Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
vices. For more information, contact the
Alberta Motor Association
(780/430-6800,
www.ama.ab.ca
) or the
British Columbia Automobile Association
(604/268-5600,
Note:
Drinking and driving (with a blood-alcohol level of 0.05 percent or higher) in
Canada can get you imprisoned on a first offense and will cost you your license for up to
12 months.
Car Rental
All major car rental agencies have outlets at Calgary and Vancouver International Airports.
Car rentals are also available in Banff, Canmore, and Jasper, but it is strongly recommen-
ded to rent a vehicle
before
arriving in the Canadian Rockies for two reasons: cost and
mileage charges (the now-standard unlimited mileage with major car rentals doesn't apply
in Banff, Canmore, or Jasper). Generally, vehicles can be booked through parent compan-
ies in the United States. Rates start at $65 per day for a small economy car, $85 for a mid-
size car, and $95 for a full-size car.
Major rental companies with outlets in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver are
Avis
(800/974-0808,
www.avis.ca
),
Budget
(800/268-8900,
www.budget.com
)
,
Discount
(800/
263-2355,
www.discountcar.com
)
,
Dollar
(800/800-4000,
www.dollar.com
),
Enterprise
(800/325-8007,
www.enterprise.com
)
,
Hertz
(800/263-0600,
www.hertz.ca
),
National
(800/227-7368,
and
Rent-A-Wreck
(800/327-0116,
RV Rental
Camper vans, recreational vehicles, and travel trailers are a great way to get around the
Canadian Rockies without having to worry about accommodations each night. The down-
side is cost. The smallest vans, capable of sleeping two people, start at $165 per day with
100 free kilometers (62 miles) per day. Standard extra charges include insurance, a prepar-
ation fee (usually around $50 per rental), a linen/cutlery charge (around $60 per person per
trip), and taxes. Major agencies, with rental outlets in both Calgary and Vancouver, include
Cruise Canada
(403/291-4963, 800/671-8042 or 800/327-7778,
www.cruisecanada.com
)
,
Canadream
(403/291-1000 or 800/461-7368,
www.canadream.com
)
, and
Go West
(604/
528-3900 or 800/661-8813,
www.go-west.com
)
. In most cases, a drop-off fee of $500 ap-
plies to drop-offs made in Vancouver from rentals originating in Calgary, or vice versa. At
the end of the summer season (early September), look for some great online bargains.
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