When should we book the rental car?

Hi there,

We’ve booked our flight and accommodations. Big question: should we reserve the rental car now? Are there any rental companies we should prioritize, or is using a comparison site okay? Thanks for your feedback!

I’d recommend going through BSP Auto instead. It’s a solid option without any hidden surprises. I’m a bit wary of comparison sites, just like with flight tickets.

And if you’re planning to arrive in Montreal, book early and brace yourself for a wait—lines at the counter can be really long.

Hi there,

It all depends on your departure date—prices can skyrocket fast. For my part, I rent through Turo, and everything’s always gone smoothly. This year, I’m leaving in early August and booked the car back in January.

Hi, It's best to rent as early as possible. We also went through Turo, and it was much cheaper. Everything went smoothly, and we were very satisfied.

Hey, Since you're arriving on August 5th, which falls during the second week of Construction Holiday (the time when most Quebecers take their summer vacations), and August is also peak travel time for French tourists 😛, you’d be smart to book now. Turo is good—I didn’t know about it until I helped a friend from France pick up her Turo rental when she visited. Otherwise, the big rental chains are available in Montreal. Personally, I’d avoid using an intermediary because if there’s an issue, it’s better not to have to "deal" with middlemen!! Whether you go with Turo or a big chain, I *strongly* recommend only renting your car the day you plan to leave Montreal for your road trip. Why? Because a car in Montreal is useless for tourists—you definitely won’t need it to get around the city, and parking is a hassle (between the cost of paid parking and figuring out street parking signs...). One last thing: I think prices are higher at the airport because rental companies have to pay an "airport tax." You’ll find plenty of places to rent a car downtown!!! Happy planning