Is it worthwhile to book a rental car in Nova Scotia?

When it comes to car hire, there are plenty of car rental companies to choose from in Nova Scotia, and we strongly recommend renting a car during your stay here. The distances between cities and towns can go up, depending on where you want to travel to, so it would be easier to investigate cheap car hire, rather than taking the bus. There are buses that can take you between cities, but the freedom of renting a car is usually faster and less restricted by timetables than public transport. Within cities, you may not need to use your rental car, as even the bigger cities like Halifax are easy to walk around or offer a good public transport network via the bus or taxis.

What are the driving conditions like in Nova Scotia?

If you are planning to hire a car in Nova Scotia from one of the many car rental companies, then you will be pleased to know that in general, the road conditions in Nova Scotia are good, and are rated as normal in comparison to other parts of Canada. There are highways that will have four lanes and a division in the middle, and then you may also encounter other roads that only have two lanes. The weather in Nova Scotia is changeable and the area often suffers from coastal fog which may affect which car you hire from the car rental company. Winter can be cold and snowy, while in summer it is warm with showers of rain. There are main highways that connect the major cities like Halifax and Cape Breton to smaller towns like Truro and New Glasgow.

What laws should I be aware of when driving in Canada?

The laws in Canada are slightly different to those in the U.K. They drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, including children and the horn should only be used to give warning due to an emergency. The drink driving limit is the same as in the U.K at 0.08%, and in Canada you are permitted to turn right at intersections with red lights as long as you do so with caution. In Nova Scotia, you are required to always have your headlights on, due to the changeable weather, winter tyres and snow chains are mandatory in winter due to the bad weather.

What documents do I need to hire a car in Canada?

There are many cheap car rental companies to choose from in Canada, and most will require that you are at least 21 years old in order to hire a car. If you are under the age of 24, they may apply a daily surcharge to your deal, and unless your passport is in English or French, they will ask you for an International Driver’s License, as well as your passport to prove your identity. You will be expected to pay with a credit card, at least to cover the deposit and basic car insurance will be included in the deal but more comprehensive offers will be available depending on your needs.

Cheap Car Hire in Nova Scotia from just £31

Looking for cheap car hire deals in Nova Scotia? Search right here on momondo!

Driver's age: 26-65

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Best deals found for Nova Scotia car hire

Find great deals below on a variety of popular hire cars in Nova Scotia

Nissan Sentra

or similar Standard

Up to 5 passengers

£31/day

11 May - 18 May

See offer

Kia Rio

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

4-door vehicles

£31/day

11 May - 18 May

See offer

Vauxhall Astra

or similar Intermediate

Up to 5 passengers

£32/day

11 May - 18 May

See offer

Opel Insignia

or similar Full-size

Up to 5 passengers

£33/day

11 May - 18 May

See offer

Vauxhall Mokka

or similar Compact SUV

Up to 4 passengers

£36/day

6 May - 13 May

See offer

Mercedes-Benz GLA

or similar Standard SUV

Up to 5 passengers

£37/day

12 May - 19 May

See offer

Ford Fiesta

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

£38/day

4 Jul - 21 Jul

See offer

Hyundai i10

or similar Compact

Up to 4 passengers

£38/day

1 Jul - 15 Jul

See offer

Volvo XC60

or similar Full-size SUV

Up to 5 passengers

£41/day

11 May - 18 May

See offer

Car hire insight and trends in Nova Scotia

Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Nova Scotia

Companies

Other Information

What is the best car hire company in Nova Scotia?

If you plan on visiting Nova Scotia, consider hiring a car from Budget, which is the best car hire company in the region with 10 locations. 197 momondo reviewers gave this rental agency an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 for their reasonable prices and customer service. You can find Budget in Halifax and many other cities throughout Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia car hire deals found on momondo

