Make sure you get the car you ordered. Or at least the equivalent.
TynaSept 2023
Absolutely get a car for the Icefield Parkway. Enjoy the scenery at your leisure instead of a bus tour.
Verified travelerAug 2023
If you don’t have your own car, just rent a car from Avis and visit Jasper National Park as well!
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Banff
As the town of Banff is located entirely inside Banff National Park, hiring a car in Banff is the best way to be able to get around the area and is one of the most effective ways to see the neighbouring sights without being bound to an organised tour. As public transport options outside the downtown area are very limited, a car hire in Banff is more or less a must if you want to make the most of your stay in the area.
The nearest airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is located 142.9 km away. For Banff car hire, the airport hosts a Rental Car Centre, which can be found directly across the arrivals roadway on the departures level of the domestic terminal. Avis, Hertz, Budget, National, Dollar, Alamo, Thrifty and Enterprise Rent-A-Car all have offices at the centre and hiring a vehicle is simple and affordable.
The town of Banff is small and easy to navigate; driving inside the town is very straightforward, which is a great factor for car hire in Banff. Don’t forget that Canada drives on the right-hand side of the road, if you are used to driving on the left. Be sure to obey the traffic signs and speed limits in the town and you should find driving in Banff both easy and pleasant. Please note that, in winter, cars are required by law to be equipped with snow tyres, and you should be prepared for driving in a mountainous environment when travelling outside the town.
In winter, you will need to equip your car with snow tyres. The town works hard to keep the streets clear of snow, but you are in the Rockies and snow and ice can be a hazard. If you venture into the surrounding areas of Banff National Park, be ready for very hilly terrain and be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife.
If you’d love a quiet and smooth driving experience, consider booking an electric vehicle. They are often a good option for cheap car hire in Banff, too. Various mainstream Banff car hire providers, including Hertz, Avis, Budget and Enterprise, provide electric cars. Before hitting the road, you need to familiarise yourself with the charging points in and around the town. While Banff is a small municipality within a national park, it has relatively sufficient charging infrastructure to cover your needs. Some strategic locations for charging points within Banff National Park are Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Rimrock Resort Hotel and Lake Louise Visitor Centre. However, you should plan where charging stations are along your Banff trip, as they’re limited in surrounding areas.
You should familiarise yourself with various driving laws to enjoy a hassle-free driving experience. Since Banff is harboured in a national park, it’s essential to be alert of wild animals while driving, especially at dawn and dusk when the animals are more active. Should you come across wild animals on the road, slow down or stop, and avoid approaching or feeding them. Also, Banff has stringent laws on distracted driving. Using a hand-held device when driving in Banff is strictly prohibited. If you have to use your mobile device when driving in the town, consider using a hands-free device to avoid attracting hefty fines.
Hiring a car in Banff is easy as long as you meet the requirements, the primary one being a valid driving licence. If your government-issued driving licence from your home country isn’t in English, you must submit an international driving permit as well. Also, most Banff car hire providers have a minimum age requirement of 21, with others having a higher age requirement of 25 for some vehicles. Finally, you will need to present a credit card in your name to cover the security deposit, payment and any additional charges.
Book your car hire in Banff at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Full-size hire cars in Banff are around 50% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Banff
What type of car is recommended for driving in Banff?
When considering car hire in Banff, you should definitely have a good all-terrain vehicle in mind. Although the roads are quite well maintained, Banff is in a natural park in the Canadian Rockies, so your vehicle should be appropriate for the terrain and weather. In winter, snow tyres are required by law.
What’s the speed limit in Banff?
The current speed limit inside the town of Banff is 40 km/h. In the national park area, the limit is 90 km/h on major roads and 60 km/h on minor roads; this is to protect wildlife and also to guard motorists against any hazards or dangers that may arise due to falling rocks, ice or other similar problems.
Where are the best places to park in Banff?
As Banff is a fairly small town, on-street parking is generally available and free of charge in residential areas; however, time limits are sign posted and strictly enforced, so be careful not to overstay if you want to avoid a fine. In addition to on-street parking, there are also off-street car parks available, with time limits ranging from 1-12h. Free 9h parking is available at the train station to all residents and visitors to Banff. As of June 2021, Banff is operating a Visitor Pay Parking system throughout the entire downtown area, designed to free up parking spaces in the city centre. The easiest way to register and pay for parking is through the Banff parking mobile app or through the pay stations installed in the relevant streets and car parks in the downtown area.
How much is the price of fuel in Banff?
The average price of fuel in Banff is R86,89 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R1 043 and R1 390, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Banff?
Standard (Toyota RAV4 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Banff.
How can I find car hires near me in Banff?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Banff?
A Standard car hire in Banff costs R1 485 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Banff?
An Intermediate car hire in Banff costs R1 663 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car hire cost in Banff?
A Special car hire in Banff costs R1 541 per day, on average.
How can I add an extra driver?
You can add a co-driver to your Banff car hire agreement, but this option has additional restrictions and surcharges. The additional driver should meet the exact car hire requirements as the primary driver, including the driving licence and age terms. You may incur a daily surcharge for each additional driver, which is something to consider if you want cheap car hire in Banff.
What other payment methods are accepted by Banff car hire providers?
Besides credit cards, most car hire companies in Banff accept other payment methods, especially debit cards. Hiring a car with a debit card tends to come with additional requirements, like credit checks, money holds and proof of insurance. Some companies accept prepaid cards, while cash is generally not accepted.
We signed up for a Toyota Rav 4 but ended up with a smaller Buick Encore which only just squeezed our luggage in! No rear section canopy to hide our luggage either. Disappointing.
2,0 Poor
Anonymous, Mar 2024
Compact SUV
You should have cars first then run the company. We booked 2 times within 2 weeks firstly they booked the car for us then the next day when we were ready to pickup the car they are informing us that they don't have cars right now , we have to have another 2-3 days. Such a poor management of staff, service and specially cars. Get the cats first so people can book when they urgently need it.
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