Car Hire
at Gander Airport

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire companies at Gander Airport, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes extra benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: get back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls charged during your hire
• Premium travel medical assistance for up to 5 passengers in case of emergency, covering up to CAD 200,000 (pre-existing conditions excluded)
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All at no additional cost, ensuring a unique hire experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip at Gander Airport.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at Gander Airport are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter at Gander Airport charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

The hire car counters at Gander Airport (YQX) are located directly inside the terminal, in the arrivals hall and baggage claim area. There is no separate hire centre, no shuttle bus, and no people mover required.

After clearing Canadian immigration and customs and collecting your baggage, simply follow the clearly posted hire car signs to the desks. Brands such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National all operate on-site within the Gander Airport terminal.

Once you complete your paperwork at the counter, your vehicle is parked in a designated lot immediately adjacent to the terminal, just a short walk away. If you are travelling with a family and heavy luggage, you can drive the car to the terminal kerb to load before exiting the lot.

Plan for approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the moment you reach the hire desk to driving away, not counting immigration processing time, which can add 15 to 45 minutes for international arrivals.

Counter hours at Gander Airport are generally aligned with incoming flight schedules, so staff are typically present even for late-night arrivals.

As a reference, Enterprise at Gander Airport operates Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 2 PM. After-hours vehicle returns are available via a key drop box at select brands including Avis and Enterprise.

Because hours can vary by brand and season, it is important to include your flight number on your reservation so the hire company can monitor delays and coordinate staffing accordingly. If your flight is delayed by less than 24 hours from your original pickup time, the hire company will hold your booking. Delays beyond 24 hours may require you to contact support to adjust your reservation.

Always confirm the specific counter hours for your chosen brand at Gander Airport before travel, as weekend and holiday schedules may differ from weekday hours.

To pick up a hire car at Gander Airport, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name, for the security deposit authorisation hold
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or travel tickets (required for visitors from outside Canada)

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence, not as a replacement.

All documents presented at the Gander Airport hire counter must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit authorisation hold.

No, there are no toll roads anywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador, including routes near Gander Airport. The Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1), which is the main road connecting Gander Airport to the rest of the province, is completely free to drive. There are no toll booths, electronic toll systems, cashless toll lanes, or congestion charges anywhere in the province.

This means you will not need a toll transponder, a toll pass programme, or any toll-related add-on when hiring a car at Gander Airport. Programmes such as E-ZPass or 407 ETR do not apply here.

If your travel plans take you beyond Newfoundland and Labrador to other Canadian provinces or regions where tolls do exist, the Tolls Cashback benefit included with your booking allows you to claim up to 5% of your total booking value back for any tolls paid during your hire. Simply email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle with your hire agreement and toll receipts.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name physically printed on the card is required to hire a car at Gander Airport. This card is used to place a temporary security deposit authorisation hold at the counter.

In Canada, the typical security deposit hold ranges from GBP 300 to GBP 500, though some locations may authorise up to approximately GBP 750 depending on the vehicle class and hire company. This hold reduces your available credit temporarily and is released after you return the vehicle, though your bank may take up to 15 business days to reflect the release.

Important points to keep in mind when picking up at Gander Airport:

• Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit authorisation hold
• Virtual or digital-only card numbers are not accepted; you must present the physical card
• The card must be in the main driver’s name, not a third party’s name
• Even if you prepay your booking online, a physical credit card is still required at the counter

Bringing a backup credit card in your name is always a good precaution in case your primary card is declined.

It depends on the language and script of your driver’s licence. When hiring a car at Gander Airport, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. For licences in other non-English languages that do use a Latin alphabet, an IDP is strongly recommended but not strictly mandatory.

If your licence is in English or issued by a country with a reciprocal agreement with Canada, you can generally drive with your foreign licence alone, accompanied by your passport.

Key points about the IDP for Gander Airport pickups:

• The IDP is a translation document only and must be carried together with your original licence
• It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted without the original
• Digital licences and learner’s permits are not accepted at hire counters
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad

Always check the specific requirements of your chosen hire brand at Gander Airport, as individual companies may apply stricter rules than the provincial minimum.

After-hours vehicle returns are available at Gander Airport for select hire brands, including Avis and Enterprise. If you need to return your car outside of staffed counter hours, follow these steps:

• Drive to the designated hire car return lot adjacent to the Gander Airport terminal, following the hire car return signage
• Park the vehicle in the assigned area and remove all personal belongings
• Check the fuel gauge to confirm the tank is at the level recorded on your hire agreement, as the full-to-full fuel policy still applies for after-hours returns
• Place your keys and hire contract in the key drop box provided at the lot
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer, and a photo of the car’s exterior condition, as evidence in case any dispute arises
• Keep your fuel receipt from the last fill-up, including the station address and time

Because counter staff are not present for after-hours returns at Gander Airport, you remain responsible for the vehicle until the hire company formally checks it in the following morning. Retaining your documentation protects you against any post-hire charges.

