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Car hire in Canada at the best prices

When you book your car hire in Canada with Auto Europe, you are guaranteed all the perks that 56 successful years in the business affords you: primarily, the lowest rates, a premium selection of vehicles, and superior customer service. Auto Europe uses it's half century of experience to work with international suppliers to offer you a car rental in Canada that meets your specific needs and budget. Auto Europe - the company that believes there is nothing more important than you, the client. If you haven't used our service before, have a read of our car hire reviews in Canada.

Make the most of your car hire

To assure your car hire in Canada is a seamless experience, you may choose to pick up your car rental from multiple locations in every province and territory. Encompassing 10 provinces that extend almost 4,900 miles coast-to-coast, Canada is a vast and diverse country that offers something to every traveller. From Nova Scotia to British Columbia, you will find adventures awaiting you in every province. Nature lovers will find grand adventures awaiting them - whether kayaking the seas off the shores of Nova Scotia, or hiking through the majestic Canadian Rockies in British Columbia, you do not have to travel far to find yourself absorbed in the breathtaking biological wonders of this grand country. For travellers in search of culture and entertainment, Canada does not disappoint. Canadian cities are renowned for hundreds of celebrations of all kinds. Each year Montreal fills its streets year round honoring everything from Jazz music to beer making. Vancouver hosts the country's largest Chinese New Year Festival as well as many festivals honoring artists, writers, and storytellers. In Canada, there is no shortage of talent to admire and beauty to enjoy.

Road Rules and Petrol Stations

Canada has a vast network of well-maintained roads, including the coast-to-coast Trans-Canada Highway. In inclement weather, it is important to stay informed about road conditions, however, so be sure to check area websites for weather updates. Below you will find some driving instructions for your holiday:

• Drive on the right hand side of the road in Canada.
• The use of mobile phones when driving is prohibited in most provinces.
• Radar detection devices are prohibited in most provinces.
• All passengers must wear seat belts including those sitting in the back seats.
• It is advised that all children under 12 years ride in the back seats.
• Children under 36kg (80 lb) or 145 centimeters (4'9") or 8 years old should sit in the rear of the vehicle in a size-appropriate restraint.
• Motorcyclists must wear helmets.

In Canada, impaired driving is defined as driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 8 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood (which is the same BAC as the UK) or driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. If you are stopped and fail to give a breath sample when requested by police, you will receive the same harsh penalties as if you were driving while impaired. If you have been convicted of driving under the influence in the last 10 years, you may be denied entry into the country.

Petrol

In most urban areas, petrol is sold by the litre and can be paid for at the pump if your credit card has "chip and pin number" functionality. You will happily find that Canadian petrol prices are considerably more reasonable than UK prices.

Toll roads

Toll roads in Canada are uncommon. However, Highway 407/ETR in Ontario, which circles around northern Toronto, is an electronic toll road that bills tolls to the vehicle's owner based on license plate number or transponder account. If travelling in this area, check the policy regarding fees for using this road.

Age Requirements

Canada's driving age varies by province, but generally one must be 16 years of age to learn to drive, and 17 years of age to drive solo. To hire a car, one must be between 21-25 years old, with most companies requiring renters be at least 25 years of age. Additional fees may be charged for drivers under the age of 25. Note that requirements vary from province to province.

Canadian Currency

Like the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, the Canadian currency system uses dollars ($) and cents (¢). Canada offers one dollar (loonie) and two-dollar (toonie) coins, in addition to 0.01¢, 0.05¢, 0.10¢ and 0.25¢ coins. Paper money comes in different colors and designs.

For information on currency exchange rates, check out the Bank of Canada's Currency Converter.

Time difference

The expansive country of Canada includes six of the 24 time zones in the world. From east to west, they are:

• Newfoundland Time (Newfoundland and Labrador) - 3.5 hours behind UK
• Atlantic Time (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island) - 4 hours behind UK
• Eastern Time (Ontario, Quebec) - 5 hours behind UK
• Central Time (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario) - 6 hours behind UK
• Mountain Time (Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) - 7 hours behind UK
• Pacific Time (Yukon, British Columbia) - 8 hours behind UK
• Note that some provinces include more than one time zone.
• Be aware that most of Canada uses the 12-hour clock system, with the exception of Quebec and New Brunswick, where French is the official language and 24-hour clock system is employed.

