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Explore Canada’s great outdoors with a rental car from Thunder Bay Airport
On the doorstep of Minnesota USA, and surrounded by iconic Canadian forests, waterfalls and ski resorts lies Thunder Bay. As a gateway to Canada’s serene beauty, you’ll be able to venture to the most prized natural hotspots with a car rental from GoSee.
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What you need to know about Thunder Bay Airport car rental
You can find all the best car hire companies in Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT), including Dollar, Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz. Proceed to the dedicated rental counter of your chosen provider within the terminal building.
Once you have a car rental handy, you can make your way from Thunder Bay Airport to the city centre within 15 minutes. The fastest way into downtown from the airport is by turning left onto Hwy 61 N from Princess Street and continuing on until you take a right on Arthur Street.
It’s common to come by wildlife while driving around Thunder Bay, so take extra caution and pay attention to wildlife signs on the roads.
A quick guide for driving your Thunder Bay car rental through Canada
Keep these tips in mind when driving your rental car in Thunder Bay and through Canada.
Always drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Use signal lights whenever turning or merging lanes.
At uncontrolled intersections, the first vehicle to arrive has the right to go first. If two or more vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the driver to the right of you has the right-of-way.
Pay attention to road signs that indicate the speed limit (usually 50 km in urban areas, 60-80 km in rural areas, and 80-100 km on highways).
Using your mobile phone while driving is prohibited.
Enjoy the best of Thunder Bay with your hire car
With a rental car and the ability to travel freely, Thunder Bay, and its surrounding activities natural beauty will be at your fingertips.
Nature and wildlife
One of the crown attractions of Thunder Bay is its sprawling parks and gardens.
Centennial Park
With lovely hiking and biking trails, antique machinery and log buildings, vintage structures, and breathtaking views, Centennial Park is a Thunder Bay must-see.
All year round, visitors can enjoy lake-side serenity, cliff jumping, waterfall hopping, and peaceful picnicking. Through the cooler months, more recreational activities like tobogganing and skiing are on offer.
Mount McKay
A more challenging but rewarding option, Mount McKay offers breathtaking views of Thunder Bay. A steep incline of about 20 minutes, with some loose stones and mosquitoes along the way, you may want to come prepared for this gorgeous vantage point.
Kakabeka Falls
30 km west of Thunder Bay lies one of the most breathtaking waterfalls many visitors say they have ever seen. Nicknamed the “Niagara of the North”, the falls have a 40 m drop that cascade into a majestic gorge, surrounded by iconic Canadian forestry where you can explore with well-maintained hiking trials.
Skiing and Snow Sports
Thunder Bay is home to several ski resorts and other recreational activities perfect for the snowier months of the year.
Loch Lomond Ski Area
Affordable and accessible to the whole family, Loch Lomond is a local favourite. Look forward to skiing, snowboarding, and tubing just 20 minutes south of Thunder Bay’s city centre.
Kamview Nordic Centre
Even closer to Thunder Bay is the Kamview Nordic Centre, over 100 km of cross-country ski trails maintained by a non-profit organization.
Visitors rave about the friendly staff, beautiful trails, and surprisingly yummy soup they offer!
Culture & History
You don’t need to look far to find fascinating cultural and historical sites in Thunder Bay.
Fort William Historical Park
Have you ever wanted to trade furs with a real-life trapper? Well, you can either time travel back to 1816, or relive the experience in present-day with the reconstructed Fort William fur trade post, equipped with stellar actors playing the parts of locals at the time.
Thunder Bay Museum
A must-see for all history enthusiasts, this museum boasts local antiques, rare books, and many interactive exhibitions to tap into the old-timey life and world of the 19th century.
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
As Northern Ontario’s largest art gallery, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery houses thousands of art works from contemporary indigenous artists, including stunning works like indigenous bead art, Pow wow regalia, and other interactive indigenous learning opportunities.
This list of to-do’s just scrapes the surface of the possibilities in Thunder Bay. But no matter what you choose to do, renting a car will make your travels even more comfy and cozy.
If you’re embarking on other adventures across Canada, GoSee is here to help.
Get a taste of city life in Toronto with the best and cheapest rental cars.
Heading west from Thunder Bay? You can make your way to Regina, Timmins, or Winnipeg in your car hire.
If you plan on doing cross-country travel, a car rental tour in Chicago is a great choice to start your USA adventure.
What our customers say
Car rental Thunder Bay International Airport: Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or away from the airport?
It is best to rent a car directly from Thunder Bay Airport, and with GoSee, you can find the cheapest rental cars and vehicles right when you land at the airport.
How much is a rental car per day from Thunder Bay, ON Airport (YQT-Thunder Bay Intl.)?
You can find the cheapest car rentals in Thunder Bay Airport for as low as $26 per day, or from $62 per day for SUVs and other larger vehicles.
Can I rent a car from Thunder Bay, ON Airport (YQT)?
You can rent the best and cheapest cars directly from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) before travelling into the city or continuing your journey throughout Canada.
How old do you have to be to rent a car from Thunder Bay?
The minimum age for hiring a car in Thunder Bay is 21. However, some rental companies may have additional restrictions or costs for those aged under 25.
What do you need to rent a car from Thunder Bay?
You need to be at least 21 years old with a full valid driver's license (the home country driver's license or international driver's permit if necessary as all temporary driver's licenses are not allowed), and hold a major credit card with enough funds to cover the excess. Always bring the renter's driver's license and other official identification during the entire rental period. If you are crossing the country's borders, your Canadian driver's license may need supporting documents.
Insurance is also a standard in the travel industry so it is important to check the coverage for accident medical expenses of the renter and renters passengers, including promos to contractually waive renter's responsibility for the entire rental period. Take note that for some locations or rental companies, renters existing coverage may not be honored or just partially.
Any other requirements will be specified on your rental agreement once you book a car hire at Thunder Bay Airport.
Which car rental companies in Thunder Bay have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
All Thunder Bay airport car rental companies maintain a strict vehicle cleaning and safety policy in accordance with Coronavirus (COVID-19).
What is the cheapest car rental company in Thunder Bay?
There are many cheap car rental Thunder Bay airport companies, but you’ll find the best prices from suppliers like Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty.
What is the most popular rental car in Thunder Bay?
The most popular rental car Thunder Bay offers is the Hyundai Kona. As the cheapest SUV on offer, it is the perfect balance between necessity and comfort when travelling through Thunder Bay.
Which car rental companies are at the airport: Thunder Bay, ON Airport (YQT)?
You can find all the best and cheapest companies providing car rentals at Thunder Bay Airport, including Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty.
What kind of rental car should I get from Thunder Bay International Airport?
If you are travelling with a larger group of people, or will be travelling on more challenging roads, we recommend the comfort and security of an SUV to accommodate for the extra bags, people, and to remain cozy for longer journeys.
If you are looking for other vehicle classes, you may choose from this range of rental cars: intermediate and standard vehicles, as well as people carriers/vans. Find the perfect vehicle for your Thunder Bay adventure with GoSee.