In August 2025, my partner and I set out on a road trip through Quebec. We wanted to experience more than just Montreal and Quebec City, so renting a car felt like the only real option. Our route took us to places like Lac Saint-Jean and Mont Mégantic, areas where public transportation isn’t practical for travelers who want flexibility.
Renting a car in Canada is not cheap — in fact, it was one of the most expensive parts of our trip. But for us, the freedom to drive between small towns, stop for unplanned detours, and explore outside the cities made it worth the cost.
We booked our rental through DiscoverCars.com, which helped simplify the process and made it easier to compare providers. This is our honest DiscoverCars.com review, covering the booking, pick-up and drop-off, and practical advice for anyone planning to rent a car in Canada.
Booking with DiscoverCars.com
Finding a rental car in Canada during summer isn’t cheap, and availability can be limited. DiscoverCars.com helped by:
• Showing clear price comparisons between rental providers
• Providing reviews from other travelers
• Breaking down insurance and extra costs before booking
We booked a Toyota Corolla Sedan with Thrifty at Montreal Airport because it seemed like the right balance of price, fuel efficiency, and comfort for two people on a road trip. When we arrived, the car we had reserved wasn’t available, so we were given a Nissan sedan from the same intermediate category instead. This kind of swap is fairly common with rental companies, and in our case, it worked out fine — the Nissan was comfortable, had good trunk space for our luggage, and handled well on both highways and smaller regional roads.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Pick-Up at Montreal Airport: The pick-up process was straightforward in terms of paperwork, but the wait was longer than expected. After checking in at the Thrifty counter, we were told that no cars were immediately available and ended up waiting around 1 hour and 20 minutes before receiving ours. It wasn’t ideal after a flight, but it seems fairly common during the busy summer months in Canada when demand is high and cars are returned later than planned. Having all the documents ready — driver’s license, credit card, and booking confirmation — made the process itself smooth once the car was finally available.
Drop-Off: The drop-off experience at Montreal Airport was much easier. We drove into the return area, handed over the keys, and within minutes the car was checked in. The staff quickly confirmed the fuel level and condition, and we weren’t charged for anything extra. Compared to the wait on arrival, the return felt fast and efficient, which was a good way to end the rental experience.
Why a Car Made Our Trip Easier
Having a car gave us the flexibility to move between destinations at our own pace. We weren’t tied to bus or train schedules, and we could decide on the spot where to stop and how long to stay. Some highlights included:
• Driving around Lac Saint-Jean, where distances between towns are long and public transport is limited. With a car, we could explore the shoreline, visit local beaches, and stop for food without worrying about connections.
• Visiting Mont Mégantic National Park, which is not easily accessible without a car. Having our own vehicle made it possible to reach the observatory area and enjoy the night sky program.
• Hiking the Acropole des Draveurs, one of Quebec’s most well-known trails. The hike is located in the Charlevoix region, several hours from major cities, and having a car made it possible to get there early in the day and avoid the biggest crowds.
• Stopping in small towns along the way, whether for a quick coffee, local bakery treats, or just to stretch our legs. These unplanned stops ended up being some of the most memorable parts of the trip. Sherbrooke, for example, turned out to be one of the cutest towns we visited in Quebec province full of murals and street art.
That said, if your plan is to stay only in Montreal or Quebec City, a car is more of a burden than a benefit. City driving is stressful, parking can be expensive, and both cities have good public transportation. But once you step outside the urban areas, having a car is the most practical option for a road trip in Canada.
Practical Tips for Renting a Car
Renting a car in Canada can be expensive, especially during peak summer months, but there are ways to make the process smoother and avoid unnecessary costs. Based on our experience, here are a few key things to keep in mind:
Cost-Saving Tips
Booking early is one of the most effective ways to save. Prices rise quickly in July and August, and cars can sell out entirely. It’s also worth comparing providers carefully — DiscoverCars.com makes this easy with filters that highlight both the lowest prices and companies with the best reviews. Finally, think about the type of car you actually need. We chose a sedan, which was cheaper to rent and more fuel-efficient than an SUV. Over a long road trip, this makes a noticeable difference at the gas pump.
Documents You’ll Need
To rent a car in Canada, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, and in some cases, an international license if your license isn’t in English or French. A credit card in the driver’s name is also required for the deposit, and you’ll be asked for a passport or another official ID. Having all of these ready speeds up the check-in process at the counter.
Car Rental Insurance
Rental companies will often encourage you to buy their insurance at the desk, but the prices can be very high. In our case, we didn’t buy additional insurance through them because we already had coverage included with our Revolut Ultra Plan. This gave us the same peace of mind but at no extra cost. We were very satisfied with this option and would recommend checking if your bank or credit card already offers car rental coverage before purchasing anything extra.
On the screenshot below, you’ll see that we opted out of insurance on the booking step – instead, we used our own insurance when picking up the car. A Full Coverage insurance would’ve been 8.10 EUR per day which for our 28-day rental was not really viable.
Hidden Fees to Watch For
Finally, it’s important to be aware of potential extra charges that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Common examples in Canada include:
• Young driver surcharges if you’re under 25
• Fees for additional drivers unless they’re already included in your booking
• Restrictions on cross-border travel if you plan to drive into the U.S.
• Fuel refill charges if you don’t return the car with a full tank
Reading the fine print carefully and confirming these details when booking will save you from surprises later.
Final Thoughts: DiscoverCars.com Review
Overall, our experience with DiscoverCars.com was positive. The booking was clear, both pick-up and drop-off went smoothly, aside from the short wait on arrival. For our Quebec road trip, renting a car gave us the freedom to see more of the province beyond the cities. If you’re planning to rent a car in Canada or any other trip abroad, we recommend checking DiscoverCars.com first for price comparisons and potential savings.