Driving away from Gander Airport involves a few road characteristics that can catch first-time visitors off guard.

The town of Gander was designed with a deliberate goose-shaped road layout, a curved 5 km loop running along Memorial Drive, Elizabeth Drive, and Edinburgh Avenue. This aviation-inspired design means navigation does not follow a standard grid, and GPS directions can feel counterintuitive when exiting the Gander Airport area.

Additional features to be aware of near Gander Airport:

• Airport Boulevard has signal priority at key intersections such as Markham Place and Lindbergh Road, meaning side roads may experience unexpected flashing red phases or stops
• No left turns are permitted at Armstrong Boulevard onto Airport Boulevard, a restriction that is actively monitored by the RCMP; plan your exit route accordingly
• Several intersections near Gander Airport use channelised right-turn lanes with painted islands, which differ from standard intersection layouts
• Route 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) passes through Gander with at-grade intersections rather than full highway interchanges, requiring more caution when merging
• Fuel stations can be sparse on Route 1 between Gander and Bishop’s Falls, so fill up near Gander Airport before heading west on long stretches

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this benefit can be relevant when hiring at Gander Airport given the remote stretches of Route 1 and the sparse services between towns in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

If you experience a medical emergency or need legal assistance after an incident near Gander Airport, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Phone: +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free)
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location, and a brief description of the situation. Follow the coordinator's instructions and keep all receipts and reports.

Important: this coverage applies only to travellers who are not residents of Canada or the United States. Canadian and American residents do not qualify for this benefit. Always review your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your itinerary.

Rentals picked up at Gander Airport follow a full-to-full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

Steps to follow for a smooth fuel return near Gander Airport:

• At pickup, confirm the fuel level with the agent and ensure the starting level is recorded on your hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge before leaving the Gander Airport lot
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the Gander Airport return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the station address, date, and time
• For after-hours returns, leave the receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

Note that fuel stations can be sparse on Route 1 west of Gander toward Bishop’s Falls, so plan your refuelling stop carefully if you are driving in from a distance. If you return the vehicle below the recorded level, the hire company may charge a fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus an administrative service fee.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your hire at Gander Airport, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

Check your booking confirmation first. If it states additional driver free of charge, the first extra driver is included at no cost. If it is not included, the daily fees at Gander Airport counters are approximately:

• Avis and Budget: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day with no stated cap

Requirements for adding a driver at Gander Airport:

• The additional driver must be physically present at the counter at pickup
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required IDP if their licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin script
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
• The additional driver must meet the minimum age requirements for the hire location

Only drivers named on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability cover. Never allow an unlisted person to drive the vehicle.

When hiring a car at Gander Airport, there are two main types of coverage to consider: protection for the hire vehicle itself, and liability coverage for damage or injury you may cause to others.

For the hire vehicle, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability if the car is damaged or stolen. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover tyres, the undercarriage, or personal belongings.

For third-party liability, Canadian provincial law requires every vehicle on the road to carry third-party liability insurance. When you hire in Canada through Hola Car Rentals, this statutory liability is included with the vehicle by default. You can also purchase supplementary liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) for higher coverage limits if desired.

Key points for Gander Airport hires:

• CDW/LDW covers the hire car; it does not cover injuries to others or damage to third-party property
• Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by these protections
• Prohibited uses such as off-road driving or driving under the influence void all cover
• Report any incident immediately using the number on your hire agreement

Yes, one-way hires are possible when picking up at Gander Airport, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, the hire brand, and the vehicle class.

Because Gander Airport is a remote location in Newfoundland and Labrador, one-way fees for long-distance routes such as Gander to St. John’s or Gander to another province can be significant. Cross-border one-way hires, for example returning the car in another Canadian province, may be restricted by some brands or carry higher fees.

How to check and manage the drop-off fee:

• During the booking process, select your different return location and the system will display any applicable drop-off fee under the To pay at destination section
• Review your booking confirmation to confirm the fee is listed correctly before travel
• At the Gander Airport counter, verify the drop-off fee on the hire agreement matches your confirmation
• If the desk adds a fee that was not disclosed in your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support after the hire, as the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply

Changing your return location after booking may reprice the hire and recalculate the drop-off fee, so confirm any changes before arriving at Gander Airport.