The Best Car Rental Companies in Canada for 2024

When you just want temporary access to another vehicle because yours is out of commission or you’re in Canada for a quick visit, Canadian car rental companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis Car Rental, Alamo, Hertz, and Budget can come in handy. 

They offer beneficial services, allowing you to rent a car short-term, usually from several hours to several days. They can also loan it to you quickly at affordable prices and without hassle as long as you meet their requirements.

Below, I cover Canada’s best car rental companies, how to get a good deal, and the pros and cons. You also learn about the car rental companies to avoid. 

Best Car Rental Companies in Canada 

Below are 10 of the top names in the Canadian car rental industry. Most of them are on the list of the top companies in the J.D. Power 2023 North America Rental Car Satisfaction study. 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957, Enterprise Canada has nearly 10,000 locations in more than 90 countries.

For a one-day rental with a pick-up and return location at Vancouver International Airport in the terminal, rates range from $51 for a company-selected vehicle to $227 for a premium SUV like a Chevy Suburban with 8 people. The price includes taxes and fees. 

Except for large or specialty vehicles, most car classes come with unlimited mileage, provided the vehicle remains within the country where it was picked up. To reserve a vehicle, visit their website. 

• Pros: Thousands of locations, loyalty programs, numerous vehicles in its fleet
• Cons: Rates can be expensive

Avis Car Rental

One of the world’s largest car rental providers, Avis provides a wide range of options to travellers and businesses. 

For a one-day, same-location pick-up and rental, rates start at $45 for a standard Chevrolet Malibu to $204 for an Audi Q7 or similar vehicle. Most Avis rental rates include either an unlimited kilometres or a pre-designated number of kilometres. To make a reservation, click here. 

• Pros: Easy pick-up and drop-off; affordable long-term rates; great discounts and promotions
• Cons: Base prices can be costly

Alamo

Alamo car rental has been offering low rental rates since 1974 to various places in North America. 

The daily rate can start at $47 for an Economy option, like a Chevrolet Spark vehicle, to $144 for a premium SUV, like a Chevy Suburban or a similar vehicle. Prices include taxes and fees. To start a reservation, click here. 

• Pros: Unlimited mileage, rewards program, travel discounts and specials, free rental car upgrade
• Cons: Small car fleet, few locations outside airports

Hertz Car Rental

Hertz is among the largest car rental companies, with a presence in major airports worldwide and coverage in smaller cities.

A one-day rental at Hertz Car Rental can cost $55 for a Kia Rio to $140 for a Dodge Charger. The fees include premium location and facility charges and taxes. Click here to book a car. 

• Pros: Best price guarantee, numerous pick-up locations, wide range of vehicles, discounts on prepaid reservations, AAA member discounts
• Cons: More expensive than other car rental companies

Budget

Budget has been renting cars to the riding public since 1958 and is known to provide unlimited mileage. 

A one-day Budget car rental with the same pick-up and return location can cost $47 for an Economy option, like a Mitsubishi Mirage, to $287 for a premium SUV, like the GMC Yukon. The cost includes taxes and fees. To make a reservation, click here. 

• Pros: Reward miles, special deals, prepay and base rates discounts, flexible cancellation policy, free upgrades with upfront payments, plenty of locations
• Cons: Vehicle availability during peak seasons

Turo

Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform that connects car owners with renters, also offers car rental services using the platform’s app.

Rates offered by Turo Car Rental start at $25 per day. Clients can find deals of all kinds, whether for everyday purposes or extraordinary car needs. Start your search for a car here. 

• Pros: Cheaper than traditional car rental companies, discounts on longer trips and early bookings
• Cons: Extra fees, reimbursement bills, miscellaneous extra charges

Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty is one of the main Canadian car rental companies, being part of The Hertz Corporation. It offers convenient pick-up and drop-off locations across Canada. 

Its one-day rates can range from $44 for a Chevrolet Spark to $95 for a GMC Yukon XL 4WD. The rental rates include unlimited free km. Click here to book a car. 

• Pros: No hidden fees, affordable rental rates
• Cons: Cancellation fee, extra fees

National Car Rental

National, a sister company of Enterprise Rent a Car, offers over 100 rental locations across Canada. 

