Compare Car Hire Prices in Canada

Search car hire at Canadian airports and city locations, compare prices and choose a car that suits your budget. You’ll also find practical information about winter tyres, toll roads, provincial driving rules and long-distance travel below.

Popular Canada collection points

Location	Useful for
Toronto Pearson Airport	Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ontario and routes towards Ottawa
Vancouver Airport	Vancouver, Whistler, British Columbia and Vancouver Island
Calgary Airport	Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and the Canadian Rockies
Montréal Trudeau Airport	Montréal, Québec City and wider Québec
Halifax Airport	Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada
Ottawa Airport	Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Québec
Edmonton Airport	Alberta, Jasper and northern regional routes

Canada driving basics

Drive	On the right
Speed units	Kilometres per hour
Road rules	Driving laws and speed limits are set provincially and territorially, so rules can differ across Canada.
Right turn on red	Generally permitted after a complete stop where signs do not prohibit it. Local exceptions apply.
Montréal	Right turns on red are prohibited throughout the island of Montréal.
Seat belts	Seat-belt laws apply throughout Canada.

Always follow local signs. Provincial and municipal rules can differ even when travelling on the same road trip.

Winter tyres in Canada

Area	What to know
Québec	Québec-registered vehicles, including rental vehicles, must use approved winter tyres from 1 December to 15 March.
British Columbia	Winter tyres or chains are required on most designated routes from 1 October to 30 April.
Some B.C. routes	Requirements on selected lower-elevation routes end on 31 March. Follow the posted winter-tyre signs.
Other provinces	Requirements and recommendations vary. Check the rules for your province and route.
Rental car	Do not assume that every Canadian rental automatically has winter tyres. Confirm what is fitted before booking winter or mountain travel.

Canada toll roads

Most roads	Most Canadian roads and motorways are toll-free.
Highway 407 ETR	Ontario's Highway 407 ETR is an all-electronic toll highway with no toll booths.
Rental vehicles	407 ETR records the journey and bills the vehicle owner, which means the rental company receives the charge first.
Additional charges	Rental-car charges can include the toll, camera or account charges and rental-company administration fees.
Other tolls	Some bridges and crossings elsewhere in Canada may also charge tolls.

Ask the rental provider how electronic tolls are handled before using a tolled road.

Long-distance driving in Canada

Distances	Canada is extremely large. Journey times between regions can be much longer than they appear on a map.
Fuel	Fuel is widely available in populated areas, but stations can be widely spaced on remote and northern routes.
Wildlife	Watch for deer, elk, moose and other wildlife, particularly around dawn, dusk and at night.
Mountain roads	Snow, ice, steep gradients, weather and seasonal closures can affect routes through the Rockies and other mountain regions.
Remote travel	Mobile coverage can be limited. Download maps and check fuel and service stops before travelling.

Driving in Québec

Language	French is the main language on road signs in Québec.
Montréal red lights	Turning right on a red light is prohibited throughout the island of Montréal.
Elsewhere in Québec	A right turn on red is generally permitted after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it.
Winter tyres	Québec-registered rental vehicles must have approved winter tyres from 1 December to 15 March.

Taking a rental car into the United States

Permission	Many Canadian rental cars can be driven into the United States, but the rental company's conditions apply.
Insurance	Confirm that your rental cover remains valid in the United States.
Documents	Carry the rental agreement and any documentation required by the rental provider.
One-way return	Returning a Canadian rental vehicle in the United States may involve substantial fees or may not be permitted.
Border entry	Each traveller must separately meet U.S. immigration and entry requirements.

Driving licence requirements

Foreign driving-licence rules vary by province or territory. Visitors can generally use a valid home-country licence for a limited period, but Canada recommends obtaining an International Driving Permit before travel because it provides a translation into English and French. Check the rules for your destination province and the rental provider's requirements.

Canada car hire FAQs

Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Canada?

Many rental providers require an accepted card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Check the exact payment and deposit conditions before booking.

Should I collect my hire car at the airport or in the city?

Airport collection is convenient if you plan to start driving immediately. If you are spending several days in a city first, collecting the car later may avoid unnecessary parking and city traffic.

Official Canada driving information

Driving rules, winter requirements and road conditions differ by province and territory and can change. Check current official information and your rental provider's terms before travel.