With the exception of Saskatchewan, Canada observes Daylight Saving Time from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. Saskatchewan does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Dictionary

While English is the predominant language throughout Canada, over a quarter of Canadians are bilingual or multilingual. French is the dominant (and preferred) language in the province of Quebec. Many Canadian citizens in the cities of Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City are bilingual.

Helpful French phrases:

You are welcome - De rien
Please - S'il vous plaît
Yes - Oui
No - Non
Excuse me - Excusez-moi
Pardon me - Pardon
Sorry! - Excusez-moi!
I don't understand - Je ne comprends pas
I don't speak French - Je ne parle pas français
Do you speak English? - Parlez-vous anglais?
Could you speak more slowly, please? - Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s´il vous plaît?
Could you repeat (that), please? - Pourriez-vous répéter, s´il vous plaît?
What's your name? - Comment vous appelez-vous?
How are you? - Comment allez-vous?
How much does that cost? - Combien ça coûte?
Can I get on the internet? - Puis-je me connecter à l´Internet?
Can you help me, please? - Pouvez-vous m´aider, s´il vous plaît?
Where is the bathroom? - Où sont les toilettes?
Where is...? - Où se trouve... / Où est...?
How much does it cost? - Combien coûte...?
I can't find.... - Je ne peux pas trouver...
I'm lost - Je suis perdu Pouvez-vous m'aider?
Can you help me? - Pouvez-vous m'aider?
Help! - Aidez-moi! Au secours!

Please note, French Canadians speak a unique regional French dialect, which varies from the modern European version spoken in France. To learn more, see Quebec French and Acadian French.

Voltage & Electricity

Canadian appliances operate on 120 volts (60Hz), so a universal adaptor is required for UK electrical devices. Main wall sockets (or power outlets) and plugs for 120 volts use two parallel flat blades.

Visa and Embassy Information

British Citizens do not usually need a visa to visit Canada for short periods of time, but you will need a passport valid for the length of your stay. Please note that when you arrive you will need to be able to prove you have enough funds available to support yourself during your visit. If you have a criminal record or have been arrested (even if you have not been convicted), you should contact the Canadian High Commission to verify you are eligible to enter the country. In addition, if you are a travelling with your children without your partner or spouse, you should carry a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent, as immigration officers have the right to question children to rule out child abduction worries.

British High Commission in Ottawa
80 Elgin Street
K1P 5K7
Ottawa
Canada
Phone: +1-613-2371530
Fax: +1-613-2377980
Email: ukincanada@fco.gov.uk
Website URL: www.gov.uk/government/world/

United Kingdom Consulate (Calgary)
3000-150 6 Ave SW
T2P 3Y7
Calgary
Alberta
Canada
Phone: +1-403-705-1755
Fax: +1-403-538-0121
Email: UKConsulate.Calgary@fco.gov.uk

United Kingdom Consulate (Montreal)
2000 McGill College Avenue
Suite 1940
H3A 3H3
Montreal
Quebec
Canada
Phone: +1-514-8665863
Fax: +1-514-8660202
Email: rsvp.montreal@fco.gov.uk

United Kingdom Consulate (Vancouver)
Suite 800, 1111 Melville Street
V6E 3V6
Vancouver
British Columbia
Canada
Phone: +1-604-6834421
Fax: +1-604-6810693
Email: britishconsulate.vancouver@fco.gov.uk

Campervan hire in Canada

Why not hire a campervan for your next trip to Canada and tour the country at your leisure? Auto Europe offers affordable motorhome hire through its various partners, such as Cruise Canada and Canadadream, to give you the opportunity to experience the clear lakes and crisp green forests from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. You can pick up your campervan in Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver, among others.

Useful links

Canada Tourist Information