You can start with approximate dates. We’ll help you work out a budget and explain which choices are likely to change the price most.
Head west for Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise, then follow the Icefields Parkway towards the Athabasca Glacier and Jasper. Northeast of Calgary, the landscape changes to the badlands around Drumheller. To the south, you can visit Waterton Lakes and, with the rental company’s permission, continue into Montana in the US. Calgary International Airport has connections within Canada and to international destinations. Your RV collection point, however, may be outside the city centre or in a nearby community such as Airdrie or Cochrane. Confirm the exact depot address, opening hours and transfer arrangements before booking. Allow time for the handover. Inspecting the vehicle, completing the paperwork and learning how the water, power, heating and waste systems work takes longer than collecting a rental car. Keep the first day’s drive short, particularly after a long flight.
A practical option for families and small groups. The bed above the cab adds sleeping space, and most models have a kitchen, fridge, toilet and shower. A longer Class C generally provides more room inside, but you’ll need to pay closer attention to parking and campground length limits.
A bus-style RV with a spacious living area. It can suit a longer trip when you want more room indoors, though the bed layout still needs to work for your group. Larger vehicles need more space to manoeuvre, may use more fuel and won’t fit every campsite. We’ll check availability in Calgary for your dates.
A compact van can be easier to drive and park, making it worth considering for a solo trip or a holiday for two. There’s less storage and living space than in a large motorhome, and some campervans don’t have an onboard shower or toilet. Check the layout and equipment rather than relying on the category name.
A living unit mounted on a pickup truck. It offers a different layout from a conventional motorhome and can suit trips to more remote places. Renting a truck camper does not automatically allow off-road driving: permitted roads and areas are set out in the rental agreement.
When choosing a vehicle, we also compare seat-belted seats, bed configurations, overall length, heating, tank capacity and the included kilometres.
Also check the refundable security deposit and card requirements. The deposit affects how much money or credit you need available, even though it is not normally a final trip expense when returned in full. A low advertised price can change once mandatory fees and the extras you need are added. We compare the rental for your actual trip, including the route’s expected kilometres.
A standard car driving licence is accepted for many rental motorhomes, but your licence must authorise you to drive the particular vehicle on the planned route. Check both the supplier’s requirements and any licence restrictions; don’t assume the same rules apply to every RV. Alberta recommends an International Driving Permit (IDP) for visiting drivers with foreign licences, particularly if the licence is not in English. A rental company may require an IDP or an accepted translation. Carry it with the original national licence: an IDP does not replace that document. Minimum ages vary. Some companies require drivers to be at least 25, while others accept drivers from 21; young-driver fees or vehicle restrictions may apply. Before paying, check the age and driving-experience requirements for every driver, along with any additional-driver fee. Insurance terms also differ. Compare liability limits, the deductible or excess, exclusions for the roof, underbody, tires and glass, US travel coverage, and the procedure for reporting damage. A refundable security deposit may be charged or held on a card. Confirm the amount, accepted card type and cardholder requirements with the supplier.
