Car Rentals & Driving
As in the USA, a rental car is indispensable for most trips to Canada. Public transport exists in the cities, but for national parks and road trips, you'll need your own vehicle.
Prices & Booking
| Vehicle Class | CAD/Day | €/Day | For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) | 40–65 CAD | 28–45 € | City trips, solo/pair |
| Midsize (Toyota Corolla or similar) | 55–90 CAD | 38–62 € | All-rounder, road trips |
| Full-Size SUV (Ford Explorer or similar) | 85–140 CAD | 59–97 € | Rockies, winter, families |
| Minivan (Dodge Caravan) | 90–150 CAD | 62–103 € | Large families, lots of luggage |
Providers
Major rental companies: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, National — all present at every airport.
Booking portals: billiger-mietwagen.de (with all-inclusive protection!), CHECK24, rentalcars.com. Always book with full insurance without deductible!
Important Rules & Peculiarities
- Driver's License: The German driver's license is sufficient for up to 3 months. An international driver's license is recommended (ADAC, 15 €).
- Speed Limit: Indicated in km/h (unlike in the USA!). Highways: 100–120 km/h, Urban: 30–50 km/h. Radar controls are frequent.
- Right Turn on Red: Allowed in all provinces EXCEPT Québec (prohibited on the island of Montréal).
- School Buses: When a school bus stops with flashing lights, ALL vehicles in BOTH directions must stop — extremely high fines for non-compliance!
- Refueling: Self-service, prices in cents per liter (150–200 ¢/l). Pay by credit card at the pump or inside.
- Winter Tires: Legally required in Québec and BC from October/November to March/April. Add to your rental car!
- Wildlife Crossing: Moose, deer, and bears on the road are not uncommon — especially at dusk. A collision with a moose (up to 700 kg!) is life-threatening.
💡 Tipp
For the Rocky Mountains, an SUV is recommended — the roads are good, but in rain or early snow (possible from September!), you'll feel much safer in an SUV. All-wheel drive is invaluable on the Icefields Parkway in autumn.
Achtung
Canada's distances are vast! Toronto → Vancouver is 4,400 km (45 hours drive!). Plan domestic flights or use VIA Rail. Even within a region, the distances are long: Calgary → Jasper is 4 hours, Toronto → Ottawa 4.5 hours.
