How much does it cost to hire a car in Thunder Bay?

On average a car hire in Thunder Bay costs £32 per day.

Which car hire agencies are at Thunder Bay airport (YQT)?

Car hire companies onsite at Thunder Bay airport include Budget and Avis.

Which car hire companies will pick you up at Thunder Bay airport (YQT)?

Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Thunder Bay airport to off-airport locations include Budget and Avis.

How can I find car hires near me in Thunder Bay?

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

How much does a Medium car hire cost in Thunder Bay?

A Medium car hire in Thunder Bay costs £34 per day, on average.

How much does a Special car hire cost in Thunder Bay?

A Special car hire in Thunder Bay costs £30 per day, on average.

How much does a Small car hire cost in Thunder Bay?

A Small car hire in Thunder Bay costs £33 per day, on average.

Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Thunder Bay?

Most car hire providers in Thunder Bay offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Thunder Bay, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.

What type of car is recommended for driving in Thunder Bay?

The car you choose for your trip to Thunder Bay will mostly depend on how you plan to use it. Standard vehicles will suit most travellers and economy or compact cars can be a great way to save money, if you don't have too much luggage. A 4x4 may be useful if you plan on driving in alpine areas, as they can also be helpful for general driving in particularly snowy conditions.

What's the speed limit in Thunder Bay?

While driving in built-up areas of Thunder Bay, the speed limit is usually 50 km/h (roughly 30 mph). School zones are often 40 km/h (about 25 mph). When you're on motorways, the limit is generally either 100 km/h (around 62 mph) or 110 km/h (approximately 68 mph). On other roads outside the city, you can usually drive up to 80 km/h (roughly 50 mph). Bear in mind that if you drive into other Canadian provinces, the maximum speed limits may change.

Where are the best places to park in Thunder Bay?

Most metered parking in Thunder Bay costs around 1.50 CAD (roughly 0.90 GBP) per hour. If you want to park at the Waterfront or Victoriaville multi-storey car parks, you'll pay about 2.50 CAD (approximately 1.45 GBP) for the first two hours, and around 1.25 CAD (roughly 0.70 GBP) for every hour after that. It can be handy to head to the Victoriaville Civic Centre at the start of your trip and pick up a meter card, so you don't need to carry change around for the meters.

Car Hire in Thunder Bay - Search for car rentals on KAYAK

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Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Thunder Bay car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Thunder Bay with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Thunder Bay?

You should book your car hire in Thunder Bay around 72 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the most popular car to hire in Thunder Bay?

Hires in the SUV category (Class Intermediate SUV or similar) are the most popular option in Thunder Bay, costing £51/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as £34/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Thunder Bay?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Thunder Bay is November at an average cost of £30/day. August is the most expensive month to hire a car in Thunder Bay when prices are £41/day on average, which tends to be 17% above the yearly average hire price for Thunder Bay.

Which car hire company in Thunder Bay has the most locations?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Avis each operate 3 locations in Thunder Bay, more than any other car hire company.

Find deals

Thunder Bay car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Thunder Bay by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small

Medium

Large

SUV

Van

Pickup truck

Luxury

	Small cars	£26 - £38
	All Car Types	£42 - £57

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Thunder Bay?

Small car hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £30 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £26 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 37% cheaper than the average car hire in Thunder Bay, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £44 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £38 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 7% cheaper than the average car hire in Thunder Bay, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £49 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £40 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 5% more expensive than the average car hire in Thunder Bay but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £57 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average £46 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 18% more expensive than the average car hire in Thunder Bay but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.

Van hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £55 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average £44 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 15% more expensive than the average car hire in Thunder Bay but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Pickup truck hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £45 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average £37 per day, which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 5% cheaper than the average car hire in Thunder Bay, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.

Luxury car hire in Thunder Bay typically costs around £66 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average £46 per day, which is about 31% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 29% more expensive than the average car hire in Thunder Bay but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Most popular agency	Most popular car type	Average price	Good deal
Budget	Medium	£32/day	£25/day

Verified travelerOct 2026

I would recommend picking up at the airport and doing a thorough internal check of the car before pick up and after.

AnitaSept 2026

Book early for the best prices!

olgaAug 2025

Have one person stand on the sidewalk while the other one goes and gets the car.

RickMay 2024

Important to have some sort of vehicle when visiting Thunder Bay because city is spread out.

