Car rentals can be a royal pain in the neck. Every time I need to rent a car for my travels, it usually takes a few attempts. Either I end up with a clunker, get stuck with hidden fees, or deal with rude staff.
Honestly, when you’re rushing to get on the road, the last thing you want to deal with is a frustrating rental experience.
Understanding these challenges, I explored rental options in Calgary to identify the best companies.
Here are the ones I wouldn’t mind renting from.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Calgary?
It costs at least 30 CAD per day to rent a car in Calgary. This price is an estimate. The actual cost will depend on the type of car, the length of the rental, the rental company, and more.
Table of Contents
1. Alamo Rent A Car
Address: 2000 Airport Rd NE
Contact Details: +1 833-619-3653
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 PM to 1 AM
I appreciated Alamo’s wide range of vehicles, from economical cars to larger SUVs and trucks.
I test-drove a silver Honda CR-V, a mid-size SUV. It was spotless inside and out, drove smoothly, and had surprisingly good gas mileage for an SUV.
However, their weekend vehicle selection was a bit limited compared to other rental agencies I’ve used.
Regardless of this minor drawback, I was impressed with Alamo’s fast and seamless airport pickup process.
The staff were also very patient. They helped me understand the insurance options, answered all my questions, and even provided helpful tips for navigating the local area.
Other clients also praised Alamo’s online booking system for its user-friendly design and transparent pricing.
Quick and easy check-in
“Rented a car in Calgary airport, was given a free upgrade which was great. Really easy check in and collection of car. Return was quick and easy. All employees I came across were friendly and helpful. The car was fabulous. I always use Alamo and find the company great in all countries I have hired in. Would highly recommend this car hire company.”
– Ruby Kerry, Google Reviews
Friendly and supportive staff
“Recently rented from Alamo at the airport in Calgary. The people were great – friendly and supportive. The processes were well refined making the reservation, pickup and return very straightforward.”
– Terry Pruner, Google Reviews
2. Zoom Rent A Car
Address: 11124 36 Street Northeast UNIT#2010
Contact Details: +1 587-885-8888
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Zoom Rent A Car really stood out because of their incredibly low prices. Their rates were significantly cheaper than those of the big-name rental companies at the airport.
They also have a shuttle service from the airport. However, it’s a bit slow, so be prepared for a wait.
Despite that, they have an impressive selection of vehicles. From compact cars to SUVs and even luxury vehicles like Mercedes Benzes—they have it all. They even have a few sporty options like Ford Mustangs.
Plus, the cars were all in excellent condition. I test-drove a few and didn’t encounter any issues.
I also appreciated that they offer insurance replacement and accidental rental services. They bill the insurance company directly, making the process more convenient for you.
Provides impressive service
“I recently rented a car from Zoom Car Rental, and I was thoroughly impressed with their service. From the moment I booked online, the process was simple and straightforward. Their website was easy to navigate, and I appreciated the transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Pick-up was quick and hassle-free, and the staff at the location were friendly and efficient. The car I rented (a compact sedan) was in excellent condition – clean, well-maintained, and perfect for my trip. I also loved that they offered flexible rental options, which made the whole experience more convenient.”
– Julia Gd, Google Reviews
Hands down the best rental car
“Best rental car hands down. In and out in no time the car was clean and new . I have rented from then 3 weeks now and each car is amazing. This will definitely be my to go to car rental place!! No hidden fees and friendly rates always having promotions. And they handle any problem instantly for me.”
– Gladys, Google Reviews
3. National Car Rental
Address: 2000 Airport Rd NE
Contact Details: +1 833-619-3655
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 1 AM
The best thing about National Car Rental is its convenience. Located right at the airport, picking up your car couldn’t be easier.
I also appreciated their wide variety of vehicles. They have compact cars like the Nissan Versa and Kia Forte, larger options like the Toyota Camry, and SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe.
But their cars aren’t always the newest models. I ended up driving a car that was a bit older than I’d hoped.
Even so, the staff were friendly and helpful. They answered my questions and made sure I understood the rental agreement.
I also liked how straightforward the pricing was. They clearly explained the extra fees, and I really appreciated their honesty.
Returning the car is efficient and easy
“I had an excellent experience with National Car Rental at Calgary Airport. The staff was incredibly friendly and efficient, making the rental process seamless and quick. The car I received was spotless, well-maintained, and equipped with all the features I needed for my trip. Returning the car was just as easy, with clear instructions and helpful employees ensuring everything went smoothly. I also appreciated their competitive pricing and the wide variety of vehicles to choose from. Highly recommend this location for anyone traveling through Calgary.”
– Abhishek, Google Reviews
Top-notch customer service
“By far the best car rental agency. The customer service is superb. The transactions are fast. We love picking our car on pickup day. Lots of great choices.”
– Jennifer Mossery, Google Reviews
4. Dimples Car Rentals
Address: 105 Evansmeade Point NW
Contact Details: +1 403-616-4266
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Dimples Car Rentals offers a great selection of vehicles, from compact cars to trucks. The one I rented was super clean, comfortable, and drove smoothly.
The staff was friendly and efficient, too. They really took the time to explain the vehicle features.
However, the check-in process felt rushed. I felt pressured to sign the rental agreement without fully reading it.
Regardless, I appreciated their collision damage waiver (CDW) option. It protects you from financial liability if you damage the rental car. It also covers towing and administrative fees.
But the CDW is a bit pricey. We recommend weighing the cost against your personal insurance coverage if you’re on a tight budget.
Outstanding customer service
“The best car renting so far I ever had, outstanding customer service and owner was super nice, professional and friendly. The prices were affordable (never seen this affordable prices in other car renting buisnesses). Car was clean, good condition and never caused any problem throughout the long road trip. Special Thank you to Daniel and definitely hoping to rent a car again from Dimmples.”
– Forum Patel, Google Reviews
Provides clean and newer car selection
“During my recent visit to Calgary, I used the services of Dimmples Car Rentals. The customer service was outstanding, the cars in service were clean and new. Pick up and drop off was very convenient. I will definitely use Dimmples’ service again and I recommend you give it a try.”
– Libert Ngale, Google Reviews
5. Viawest Car Rental
Address: 57 Freeport Cres NE
Contact Details: +1 825-558-9378
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 5 PM
I was impressed by how simple and easy it was to book a car with Viawest Car Rentals. Their website is straightforward, with a clearly laid-out booking process.
Their vehicle selection is excellent, offering a range of options from compact cars to SUVs. However, their larger vehicles might be limited on weekends.
Despite this, the cars are clean and well-maintained. You’ll feel confident driving off in a vehicle that’s been properly cared for.
The staff were friendly and helpful, taking the time to guide me through the available options. I appreciated their thoughtful recommendations to ensure I chose the car model that perfectly matched my needs and preferences.
The only downside was the wait time at the counter. When I went on a Saturday, it took me 20 minutes to pick up a car.
Seamless booking process
“I recently rented a pick-up truck from Viawest Car Rental for two days, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the entire experience. After struggling to find anything available at the airport, discovering Viawest was a game-changer. The booking process was seamless, and the pick-up was effortless. The truck was in immaculate condition, and the rate was refreshingly affordable, especially compared to the overpriced options at the airport. The customer service was exceptional—friendly, efficient, and truly professional. Without a doubt, I’ll be turning to Viawest for all my future rental needs!”
– Rowhit Babbar, Google Reviews
Provides brand-new and fuel-efficient vehicles
“I needed a Van for our family trip, i went to the office and booked one in minutes. Price was good,the vehicle was brand new, clean and fuel efficient. I recommend this place for all rentals.”
– R. Sandha, Google Reviews
