Alamo Car Hire
Moncton

After collecting your luggage at the baggage reclaim area, proceed into the main arrivals hall of the terminal. You will find the car hire counters, including Alamo, conveniently located directly within this area. Look for the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation" to guide you. Once you complete the hire agreement at the desk, an agent will direct you to the designated car park where your vehicle will be waiting, which is just a short walk from the terminal doors.

To ensure a smooth collection after hours, it is highly recommended to include your flight number and arrival time when you make your reservation. This information allows the local staff to track your flight and often make arrangements to wait for you in case of a delay. If you anticipate arriving significantly later than the posted closing time, it's also good practice to call the location directly to confirm the after-hours procedure. Always check the specific opening hours for your hire dates before you travel.

The process at Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport is typically efficient and straightforward for travellers. Under normal circumstances, you can expect the entire process to take between 30 to 45 minutes. This timeframe accounts for disembarking, walking to baggage reclaim, collecting your luggage, and completing the hire paperwork at the desk in the arrivals hall. The hire car lot is conveniently located close to the terminal, so the final step of getting to your vehicle is quite quick.

After leaving the airport on Aviation Avenue, a very convenient first stop is the retail area just a minute or two down the road. You'll find large, open car parks for businesses like Sobeys or Tim Hortons. These spots provide a safe and low-pressure environment to pull over, adjust your mirrors and seating, and program your destination into your sat nav. It's also a great opportunity to secure your luggage in the boot and get oriented before merging onto the main road towards Moncton.

The drive from the airport to downtown Moncton is very direct and well-signed, making it easy for first-time visitors. From the airport exit, follow Aviation Avenue until it ends, then turn right onto Adelard Savoie Boulevard. This road leads directly to the on-ramp for Highway 15 West (also called Wheeler Boulevard). Simply follow Highway 15, which will take you right into the heart of the city, with clear exits for key downtown destinations like Main Street.

Choosing where to stay depends on your travel style, but both locations work well with a hire car. Staying near Magnetic Hill offers the advantage of being in a more suburban area with ample free parking and immediate access to the Trans-Canada Highway for day trips to places like Hopewell Rocks or Prince Edward Island. Conversely, staying downtown provides excellent walkability to restaurants and shops in the evening, though you will need to account for hotel or public parking for your vehicle.

Moncton's rush hour is generally manageable compared with larger metropolitan areas, but certain routes do experience congestion. The main bottlenecks typically occur on Wheeler Boulevard (Highway 15), Mountain Road, and the Gunningsville Bridge connecting to Riverview between 07:30–09:00 and 16:00–17:30 on weekdays. While traffic moves, it can be slow, so it's wise to add an extra 15–20 minutes to your travel time if you need to drive through these corridors during peak hours.

Downtown Moncton offers several convenient parking options for visitors exploring on foot. You will find plenty of on-street metered parking along Main Street and adjacent side streets, which is ideal for shorter stops. For longer explorations or events at the Avenir Centre, it's often easier to use one of the public multi-storey car parks or surface lots. Look for the prominent blue "P" signs that direct you to facilities located near City Hall and throughout the downtown core.

Planning your drive around the tides is essential for visiting the Hopewell Rocks, as the main experience is walking on the seabed. You must check the official tide schedule for your specific date of visit online before you go. Plan to arrive at the park approximately one hour before the posted low tide time. This strategy ensures you have the maximum amount of time to explore the flowerpot rocks and coastline safely before the powerful Bay of Fundy tide begins to return.

For a more relaxed and scenic journey, the best route is the Fundy Coastal Drive along Highway 114. Instead of taking the main highway, this two-lane road winds through charming small towns like Hillsborough and offers beautiful glimpses of the coastline. The pace is slower and the traffic is generally lighter, making it a much less stressful drive for those who prefer to avoid multi-lane highways. It allows you to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

A day trip to Fundy National Park from Moncton is a fantastic experience, and you should plan for a full day to truly enjoy it. The drive itself is about one hour each way, so dedicating at least 8 to 10 hours for the entire trip is ideal. This allows ample time to drive the scenic park roads, stop at multiple viewpoints like Point Wolfe, enjoy a short walk on one of the many trails, and explore the quaint fishing village of Alma at the park's entrance.

Alma is the perfect staging point right at the entrance to Fundy National Park. As you drive through the small village, you'll find plenty of on-street parking as well as small lots near the local businesses. It's very easy to park your car and walk to one of the general stores or bakeries to pick up water, snacks, or a picnic lunch. Many visitors also grab a meal at a local restaurant here before or after their time in the park.

The Magnetic Hill area is designed to be very family-friendly, with a large, central car park that serves all the main attractions, including the zoo and the Magic Mountain water park. This setup is incredibly convenient, as you can park once and easily walk to the different entrance gates. The lots are spacious and the walking paths are generally paved and level, making it simple to navigate with pushchairs and young children.