Verified travelerJul 2023

Careful crossing divided highway, be prepared to stop

Booking car hire in Thunder Bay will make it much easier to explore the stunning nature around the city. You can even take multi-day road trips to major cities like Montreal or Toronto. Along the way, you could stop at Pukaskwa National Park (around 4 h from Thunder Bay). There are also a number of shorter trips like Kakabeka Falls (roughly 30 minutes from Thunder Bay), and Pigeon River Provincial Park (about 50 minutes from Thunder Bay). Thunder Bay is also on the Trans-Canada Highway making it easy to travel across the country.
At Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT), you'll find several companies offering car hire in Thunder Bay. You'll usually find the offices in the Baggage Claim area and most vehicles are located just outside here, so you can be on your way in no time. Make sure you have all your documentation ready, including your driving licence, passport and booking information. Thunder Bay International Airport is roughly a 10-minute drive from the centre of Thunder Bay.
If you're taking longer trips on rural roads and highways outside of Thunder Bay, you'll want to keep an eye out for animals. This is particularly true during dusk and dawn. Moose are one of the most important animals to be aware of. If you spot a moose up ahead, slow down and come to a stop if necessary, giving it plenty of space to get across the road. They're most active from April to November. Otherwise, you'll generally find driving in Thunder Bay similar to driving in the UK, with the notable exception that you'll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road.
If you book car hire in Thunder Bay during the winter months, be prepared for snow. Winter tyres are mandatory in Canada from December 1st to March 15th, and your Thunder Bay car hire company will be able to provide winter tyres for your vehicle. Ontario 511 usually has very up-to-date information about road conditions, so it's a good idea to check your planned route on their app or website before leaving. Additionally, although it may be warm in the car, make sure you have warm clothes including gloves and a beanie easily accessible just in case.
25% of our users found a car hire in Thunder Bay for £25 or less
Medium hire cars in Thunder Bay are around 21% cheaper than other car types, on average

How much does it cost to hire a car in Thunder Bay?
On average a car hire in Thunder Bay costs £32 per day.
Which car hire agencies are at Thunder Bay airport (YQT)?
Car hire companies onsite at Thunder Bay airport include Budget and Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Thunder Bay airport (YQT)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Thunder Bay airport to off-airport locations include Budget and Avis.
How can I find car hires near me in Thunder Bay?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Medium car hire cost in Thunder Bay?
A Medium car hire in Thunder Bay costs £34 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car hire cost in Thunder Bay?
A Special car hire in Thunder Bay costs £30 per day, on average.
How much does a Small car hire cost in Thunder Bay?
A Small car hire in Thunder Bay costs £33 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Thunder Bay?
Most car hire providers in Thunder Bay offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Thunder Bay, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Thunder Bay?
The car you choose for your trip to Thunder Bay will mostly depend on how you plan to use it. Standard vehicles will suit most travellers and economy or compact cars can be a great way to save money, if you don't have too much luggage. A 4x4 may be useful if you plan on driving in alpine areas, as they can also be helpful for general driving in particularly snowy conditions.
What's the speed limit in Thunder Bay?
While driving in built-up areas of Thunder Bay, the speed limit is usually 50 km/h (roughly 30 mph). School zones are often 40 km/h (about 25 mph). When you're on motorways, the limit is generally either 100 km/h (around 62 mph) or 110 km/h (approximately 68 mph). On other roads outside the city, you can usually drive up to 80 km/h (roughly 50 mph). Bear in mind that if you drive into other Canadian provinces, the maximum speed limits may change.
Where are the best places to park in Thunder Bay?
Most metered parking in Thunder Bay costs around 1.50 CAD (roughly 0.90 GBP) per hour. If you want to park at the Waterfront or Victoriaville multi-storey car parks, you'll pay about 2.50 CAD (approximately 1.45 GBP) for the first two hours, and around 1.25 CAD (roughly 0.70 GBP) for every hour after that. It can be handy to head to the Victoriaville Civic Centre at the start of your trip and pick up a meter card, so you don't need to carry change around for the meters.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.4

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.4

Comfort

8.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.6

Value for money

8.2

3 locations in Thunder Bay

Locations in Thunder Bay

100 Princess St.

+1 807 473 5222

Monday	08:00 - 19:0020:45 - 23:59
Tuesday	20:45 - 23:5900:00 - 01:0008:00 - 19:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 19:0020:45 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday	08:00 - 19:0000:00 - 01:0020:45 - 23:59
Friday	20:45 - 23:5900:00 - 01:0008:00 - 19:00
Saturday	00:00 - 01:0009:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 19:00

1100 Arthur St. W

+1 807 622 1222

Monday	07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:00
Thursday	07:30 - 17:00
Friday	07:30 - 17:00
Saturday
Sunday

727 Memorial Ave.

+1 807 344 2800

Monday	07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:30
Thursday	07:30 - 17:30
Friday	07:30 - 17:30
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00
Sunday

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

olga, Aug 2025

Compact SUV

I didn’t like that the Enterprise lot was far from the airport. It was a long walk dragging a suitcase.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Compact

It’s great! I love it!

10.0 Wonderful

Rick, May 2024

Supplier choice

Good value, good price, efficient pickup/drop-off

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Economy

I was happy with everything so far

National

8.6

Very Good

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

8.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.8

Value for money

8.6

2 locations in Thunder Bay

Locations in Thunder Bay

450 Sifton Ave

+1 807 577 5783

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	08:00 - 15:00
Sunday	08:00 - 10:00

Thunder Bay Airport

+1 807 577 5783

Monday	09:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	09:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	09:00 - 23:59
Thursday	09:00 - 23:59
Friday	09:00 - 23:59
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	10:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anita, Sept 2026

Intermediate SUV

Fastest rental car pick-up ever - and very friendly and helpful.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2025

Intermediate

Pick-up was simple and quick. I did notice damage on the vehicle though, that was not initially noted by the rental company. I took photos and went back in, and they updated their records. Everything went smoothly.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jul 2025

Intermediate

Everything went smoothly

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Intermediate

Excellent!

