Should I Rent A Car In Vancouver?

As a tourist, it’s perfectly natural to wonder if renting a car on your trip to Vancouver is worth it. If you want to discover the city, its surroundings, and the wilderness beyond, then having a car at your disposal can give you the freedom you need to truly explore. 

On the other hand, if your plans only involve staying in downtown Vancouver, then a car may be an added expense you simply don’t need. Of course, you may have planned a day trip to Whistler or Grouse Mountain, in which case, you may not need a car for your entire trip. Here’s our breakdown of whether you should rent a car in Vancouver and how to go about it. 

Pros Of Car Rentals In Vancouver

Car Hires Offer Convenience

There’s a lot to be said about not keeping to anyone’s schedule but your own. You don’t have to wait for a bus or a train or worry about finding a taxi. A hired car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, linger a little longer at places you like, leave for another destination on a whim, stop at a scenic spot, and visit places that are not easily served by public transport.

More Economical For Larger Groups And Families

If you’re travelling in a party of more than four, then a hired car can work out to be more economical than hailing a taxi or public transport with multiple trips. You’ll need two cabs for every trip or multiple transit fares. Your rental vehicle also keeps your group together. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the kids not having car seats or if there will be space in your taxi for the stroller.

Easier To Go Beyond Downtown

While downtown Vancouver is easily explored on foot or via public transport, venturing off the beaten path is best done with a rental car. Having your own vehicle opens a whole new world of possibilities for adventure and discovery. Trips to hiking trails, or to Whistler and Squamish are made so much easier when all you need to do is jump into your car and go. Plus, have we mentioned there’s nothing like driving on the Sea To Sky Highway?

Have More Leisurely Ski And Camping Trips

Lugging camping gear, bikes, or skis around on public transport isn’t the easiest way to spend a holiday. A hired car complete with ski racks, bike racks, or rooftop luggage racks lets you get from your accommodation to your holiday destination and back without feeling like you need another vacation to recover.

Cons Of Renting A Car In Vancouver

Traffic

As with any big city, traffic at peak hours (between 3:30pm and 6:30pm on weekdays) can be enough to try a diplomat’s patience. When you have a rented car, you can choose to schedule your sightseeing visits around Vancouver so you’re only on the road during quieter times.

Parking

You’ll find plenty of discussions online about how difficult it is to find parking in downtown Vancouver or how expensive it is to park in a hotel’s car park. However, all of Vancouver’s neighbourhoods have street parking, in some cases, free for a few hours. You just have to look a little.  

Additionally, Ascent Car Rentals is conveniently located in Downtown Vancouver, in the Pan-Pacific Hotel and we offer free parking to our customers at our location.

Discover Vancouver With Ascent Car Rental

Renting a car in Vancouver has its pros and cons. They depend on whether you are travelling in a large group, with kids, and whether you are on a strictly city break or want to explore the North Shore Mountains and gorgeous beaches around Vancouver. 

If you’ve just planned a one-off day trip and are spending the remainder of your time in downtown Vancouver, then renting a car just for the day will do the trick.  

Ascent Car Rentals is here to help when you need a car to get around Vancouver and if you don’t fancy driving yourself, have a look at our options for private tours and shuttles.

Book your Vancouver transport today!