
Simply enter your planned pick-up and drop-off locations and dates and they will list heaps of vehicles available to you for an assortment of different trip types and budgets, all from reputable rental companies.
You can then use their easy-to-navigate website to narrow down your search further by filtering by price, transmission type, size, mileage and many more!
We love booking through Discover Cars as they put our minds at ease by having:
Wherever possible I have linked to Discover Cars below to make your search that bit simpler!
Pick up/drop off locations: 24 locations across Canada including Banff, Calgary, Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver
Price range: $$
Best suited for: Everyone!
Availability: Check here
When it comes to finding the best car rental in Canada, Alamo is top of our list! Their reputation across the world has been glowing since 1974 and it's clear to see why.
They pride themselves on their outstanding customer service, transparent pricing and excellent fleet of vehicles available at the most convenient of locations.
No matter which airport you land in Canada, there will likely be an Alamo pick-up point, ready for you to embark on your adventure!
So whether you're looking for car rentals in Vancouver or Toronto, this company is a fantastic pick.
Alamo has a huge range of vehicles available for all budgets and types of trips!
This includes smaller economy cars, SUVs, pick-up trucks, minivans, Ford Mustang convertibles, Jeep Wranglers and premium cars. All of their vehicles are reliable, comfortable and have automatic transmissions!
Pick up/drop off locations: Toronto Pearson Airport
Price range: $$
Best suited for: Those starting their trip in Toronto
Availability: Check here
Surprice is a company that is primarily based in Europe, but it is continuously growing and now operates in 33 countries.
Two new pick-up locations have been added in Toronto, Canada. The company is committed to delivering excellent services to its customers at an affordable price and with flexible terms.
What sets Surprice apart is its commitment to providing 24/7 knowledgeable and friendly customer support.
Whether you require assistance with planning your trip or need help on the road, their customer service representatives are always available to assist you.
As you can imagine, Surprice has a number of vehicles available to rent for all budgets and trip types. Everything from their economy Toyota Yaris, to their Intermediate Hyundai Sonata, or even their Elite SUVs.
All of their vehicles are highly rated and come with unlimited mileage, collision damage waivers, roadside assistance and theft protection.
Pick up/drop off locations: Toronto, Etobicoke, Brampton, Mississauga, Scarborough, Malton, Toronto Pearson Airport
Price range: $$-$$$
Best suited for: Those aged 24+
Availability: Check here
City Car & Truck Rentals is a Canadian-owned company that provides car, truck and van rentals to those looking to hire across Canada.
Their dedication to top-notch customer service shines through from booking to drop-off, ensuring an enjoyable journey for all and with their price-match guarantee, you can be sure you are getting the best deal possible.
A unique feature is the option to pay by either credit or debit card which isn't common for Canadian rentals.
It is worth noting that you need to be at least 23 years of age to rent one of their rentals and there is an additional young driver’s fee for those aged 23-24.
City Car & Truck Rentals have heaps of vehicles available for every occasion! Everything from 12-seater vans, SUVs, and moving trucks to compact cars.
Each vehicle comes with 1600km free per rental but with so many places to visit in Canada, if you are planning a full road trip, you might want to opt for a company that allows unlimited mileage!
Pick up/drop off locations: All across the country
Price range: $
Best suited for: road trippers!
Availability: Check here
No matter where your Canadian road trip begins, Thrifty will undoubtedly have a pick-up spot ready for you to begin your journey, as they have car rental locations all over the country!
Thrifty are committed to providing great customer service, with their flexible amendment and cancellation policies, they understand plans change and want to put your mind at ease.
Our favourite thing about Thrifty is that they offer exceptional value for money, combining affordability with a quality service.
Thrifty is also known for its transparent pricing with no hidden fees so you don't need to worry about a few unsuspecting zeros being added to your final bill!
As such it offers some of the cheapest car rentals in Canada.
Despite their lower prices, Thrifty have a vast range of high-quality vehicles available to hire in Canada!
They range from economic smaller cars ideal for city exploring and experiencing all there is to do in Vancouver, all the way to their large SUVs perfect for a family road trip across Canada.
If you aren't too worried about what kind of vehicle you get for your rental, why not opt for their Wild Card vehicle, which is available at an even lower rate!
Pick up/drop off locations: All across Canada, including airport and neighbourhood locations
Price range: $$
Best suited for: Everyone!
Availability: Check here
Dollar truly shines through as one of Canada's top car rental companies (it's also a fantastic option for car rentals in the United States).
With heaps of pick-up and drop-off locations sprinkled across the country, they are an excellent choice no matter where you are arriving.
As you can probably tell by their name, they strive to keep prices low and promise to always be transparent about pricing.
This makes them another great option if you're after budget car rental in Canada.
Dollar has been in operation since 1965 which speaks volumes to their global trustworthiness. If you are a frequent car renter, do check out their Dollar Express Rewards Program which offers extra discounts and perks to their loyal customers!
Dollar has a huge selection of cars available in Canada including some pretty stylish options like their Dodge Charger and their GMC YUKON XL 4WD!
They also have some smaller cars for city exploring so whether you are off to see the Rockies, cities or coastlines, Dollar will have a vehicle that meets all your needs.
Pick up/drop off locations: All across Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and more!
Price range: $$-$$$
Best suited for: Business travelers
Availability: Check here
We couldn't compile a best car rental company list without giving National a mention as they are huge players in the game!
With over 1500 rental locations globally, you won't struggle to find a pick-up spot to start your trip in Canada.
While they are a great choice for all renters, they are especially ideal for those traveling for business or going on shorter trips.
