Car hire at Calgary Airport

Top tips for driving rental cars in Calgary

After booking your Calgary YYC car rental, we advise you to make yourself familiar with the road rules in the provinces you are going to drive through during your holiday.

The Canadian Highway code is generally consistent across the country, however there are specific bylaws for individual provinces and even cities. It is therefore essential to check the most up-to-date regulations that will apply to all the regions you are planning to visit.

The below tips are for general guidance only and do not cover all the regulations that will apply when driving in Calgary and in Canada.

In Canada,

• You must drive on the right side of the road.
• At roundabouts, traffic inside the circle (approaching from your left) has the right-of-way.
• Speed limits and distances are in kilometres, not miles.

Be aware of the rules about passing by school buses, how to handle four-way stops, specifics and exceptions for turning right on red, winter tires and driving in winter conditions, and become familiar with all local variations if/where applicable.

When driving in Calgary,

• Get familiar with Calgary’s main arteries, as you will be using them often: Deerfoot Trail, Crowchild Trail, Glenmore Trail and the encircling Stoney Trail.
• Avoid Calgary’s rush hours between 7am and 9am, and then between 4pm and 6pm.
• Obey the speed limits: The default unposted speed limit in Calgary is 40km/h (approx. 25mph), unless otherwise posted. School zones and playground areas typically have a special speed limit of 30km/h (around 18mph). Major urban arteries and freeways have higher limits indicated on posted signs.

These speed limits should be used as a guide only and are subject to change. Always check the most up-to-date regulations prior to driving in Calgary.

• Parking rules: Most parking in downtown Calgary is paid. Look for a green “P” symbol to find parking lots and garages. There are on-street parking zones, as well. On-street parking is typically free after 6pm, on Sundays and major holidays.

Top tips for driving in Calgary and Alberta in winter

Driving in winter can be a challenge, especially if you are not used to it. At Canadian Affair we want your winter holiday in Canada to be as safe and pleasant as possible, so below we have put together some handy tips for you:

• When looking at rental cars at Calgary Airport in Alberta, consider hiring an AWD or 4WD vehicle for maximum safety on the road in winter conditions.
• Make sure your vehicle is fitted with tyres providing the best performance in winter conditions. Make yourself familiar with the difference between winter tyres and snow and mud tyres. Winter tyres or snow chains are often required on designated mountainous routes. Some routes might be closed altogether, so it is best to plan your route in advance and be prepared.
• Always clear your vehicle, including the rooftop, from any snow and ice, and buy extra screen wash.
• Plan extra time, slow down, increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front, and break/accelerate gently.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, check the weather conditions daily and stay on main roads.
• Always check your fuel level before you drive off. Make sure you have enough fuel not only to reach your destination but to accommodate for emergencies. Check your tyre pressure and do not use cruise control in winter conditions. If you are driving on mountainous roads, keep in mind that petrol stations and services might be closed in winter, so plan your petrol stops accordingly. Pack food, water and warm clothes with you.
• If you are hiring a car at Calgary Airport for the first time, you most probably wouldn’t have heard about Calgary’s snow route parking bans. These are designated snow routes in the city where parking gets temporarily restricted for up to 72 hours to allow snow ploughs to clear the roads.

Day trips from Calgary

Booking car hire at Calgary Airport gives you the ultimate freedom to enjoy some amazing day trips from the city:

• A day trip to the iconic Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies (short drive): The picturesque mountain town of Banff is 90 minutes’ drive by car from Calgary. Walk the Banff Avenue for shops, restaurants and cafes, ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic views, relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, go hiking or canoeing in the summer or skiing in the winter.

• Columbia Icefield and Glacier Skywalk (long drive): The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies where you can explore the ancient Athabasca Glacier and walk the glass-floored Skywalk for stunning views of the Sunwapta Valley. The driving time to get to the Columbia Icefield is around 3.5 hours from Calgary, covering 310km / 190miles.

Taking your Calgary Airport car rental on a road trip through Alberta and BC

There are several national parks near Calgary which you can visit on a road trip after you pick up your car hire at Calgary Airport.

The closest one, Banff National Park, is just 1.5 hours away from Calgary and is Canada’s first and most famous national park. Other parks at reasonable driving distance are:

• Waterton Lake National Park in Alberta
• Yoho National Park in BC
• Elk Island National Park in Alberta

If you are feeling overwhelmed and cannot decide which places to visit, have a look at our wide range of fly drive holidays to Western Canada. Flights, hotels, car hire and expertly crafted itinerary are all included in the package.

West Coast Canada Fly Drive Holidays