Calgary is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. When you visit, whether for business or leisure, you’re guaranteed a delightful experience. If leisure is on your agenda, then there’s a good chance that you’re thinking of going beyond the confines of the city. Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, or a day trip into the mountains are all popular choices and totally worth it. It’s these trips that are the deciding factor when it comes to renting a car in Calgary.
If you’re staying entirely downtown, then a car might be a hindrance but if you want to explore the city and explore Alberta, then renting a car is the way to go.
Here’s our breakdown of the pros and cons of renting a car in Calgary.
Pros Of Renting A Car In Calgary
You Can Actually Explore Alberta Properly
This is the biggest advantage by far. Having your own vehicle gives you access to places that are difficult, expensive, or time-consuming to reach otherwise, including:
You’re Not Locked Into A Schedule
One of the most overlooked perks of renting a car is the flexibility it gives you. Your rental car lets you experience those precious moments between destinations, like when you stop to take in the view and a sandwich.
You can choose to:
- travel at off-peak hours
- stay longer at destinations
- stop at the viewpoints you fancy, instead of pre-determined ones
Calgary Is Designed Around Driving
Calgary is a car-friendly city. It has wide roads and decent parking outside of core downtown, so having your own vehicle makes sense if:
- you’re staying outside of downtown
- you’re planning day trips outside the city
Better For Exploring The Great Outdoors
If you’re going skiing or snowboarding, hiking or biking, chances are you’ll be lugging your gear around. Having your own SUV rental equipped with ski racks and bike racks can make your travels in the mountains so much easier without having to coordinate your group, luggage, gear, and public transport.
Car Rentals Are Easy At Calgary Airport
Calgary International Airport is outside the downtown core, so getting to your accommodation can take a while via public transport. Renting a car from Calgary International Airport is easy with contactless pickups and drop offs through Ascent Car Rentals. That means no queues, no paperwork!
Cons of Renting A Car In Calgary
Traffic Can Be Busy
Calgary traffic is better than some major cities, but rush hour can still be frustrating. Roads like Deerfoot Trail, Crowchild Trail, and Glenmore Trail can become heavily congested during weekday mornings and evenings.
However, you can choose to travel at off-peak hours in your hired car in Calgary.
Parking Costs Can Add Up
Parking is one of the biggest downsides of renting a car when you’re in downtown Calgary. Overnight parking fees and paid parking can add up fast. If you’re planning a downtown only trip, then you may not need a car at all.
Winter Driving Can Be Intimidating
Alberta winters are no joke. It can get stressful if you’re not used to driving on mountain roads.
To help keep you safe, unlike many car rental companies in Calgary, our vehicles come equipped with winter tires as a standard during the colder months. This becomes especially important on routes between Calgary, Banff, and Lake Louise where conditions can change quickly.
So, Is Renting a Car in Calgary Worth It?
For most travellers visiting Alberta, yes, renting a car in Calgary is worth it especially if Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, or the Rockies are part of the plan. The flexibility to travel on your own schedule, take scenic drives, and experience places beyond the city genuinely changes the quality of the trip. But if you’re staying entirely downtown for only a couple of days, you may not need one.
A balanced way of doing it can be to be vehicle-less when you’re staying downtown, rent a car to explore the outdoors and drop it off at Calgary airport when you’re grabbing your flight out.
It really comes down to one question: do you want to simply visit Alberta, or actually explore it?
Book with Ascent Car Rentals today!