Car Rental Edmonton Airport

Edmonton International Airport is located south of the city, just off Highway 2, and it only takes around 30 minutes to drive from the airport to downtown Edmonton.

There’s a lively buzz in this modern district, with many art galleries, restaurants and nightlife hotspots dotted throughout.

The roads are typical inner-city routes, with multiple lanes, regular traffic lights and a typical speed limit of 50km/h, unless otherwise signed. They are also laid out in a grid system, which makes it easy to navigate. A variety of parking options are available, from on-street spaces that charge by the hour, to major garages near the City Hall, Library and elsewhere in the centre.

Further afield, the sport-fuelled city of Red Deer is approximately an hour’s drive away following Highway 2 southbound. Here you’ll find outdoor adventures such as winter activities and wild fishing. Ice hockey is also supremely popular here, with more than 60 outdoor ice rinks, so you can test out your skating skills or enjoy a high-spirited local match while you’re in town.

The famous Yellowhead Highway, or AB-16, runs north of Edmonton and can be reached from the airport via the 216 ring road, which takes about 40 minutes by car.

Originally a trader’s route, the Yellowhead Highway now opens up the south of the country. Follow the route west into British Columbia to the iconic Jasper National Park or travel east for the South Saskatchewan River. Be careful of animals such as deer crossing the road when you’re travelling along this main highway.

Flying into Edmonton Airport not only gives you access to the exciting city of Edmonton, with its year-round festivals and historic hub, but also the wider Alberta province.

Famous for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities, rent a car to fully immerse yourself in stunning nature, once you’ve explored all that Edmonton has to offer.

Shopping Splendour

Immerse yourself in the capital of Alberta at one of the city's most famous attractions, West Edmonton Mall.

From the ice rink to the marine life centre, as well an assortment of fantastic amusements, this is a real epicentre of entertainment. Covering a colossal area of around 500,000 square metres, this destination has well-known designer brands, high-street stores and independent boutiques. In fact, there are more than 800 stores to choose from, which make it the largest mall in North America.

One of West Edmonton Mall’s highlights is its indoor water park, which has a wave machine, zipwire and a knee-trembling 26-metre water slide. There’s also a space-themed park called Galaxyland, home to more than 27 rides, slides and attractions to enjoy.

Spend your downtime playing a round of crazy golf or opt for bowling instead – there’s plenty to keep you occupied.

Nature at its finest

If you want to put the city lights behind you and embrace some peace and tranquility, you’ll find both in abundance at Elk Island National Park.

Less than an hour’s drive east from the airport, and closer yet from Edmonton itself, here you can discover some of the most celebrated and stunning sights in all of Canadian nature, as well as an abundance of wildlife, all in one place.

Elk, bison and 250 species of bird are regularly seen throughout the park. See them nestled in the woodlands or bounding across the open greens.

Whatever the season, you can enjoy the plentiful trees and glistening lakes, with nature hikes and outdoor activities aplenty.   

Cosmopolitan Calgary

From the airport and Edmonton, you can also visit the exciting city of Calgary – just over two and a half hours’ drive away heading south. With a fantastic array of well-regarded restaurants, an iconic looming tower and many winter sport activities, there’s plenty to explore here too.

Discover what the city would have been like in 1915 with a trip to the popular Heritage Park Historical Village. Walk through a replica of days gone by, where you can visit the grain mill, take a hayride and see a time-worn church and school.

The Glenbow Museum, meanwhile, is worth the trip to Calgary alone. There’s a wealth of art, history and pop-culture inside its doors, with an array of excellent temporary exhibits, including work by international fashion designers such as Christian Dior.

With its sustainable conservation, a large botanical garden and a prehistoric park with fossil displays and life-size dinosaur models, Calgary Zoo is at the centre of family attractions in the city. The National History District is also a trendy hotspot, with great shopping opportunities and street entertainment where you can truly enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

Whether you plan on exploring the great outdoors or indulging in some retail therapy, Hertz car rental from Edmonton Airport gives you the freedom to plan your trip in style.