Find the car hire in Nova Scotia that's right for you

	Small cars	£28 - £79
	All Car Types	£29 - £70

The average price of a small car hire in Nova Scotia is £41. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Nova Scotia is in November. The price is 34% lower than the rest of the year at just £28 per day. A small car rental is typically 9% less expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Nova Scotia small car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car hire in Nova Scotia is £42. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Nova Scotia is in January. The price is 39% lower than the rest of the year at just £26 per day. A medium car rental is typically 9% less expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Nova Scotia medium car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a large car hire in Nova Scotia is £59. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Nova Scotia is in March. The price is 45% lower than the rest of the year at just £33 per day. A large car rental is typically 23% more expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Nova Scotia large car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV hire in Nova Scotia is £46. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Nova Scotia is in January. The price is 37% lower than the rest of the year at just £30 per day. A SUV rental is typically 3% more expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Nova Scotia SUV hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a van hire in Nova Scotia is £66. The cheapest time to hire a van in Nova Scotia is in February. The price is 53% lower than the rest of the year at just £32 per day. A van rental is typically 32% more expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Nova Scotia van hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a pickup truck hire in Nova Scotia is £29. The cheapest time to hire a pickup truck in Nova Scotia is in April. The price is 40% lower than the rest of the year at just £42 per day. A pickup truck rental is typically 35% less expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a luxury car hire in Nova Scotia is £38. The cheapest time to hire a luxury car in Nova Scotia is in April. The price is 16% lower than the rest of the year at just £33 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 16% less expensive than the average rental car in Nova Scotia. The average price of a car hire in Nova Scotia can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

Vauxhall Corsa

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

£31/day

11 May - 18 May

See offer

Toyota Aygo

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

£38/day

4 Jul - 21 Jul

See offer

Citroen C3

or similar Compact

Up to 4 passengers

£38/day

1 Jul - 15 Jul

See offer

Nova Scotia car hire directory

All major car hire suppliers in Nova Scotia

Budget

8.8

Very Good

113 reviews•10 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

6.0

Okay|Sept 2023

The car I got was smaller than what I anticipated and there was apparently no other vehicle so I had to settle.for what Budget gave me.

2.0

Poor|Sept 2023

Everything could have been better…i will never rent fron there again….car smelled like cat pee, never got the vehicle that i had booked to rent and the price did not change from a truck to a small car…i feel completely ripped off

10.0

Wonderful|Sept 2023

Booked a Suppliers Choice car and they chose the perfect vehicle for us.

4.0

Mediocre|Sept 2023

They overcharged and at first gave us a vehicle that gets very poor mileage and did not at all Macy had the one we had reserved We had already purchased insurance through kayak and got roped into spending $356 more for insurance because they told us we didn’t have coverage

10.0

Wonderful|Sept 2023

Friendly staff, short wait, nice car, easy.

10.0

Wonderful|Sept 2023

Very good. Just a little more expensive than I remembered

1 out of 38

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.6

Very Good

38 reviews•19 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

8.0

Very Good|Jul 2023

Good

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

I had great experiences with Enterprise. When I thought about the US exchange rate with you, I called Enterprise and, as they did not charge in US funds, I got the cheaper rate and cancelled the booking I had through you.. I have rented from them a few times now as the transmission is gone on my car so I thank you for suggesting that company. Twila

10.0

Wonderful|Oct 2022

The customer service was great and would use this company again anytime based on that.

10.0

Wonderful|Sept 2022

Harman Johal is great -- a very friendly, efficient and understanding "agent" (he's actually the branch manager). Mid-rental, we needed to make two major changes to our original contract; Harman accommodated us quickly and with no hassle at all. Highly recommend!

8.0

Very Good|Sept 2022

Liked the vehicle and liked the agent at the pick-up location. Did not like them not having a car ready for us at the scheduled time. Had to wait for them to receive a car back and then clean it up for us. Also did not like the drop off location. Extremely confusing to find.

8.0

Very Good|Sept 2022

We found Enterprise Car Rental a good rental business

1 out of 13

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Locations in Nova Scotia

Avis

8.6

Very Good

51 reviews•11 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2024

Smooth dealing

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

My car was a 2020 Mazda that could barely get up hills. The Cabot trail is all hills. The car had 80,000 Km on it. The engine sounded as is it wanted to blow up when it was just sitting there idling. It would rev up to 4000 RPM regularly and went through almost 5 tanks of gas. For the price I paid I would have liked a newer vehicle. The staff wasn’t very friendly either, and when I called to inquire about a different drop off point in Halifax the guy was rude to me, even starting the conversation with just ‘Hello’ lol Terrible experience all around

10.0

Wonderful|Aug 2023

It was great 😎🎶🎶🎶😎

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

Really kind and efficient staff. Awesome location on Grafton

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

Everything

2.0

Poor|Oct 2022

We are very disappointed with our experience and will never use Avis again. After calling the day before our booking to change the pick up time and confirm (which the agent did confirm there was no issue with the new pick up time and the pick up time was changed), we took a taxi to downtown Avis from the airport as airport Avis was sold out. Upon arrival, Avis was closed and we were left without a rental car to get to our hotel 2 hours away. We took a taxi half way to the hotel before the airport Avis location called back saying they now had a mini van available, even though we had booked an SUV. This cost us about $400 more than anticipated ($100 taxi and can was $300 more for the week than SUV) and 4 hour of our time. It was a horrible experience on my birthday and to start our honeymoon and we will never use Avis ever again.