Rates for a one-day rental at National Car Rental start at $71 for the Economy or Compact option, such as a Chevrolet Spark or Nissan Versa. The cost can increase to $674 for a standard elite SUV, like an Audi Q3. Start a reservation here.

• Pros: A loyalty program, convenient airport locations, wide vehicle selections
• Cons: Rates are at the higher end

Lyft Rentals

Lyft is an on-demand ride-share service that started Lyft Rentals, a car rental program in partnership with traditional car rental companies Hertz and Sixt. 

Standard daily rates can range from $63 to $80. The company offers an unlimited daily mileage limit. To get a ride, click here. 

• Pros: Easy reservations through the app, member-exclusive pricing, VIP benefits, rewards programs
• Cons: Limited selection of vehicles, rental restrictions

Routes Car Rental

Routes is a privately owned and operated car rental company based and headquartered in Toronto. 

Its rates for a one-day rental with the same pick-up and drop-off location range from $42 for a Kia Soul to $104 for a Dodge Durango. Depending on the vehicle, the costs include free kilometres/day, airport surcharges, and provincial taxes. To book a car, click on this link. 

• Pros: A huge vehicle fleet, wide range of rental options, competitive pricing
• Cons: Extra fees

How to Rent a Car in Canada 

To rent a car in Canada, you need to meet several requirements. These may vary from one rental car company to the next, but may include the following:

• Be 25 years old; those under 25 may be subject to young driver fees, surcharges and taxes
• Valid driver’s licence with photo
• Passport for non-residents
• Credit card information of the person renting the car
• International driver’s permit (for holders of non-English licences)

How to Get Good Deals on Car Rentals in Canada 

One way to get good deals on Canadian car rentals is by using credit cards that offer perks like discounts off base rates, money-saving coupons, car upgrades, waived fees, and insurance coverage.

Sites like Skyscanner and Hopper also help you find the best car rental prices on hundreds of sites and compare rental cars based on mileage, fuel policy, bookings, provider ratings, etc.  

What Car Rental Companies Allow Travel to Canada and the US? 

Most car rental companies permit travel to the US, provided you have the required documents and permission from the rental company. 

Below are the companies that allow drivers to cross the border. It is vital to check with your rental company for any special requirements to be able to drive to the US.

• Advantage Rent a Car
• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• Europcar
• Fox Rent a Car
• Hertz
• National
• Thrifty

Pros and Cons of Car Rental Companies in Canada

Pros:

• Wide range of vehicles
• Multiple locations
• Availability at most airports
• Easy pick-up and drop-off 
• Unlimited mileage, depending on your car rental company
• Good selection of cars
• Loyalty programs
• Member discounts
• Cheaper long-term rates
• Special deals and promotions

Cons:

• Base prices can be expensive
• Cancellation fees
• Limited availability during peak seasons
• Complaints of poor customer service and long wait times

What Are the Worst Car Rental Companies? 

Two of the worst car rental companies in Canada based on customer reviews are Sixt and Payless. Sixt Car Rental is rated low at Trustpilot Canada, 1.4 stars out of 5, based on over 2,600 reviews. 

Also on Trustpilot Canada, Payless is rated a low 1.6 stars out of 5, based on 236 reviews. Customer complaints were about poor customer service, vehicle breakdowns, long waits for the delivery of rented cars, poor customer service, and surprise charges. 

FAQs 

Why are car rentals so high in Canada? 

Canadian car rental companies have high car rental prices due to the lack of inventory, a rental car shortage in the country and higher maintenance costs. The Consumer Price Index reported a 50% increase in rental car prices from 2019 to 2022.

How can tourists rent a car in Canada? 

To rent a car in Canada, tourists must have a valid driver’s licence from their country of residence, an International Driver’s Permit, and a major credit card. They may also need to present other supporting documents that a car rental company might require. 

Should I get rental car insurance in Canada? 

Rental car insurance is not required in Canada, but it is highly recommended that drivers of rented vehicles have the proper insurance coverage in the event of an accident. The most common types of rental car insurance are Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Liability insurance (LI), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), and Personal Effects Coverage (PEC). 

Are Hertz and Thrifty the same company?

Thrifty Car Rental is a subsidiary of The Hertz Corporation. Along with Dollar Rent A Car, Thrifty joined the Hertz family of brands in 2012. 

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