To enjoy a stress-free trip to Shediac and Parlee Beach, timing is key, especially on a warm summer weekend. Plan to leave Moncton early in the morning, aiming to arrive before 10:00 to secure good parking and beat the peak traffic rush. The most direct route is Highway 15 East. For a more scenic return journey in the afternoon, consider taking the coastal Route 133, which offers lovely water views and a more relaxed pace as you head back toward Moncton.

The most convenient place for visitors to park in Shediac is the large public car park located at the visitor information centre in Rotary Park. This is where the famous giant lobster statue is situated, making it an ideal starting point for your exploration. From this central lot, you are just a short and pleasant walk away from the main waterfront area, the marina, and the numerous seafood restaurants and shops that line Main Street.

The drive from Moncton to Bouctouche is a pleasant trip on well-maintained two-lane highways, primarily Route 115 and then Route 475. The roads are easy to navigate and take you through scenic rural landscapes. Upon arrival at the Irving Eco-Centre, you'll find a very convenient and large dedicated car park right at the entrance to the facility. This allows for easy access to the visitor centre and the start of the beautiful boardwalk that extends over the sand dunes.

A trip to see the Confederation Bridge is an easy and rewarding half-day excursion from Moncton. The most practical plan is to drive east on the Trans-Canada Highway (NB-2 and then NB-16), which takes you directly to the bridge approach in about 45–60 minutes. Before the bridge itself, take the exit for the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre. Here you can park and enjoy fantastic viewpoints, walk the trails, and learn about the area's ecology before heading back to Moncton.

To make the most of a PEI day trip, plan a loop route to avoid backtracking. After crossing the Confederation Bridge, head north towards the Green Gables Shore region to visit Cavendish and the PEI National Park. From there, drive east towards the central part of the island to explore Charlottetown for a late lunch and a walk around the historic waterfront. Finally, take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) directly from Charlottetown back to the bridge for an efficient return to Moncton.

Driving across the 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge is a unique experience and generally very safe. During periods of high winds, you will feel the vehicle being pushed, so it's important to maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and drive at a steady, consistent speed. Bridge authorities constantly monitor conditions and will post advisories or restrictions for certain vehicle types, like high-sided trucks or trailers, if winds become dangerously strong. It's always a good idea to check the official bridge website for any warnings before you cross.

A day trip from Moncton to Charlottetown is absolutely realistic and a popular choice for many visitors. The drive, including crossing the Confederation Bridge, typically takes about two hours each way. Once you arrive in Charlottetown, the easiest parking strategy is to head for one of the multi-storey car parks near the waterfront, such as the Queen Street or Pownal Parkade. This allows you to leave your car for the day and comfortably explore the compact and historic downtown area entirely on foot.

If you're short on time but want a quick PEI beach experience, there are great options near the Confederation Bridge. Chelton Beach Provincial Park is just a short drive from the bridge and offers a lovely red-sand beach with a dedicated car park and facilities. Another excellent choice is Argyle Shore Provincial Park, located a bit further east but still easily accessible. Both provide simple parking and a very short walk from your car to the shoreline, perfect for a brief, scenic stop.

The drive from Moncton to Saint John is straightforward, primarily on the four-lane Highway 1 West, and takes about 90 minutes. The journey is generally smooth, but traffic can become heavier as you approach Saint John, especially during weekday morning and afternoon commutes. The area around the Harbour Bridge and the main uptown exits can experience some slowdowns. It's a very manageable day trip, but allowing a little extra time for the final approach into the city is a good idea.

To fully appreciate the Fundy Trail Parkway, it's best to make it a full-day commitment and start your drive from Moncton early in the morning. The drive to the parkway's entrance near St. Martins can take up to two hours. Aim to arrive at the park gate by late morning at the latest. This gives you the entire afternoon to drive the parkway at a leisurely pace, stop at the numerous scenic lookouts, and perhaps enjoy a short walk before the park closes in the late afternoon.

The drive from Moncton to Halifax is about three hours and follows the Trans-Canada Highway (NB-2, which becomes NS-102). For a convenient and well-timed break, plan to stop at the large travel plaza in Aulac, New Brunswick, right before you cross the border into Nova Scotia. To ensure a low-stress arrival in Halifax, try to time your drive to avoid the 16:00–18:00 weekday rush hour. Using your sat nav for the final approach is also helpful, as the highway system around the city has several key interchanges.

Winter driving in the Moncton region requires caution and flexibility. Main highways like the Trans-Canada are a priority for gritting and clearing, but conditions can change quickly during a storm. Expect potential snow cover, icy patches, and significantly reduced visibility from blowing snow, especially in open, rural areas. It is crucial to check the provincial road conditions report before you depart, drive at slower speeds, and allow for much more travel time than you would in summer.

