Hire Car Halifax Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Halifax by Hire Car

When speaking of the Canadian city of Halifax, the adjacent towns of Dartmouth, Bedford and Sackville must also be mentioned.

The cities have grown together in recent decades to the point where they are referred to as the Halifax Metro Area.

Halifax is the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Scenically, the region is captivating, especially because of the many small bays and fishing villages, which can be easily explored with a hire car.

For rental and travel we have compiled a few tips.

Taking over the hire car

You will find most hire car agencies on the lower level of the parking garage by the airport. Just follow the signs in the arrivals area.

However, you should make sure before booking that your rental company also has its station in the airport. If it is only located near the airport, you may lose valuable travel time waiting for the shuttle.

Choosing the right hire car

The vast expanses of Canada are best explored in a large and comfortable sedan. If you want to head into the wilderness, consider renting a four-wheel drive vehicle. And if you just want to get around town, a small car is a better choice. It will make it easier for you to find a parking space.

Insuring the car properly

To be well covered in the event of an accident, you should book comprehensive insurance with no excess. For third party liability, the amount of cover is crucial.

It should be at least one million euros to give you some protection even if people are injured in an accident. If the coverage amount of your lender seems too low, you can provide additional protection with a so-called traveller policy. Talk to your insurance company.

Hire car prices

Hire car prices in Halifax tend to be on the higher end. On the other hand, the price differences between small cars and luxury cars are often relatively small. You can usually get the cheapest deal if you book the car well in advance of your trip and use our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Halifax

age limit

Drivers under 21 are unlikely to get a hire car in Halifax. And drivers under 25 are often charged a fee. Check your rental company’s terms and conditions before renting.

Accessories

Maybe you need accessories like snow chains or a navigation device. In this case, you should order the desired equipment in good time. Only in this way can you be sure that your rental company will have the accessories in stock on the day of the vehicle handover.

Free kilometers

Canada is a huge country. If you want to get around in your hire car in more than just the immediate Halifax area, you should always hire car with all the miles free.

Bail

If possible, you should book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit on your credit card. After all, if the amount is actually debited, it may take longer for the money to land back in your account after you return the car.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most of the customers are very satisfied with the hire car service in Halifax. However, in very rare cases they complain that they tried to sell additional insurances on the spot. The best way to go is to insure the car adequately at the time of booking and categorically refuse any further offers.

Safety hire car

There are usually no complaints about the road safety of vehicles either. Nevertheless, you should test your car’s lights before your first trip.

Don’t forget the brake light and turn signals either. And do a quick brake test while still in the hire car lot.

Sights in Halifax

Historic Farmers' Market: Turbulent market hustle
If you make your city stroll on a Saturday, you can start the day at the Historic Farmers' Market. Half the town gathers there to fill their shopping baskets at the stalls and then enjoy a hearty breakfast. The market is always open on Saturdays from 07:00 to 13:00.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: Disasters at the Museum
Well fortified, you can now direct your steps to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. There, you can learn a lot about the sinking of the Titanic and also learn all sorts of things about the Halifax Explosion, in which a French munitions freighter collided with a Norwegian ship in 1917. The blast wave created by the explosion of the munitions freighter was so powerful that over 1,900 people were killed.

From May 1 to October 31, the museum is open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Only on Sunday, from May 1 to 31, the gates do not open until 13:00. On Tuesday the museum is always open until 20:00. During the winter months you can visit the museum from Wednesday to Saturday from 09:30 to 17:00. On Sunday it is open from 13:00. And on Tuesday, it doesn’t close until 20:00. Admission costs 9.25 Canadian dollars.

Dartmouth Ferry: Short sea trip with great views
At the end of a first stroll, you may still feel like setting sail and boarding the Dartmouth Ferry. It will take you across to the neighbouring town of Dartmouth in twelve minutes for very little money. From the ferry, you’ll get a great view of the Halifax skyline.

Suggestion of a round trip

Chester: Cosy little town with charm
A first round trip with the hire car could lead you first to Chester. In just under an hour you will be there. In Chester, a neat little town awaits you, where many wealthy Canadians spend the summer months Also many artists are attracted to the place and give it a lively atmosphere.

At the Lordly House Museum, you can learn a lot about the history of the town and how people lived in the 19th century. The Lordly House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

Lunenburg: Picturesque Old Town
As your next destination, Lunenburg is ideal. It will take you a good half hour to drive there. In Lunenburg, you will have the opportunity to stroll through an old town that has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

You can learn a lot about the importance that fishing once had for the town at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. There you’ll also find a large aquarium of halibut and capital lobsters. The museum is open from 09:30 to 17:00. The entrance fee is 10 Canadian dollars.

Liverpool: small town with choice.
Before you steer the hire car back to Halifax, you can still stop in Liverpool. You’ll be there in about an hour. In Liverpool, you can relax on one of the beautiful beaches in the area, learn a lot about the lives of the first immigrants and the native peoples at the Queens County Museum or watch the owner carve wood at the Woodpile Carving Café.

Nearly two hours now remain on the return trip to Halifax, where you can recover from your eventful day.

conclusion

Halifax is an excellent starting point for a hire car trip. There are many interesting destinations in relative proximity that can be easily reached by car. And with our handy price comparison, you’ll always find a good deal.