National also have one of the best loyalty programs in their Emerald Club, giving you all kinds of special privileges including free rental days, speedy check-out and priority access to vehicles.
In our opinion, National is one of the best rental car companies in Canada so make sure you check them out.
You won't be surprised to hear that National have heaps of vehicles available in Canada to choose from, many of which are of a premium quality!
If you want to experience all the fun things to do in Toronto in style, why not opt for a Ford Mustang convertible or a luxury Chrysler 300?
They also have a range of practical cars too if you are planning on getting a bit more off the beaten track.
All of the vehicles are automatic transmissions and come with unlimited mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance!
Pick up/drop off locations: All across Canada!
Price range: $$-$$$
Best suited for: Everyone
Availability: Check here
Hertz is one of the most popular rental companies in the world, operating in over 150 countries!
They have a great array of vehicles, a top-notch loyalty program, incredible customer service and discounts and offers running all year round.
Also, if you are a renter over the age of 50, you can get 20% off your overall rental price!
For future reference, Hertz is a fantastic choice if you're planning a trip to the United States as well, as they offer car rentals in San Francisco and Las Vegas too!
If you choose to rent with Hertz you will have no shortage of vehicles to choose from as they have a wide variety in their fleet!
Everything from Teslas, large SUVs, pick-ups, minivans and economic compact cars, there is an option for every type of trip.
Pick up/drop off locations: Calgary Airport, Vancouver Downtown, Edmonton International Airport, Kelowna, Langley, Richmond, Surrey Downtown, Toronto and Vancouver Airport.
Price range: $$$
Best suited for: Everyone!
Availability: Check here
Looking for a hassle-free car rental experience in Canada? ACE Rent a Car offers a user-friendly booking system and exceptional customer service to make your journey stress-free.
With multiple pick-up locations spread across the country, you can explore Canada with ease.
Plus, their membership program offers bonus points and rewards for frequent renters. Check it out and start earning rewards for every dollar spent!
They also offer car rentals in Los Angeles and other major American cities if you're planning a trip to the U.S.
No matter what kind of trip in Canada you are planning, ACE Rent a Car will have a vehicle that meets all your needs.
Whether you are looking for a family-sized SUV to embark on a large road trip or a stylish vehicle for your business needs, they have you covered!
If you are struggling to decide which vehicle is suitable for you, their knowledgeable customer service team are always on hand to advise you further.
Pick up/drop off locations: Mississauga Downtown and Toronto Airport
Price range: $$-$$$
Best suited for: Eco-conscious travelers
Availability: Check here
If you are a conscious-minded traveler, you might want to consider opting for GreenMotion if you're looking to rent a car in Canada.
GreenMotion is passionate about reducing energy consumption and is the world leader in lower CO2 car and van rentals! They strive to keep all elements of their business environmentally friendly from the recycled water they use to wash vehicles to their low-energy lighting.
While their prices might be slightly higher than some of the other companies on this list, we always like to promote those companies that are passionate about greener travel!
GreenMotion has several different cars available, in a range of sizes, models and prices but all promise to have low carbon emissions.
Their smallest car is their Kia Rio, a petrol automatic that comfortably seats four people with their largest vehicle being their eight-seater Kia Carnival, ideal for families.
GreenMotion has two different packages available when booking their cars, their basic package which comes with 1400km free per rental and less flexible booking options, or their premium plus option which comes with unlimited mileage and free cancellation policies.
Pick up/drop off locations: Toronto Airport, Calgary Airport, Montreal Airport, Ottawa Airport and Vancouver Airport.
Price range: $$
Best suited for: Everyone
Availability: Check here
Routes Car Rental is a Canadian-based car hire company that has been running since 1998.
They have an assortment of airport pick-up locations scattered across the country, one of which is in Calgary Airport which is ideal if you want to embark on a road trip and see all Banff has to offer - which we highly recommend (especially the private hot tub hotels).
They are a pretty affordable company and have extra discounts and savings running all year round!
Do keep an eye out for extra charges before you opt to rent from them though as some users have found some pesky hidden fees along the way.
Routes Car Rental, like most of the options on this list, have a great assortment of cars available in their fleet!
They have a range of cars ideal for all kinds of travelers and even some more unique vehicles like pick-up trucks, Jeep Wranglers and vans and cargo trucks if you are renting a vehicle to move heavier items!
The price of a car rental in Canada will completely depend on which company you hire through, what vehicle you choose, where you pick up from and the time of year you are visiting.
On average, you should typically expect to pay between $30-$100+ per day for a car rental in Canada.
When renting a car in Canada, you generally need to be at least 21 to rent a car.
Some companies will only rent to those over the age of 23 and many will charge an additional fee to renters under the age of 25 so if you are renting as a young person, do shop around to find the best deal.
Of course!
There are so many incredible road trips in Canada to embark on with some of the most popular being The Cape Breton Trail, The Dempster Highway, The Rocky Mountains, or even a full cross-Canada road trip!.
Absolutely! Honestly, having your own vehicle is the best way to explore the country.
There are lots of sights to see, many of which are away from major cities and airports so having a car is vital to seeing all the country has to offer.
While you can book tours, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Canada at your own pace and see some of those lesser-known spots!
We did a cross-country trip across the country and some of our favorite provinces have to be Alberta, Québec and Ontario!
There are tons of awesome places to visit within these three provinces, including Jasper, Montreal, Niagara Falls, and Québec City.
Now you've got an idea of the best car rentals in Canada it's time to plan your epic road trip!
Here are some other guides you may find helpful:
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