Halifax is the major economic and cultural hub of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. A rental car is the best transport choice as it will provide the scope to enjoy the breathtaking rugged coastline and reach major tourist attractions such as Peggy’s Cove with ease. Halifax has extensive maritime cultural history, which cannot be truly understood without traveling along the jagged coastline roads and stopping by small rural towns such as Duncan’s Cove and Clam Harbour.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is located 35 km (22 miles) from the downtown district and, thanks to the quiet and uncongested roads, will take approximately 40 minutes to reach by car. Major car rental companies such as Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, and Budget have counters at Halifax Stanfield International Airport and are located on the lower level of the airport parking area. Once you have picked up your baggage, follow the signage displayed Airport Parkade and you will have the keys in your hand before you know it.
Despite being a major industrial hub for Atlantic Canada, Halifax holds on to its small-town culture -- and this is represented on the roads. Pedestrians are always given priority and often cross at random sections of the street. Therefore, keep a careful eye out for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in built-up residential areas or in the downtown district.
Driving around Halifax is a peaceful experience; road congestion is a rarity and commuters are known to travel at appropriate speeds and yield. If you plan on traveling west towards the rural community of Peggy’s Cove, take the scenic northern route (103 Highway, then Peggy’s Cove Road) and enjoy the wonderful scenery and lighthouses along the way.
25% of our users found rental cars in Halifax for C$ 85 or less
Book your rental car in Halifax at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in Halifax are around 49% cheaper than airport locations on average
Mini rental cars in Halifax are around 33% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Halifax
Some car rental companies in Halifax which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Budget, Thrifty and Avis
On average a hire car in Halifax costs C$ 101 per day.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Enterprise (C$ 60/day), Hertz (C$ 126/day) and Dollar (C$ 132/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Enterprise 2000 Barrington St B3J 3K1 (1 kilometers from city center).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Halifax are Enterprise (8.9, 188 reviews), Budget (8.8, 59 reviews), and Thrifty (8.1, 54 reviews).
The average gas price in Halifax is C$ 8.14 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 98 and C$ 130, depending on the car size.
Mini (Dodge Grand Caravan or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Halifax.
A Mini car rental in Halifax costs C$ 71 per day, on average.
A Compact car rental in Halifax costs C$ 45 per day, on average.
A Economy car rental in Halifax costs C$ 68 per day, on average.
In Halifax, cars are most frequently rented at Enterprise 2000 Barrington St (1 km from city centre ).
On average a rental car in Halifax costs C$ 707 per week (C$ 101 per day).
On average a rental car in Halifax costs C$ 3,029 per month (C$ 101 per day).
A car that can handle the winding coastal roads surrounding Halifax with ease should be your preferred choice for your trip. An intermediate sedan such as the Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra will provide the optimal handling capabilities and let you cruise between seaside towns with joy.
Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit in urban areas of Halifax is 50 km/h (31 mph). Be wary to check if you are traveling in a school zone, as the speed limit would then be reduced to 30 km/h (18 mph). The majority of highways in close proximity to Halifax have a speed limit of 80 km/h (49 mph) or 90 km/h (55 mph).
On-street parking is affordable and abundant throughout Halifax, with the cost per hour in the downtown district only $1.50 ($1.15 USD). To make things even easier, the city provides free on-street parking on weekdays after 6 pm and all day on the weekends.