Shopping for car rental can be a daunting task. There are often dozens of different companies that offer the same rates. But in the small print, you’ll find huge variations in the costs of rentals, and if you don’t book smart, you can end up paying hundreds of dollars more on your next vacation.
Even with cabs and a solid public transportation network, jumping from point to point is not easy. With these options, the freedom and flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want, are lost. Renting a car is the most sensible option when it comes to exploring a city like Vancouver. You will have freedom, convenience, and lots of saved time in your hands.
Car rentals in Vancouver are not an easy affair. Here are some tips that will make hiring a car so much easier –
Know About the Formalities
It’s easy to get into a vacation mood and disregard the local laws. Before bringing out the wallet, there are certain general and legal requirements for driving a rental car or any other car for that matter-
- A valid driver’s license is a must.
- Insurance – of your own or supplied by the rental company
- Following speed limits and seatbelt rules are mandatory.
- If you are coming from mph, then be cautious; it’s kph in Canada.
- Follow any other terms and conditions issued by the rental service.
Book in Advance
Booking the car rental in advance is one simple way of getting good deals. It will help you to avoid any difficulties in not getting the vehicle you wanted or paying premium charges at the last minute. You also save a lot of time and hassle going through those rentals desks. And best of all, you can do all of this from the comfort of your home. What’s better than that?
Longer Deals Are Better
If you are planning a longer stay, then rent the car for a little longer. Instead of hiring a car every 3rd or 4th day, hiring it in one go is more economical. There’s another benefit to it. It frees you from the tension of returning your vehicle within a certain time. Vacations and explorations are all about relaxation. A rental clock ticking over your head is not a good experience.
Choose the Right Vehicle
Deciding on the size of the vehicle is essential before signing the contract. This is a common mistake many people make.
They will rent a car which will never be utilized to its full potential. Consider this, do you really need a full-sized SUV when all you got is two bags and two people? A small hatchback will work just as well and will save you some cash and fuel.
If you are on a work assignment with equipment or have your own gear for some adventures in biking or boating across Vancouver, getting an SUV is fine. It will make hauling the luggage effortless and convenient.
Convenience vs. Savings
Vancouver offers you a lot of options. You can go for a calm trekking trip or go full out with skiing & snowboarding. But what happens when you have limited time or cash? Should you go for convenience or saving some cash?
When choosing a car Rental Company in Vancouver, you can opt for airport rentals, GPS systems, bigger vehicles, pick up and drop off services, or complete roadside assistance. This will give you a complete sense of peace and cost you a little more than the usual serve-yourself rentals. But the time savings that comes from it is unmatched.
Or you can ignore all of these extras, and you will save some cash but at the cost of time wasted on arranging your own. The choice is up to you.
