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Renting a car in Victoria, BC is ideal for those looking for flexibility and independence on their holiday to Vancouver Island. The city’s downtown is pedestrian-friendly, but if you want easy access to attractions like Butchart Gardens, nearby beaches and the iconic Pacific Rim National Park, the best option is having your own car.
With Canadian Affair you can book your car hire in Victoria from as little as £32 per day and choose from a wide range of vehicles.
Why hire a car in Victoria?
The capital city of British Columbia is a must-visit place on any holiday to Western Canada. Most visitors fly into Vancouver and then take a scenic ferry or a floatplane to Victoria.
Spending a couple of days exploring this beautiful city is easy. Victoria is well-known for its year-round mild climate, whale watching tours, stunning architecture and scenic inner harbour. Vancouver Island though has more than one hidden gem to discover.
Rent a car in Victoria, BC and this will be the beginning of a memorable journey. Visit Tofino for world-class surfing and dramatic storm-watching, take a stroll along Long Beach in search of sea life marooned in the tidal pools, go kayaking among the rugged shores of the Broken Group Islands or hike amongst gigantic 800-year-old trees at Cathedral Grove. A road trip on Vancouver Island is an experience you won’t forget, and at Canadian Affair we can offer you the right rental car for it.
We only work with established and reputable car rental companies in Canada. When you book your car hire in Victoria with us, you are guaranteed to receive an excellent service, competitive rates and a great choice of impeccably maintained vehicles. We also try to ensure that all our car rentals come with fully inclusive insurance, zero excess, and up to $1million liability coverage, so you can book your car with peace of mind.
Book car hire at Victoria Airport
Please note: We currently only offer pick-ups from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) for online booking.
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Victoria car hire information
| Pick-up locations | Multiple Victoria locations, including Victoria International Airport (YYJ) |
| Car types available | Compact, Economy, Intermediate, Full-size, Standard, Mid-size SUV, Standard SUV, Full-size SUV and Minivan |
| Popular car hire companies | Avis, Hertz & Thrifty |
| Best time to book | 1 month before |
Frequently Asked Questions about car hire in Victoria
You will typically need:
- A valid driving licence. If your driving licence is not in English or French, you may be required an International Driving Permit.
- A valid passport for identification.
- A major credit card in the renter’s name.
The minimum age to hire a car in Victoria, Canada is generally 21 years old and young drivers, under 25 years of age, are usually restricted to hiring specific class vehicles only along with paying a “young driver surcharge”.
Please note: Requirements may vary per car rental company, so it is best to speak to one of our Canada Travel Experts prior to booking your car.
No, you don’t necessarily need a car if you are staying in central Victoria, BC. The downtown area and the Inner Harbour are very compact and walkable.
Renting a car in Victoria is essential for day trips and exploring the rest of the island.
Yes, the City of Victoria parkades are typically free on Sundays, designated holidays and daily after 8 p.m.
Picking up your rental car in Victoria
All major car hire companies in Canada, including our trusted partner Avis have desks on site at Victoria International Airport.
The airport address is 201-1640 Electra Blvd, Sidney, BC, V8L 5V4, Canada.
All rental counters are located within the arrivals area opposite the Information desk. The airport is approximately 26km (roughly 16 miles) north from downtown Victoria.
There are also convenient pick-up locations throughout Victoria, including in the city centre.
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Victoria Car Hire Tips
- Book a month in advance to secure the best rates and availability. The peak travel season in Victoria is between June and August. If you are planning to rent a car in Victoria, BC in this period and especially between mid-July and mid-August, then booking your vehicle about 2-3 months in advance is essential.
- Hire a car from a category that is suitable for the roads you are going to drive through – city roads, highways and backcountry roads all offer different driving conditions. If you are unsure what car to rent in Victoria for your road trip, you can call our friendly team for an expert advice.
- Book your car hire with unlimited millage and “fair fuel policy” to avoid unplanned costs and make sure you have added any extras you might need, such as a GPS, child car seat or additional drivers.
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Driving in British Columbia
After booking your car hire in Victoria, 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 following tips are for general guidance only and do not cover all the regulations that will apply when driving in Victoria and in Canada.
In Canada, you must drive on the right side of the road and know that speed limits and distances are in kilometres, not miles. There are also special rules about passing by school buses, four-way stops and turning right on red (please note that a right turn on red is NOT allowed everywhere in Canada).
If you are driving in British Columbia in winter, be aware that there are designated roads requiring winter tires.
Driving on Vancouver Island
When you rent a car in Victoria for a road trip on Vancouver Island, you should know:
- Main highways connect big cities only - the roads to smaller communities, beaches and the coast are winding with limited passing, so you should allow extra time to reach your destination.
- To be extra careful with backcountry roads and check weather and road conditions daily.
- Roadside services get sparce especially in the more remote Northern Vancouver Island.
- Mobile phone service is usually good in towns and along the major highways but drops quickly outside these areas.
Driving in Victoria, BC
Additional useful tips for navigating the streets of Victoria in BC:
- Mind cyclists on Victoria roads - the city has a vast network of cycling routes, including ones where bicycles share the road with vehicles.
- Avoid rush hours where possible: Commuters routes leading to/out of downtown Victoria typically get very congested between 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm during weekdays.
- Be aware that the local authority has been changing the speed restrictions on certain streets within the city. Be mindful to look out for local signage of speed limits as there is a risk that sat nav may contain out-of-date speed limit information.
- One-way streets, pedestrian-only and pedestrian-priority streets are common in downtown Victoria.
Car hire in Victoria, Canada – Book today!
Renting a car in Victoria, BC is a fantastic start to a memorable road trip on Vancouver Island. Best suited for nature lovers and adventurers at heart, the island has so much to offer – stunning untamed wilderness and incredible wildlife, dramatic coastlines and deep ocean inlets, ancient rainforests and sandy beaches, all perfectly blended with a slow-paced island life and welcoming local communities. From day trips to week-long road adventures beyond the city, a car rental in Victoria, BC will give the freedom and flexibility to explore this unique region at your own pace.
So, what are you waiting for? Discover Canada on an epic road trip. Book with Canadian Affair and take advantage of our amazing Victoria car rental deals.
If you want to book a car hire in Victoria, please contact us or search & book online.
