Fast facts about hiring a car from Calgary International Airport (YYC)

You can fly to Calgary International Airport (YYC) from several UK airports, and it’s just a 25-minute drive along the AB-2 freeway to the centre of Calgary. Picking up a hire car at the airport is simple and you’ll find a range of well-known companies to choose from, including Avis, Budget and Alamo.

The car hire desks at Calgary Airport can be found in the Rental Car Centre, which is across the road from the main terminal building.  Do some research online in advance for the best chance of finding a cheap car hire deal in 2020.

Car hire companies that have desks at Calgary Airport include:

• Avis (Tel: +1 403 221 1700)
• Enterprise (Tel: +1 403 233 8021)
• Budget (Tel: +1 403 226 1550)
• Hertz (Tel: +1 403 221 1676)
• Alamo (Tel: +1 403 543 3985)

Hiring a car in Calgary city centre

There are plenty of car hire offices in central Calgary, so it's easy to spend a few days here before picking up a vehicle. Big brands like Avis, Budget, Sixt, Alamo and Enterprise all have representation in the city, and you’ll find several pick up points in the Downtown district, as well as along the 1^st Street East/Macleod Trail corridor heading south.

Driving in Calgary city centre

Thanks to the wide roads and grid system favoured by much of North America, driving in Calgary is a breeze. The city is known for its low traffic levels, and while there is considerable urban sprawl, a network of fast freeways makes getting from one side of Calgary to the other fairly quick.

Calgary's downtown area is bounded by the Bow River to the north, 17^th Avenue to the south, and by two major north-south freeways on either side: Crowchild Trail to the west, and Macleod Trail to the east. English road signs make navigating even easier, and you'll get very little trouble from other road users.

As for parking, there are plenty of multi-storeys in Downtown Canada ('parkades', to use the local lingo). On-street parking is free after 6pm and all day on Sundays and holidays.

Recommended day trips from Calgary

Banff National Park

Driving time: One hour 30 minutes

Banff National Park is a prime spot for skiing and snowboarding. If you’d rather stay off the slopes or are visiting in summer, take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for its epic views, or head to the area’s famous hot springs for a warming dip. You’ll also find the impossibly clear Lake Louise in Banff – it's perfect for canoeing, paddle boarding and fishing.

Waterton Lake

Driving time: Three hours

Located just north of the American border, Waterton Lake is one of those natural sights that will stay with you forever. The peaks that surround it offer panoramic views of both the Rockies and the prairies, while the lake itself is a picture of serenity. Head out on hiking trails, hire a boat, or just explore charming Waterton town. The Prince of Wales Hotel, perched just above town, is a great spot for a scenic lunch.

Dinosaur Provincial Park

Driving time: Two hours 30 minutes

This UNESCO World Heritage site has fascinated visitors for decades with its unusual Badlands landscape. The area gets its name from – you guessed it – the huge volume of dinosaur fossils that have been discovered here, and you can get up close to some of them at the Dinosaur Visitor Centre. Outside, well-marked trails lead you to panoramic views of this arid yet beautiful region.