During the spring thaw, typically in March and April, you should be mindful of road conditions on secondary routes. While major highways are unaffected, smaller paved roads can develop potholes, and unpaved rural roads can become very soft and muddy. Some seasonal roads or car parks for parks and trailheads may remain closed until the ground is firm. It's always best to stick to the main paved routes when exploring the Fundy coast during this transitional season.

The most common wildlife you may encounter while driving on highways and rural roads outside Moncton are white-tailed deer and, less frequently, moose. These animals are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk, which is when drivers should be most vigilant. Be sure to scan the sides of the road ahead, especially in wooded areas or where you see wildlife warning signs. Slowing down in these conditions gives you more time to react if an animal suddenly crosses the road.

Mobile coverage can be intermittent along the rural and scenic coastal routes near the Bay of Fundy. The smartest backup plan is to download offline maps of the entire region to your smartphone before you leave your hotel. Apps like Google Maps allow you to save large areas for offline use, ensuring your GPS navigation will continue to work even without a data connection. Having a paper road map as a secondary backup is also a wise precaution.

Driving rules in New Brunswick are very similar to those in the United States, but a few points are worth noting. Right turns on a red light are permitted after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it. Drivers should also be especially mindful of school zones, where speed limits are strictly enforced during posted hours on school days. Additionally, speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour, so be sure to pay attention to your speedometer's km/h markings.

Moncton has several modern roundabouts, and navigating them is straightforward if you follow a few key rules. Always give way to traffic already circulating within the roundabout before you enter. Pay close attention to the signs as you approach to ensure you are in the correct lane for your intended exit. Once in the circle, use your indicator to signal your intention to exit, which helps alert other drivers. Remember to proceed with caution and maintain a steady speed.

If you find yourself going the wrong way on a major highway like Route 2 or 15, the most important thing is to stay calm and avoid any sudden or unsafe manoeuvres like stopping or trying to cross the median. The safest and correct procedure is to continue driving until you reach the very next exit. You can then exit the highway, use the overpass or underpass, and follow the signs to re-enter the highway going in your desired direction.

For a typical morning flight, it's a good rule of thumb to leave your downtown Moncton hotel about two hours before your scheduled departure time. The drive to the airport usually takes only 15 to 20 minutes. This buffer allows ample time for the car return process, which is usually quick, and then gives you plenty of time to check in with your airline, go through security, and get to your gate without feeling rushed.

To make the return process smoother with a group, use a two-step approach. First, drive to the airport's main departures kerb and drop off all the passengers and the luggage. While they head inside to the check-in counter, the driver can then proceed alone to the hire car return area. This strategy avoids the hassle of managing multiple people and bags in the return lot and streamlines the entire process for everyone.

Several petrol stations are located on Dieppe Boulevard and Adelard Savoie Boulevard, just a few minutes from the airport entrance. These are ideal spots for a final stop before your return. You can use their larger bins to dispose of any accumulated rubbish from your trip and take a moment in the car park to do a final check for personal belongings. It's also a good opportunity to organise your luggage before heading to the terminal.

When booking a hotel in Moncton, it's wise to enquire specifically about their parking situation. Key questions to ask are whether parking is included with your room or if there is an additional daily fee. You should also confirm if they offer "in-and-out privileges," which allows you to take your car for day trips and return without incurring new charges each time. Also, ask about the location and security of the car park or garage for your peace of mind.

Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport is a modern and accessible facility. The hire car counters are located inside the main terminal building, just past the baggage reclaim area. The hire car parking is situated directly outside the terminal doors, requiring only a short walk on a flat, paved surface. The entire process is designed to be convenient, with minimal distances to cover, making it manageable for travellers with mobility concerns.

To keep your hire car clean after an outdoor adventure, it's smart to be prepared. Consider keeping an old towel or a small blanket in the boot to sit on or to wipe off muddy shoes before getting in. A reusable plastic bag is also invaluable for storing wet or sandy clothes and footwear. Having a bottle of water and some paper towels on hand can also be very useful for a quick clean-up before you hit the road again.

For drivers new to downtown Moncton, the most important thing to be aware of is that the two main thoroughfares, Main Street and St. George Street, are both one-way streets running parallel to each other. Main Street flows east, while St. George Street flows west. Paying close attention to the street signs when turning off a side street is crucial to avoid accidentally heading in the wrong direction. Using a sat nav can be very helpful in navigating this grid for the first time.

The most efficient plan is to use one city as your primary base rather than changing hotels. Moncton serves as an excellent base, as it's ideally located for popular day trips to the Fundy coast and PEI. The drive to Fredericton is a straightforward 90-minute to two-hour trip on the Trans-Canada Highway, making it a very easy and enjoyable day trip. This approach allows you to explore the capital city for a full day without the hassle of packing and moving your luggage.