Renting a car in Edmonton is an affordable and convenient way to have your own transportation without the need to purchase and maintain it. The city offers a variety of car rental options, ranging from traditional companies with an international reputation to modern sharing economy services that are more popular with young travelers and city residents.
Traditional car rental companies
Edmonton is home to the offices of large international companies that specialize in vehicle rentals. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is one of the most popular options among locals and tourists. They offer competitive prices starting at around $30 per day for compact cars. An important advantage of Enterprise is the option of free corridor service, where a company representative can pick you up at home to start the rental. There are several Enterprise locations in the city, including a branch on 101 Street in the central part of the city, as well as an office near the airport. The company also offers flexible rental terms with a loyalty program, where active customers can accumulate points for each rental to receive discounts on future contracts.
Budget is another great choice for those looking for affordable prices. Based on recent data, Budget's lowest prices start at around $17–34 per day, depending on the type of car and the season. Budget has offices both at the airport and at various locations within the city. The company offers a loyalty program that allows you to accumulate points for each rental, which can be applied to future bookings, making them an even more attractive option for regular customers.
Hertz has several locations in Edmonton, including one on 102 Avenue and one at the airport. The average rental price through Hertz is around $144 per day, although it is possible to find more affordable deals depending on your search parameters. Hertz offers the same typical range of services as its competitors, with the option to book through its website or mobile app.
Avis is also present in the Edmonton market with competitive prices starting at $20.90 per day. The company provides rental services both at the airport and in the city center and offers a Preferred membership program that provides various benefits to frequent renters. National Car Rental is a partner of the CAA program for Canadian members, which means you can get additional discounts when you present your membership card. They also have an airport location and a mobile app for convenient booking and reservation management.
Alamo offers a wide selection of vehicles, from economy cars to SUVs, but prices tend to be higher than their competitors. Their location is at the airport, where they make it easy to make a reservation when departing from the airport.
Alternative rental services
For those looking for an alternative to traditional companies, Turo is a popular choice that operates as a platform for car sharing between private owners. Through Turo, you can rent a car directly from its owner, often at more competitive prices starting at $52 per day. The main advantage of Turo is that it allows you to choose the exact car you want, instead of getting a car of the same class but already determined by the company. In addition, the program offers flexibility in choosing the time and place of the car inspection, including delivery of the car directly to your address or hotel. However, it is important to understand that when renting through Turo, you need to purchase additional insurance on the platform, as your personal car insurance or credit card may not cover rentals through a sharing economy service. Furthermore, if the owner cancels the rental at the last minute, Turo does not guarantee you an alternative car at the same price, which can lead to significant additional costs.
Driving Force is a Canadian company with locations across the country, including Edmonton. They specialize in fleet solutions and have one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles in the country available for rent. This is a real advantage if you are interested in eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cars.
Truck and Van Rentals
If you need larger transportation, such as a truck or van, there are specialized companies in Edmonton. U-Haul offers a wide selection of trucks, cargo vans, and trailers for both short- and long-term rentals. They are located in the western part of the city and offer flexible terms with one-way rentals, where you can pick up the vehicle in one location and return it to another. In addition, U-Haul offers additional services such as storage container rentals and transportation, making them an ideal choice when moving.
Penske Truck Rental also operates in Edmonton and offers a wide range of trucks and vans. They specialize in moving and large vehicle rentals, and also offer car towing services using special trailers and carriers.
Rental requirements and documents
Before renting a car in Edmonton, it is important to understand the basic requirements and necessary documents. The minimum age for renting a car with most companies is 21 in Alberta and other Canadian provinces, although in Quebec and Saskatchewan, the age is 18. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 must pay an additional “young driver” fee, which averages $25 per day, although some companies may charge more or less depending on the location and type of car.
The main document you need is a valid driver's license with a photo. If you are a Canadian resident, your provincial driver's license is sufficient. If you are a foreign citizen, you need a valid driver's license from your country that is written in the Latin alphabet and includes a photo and information about the license's validity period. If your driver's license is written in a non-Latin alphabet (e.g., Cyrillic), the company may ask for an International Driving Permit, although this is recommended but not required if you have a valid driver's license with you. It is important to have your original driver's license with you for the entire rental period, as the international certificate is only a translation and not the license itself.
In addition to your driver's license, you will need a valid credit card in the name of the main driver to complete the rental. Some companies may accept a debit card, but most prefer credit cards because they allow the company to pre-freeze funds equal to the amount that could be damaged in an accident. In addition, you may need another form of identification, such as a passport, especially if you are a foreign citizen.
Insurance and Protection When Renting
Insurance is an important aspect of renting a car in Canada. Unlike some other countries, Canada does not require personal auto insurance to rent a car from traditional companies. However, companies do offer you the option to purchase various types of insurance and protection. The most important is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which protects you from having to pay for damage to the car in the event of an accident, theft, or vandalism. CDW typically costs around $30 per day, although this can vary depending on the company and type of car.
In addition, you may be offered Supplemental Liability Insurance, which protects you from claims for bodily injury to third parties, and Personal Accident Insurance, which covers medical expenses for you and your passengers. Personal Effects Coverage protects your personal belongings from theft or damage inside the car. If you already have personal auto insurance, you should contact your insurance company before renting to find out if your policy covers rental cars and what coverage it includes. Insurance company representatives may also offer you their rental program and provide recommendations on what additional insurance you may need to purchase from the rental company.
Long-term rentals and special offers
If you need a car for a long period of time, such as a month or several months, you have special options for reducing the cost of your rental. Most major companies, including Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and Hertz, offer long-term rental programs with flexible terms ranging from one to eleven months with no long-term commitments. When renting for a long term, the longer you rent the car, the lower the daily rate. Based on current data, the average cost of a monthly rental in Edmonton is about $2,701, or about $90 per day, although this can vary depending on the type of car and company. When renting for a month or more, you may also be offered discounts on Loss Damage Waiver and a trade-in offer if you are interested in a different model.
Choosing a location and rental period
In Edmonton, car rentals are available both at the airport and at several locations within the city. Edmonton International Airport is located in Leduc at 1000 Airport Road and is the most popular place to rent a car for people arriving by plane. Almost all major companies have locations at the airport, making the rental process very convenient immediately upon arrival. However, it should be noted that procedures at the airport can be more time-consuming due to the large number of people, especially during peak times.
Downtown also has several car rental locations, including an Enterprise office at 101 Street, making it a convenient alternative for those already in the city center. For those living in the northern part of the city, there is an Enterprise location on Yellowhead Trail, which may be more convenient.
Some companies, particularly Turo, offer the option of having the car delivered directly to you, allowing you to skip the trip to the rental office. In addition, some companies, including Turo, allow flexible pick-up and drop-off times, making them ideal for those whose flights arrive or depart at unusual times when traditional companies are already closed.
Prices and seasonality
The cost of renting a car in Edmonton depends on several factors, including the type of car, the rental period, the season, and the company. Based on current data, the cheapest month to rent is November, when the average cost is around $35 per day, while the most expensive period is July, with an average price of around $76 per day. Weekends are typically cheaper than weekdays, with an average cost of around $46 per day.
Economy cars, such as compact cars, are the cheapest option to rent, while SUVs and large classic cars cost more. Based on recent searches, the most popular cars to rent in Edmonton are the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, which cost an average of $100 and $106 per day, respectively.
Conclusion
Renting a car in Edmonton is one of the most flexible ways to get your own transportation, with a choice between traditional companies and alternative sharing economy services, each with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and situation.