What you should know before hiring a car in Edmonton
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Distance from Edmonton city centre |
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| 3 km | ||
| 15 km | ||
| 26 km | ||
Practical information
Where to rent a car in Edmonton?
Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, Canada. It is home to a number of attractions, including the vast West Edmonton Mall; the Royal Alberta Museum; and Fort Edmonton Park. Visitors arriving in Edmonton by air will likely touch down at the city's principle airport of Edmonton International Airport, while those traveling by train may arrive at Edmonton railway station. From the airport, travelers can opt to take the Edmonton Skyshuttle into the city center, as well as being able to choose from taxis or buses. However, for those wishing to explore Edmonton and its surroundings at their own pace, rental car is a great option – and there are a number of reliable car rental companies to be found at Edmonton International Airport. These include Avis, Budget, Alamo and Enterprise.
Driving in Edmonton: parking and other tips
When driving in Edmonton, be sure to follow Canadian driving rules. These include driving on the right hand side and overtaking on the left; and adhering to the speed limit. This is usually as follows: 50km/h in urban areas; 60 - 80km/h on rural roads; and 80 - 100km/h on freeways. In Edmonton, pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists while driving.
Visitors have a number of options when parking their car in Edmonton. On-street parking is available in Edmonton; be sure to purchase a ticket before leaving your car. Rates can vary, but are usually between $2.50 to $3.50/hr on weekdays; and $1 an hour on a Saturday. On Sundays, on street parking is free. In the Event Parking Region, on event nights, further parking restrictions apply. More details can be found on the City of Edmonton website. Visitors can also park their rental car in parking lots, which can be found across the city.
Road trips from Edmonton
Drive along stunning highways in National Parks such as Banff and Elk Island, or explore cosmopolitan Calgary. Renting a car in Edmonton to explore the city and the surrounding areas makes all this an easy possibility! These are our top three road trip destinations from Edmonton.
Calgary
186 miles south of Edmonton by road lies the city of Calgary. The drive takes around three hours, depending on traffic, making this a possible day trip from Edmonton, but best experienced when taken as a trip of a few days. In Calgary, visit the Heritage Park Historical Village; learn more about the city's western culture at the Calgary Stampede; and relax on Prince's Island Park, set on an island on the Bow River.
Banff National Park
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Edmonton, and drive your rental car to the stunning Banff National Park. From Edmonton, it's a 257 mile drive – but there is the option to stop off in Calgary along the way. Upon arrival at Banff National Park, prepare to be struck by the area's stunning natural beauty. There's no better way to experience this than by car, driving along roads overlooked by the Canadian Rockies. Popular roads in the National Park include the Icefields Parkway, which takes travelers from Banff town to Jasper; the Trans-Canada Highway, running between Banff and Lake Louise; and the Tunnel Mountain Drive, which loops around Tunnel Mountain.
Elk Island National Park
Looking for an escape to nature a little closer to Edmonton itself? Elk Island National Park is just the place! Just 29 miles outside of the city, this National Park is easily explored by rental car, with a number of roads passing through the area. These include the Yellowhead Highway and the Elk Island Parkway. Elk Island National Park is home to a range of wildlife, including Bison and Elk, and makes for a truly breath-taking road trip within easy reach of Edmonton.