The city of Calgary is the heart of Western Canada and is commonly known as the gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Due to the city’s rapid expansion, visitors will benefit from renting a car in Calgary. There are many options for a car rental from Calgary that will allow tourists to visit some of the city’s best attractions, including the Calgary Zoo, the world famous Calgary Stampede and the nearby mountains.
Car rental Calgary: The most important sites
Calgary is a large city that has grown rapidly over the past few decades. Visitors will find Calgary rental cars useful and convenient, whether they're staying long term in the city or want to rent one way from Calgary to other parts of Canada.
Rental Site | Address | Main Opening Times* |
Calgary International Airport | 2000 Airport Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6Z8, Kanada | 00:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Calgary City Hall | 800 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2P 2M5, Kanada | 07:00 a.m. - 18 p.m. |
*The opening times may differ and vary depending on the rental site. Precise information can be found in the listing details. With some Calgary car rental companies, pickups and returns for your car are possible outside of the stated opening times but please be aware that there may be an additional fee for this service.
Calgary: Rent a car and explore its attractions
The Calgary Stampede: For ten days each July, the city of Calgary hosts its largest party of the year. Known as the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth', The Calgary Stampede is a celebration of Western Canadian culture and heritage, honouring the rodeo tradition with cowboys and wagon races, as well as a modern amusement park and plenty of barbecues and street parties. The festivities take place around the city but the main grounds are easily accessible when you rent a car in Calgary, with plenty of day rates available in nearby car parks. This is a major annual event, so it's best to plan ahead for the best deals.
Calgary Zoo: The city has one of the most popular zoos in Canada. The zoo, which was the most visited zoo in the country in 2012, has a large collection of exotic and Canadian animals. Located outside of the city centre, the zoo is easily reached by car and has two large car parks at either end, making it a great destination for those thinking about car hire in Calgary.
Rocky Mountain Range: Calgary is the easiest point of access to Western Canada’s glorious Rocky Mountain Range. When in Calgary, rent a car to visit the mountains for an idyllic day trip. The mountain towns of Banff and Canmore are both less than a 90-minute drive away and visitors can dine in some of the country’s best restaurants, ski and hike, all while enjoying the stunning mountain views.
Getting around when you rent a car in Calgary
Calgary is located on the Trans-Canada Highway, which is the motorway that connects eastern and western Canada. Calgary has major motorways running in all directions, including towards the popular Rocky Mountains. As driving is the primary method of transportation for locals, the city is very well set up for drivers and opting for a rental car in Calgary is a good choice for a holiday. The streets are wide and comfortable to drive on. Tourists will find that drivers are generally very friendly and patient.
As there are so many drivers in Calgary, parking is readily available. Drivers can pay for parking conveniently through their mobile phones with the use of the city’s mobile app or with any credit card at the machines on the side of the road. Large car parks are easy to find both in the downtown centre and further out. Parking outside of the centre is less expensive and more convenient and visitors can simply cross the river and enjoy the scenery to quickly get into the heart of the action. There are many options for a cheap car rental in Calgary that allow for a great way to enjoy the city.