1 out of 17

Avis Locations in Nova Scotia

Hertz

7.0

Good

36 reviews•5 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

4.0

Mediocre|Aug 2023

I had requested a sedan. Upon arrival, I was advised the only option was a jeep. This was very disappointing. I regularly drive an SUV but the jeep was large and boxy. I was on edge driving the vehicle throughout my rental period. While I do recognize rental vehicles are in short supply due to a shortage of cars and high demand, I continue to be frustrated that my 'only option' was presented as a jeep while others before and after me were provided with easier to drive options. I was relieved to drop the jeep off at the airport. I considered returning it after day 1 but the flexibility and understanding shown by Hertz staff was cold and verged on inconsiderate. When I am spending over $900 to rent a car for 5 days, my expectations are high. With my daughter in University at Dalhousie, we will return to the area. I will be very hesitant to rely on Hertz in the future or mentally prepare myself for substandard customer service.

6.0

Okay|Jun 2023

Mediocre, Quick to charge fees even when not warranted, slow to repay! I cancelled within the cancellation period and they still charged the cancellation fee. I did get it back after having to ask for it. Peter

6.0

Okay|May 2023

I wanted to change the drop off location to the airport but to do so was such a hassle and increased the price so exponentially that I left it as it was in order to move forward with the rental

2.0

Poor|Sept 2022

When I arrived to pickup my car the agency was closed. I had called hertz hours earlier that day to confirm my reservation. Did not get a car I reserved weeks in advance.

10.0

Wonderful|Sept 2022

Car rentals always end up costing more than the initial quote. It would be helpful to provide all additional options/charges up front. Having said that the staff at pick-up and return were very friendly; we got an upgrade, and the car was spotlessly clean. Would definitely book again. The clincher was rushing back to the car when I realized I’d lost my wallet when we got to the check-in area at departures….to hear the attendant we’d dropped the car off with saying “hear she is” and returning my wallet (with ID needed for travel) with a smile!

2.0

Poor|Sept 2022

You messed up my request to have a car at the airport and it cost me $80 for a cab to pick up the bloody car in the city

1 out of 12

Alamo

8.5

Very Good

5 reviews•1 location

Check prices

Overview

Dollar

7.8

Good

11 reviews•3 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

The speed of service was excellent . The car was great and the price was right. Great experience

8.0

Very Good|Sept 2022

Price Service

2.0

Poor|Sept 2022

Dollar Westin Hotel Halifax 1. Was very long in attending to me while the attendant was on a long break. 2. failed to clean the car upon handover; 3. Gave us 2 keys together with unbreakable wire. 4. Upon return would not inspect the car at all with me when asked, and said he was busy with customers ( none there for 25 minutes) while talking to his girlfriend. 5. Did not leave manual in car. 6. Neither Attendant asked the customer if everything wss OK.

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2022

Quick and easy pick up and delivery. When I was picking up it was raining heavily and the one of the employees brought the car around under the hotel entrance canopy, which was exceptional service.

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2022

Everything went exactly as it was supposed to. The car we requested was waiting for us when we arrived, check in was quick, and return was simple and easy. A pleasure!

1.9

Poor|Oct 2021

The pick up experience was dreadful. We went the day before we were to pick up our car rental to ensure that everything was in place. We were assured that the mid size car we rented and paid for would be there. When we returned the next day to pick up the car we were told that they only had a compact car available and that we should pay the extra for an SUV that was available. We said no that we wanted the mid size car we rented and paid for. The two attendants wasted 30 minutes trying to convince us to take the SUV. We refused and they finally said they would have to bring the car that we ordered from another location and that would take another 30 minutes. We did not appreciate the attendants wasting our time. The drop off was much less onerous. Dropped the keys left a phone number and email address.

1 out of 4

Thrifty

7.7

Good

20 reviews•4 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

6.0

Okay|May 2023

Car was dirty when I picked it up (inside and out), but I did get a good rate on it

2.0

Poor|Dec 2022

Actually I don’t like customers service

2.0

Poor|Oct 2022

The Halifax Thrifty at the Westin Hotel where we picked up our rental had very poor service--we would never rent from them again. The people were rude, the car was not at all clean on the inside (gunk on the seat, children's hand smears on the windows, etc.). When we asked them to clean it, it was as though we were asking for a huge deal. They did send it back to be cleaned but much of it was the same and reported as being "stained" so it wouldn't come out. When we got to our place we took a wet cloth to it and it came off no problem. Should we have to clean our own rental car??? They also have a policy that they charge for a second driver (even though we are married), the rate that they were quoting per day was crazy and felt like a cash grab. We have never had this problem with Thrifty before, in fact when we went to another location they changed it so we could both drive with no extra fees. This was the worst car rental experience we have ever had--and we rent cars a LOT! I would suggest never using this location again--when we looked at other reviews (of course after we had trouble at that location) it was clear we weren't the only ones.

