Heading to Calgary

[GDR]

Hertz or enterprise rentals. Should be able to get one at airport. Lots of rentals are suvs for not much more than a car. Pickup would be harder to find and expensive.

Car would do fine in alberta but if going to saskatchewan you may need a tank for some of those roads!! Just kidding, used to be that way but SK has got better and ab worse.
I am an hour north of Calgary and you are welcome here just let me know what you need.

Lots to do within driving distance of Calgary. Mountains and Banff, Dinosaur museum at drumhellar, huge variety in land and farms if you go a couple hours each direction.

Good luck

[malleefarmer]

seems Alamo or budget around the mark other rental company enterprise was one nearly double. Around 380 per week a car is 320 luxury car up to 500. Will have to check insurance waivers etc for accident and theft. half tonne ram 1500 seems common. Most are dual cab only need 2 seater can seem to find one for rent
any help appreciated.
another company was cheapish but charged after 2000 km 50 cent per km

[Klause]

Check out driving force.ca



They have mostly pickups

[GDR]

Rental companies get pretty pushy about their insurance. You either gotta buy it or get coverage back home and sign off at rental company. Theirs is expensive but if you get in a wreck you hand them the keys and walk away. If you use your own insurance it can lag on for a long time and they also try to stick you for loss of rental income on the car. Can be messy. Either way in Canada the owner of the vehicle insures for liability damage to others. (Rental company)

[LEP]

I have found rental prices are a function of supply and demand. The websites that I use allow you to cancel anytime with no cost. So here is what I do.

Book your most likely option of vehicle and length of use today.

Then keep checking other options and site right up to departure. If you find a better deal, book it and cancel the first.

Also in Canada we have several credit cards that offer car rental insurance as a perk. Worth looking into.

The company that I insure my owned vehicles through actually extends coverage to car rentals as well, but only if I am driving.

When you get to Canada go a buy a decent gps and update it. Don't pay for one through the rental agency.

Finally, check which network your phone runs on in Australia and see if Telus signal is the same. I think you can buy a SIM card for your phone with a package of minutes that is likely cheaper than what you might pay your service provider at home. Not sure if you have to get your phone unlocked though.

[sumdumguy]

For a rental you can try "cheap cars for rent. Com" . You gotta keep checking both airport location and downtown pick-up as rates change everyday.

[LEP]

Not sure about taking a Canadian rental car into the USA. You will need to check that one

[Jagfarms]

If you get a international drivers licence you should be ok with almost any insurance company

[biglentil]

Takes a few weeks to get used to driving on wrong side of the road. You'll also appreciate the genius of your roundabouts vs our idiotic traffic lights.

[malleefarmer]

wife paid for tickets yesterday
Adelaide Brisbane sanfransico Calgary $3152 two tickets return.
8th ausgust to 30 august

now sorting out pick up hire. someone told me a aussie traveller said Toyota tundra I think he said are a good vehicle option.

driving from Calgary to dawson creek seems I keep on eastern side of rockies whole time?

and Calgary to plevna montana is a fair haul might have to call in on someone for a overnight stay or beer

yep all my trips are like this slightly unorganized and go with the flow

hehe I got married in Thailand now that was a adventure making bit all legal etc and no I didn't marry a thai bride my wife is actually half swiss half Austrian but born in Australia.

cheers guys didn't realize Calgary was so big might even leave car hire till I get there