Car Rentals

A Vancouver road trip is a rite of passage for both locals and visitors. From scenic coastal drives to mountain adventures, a rental car opens up endless possibilities for exploration and memory-making.

Yet with so many factors to weigh like passenger space, driving terrain, luggage capacity and more, deciding on the ideal rental car can be an overwhelming choice. To ensure your wheels match the journey and take you on an unforgettable trip, follow this comprehensive road trip rental guide from the team at Expo Rent a Car.

Carefully Consider Passenger Space and Comfort

First, determine how many people are coming. Will it just be you and a partner? The whole family, including kids? For maximum comfort, allow ample personal space. Though a subcompact sedan may technically “fit” four adults, a mid-size sedan or SUV will be far less cramped.

If you are travelling with kids, don’t forget to pack car seats and booster seats as needed based on ages. Verify no more than two kids would be sharing a row to avoid nonstop “are we there yet?” backseat battles! For longer road trips spanning a week or more, upgrading to a roomy minivan can provide optimal cabin space to keep everyone happy.

Next, consider which creature comforts will enhance the experience, like:

• Heated seats to stay toasty on chilly mountain drives in the Rockies.
• Ventilated seats to reduce perspiration on hot, sunny coastal routes.
• Built-in navigation to limit time fumbling with phones to find destinations.
• Charging ports for devices and gameplay to ward off boredom.
• Wi-Fi hotspots and Bluetooth for endless soundtrack streaming.
• Premium sound systems to liven up the open road.

If your trip involves driving through remote areas with limited services, upgrading to a higher grade vehicle with more premium features can maximize comfort and enjoyment while in transit for hours on end.

Take Inventory of Luggage and Necessary Gear

The right rental must offer adequate cargo room and packing space for all your trip necessities. Take a detailed inventory of all required gear, including:

• Luggage for All Passengers: Suitcases, duffle bags, backpacks, etc.
• Beach Gear: Umbrellas, folding chairs, coolers for refreshments.
• Sports Equipment: Surfboards, kayaks, bicycles, golf clubs.
• Safety Kit: Cones, first aid, jumper cables, tire inflator.
• Camping Gear: Tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, cookware if overnighting en route.

With the full gear list in hand, choose a rental grade (economy, mid, full-size etc.) and style (sedan, SUV, or van) accordingly based on the projected space requirements. Upgrading to a more spacious SUV or minivan often makes sense to avoid a fully crammed trunk, or any gear spilling into the cabin. Also keep in mind the sea level cargo space in wagons or hatchbacks if visiting coastal beaches.

For extended road trips spanning over a week, consider Expo Rent a Car’s affordable weekly rates on all vehicle classes to maximize luggage capacity while saving money. Unlimited mileage is also included!

Select Drivetrain Wisely Based on Destinations

Where you intend to venture and what kinds of roads you’ll encounter determines ideal drivetrain options:

• Front-wheel drive (FWD): Reliable traction and control on flat, smooth paved routes like relaxed scenic coastal road tripping. Also, the most affordable and fuel efficient drivetrain.
• All-wheel drive (AWD): Enhanced grip and traction on wet pavement and light snow, ideal for destinations like visiting Whistler’s mountain surroundings in spring and autumn. Provides extra stability and control.
• Four-wheel drive (4WD): Maximizes traction on washed-out dirt back roads, deep snow, or steep off-road terrain. Enables remote off-roading adventures and winter alpine exploration, but uses more fuel. Upgraded clearance also helps navigate over rocks, ruts and rough primitive roads.

For exclusive highway driving, front-wheel drive is perfectly suitable. But routes involving gravel forestry roads to remote trailheads or the winding switchbacks of the renowned Sea-to-Sky highway towards Whistler often merit upgrading to AWD or 4WD for added capability and control when you need it most.