8.0

Very Good|Sept 2022

The vehicle had great room for us. Quite pricey for two weeks

2.0

Poor|Aug 2022

Very expensive. Returned car two days early and still got charged the full amount. Customer service rep was extremely rude.

10.0

Wonderful|Aug 2022

All good. many thanx.

1 out of 7

National

2.0

Poor

1 review•3 locations

Check prices

Overview

Car hire in Nova Scotia

Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Nova Scotia so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

How long do people hire a car for when staying in Nova Scotia?

The majority of momondo users will hire a car in Nova Scotia for 7 days at an average cost of £43 per day. A 1-week hire will cost a total of £299, while renting for just the weekend will cost £97 in total. You can also hire a car for a month or longer if need be - according to our data, renting a car for a month in Nova Scotia costs, on average, £1,337 total.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Nova Scotia?

Prices for cars in Nova Scotia were last updated today.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Nova Scotia?

As of May 2025, there are 38 operators available to choose from for cars in Nova Scotia.

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Nova Scotia?

The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Nova Scotia. In many EU countries drivers must be 18 years old. As a rule, you’ll need to be 21 to hire a car abroad, and a young driver surcharge may be applied if you are under 25. We recommend reading through the policy of your chosen rental company before booking.

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Nova Scotia?

When renting a car in Nova Scotia, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Nova Scotia?

Booking a car hire in Nova Scotia via momondo could save you time and money. momondo provides you with a wide selection of options and cars as we search thousands of car hire websites and locations to enable you to make the best choice for your trip.

How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Nova Scotia?

By the use of filters, momondo makes finding a great car hire in Nova Scotia easier. Whether it is price, car type, amenities or policies, momondo allows you to refine your search with these and more filters to find the best deal for you.

Does momondo show car hire deals in Nova Scotia with free cancellation?

Free cancellation is a policy that can be filtered on momondo car hire searches for Nova Scotia and all other locations. Availability may vary by location.

Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Nova Scotia on momondo?

Fair fuel policies are specifically available to select on momondo, allowing you to refine your search for car hire in Nova Scotia.

Can I find a car hire in Nova Scotia which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?

Enhanced cleaning services can be found on all car hire locations on momondo including Nova Scotia.

Can I search for car hire in Nova Scotia with unlimited mileage on momondo?

momondo offers a filter specifically for unlimited mileage on car hire in Nova Scotia.

An easier way to manage your Nova Scotia trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organise and travel with friends or family. Trips is free – and available to use no matter where you book.

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Find cars with free cancellation and enhanced cleaning.

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Search car deals

Car hire in Nova Scotia

Looking for cheap car hire deals in Nova Scotia? Search right here on momondo!

Best deals found for Nova Scotia car hire

Find great deals below on a variety of popular hire cars in Nova Scotia

Car hire insight and trends in Nova Scotia

Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Nova Scotia

What is the best car hire company in Nova Scotia?

What is the most popular type of car to hire in Nova Scotia?

Intermediate cars are the preferred type of car to hire while visiting Nova Scotia. This is a popular car type among drivers thanks to its value at an average price of £47 per day. While 44% of momondo users settled on this type of car, you can always choose a different one based on your needs.

Nova Scotia car hire deals found on momondo

Find the car hire in Nova Scotia that's right for you

Nova Scotia car hire directory

All major car hire suppliers in Nova Scotia

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Car hire in Nova Scotia

Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Nova Scotia so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

How long do people hire a car for when staying in Nova Scotia?

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Nova Scotia?

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Nova Scotia?

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Nova Scotia?

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Nova Scotia?

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Nova Scotia?

How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Nova Scotia?

Does momondo show car hire deals in Nova Scotia with free cancellation?

Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Nova Scotia on momondo?

Can I find a car hire in Nova Scotia which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?

Can I search for car hire in Nova Scotia with unlimited mileage on momondo?

An easier way to manage your Nova Scotia trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organise and travel with friends or family. Trips is free – and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your stay in Nova Scotia

Popular car hire types in Nova Scotia

Most popular cities within the region, based on searches in past 12 months on momondo

Best deals on cars

Best deals on cars

Price transparency

Price transparency

Book with flexibility

Book with flexibility

Price Alerts

Price Alerts