One way car rental--Expensive!
 

We were looking at a vacation starting in the Rockies and ending in Vancouver. We were flying into Calgary. The prices that I am being quoted is $700+ per week for a basic car rental. Does this look correct....? Looks like we may have to do a round trip (Start in Vancouver and end in Vancouver). Has anyone else run into this?

Hello mssav,

I guess there are a couple of issues here. You haven't mentioned the time of year, and you haven't mentioned which currency the dollar sign refers to, American or Canadian.

In any event, I ran a hypothetical enquiry through Avis (just because they come first in the alphabet, not because I think there's anything special about them). They quoted less than $700 / week, even in Canadian dollars, and even for dates that I considered to be at the height of the tourist season.

Calgary to Vancouver, pick up July 1st, drop off July 7th, was 600 CAD for a full-size and 550 CAD for an intermediate.

Their rate was somewhat cheaper if the car was picked up in Vancouver and dropped off in Calgary.

Something I've discovered from hanging out at Fodor's is that the direction of a trip can influence the cost.

But, at the end of the day, their rate was a <b>lot</b> cheaper if the car was picked up <b>and</b> dropped off in Vancouver.

You might also try National Car and Truck Rental at

http://www.nationalcar.com

In comparing quotes in the past, I've found their rates to be competitive. I've never had any trouble when I've rented from them.

When I've done price comparisons, Alamo's rate often has shown up as the cheapest. However, I've heard a couple of stories from people who've run into problems with Alamo.

Hope that helps.

Does the cost include a drop off fee? I know my husband couldn't take a car from Vancouver and drop off in Calgary without being charged $600 more above the rental cost.

if you decide to do a round trip, the nice thing is you don't have to return the same way. you can do a loop, vancouver to jasper, icefield parkway to banff then return to vancouver on a different route. both directions are beautiful drives.

Avis all the way-We had one-way rentals 2x- The first from Jacksonville, FL to Las Vegas, NV/2 days later Las Vegas to Vancouver, BC, Can.-total time 25 days for less than $1000-worth it. We were going on a cruise and had no way or interest to go back to a round trip point. If you want to drop the car off - be prepared to be happy that you can do a one way and pay the price after you check out any discounts that might apply. They own the car - they are in charge !

The second time we took a car from Richmond, VA to Albany, NY - time 7 days and it was about $300 for a full size ( with upgrade).

As BQ says-timing is everything-but Avis is easier to work with-e.g. had to drop car off and pick up another - 1/2 way into the first trip.