How to find a cheap car hire deal in Vancouver
Searching for a cheap rental car in Vancouver? You're exactly where you need to be. With prices averaging $214 a day, we compare the best deals so you can book faster, spend smarter, and hit the road happy.
The cheapest daily rental price in Vancouver is $25.
Thinking of staying longer? Grab a weekly rental from $123 and explore beyond the usual highlights.
Consider this your cheat code for when to book. One week in advance is your sweet spot for driving off with the best price on a Vancouver car hire.
Routes Car Rentals, Hertz and Sixt are some of the top-ranked providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.
The coverage Routes Car Rentals or another supplier includes with your Vancouver car hire can differ, so always go over the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra charge.
Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Select 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles between locations, which means you can snag some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in Vancouver.
Skip the hidden fees by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and pay only for what you use.
Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore without limits.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best value with this company, with average prices at $90 a day.
Next in line, this provider offers daily rates of around $112.
The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly $58 a day with this supplier.
If you're not quite sure what kind of ride you need, choose something from the Intermediate rental category. It's the most widely booked type of car in Vancouver.
Flying to Vancouver? Think about an airport pick-up
If you're flying into Vancouver, get on the road sooner by picking up a car hire at Vancouver International Airport. The drive time from this airport to the city centre is around 13 kilometres and takes about 25 minutes.
You'll also find a good range of rental car options at Abbotsford Airport. It's around 72 kilometres from here to central Vancouver, which is a drive time of about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Vancouver
Small: Whether you're cruising narrow city streets or taking a short trip, this car category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect easy handling and great mileage.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine space, fuel efficiency and comfort. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they make sense for just about any journey.
Large: Long drives fly by in this Vancouver car hire category. Also known as full-size, their bigger engines are built to perform. The extra legroom and comfort make them a top choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV goes wherever you do. It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for backroads, highways, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and advanced safety features.
Van: Choose this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Vancouver that makes light work of heavy loads. Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's equipment, baggage or large groups.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Vancouver car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies can differ from one provider to another, so take the time to shop around.
From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can make all the difference. Consider which add-ons could enhance your trip when you rent a car in Vancouver.
Good to know
Rental age requirements aren't always the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could face extra fees or restrictions. Check the exact rules for each supplier before booking your rental in Canada.
Add a car seat to your Vancouver car hire reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Rules change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest approach.
You'll need some documents when you get to the rental counter. As a general rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with room for the security deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will tell you exactly what you need.
If you're new to driving in Canada, remember that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Local speed limits are often about 45kph through urban areas and around 95kph on highways. Road signs will indicate if the limit is different.
In Canada, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you intend to have a couple of drinks, hand the keys to someone else or find an alternative way to get around.
Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid peak travel times generally for a more relaxed drive.
You'll be using the Canadian dollar (CAD) for all your purchases and expenses here. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cash and cards to make sure you're always covered.
English is the language you'll hear most often in this country.
Best hotels in Vancouver for drivers
Offering valet parking, L'Hermitage Hotel takes the stress out of finding a place for your car. This hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Vancouver and also comes with luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk.
Smithe House also works well for a trip built around driving. It features parking, plus express check-in and a fitness centre. Check in here and you'll be roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.
Browse the full range of hotels in Vancouver for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find what works for you. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to zero in on EV-friendly stays.
You're ready to start exploring now you've locked in a car hire deal in Vancouver and your hotel. From Stanley Park to Stanley Park Seawall and Stanley Park Seawall, there's plenty to keep you busy here.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Vancouver
Shift gears and make tracks to Surrey. Around 27 kilometres southeast of central Vancouver, it's home to must-sees like Vinoscenti Vineyards and Green Timbers Urban Forest.
They've perfected the guest experience at Civic Hotel, Autograph Collection and Best Western King George Inn Suites, two accommodation options with parking in Surrey.
Add Victoria to your list of stops. Pick up your cheap car hire in Vancouver and drive roughly 97 kilometres south to discover highlights such as Prince of Whales Whale Watching and Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada.
Relax after a big day out in Victoria at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Victoria or Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria Uptown. These hotels are a good choice for guests bringing their own car.
Extend your journey and road-trip it to Vernon, about 290 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. First, swing past Sparkling Hill Resort, then head to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.
The only thing left to do now is hit the pillow. Divya Sutra Plaza and Conference Centre, Vernon, BC and Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre have room for both you and your wheels while visiting Vernon.
