Canada Trip.co.uk

Well here it is! The second part of our Getting Around Canada article. In this part we’ll look at getting around Canada by Bus, Car or even RV! .. First up – Bus!

BY BUS

Greyhound (403/260-0877 or 800/661-8747) serves areas throughout Canada. Travel by Greyhound is simple–just roll up at the depot and buy a ticket. No reservations are necessary. Greyhound bus depots in all cities and towns are centrally located and linked to other public transportation (or, at the very least, cabs meet all arrivals). Always check for any promotional fares that might be available at the time of your travel. Regular-fare tickets are valid for one year and allow unlimited stopovers between paid destinations.

Greyhound’s Discovery Pass comes in many forms, including passes valid only in Canada, in the western states and provinces, and in all of North America. The Canada Pass is sold in periods of seven days ($275), 10 days ($345), 15 days ($415), 21 days ($455), 30 days ($515), 45 days ($575), and 60 days ($655) and allows unlimited travel west of Montreal. The Domestic West Coast Pass, valid for Greyhound travel through western Canada and the western U.S. is valid for 10 days (US$285) and 21 days (US$385). You can buy the passes at any bus depot. In the U.S., the pass can be bought from most travel agents. From outside North America, passes can be bought online; with advance purchase, a small discount is applied.

BY CAR OR RV

Most visitors to Canada travel in their own vehicle, or rent one upon arrival. Driver’s licenses from all countries are valid in Canada for up to three months. You should also obtain a one-year International Driving Permit before leaving home (U.S. licensed drivers do not require an IDP to drive in Canada). Inexpensive and available from most motoring organizations, they allow you to drive in Canada (in conjunction with your regular license), without taking a test, for up to three months. You should also carry car registration papers or rental contracts. Proof of insurance must also be carried, and you must wear seat belts. All highway signs in Canada give distances in kilometers and speeds in kilometers per hour (kph). The speed limit on most major highways is 100 kph (62 mph).

Renting a vehicle
All major car-rental agencies have multiple outlets in all major cities as well as desks at most airports. To ensure that a vehicle is available for you when you arrive, book in advance, especially through the busy June-Sept. period.

In summer, expect to pay around $60 per day for an “Economy” or “Compact” car, $75 for an “Intermediate,” $85-100 for a “Full Size,” and over $100 for an SUV. Between late September and mid-June all vehicles are heavily discounted, with smaller vehicles available from $30 per day and $200 per week. Most major agencies now offer unlimited mileage, but not for rentals originating in Banff or Jasper national parks. Check to make sure about this policy. In all cases, insurance costs from $20 per day and is compulsory unless covered by a personal policy or on your credit card. Charges apply if you need to drop off the car at an agency other than the rental location. All agencies provide free pickup and drop-off at major city hotels.

Remember to check out our reccomended company to try find the best price before you head out – but there are other options for when you’re out there!

Vehicles can be booked through parent companies in the United States or elsewhere using the web or toll-free numbers. Discount (403/299-1202 or 800/263-2355) is a Canadian company with 200 rental outlets across the country. Their vehicles are kept in service a little longer than the other majors, but they provide excellent rates–even through summer–especially if booked in advance. Other major rental agencies include Avis (800/879-2847), Budget (800/268-8900), Dollar (800/800-4000), Enterprise (800/325-8007), Hertz (800/263-0600), National (800/227-7368), Rent-A-Wreck (800/327-0116), and Thrifty (800/847-4389).

RV Rental
Camper vans, RVs, and travel trailers are a great way to get around Canada without having to worry about accommodations each night. The downside is cost. The smallest vans, capable of sleeping two people, start at $100 per day with 100 free kilometers per day. Extra charges include insurance, a preparation fee (usually around $50 per rental), a linen/cutlery charge (around $60 per person per trip), and taxes. Major agencies include Cruise Canada (403/291-4963 or 800/327-7799, or in the United States, 800/784-7368), Go West (403/240-1814 or 800/240-1814), Canadream (604/572-3220 or 800/461-7368), and C.C. Canada Camper (877/327-3003).

So there you go! Now you should know everything you need to know about getting out and about around Canada!

Credit to http://www.westerncanadatravel.com/ for sourcing all the information you have seen in the last two “getting around Canada” articles

Share on Facebook

This entry was posted on Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 10:14 am and is filed under Flights/Car Parking/Hire etc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.