Carefully Evaluate Your Fuel Efficiency Needs

A road trip often equates to long hours behind the wheel and hundreds, if not thousands, of kilometres driven. To cut down on frustrating pit stops for refuelling, carefully factor fuel economy into the rental equation. Here’s how the common engine options compare:

• Gasoline: Most affordable and accessible fuel but lower efficiency. Great for shorter inter-city travel and destinations with ample filling stations. Choosing mid-grade versus regular gasoline boosts performance.
• Diesel: More expensive at the pump but 15-30% more fuel efficient thanks to high torque output. Well suited for effortless mountain ascents and hauling maximum loads. Diesel stations are considerably harder to find outside of major urban centres.
• Electric: No gasoline required and cheap to charge, but limited range between charges. Meticulous route planning is key to ensure sufficient public charging stations exist en route in rural areas. Vancouver fortunately has a robust public fast-charging network.
• Hybrid: Provides the ideal blend of gas and battery-electric driving. You can enjoy lower emissions and excellent fuel savings with this choice, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

With Expo Rent a Car’s diverse fleet, pick the engine providing the optimal blend of fuel efficiency and practicality based on your specific road trip destinations. Our rental agents will gladly help match the perfect fuel type and vehicle for you and your friends/family.

Review Rental Policies: Crossing Provincial or National Borders

When charting an adventurous multi-day road trip, determine if your intended route crosses any provincial or national borders. While our rentals can freely explore anywhere within British Columbia, taking vehicles into Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Washington State, or beyond requires advance approval and paperwork to avoid unauthorized one-way crossings.

So be sure to alert us of any planned international border crossings at the time of your booking, so we can approve and make the necessary arrangements well in advance. A small surcharge and increased refundable deposit applies for approved one-way rentals crossing into the United States.

With proper advanced notice, our team will gladly make it a smooth process if you’re considering an epic cross-border road trip adventure!

The Perfect Rental Makes Every Road Trip Shine

Ultimately, choosing the ideal rental car has the power to enhance every style of Vancouver road trip pursuit. By thoroughly considering passenger needs, cargo capacity, driving terrain, fuel efficiency and provincial/national border policies, picking the perfect rental wheels becomes easy, intuitive, and stress-free.

Expo Rent a Car’s diverse selection of quality vehicles enables unmatched freedom to fully live your Vancouver road trip dreams. Our team provides the experience, insights and affordable rental rates to roll out on any adventure in comfort and style!

Call today ► 604-726-6502 or 1-800-391-6502

Travelling With Your Dog? Expo Rent a Car Makes it Easy in Vancouver

For many pet owners, leaving your dog behind when travelling is simply not an option. The good news is Expo Rent a Car welcomes dogs in our rental vehicles, so you can bring your faithful companion along on your Vancouver adventures!

We understand dogs are an important part of the family, and we accommodate pet owners with a straightforward dog policy, practical tips, and the city’s best rental car rates. Read on to learn how Expo Rent a Car makes renting with dogs easy.

Expo’s Simple Dog Policy: No Fuss, No Hidden Fees

Many major rental car companies allow dogs, but then surprise customers with major cleaning fees for dog hair or damage. At Expo Rent a Car, we don’t believe in gouging pet owners with exorbitant fees.

Our policy is simple and transparent:

• Dogs are welcome in our rental vehicles at no extra charge.
• No pet deposits required.
• We provide blankets to protect seats from dirt and hair.
• Renters are only responsible for damage clearly caused by pets.
• Reasonable cleaning fees for excessive messes only.

As long as you avoid major damage or extreme messes such as vomiting, urine, or feces left in the vehicle, you will not incur significant fees for bringing your pet along. We understand that a minor mess can happen with pets, and do not price gouge our renters.

Tips for a Smooth, Stress-Free Rental Experience

To make your rental experience with a dog completely hassle-free, follow these handy tips:

• Line the backseat and cargo area with a blanket or sheet to prevent scratches and contain loose hair.
• If your dog is prone to motion sickness, avoid feeding them directly before the drive; you can also opt for anti-nausea medication recommended by your vet.
• Bring a favourite toy or two to provide a sense of comfort and security to distract your pet from anything new that might cause distress during the trip.
• Make regular stops every 1–3 hours for walks, exercise, water breaks, and bathroom breaks. Bring waste bags to clean up after your pet.
• Have a durable dog harness and secure your dog properly when travelling. Do not allow them to sit in the driver’s lap.
• Bring more towels than you think you need, just in case. Also bring enzyme spray and wipes in the event of an accident.
• Carry an extra leash and collar in case the original gets lost.
• Never leave your dog alone in the vehicle, even briefly. The cabin heats rapidly; if you must leave your vehicle, ensure another member of the family stays in the car and monitors the AC.
• Attach your contact info to your dog’s collar in case they slip away at a rest stop. Also have current ID tags.

With basic preparation and planning, you can feel fully confident travelling in a rental car with your special furry co-pilot along for your Vancouver adventure!

