Cross Border Car Rental?

[Mike2023]

Anyone ever rented a car in Canada with the intent to drive to florida?

I know some car rentals allow for it and some don't but im having a hard time finding info online.

 

[webworm]

Anyone ever rented a car in Canada with the intent to drive to florida?

I know some car rentals allow for it and some don't but im having a hard time finding info online.

I think you are going to have to call them directly since some do not allow you to cross the border or they will have mileage restrictions. You could also rent in Buffalo and then get unlimited mileage within the US. I would check out flights from Niagara Falls. Buffalo, Rochester or Detroit as well.

 

[retiredkid]

when we were on a cruise, it was told to us that if you rent in Canada and cross the border, you CANNOT bring the car back. Customs issue, not retal company. Check there as well. (we were wanting to drive from Yukon into Alaska.)

 

[canadakath]

when we were on a cruise, it was told to us that if you rent in Canada and cross the border, you CANNOT bring the car back. Customs issue, not retal company. Check there as well. (we were wanting to drive from Yukon into Alaska.)

I believe the customs issue is for driving a U.S-plated car into Canada. We have come across this when considering flying to Seattle and driving to Vancouver. A Canadian driving a U.S. plated car across the border would be considered to be importing the car. I do not believe the same is true for renting a Canadian-plated car, taking it into the States, and driving it back across to Canada.

retiredkid makes a good point though - in addition to calling the rental companies for their policies, make sure you get the customs information DIRECTLY from CBSA.

 

[retiredkid]

oops. obviously, i remembered incorrectly. bass ackwards, as they say. lol

 

[webworm]

I believe the customs issue is for driving a U.S-plated car into Canada. We have come across this when considering flying to Seattle and driving to Vancouver. A Canadian driving a U.S. plated car across the border would be considered to be importing the car. I do not believe the same is true for renting a Canadian-plated car, taking it into the States, and driving it back across to Canada.

retiredkid makes a good point though - in addition to calling the rental companies for their policies, make sure you get the customs information DIRECTLY from CBSA.

Actually the rule changed effective Jun 1, 2012 so now a Canadian can drive a US plated rental car into Canada.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2012-h048e-6704.htm

 

[Mike2023]

All great info and indeed the laws have changed.

Thanks everyone for piping up but im just looking for anyone that may have had success with this in the past. From the responses it looks as though it may be few and far between.

 

[canadakath]

Actually the rule changed effective Jun 1, 2012 so now a Canadian can drive a US plated rental car into Canada.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2012-h048e-6704.htm

I hadn't heard that - thanks for posting! This will help with future travel plans.

Sorry we can't give you more concrete examples Mike.

 

[cow81]

In Feb 2011, rented mini van for 24 days at Pearson thru Alamo for $650 (no insurance) total with unlimited km (Insider's club which is free gave us additional driver free). It even stated on standard contract that vehicle could be driven in US. As you probably know, check the rates frequently as when we initially booked it was $1500 and went down about 3 weeks before trip. We just picked it up at the airport so didn't have to pay to park car.
For feb 2012 for 24 days prices for mini vans are about $1600 but hoping they will come down like last year.
Dollar & Thrifty also allow to take into US and were cheaper but limit km to 4800 and then 200 km/day ($0.25 after) so when calculated extra km about the same price. (we drove 5600 km for trip to Orlando, Cocoa Beach & Clearwater).
I did a far bit of research on the internet and used the talk online feature to ask bout driving into the US from Canada to get additional info. I priced renting off the airport to avoid the airport taxes but found either more expensive or didn't allow driving into the US.

I also checked Buffalo but for mini van was about same price and then would have to pay for parking after that.

 

[Leafsgirl36]

We rent every year when we go on a shopping trip down to the US. We have had no issues with both Avis or Hertz and I checked with both to make sure there was no issue taking the car from Canada into the US.

 

[Mike2023]

In Feb 2011, rented mini van for 24 days at Pearson thru Alamo for $650 (no insurance) total with unlimited km (Insider's club which is free gave us additional driver free). It even stated on standard contract that vehicle could be driven in US. As you probably know, check the rates frequently as when we initially booked it was $1500 and went down about 3 weeks before trip. We just picked it up at the airport so didn't have to pay to park car.
For feb 2012 for 24 days prices for mini vans are about $1600 but hoping they will come down like last year.
Dollar & Thrifty also allow to take into US and were cheaper but limit km to 4800 and then 200 km/day ($0.25 after) so when calculated extra km about the same price. (we drove 5600 km for trip to Orlando, Cocoa Beach & Clearwater).
I did a far bit of research on the internet and used the talk online feature to ask bout driving into the US from Canada to get additional info. I priced renting off the airport to avoid the airport taxes but found either more expensive or didn't allow driving into the US.

I also checked Buffalo but for mini van was about same price and then would have to pay for parking after that.

awesome, thanks for the info.