We want to fly to California next year. Pick up a hire car at San Diego International Airport and drive up to Seattle in Washington state. It would be good if we could take hire car across the border to enable us to visit Vancouver in Canada. We would return the rental car to Seattle International Airport before flying home. Is this possible? If yes, suggested car rental companies?
Regarding car rental company policies for cross border travel from the US to Canada:
Alamo – yes, as long as you return it back in the US
Avis – yes – "US cars may be driven into Canada by US residents. A Canadian non-resident insurance card may be required and is available at the Avis rental location."
Budget – yes -"US cars may be driven into Canada by US residents. A Canadian non-resident insurance card may be required and is available at the Budget rental location."
Dollar – probably – "At most Dollar car rental locations, driving is restricted to the Continental United States and Canada. Please refer to the local policies, which are found within the reservation process, for specific information regarding geographic limitations at the Dollar rental car location where you intend to rent a Dollar vehicle."
Enterprise – maybe – "Some offices will allow their vehicles to cross international boundaries. Please contact the office that you plan to rent from to see if they allow their vehicles to cross into another country. You can find an office phone number at www.enterprise.com."
Hertz – yes – "The renter will need to advise the rental counter if they intend take the rental car into Canada.
You must have a valid license and rental record. Rentals from some cities may require presentation of Liability Protection Letters, Certificates or Stickers at Customs for driving into Canada."
National – yes – "Any U.S. Citizen renting a vehicle in the U.S. may drive across the U.S./Canadian border with no restrictions. The driver may be asked by Customs to show a rental agreement and a form of identification, such as a driver’s license. "
Source: http://www.best-car-rental-tips.com/rental-car-into-canada.html#ixzz0UZbwRI9G
Taking a hire car into Canada is possible but you have to inform the hire company of your intentions as it has implications for your insurance cover and there may be a problem if the hirer is under 25.
Last time I did it the car was rented from National in San Jose but I believe all the major hire companies permit what you plan.
Enjoy the trip.
Ian M
References :
Regarding car rental company policies for cross border travel from the US to Canada:
Alamo – yes, as long as you return it back in the US
Avis – yes – "US cars may be driven into Canada by US residents. A Canadian non-resident insurance card may be required and is available at the Avis rental location."
Budget – yes -"US cars may be driven into Canada by US residents. A Canadian non-resident insurance card may be required and is available at the Budget rental location."
Dollar – probably – "At most Dollar car rental locations, driving is restricted to the Continental United States and Canada. Please refer to the local policies, which are found within the reservation process, for specific information regarding geographic limitations at the Dollar rental car location where you intend to rent a Dollar vehicle."
Enterprise – maybe – "Some offices will allow their vehicles to cross international boundaries. Please contact the office that you plan to rent from to see if they allow their vehicles to cross into another country. You can find an office phone number at http://www.enterprise.com."
Hertz – yes – "The renter will need to advise the rental counter if they intend take the rental car into Canada.
You must have a valid license and rental record. Rentals from some cities may require presentation of Liability Protection Letters, Certificates or Stickers at Customs for driving into Canada."
National – yes – "Any U.S. Citizen renting a vehicle in the U.S. may drive across the U.S./Canadian border with no restrictions. The driver may be asked by Customs to show a rental agreement and a form of identification, such as a driver’s license. "
Source: http://www.best-car-rental-tips.com/rental-car-into-canada.html#ixzz0UZbwRI9G
References :