Affordable Rates for Extended Rentals with Dogs

Because we welcome pet owners, Expo Rent a Car offers exceptionally affordable extended rental rates for multi-day and weekly rentals in Vancouver. For road trips spanning several days, our low weekly prices can save you hundreds compared to other rental companies.

Weekly rates start as low as $189 depending on vehicle size—incredibly affordable for worry-free car rentals with your dog tagging along for the ride. You can securely book your dates online today, right from our website!

We also offer simple one-way rentals between our downtown Vancouver, Vancouver Airport (YVR), and Surrey locations. This avoids hassles when starting or ending your trip outside the city.

With Expo Rent a Car, renting a vehicle for a Vancouver road trip or dog-friendly getaway has never been easier or more affordable!

Vancouver’s Top Dog-Friendly Attractions and Activities

Vancouver is a renowned dog-loving city, ranked as one of the top cities in the world for dogs. With numerous attractions and activities you can enjoy with your furry best friend, we’ve outlined some top recommendations for visiting Vancouver with a dog:

• Stroll or jog through Stanley Park’s lush 400-hectare trails and stop to swim at the dog beach.
• Hike up Dog Mountain, an aptly-named hill with great views and off-leash areas along the way.
• Check out one of Vancouver’s many dog parks and beaches where pups can play off-leash.
• Ride the SeaBus across Burrard Inlet to the North Shore’s hiking and trail network. Dogs ride for free!
• Tour craft breweries like 33 Acres and Brassneck that feature patios welcoming dogs.
• Dine at a dog-friendly restaurant with a patio like the Gull Pub or Tap & Barrel.
• Ferry to nearby Bowen Island for attractions like Killarney Lake, Crippen Regional Park, or Mt Gardner.
• Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and walk across the 450ft swaying bridge with your pup.

With your dog happily in tow, a Vancouver car rental opens up endless possibilities for memorable adventures together. Contact Expo Rent a Car today to reserve the perfect rental vehicle for creating priceless memories with your dog!

Get in touch with a rental agent at 604-726-6502 or 1-800-391-6502.

Are you looking for cheap car rental deals? The following tips will help you access the best rates:

Check the Car Rental Site Directly

There are websites that will show you a list of cheap car rental options, but before you book through one of these sites, it is recommended that you check the car rental site directly to compare the quotes. In some cases, the actual car rental company may offer you a better deal for booking through them directly.

Compare Weekly and Daily Rates

Don’t assume that the daily rate will be cheaper than the weekly rate because this may not always be the case. Even if you’re taking a trip for only three days, it may be cheaper to book a car for a week and return it early. Make sure you read the fine print clearly to prevent extra charges. 

Skip on Insurance

This does not mean you don’t need insurance coverage; it just means you don’t necessarily have to buy the insurance the rental car company is offering. If you have car insurance for your personal vehicle, that insurance will most likely cover you when driving a rental as well. Contact your insurance agent to confirm this aspect. You can also contact your credit card company to see if they offer insurance on rental cars at no extra cost. 

Skip the Upgrades

Rental car companies will offer customers a lot of features, and while they may sound great, you need to determine whether or not you actually need these upgrades. Do you need satellite radio? Do you need a GPS system? If you have a smartphone, you will likely not need either of these upgrades and saying no will save you money. 

Book Economy Cars

Unless you absolutely need a fancy car, always choose an economy car, as this will be a lot cheaper. The point is to get to your destination safely, and you don’t need a fancy vehicle for this. 

Don’t Pick Up Your Rental Car At the Airport

No matter how tempting this may be, don’t pick up your rental car at the airport because you will have to pay more for this service. If it’s a possibility, choose a non-airport pickup location because this can result in a ton of savings. 

Only Have One Driver When Practical

Adding a second driver to the rental car can increase costs. If you don’t mind doing all the driving, have one driver. In some cases, the rental company will waive the fee if the additional driver is your spouse or domestic partner, and it never hurts to ask!

Ask If You Qualify for a Discount

Are you a student? A veteran? A member of an organization? Do not be shy and ask about the discounts that are available because you may qualify for savings!

Conclusion

Are you looking for cheap car rentals? Expo Rent a Car has you covered! You will never overpay for a car rental again, and we will make sure you receive the best rates when you contact our team. Give us a call today to learn about our car rental services!

Get in touch with a rental agent at 604-726-6502 or 1-800-391-6502.