Budget

8.1

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.4

Comfort

8.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

7.8

2 locations in Thunder Bay

Locations in Thunder Bay

100 Princess Street

+1 807 473 5040

Monday	09:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	09:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	09:00 - 23:59
Thursday	09:00 - 23:59
Friday	09:00 - 23:59
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 23:59

230 Waterloo Street South

+1 807 622 3366

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

Filters

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Oct 2026

Intermediate SUV

When we got the car, we found someone else’s rental agreement in the glove box and their matching credit card left in the console in the middle. Our flight was changed by just a little bit so we requested an extra hour and a half with the car instead of dropping off at 8:30 AM we have to drop it off at 10 AM and they told us they would charge us an extra day plus insurance plus taxes to keep it till 10. We just wanted to take the kids for breakfast before the flight so that was disappointing. The representative at pick up was a little cold and not very pleasant to deal with wasn’t necessarily rude. But the representative at drop off was very kind.

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Apr 2025

Compact

The staff were friendly, but their policy for charges is poor in comparison to other companies. They automatically charge you for a full tank of gas before you even return it(which is credited back to you upon return of full tank)and if you go over your return time by even an hour they charge you for it. Poor customer service in my opinion. I will NOT rent with Budget again and I rent a vehicle every 2 weeks. I'd rather pay a bit more with Enterprise and get exceptional customer service.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Economy

Very friendly ask us how our day was going

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sept 2023

Intermediate

Communication of terms

Avis

8.0

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Thunder Bay

from£26/day

Locations in Thunder Bay

100 Princess Street

+1 807 473 5040

Monday	09:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	09:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	09:00 - 23:59
Thursday	09:00 - 23:59
Friday	09:00 - 23:59
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Standard SUV

Very good. Seamless process and excellent vehicle.

Driving Force

2.0

Poor

Cleanliness

2.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0

3 locations in Thunder Bay

Locations in Thunder Bay

100 Princess Street

+1 807 789 4522

Opening times not available

1170b Waterford Street

+1 807 789 4522

Opening times not available

1475 W Walsh Street

+1 807 789 4522

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Intermediate

Issue was with Kayak and Driving Force. Kayak confirmed we had a Honda civic with unlimited milage. Driving Force does not even carry civics in Thunder Bay and although there was on truck available that day, the manager wanted to charge me $120. a day with a 100 km limit for the day. The original confirmed civic would have cost $61. I believe that as a customer with a confirmed reservation, the truck should have been rented to me for the same conditions as the civic - $61 with unlimited milage. As a result I was without a vehicle for the entire business trip. Thanks Kayak and thanks Driving Force....

Alamo

8.6

Very Good

One location in Thunder Bay

Locations in Thunder Bay

100 Princess St

+1 807 344 3331

Monday	09:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	09:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	09:00 - 23:59
Thursday	09:00 - 23:59
Friday	09:00 - 23:59
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	10:00 - 23:59

Filters

No reviews available

Hertz

7.2

Good

3 locations in Thunder Bay

Locations in Thunder Bay

100 Princess Street

+1 807 473 8111

Monday	08:00 - 23:5900:00 - 02:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:5900:00 - 02:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:5900:00 - 02:00
Thursday	00:00 - 02:0008:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:5900:00 - 02:00
Saturday	00:00 - 02:0010:00 - 16:00
Sunday	10:00 - 19:00

1142 Alloy Drive

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

951 Memorial Ave

+1 807 475 3334

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

78 travellers who hired a car in Thunder Bay gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.8

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Thunder Bay car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Thunder Bay.

See Collision Damage Waiver offers See Theft Protection Waiver offers

Deductible

Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Thunder Bay car hire.

See deductible offers

Pick-up location	Thunder Bay
Car types
Hire locations	16
Airport locations	8

Thunder Bay car hire

Cheap car hire in Thunder Bay

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Thunder Bay car hire

How far in advance should you book car hire in Thunder Bay?

What is the most popular car to hire in Thunder Bay?

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Thunder Bay?

Which car hire company in Thunder Bay has the most locations?

Thunder Bay car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Thunder Bay by comparing prices across vehicle types.

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Thunder Bay?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Thunder Bay?

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Thunder Bay car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Thunder Bay

FAQs about car hire in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay car hire reviews and directory

Car hire locations in or near Thunder Bay

Car hire insurance in Thunder Bay

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Deductible

More options for your car hire in Thunder Bay

Complete your trip to Thunder Bay

Car hire from popular agencies in Thunder Bay

Car hire from popular agencies at Thunder Bay airports

Car rental at airports serving Thunder Bay

Popular hire types in Thunder Bay

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