Victoria car rentals are available in good supply. As such, visitors who are without their own vehicles should have little trouble securing a pair of wheels. At the Victoria International Airport alone, four major car rental agencies have desks in the Arrivals area, and there is another major company that offers pre-arranged airport pick up service. In the downtown Victoria area, other car rental agencies offer even more options.

The Victoria BC car rental companies have a variety of vehicles to fit guest needs. There are compact cars that are great on gas, SUVs that can be especially handy during a Vancouver Island winter, vans for transporting numerous people, and luxury rides that turn heads. It is even possible to rent a flat-bed truck at some of the rental companies and hybrid vehicles to save on gas. Generally speaking, a compact car that is relatively low on frills will be the cheapest option.

In all Victoria car rentals, the driving wheel is on the left, just as it is in the United States and most other countries around the world. Wearing seat belts is the law, and it is strictly enforced. Also worth noting is the fact that pedestrians always have the right of way, and as is true of all Canadian provinces except for Quebec, British Columbia allows drivers to make a right turn on red after a full stop is made.

Victoria Map

As for the rental car requirements in Victoria, they are quite similar as you might expect in the United States. As long as you are of age, have a credit card, can provide a valid driver's license, and are able to show proof of insurance, you are pretty much good to go. Some agencies require that renters be at least 25 years of age, so it is important to inquire if you are younger than this. Also, some agencies charge a supplemental fee for renting adults who are less than 25 years old, with the minimum rental age most often being 21.

The Victoria BC car rental companies are known to offer special deals from time to time, and it never hurts to inquire about all available discounts when going through the rental process. When saving some money on rates is the main goal, booking Victoria car rentals as part of a vacation package is also worth considering. Vacation packages in general help save travelers money, and they can include all kinds of extras. It is possible to find packages that include Victoria flights, car rentals, hotels, and or sightseeing tours. The British Columbia capital has become quite the tourism hotspot in recent years, so the vacation package options are complete.

Since downtown Victoria is most easily navigated by way of foot or bicycle, a vehicle isn't necessary for getting around. Downtown visitors who have a rental car to park can rely on the guest parking that major hotels offer. Metered parking is also available, and there are pay lots on streets such as Yates, View, and Johnson.

When traveling outside of Victoria, having a car will be more attractive, as it provides the owner with increased freedom. SUVs with all-wheel drive can come in especially handy when heading out of the city. Some of the most enticing Vancouver Island destinations are served by gravel roads at best, and the going can sometimes be tough. These gravel roads are often logging roads, and logging trucks have the right of way. That being said, there are well-paved routes for getting to other island destinations such as Nanaimo, Tofino, and many other local destinations.