Renting a car

If you're flying into Calgary and planning to explore many Banff or any of the other parks, renting a car is essential—but be sure to book your rental well in advance. During peak travel seasons (especially summer and fall), car rentals in Calgary can sell out or become significantly more expensive. For example, renting a car in April vs earlier in February may more than double the cost of the car - we found that out the hard way on one of our visits...

Booking early not only secures the best rates but also ensures you get the type of vehicle you want—like an SUV for mountain driving or extra space for gear. But even a smaller car should be totally fine - almost all roads are well paved. If you don't want to rely on public transportations and want to explore further, you'll definitely want a car.