Hire Car Vancouver Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Vancouver by Hire Car

Vancouver is a major city in the province of British Columbia (BC) on the west coast of Canada, with a population of nearly 600,000 in an area of nearly 115 square kilometres.

In fact, more than two million people live in the Vancouver metropolitan area. This makes the city and surrounding area the largest metropolitan region in the west of the third largest country on earth.

The city takes its name in memory of the English captain George Vancouver, who distinguished himself primarily by exploring the Pacific coast of North America.

But not only Vancouver, also the surrounding area are worth a trip. For your round trip by hire car, we have put together a few tips.

Receiving the hire car

Most rental stations can be found on the ground floor of the parking garage near the airport. However, there are also rental companies whose station is only near the airport. In this case, a shuttle will take you there, which can cost valuable travel time. It’s best to find out where your rental company’s station is located before booking.

Finding the right hire car

Canada’s roads are wide and well maintained. So, you can easily go for a larger vehicle and enjoy the trip in a relaxed manner.

Automatic vehicle

Similar to the US, you will often get an automatic vehicle in Canada. But don’t worry, even if you are driving a manual car in Germany, you will quickly get used to the automatic. You can find tips and tricks in our special.

Hire car prices

Car rentals in Vancouver tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. The best place to put yourself is to book the car well in advance of your trip. Then you have a good chance to get a cheaper price.

hire car price comparison Vancouver

Regulate fuel

Some rental companies require you to pay for the first tank of gas on the spot for a service fee. You can then theoretically return the car empty. But since you’ll hardly manage to roll into the rental company’s parking lot with the last drop of gas, you’ll end up paying for it with this option. It is better to choose a rental company where you take the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.

Insurance

Even in the vastness of Canada, and even more so in Vancouver, a small accident can happen. You are best insured if you book a comprehensive insurance without deductible. With the liability you should pay attention to the amount of coverage. Because if an accident happens with personal injury, it can quickly become really expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company seems to be too low, you can additionally take out a so-called traveller policy. Ask your insurance company for advice.

age limit

Often, drivers under the age of 25 are charged an additional fee. Many companies do not rent vehicles to drivers under 21 at all. It’s best to inquire about the conditions before renting.

Accessories

If you need accessories such as a navigation device or a ski rack, you should find out before you rent if these devices are available at your provider and what the rental costs. Winter tyres are also only offered at some stations for an additional fee.

Free kilometers

In sprawling Canada, you’ll cover a lot of miles in your hire car. When renting, make sure there are no mileage restrictions.

Customer Review Hire Car

Most of the customers are satisfied with the hire car providers in Vancouver. Nevertheless, you should study the reviews on this portal before renting the vehicle to avoid getting a black sheep.

Safety Hire Car

Canada hire cars are usually well maintained and roadworthy. Nevertheless, before your first drive, test the lights and also check if all the turn signals and the brake light are working. And also do a quick brake test before you leave the hire car company’s parking lot.

Bail

Before booking, please find out whether the rental company only blocks the deposit or collects it from your credit card. In the latter case, it can take quite a while until the money is back in your account after returning the vehicle.

Sights in Vancouver

Modern cityscape
Vancouver was founded in 1860, when countless immigrants poured into the country during the great gold rush. Today, however, modern buildings characterize the cityscape, such as the “Vancouver Public Library”, which was completed in 1995 for more than 100 million dollars. Skyscrapers taller than 137 metres may only be built in a few places in the city, as people do not want to block the fantastic view of the fabulous North Shore Mountains.

Cultural Highlights
Vancouver, however, is also a gem in cultural terms. Not only is the city second only to Los Angeles and New York as the most important location for the North American film industry, but it also boasts numerous museums, studios and theatres. The largest art collection in western Canada is located in Vancouver in a former courthouse, the Vancouver Art Gallery. Among the 8000 exhibits there are also works by Marc Chagall or Emily Carr. The city has always played an important role in music of all kinds. Not only are two world-renowned orchestras at home here, but the rock bard with the soft voice, Bryan Adams, also has a home game in Vancouver when he performs at the “BC Place Stadium”.

Discover a good restaurant

There is no shortage of good restaurants in Vancouver. One particular gem is Oakwood Canadian Bistro where you can enjoy local specialties in a cozy atmosphere.

Find a good hotel

In a big city like Vancouver, there are of course hotels in every category. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a particularly pleasant place to stay. The rooms have every comfort, and the elegant decor and attentive staff make for a memorable stay.

Suggestion for a round trip

Steveston: Fish and Chips at the Pier
A first excursion from Vancouver could take you first to Steveston. In the small fishing village you can stroll along the pier in the shops on the hunt for souvenirs and then enjoy a portion of fish and chips at a quaint shack. It will take you barely half an hour to drive there by hire car.

Chilliwack: Created in the Gold Rush
Next stop on the round trip could be Chilliwack. You’ll be there in an hour and a half. After a gold discovery at the end of the 18th century, this city came into being. At that time, 30,000 gold seekers came to the area within a year. Today, Chilliwack has a population of just under 80,000. Gold is no longer mined, but agriculture is flourishing. Around Chilliwack you can enjoy enchanting nature and observe typical Canadian city life in the town.

Maple Ridge: Hiking and boating
On your way back to Vancouver you can make a stop in Maple Ridge. From Chilliwack, it will take you just under an hour by hire car. Maple Ridge is an excellent starting point for long hikes. You can also rent a canoe and explore nearby Alouette Lake. And when you’re back in your hire car afterwards, it’s only an hour back to Vancouver.