Payless Car Hire
Winnipeg

After collecting your luggage at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, follow the prominent overhead signs for “Rental Cars” or “Ground Transportation.” The rental car desks, including the Payless service desk, are conveniently located on the main level of the terminal building. Once you complete the rental agreement at the desk, you will be directed to the adjacent car park where the vehicles are situated. The entire process is designed to be straightforward, with clear signage guiding you from baggage claim to your vehicle.

The most efficient plan for a late-night arrival is to head directly to the designated rental car area after you land. Winnipeg’s airport is well signed, and the rental car desks are located together on the main level, making them easy to find even when the terminal is quiet. Rental agency hours are often aligned with the final flight arrivals, ensuring staff will be available to assist you. By following the “Rental Cars” signs immediately, you can avoid any confusion and proceed directly to the Payless desk to get your keys and start your trip.

To ensure a comfortable and unhurried drive to Kenora, it’s wise to schedule your flight to land in the early afternoon at the latest. Plan for approximately 60 to 90 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you are driving away in your rental car. This buffer accounts for deplaning, baggage claim and completing the rental process. The drive to the Lake of the Woods area is about three hours, so a midday arrival gives you plenty of daylight for the highway journey and time to settle in before dark.

For a straightforward drive into downtown Winnipeg, the best route is to follow the main roads. From the airport, you will exit onto Wellington Avenue. Continue east on Wellington until you reach Route 90, also known as King Edward Street, and turn right to head south. A few kilometres later, turn left onto Portage Avenue (Route 85), which is a major artery that will take you directly into the heart of the downtown area. Using a satnav will make this simple drive even more stress-free.

While Winnipeg’s road network is generally easy to navigate, some areas can be tricky for newcomers. The interchange where Route 90 (Kenaston Boulevard) meets the Perimeter Highway (Hwy 100/101) can be busy with multiple lanes merging. Additionally, the one-way street system in the city centre, particularly around the iconic Portage and Main intersection, requires careful attention to signage. Using a navigation app is highly recommended to help you anticipate lane changes and turns in these key areas.

The most stress-free option for overnight parking in the historic Exchange District is to use one of the many public multi-storey car parks or surface lots. These facilities offer secure and accessible parking, removing the challenge of navigating narrow streets or finding a limited on-street space. Many hotels in the district also provide guest parking, which is often the most convenient choice. Planning ahead by identifying a couple of nearby car parks on a map can save you time on arrival.

Downtown Winnipeg features a significant number of one-way streets, which is the most important factor for new drivers to be aware of. Always look for street signs indicating the direction of traffic flow before turning. When approaching The Forks, traffic is generally well directed, but it’s crucial to be in the correct lane ahead of time. Relying on a satnav for turn-by-turn directions is the best way to navigate the downtown grid confidently and avoid making a wrong turn onto a one-way street.

During midday or at the weekend, the drive from Winnipeg’s airport to The Forks is typically a quick 20 to 25 minutes. However, during weekday rush hour, which generally runs from 7:30 to 9:00 AM and 3:30 to 5:30 PM, you should expect significant delays. The same trip can easily take 40 to 50 minutes or more due to heavy congestion on major routes like Portage Avenue and around the city centre. Planning your travel outside of these peak times will result in a much smoother journey.

The best strategy for parking near Canada Life Centre is to plan ahead and arrive early. Instead of trying to park right next to the arena, identify a public multi-storey car park or surface lot several streets away. Many of these lots can be found online, and some even offer the ability to pre-book your spot. Aim to arrive in the area at least 45 to 60 minutes before the event starts to avoid the worst of the traffic gridlock and enjoy a short walk to the venue.

Driving between Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods during peak hours requires some patience but is generally manageable for visitors. Major arteries connecting these areas, such as Pembina Highway, Osborne Street and Corydon Avenue, can become quite congested. You’ll find that traffic moves steadily but slowly during rush hour. The key is to allow for extra travel time in your schedule and stick to the main, well-signposted routes rather than trying to navigate unfamiliar residential side streets.

For a weekend wedding, the smartest approach is to pick up your rental car directly from the airport upon arrival. This gives you maximum flexibility and eliminates extra trips. Check the wedding venue’s location on a map in advance to get a clear idea of the highway driving time. Plan to leave the city at least 30 minutes earlier than your satnav suggests to build in a buffer for any unexpected traffic or roadworks, ensuring a relaxed and timely arrival.

For winter driving primarily within Winnipeg and on nearby highways, a front-wheel-drive saloon or a compact SUV is an excellent choice. These vehicles provide a good balance of fuel efficiency and stability on roads that are typically well maintained and cleared of snow. While four-wheel drive can offer extra confidence, the most critical factor for safe winter travel is a vehicle equipped with good all-season or winter tyres and a cautious, defensive driving style.

Winter conditions can dramatically increase travel time in Winnipeg. A drive from the airport to the city centre that normally takes 20–25 minutes can easily stretch to 45–60 minutes or longer immediately following a significant snowfall. Even after main routes are ploughed, traffic moves much more slowly, and side streets can remain snow-covered. It is essential to check the weather forecast and road conditions, always allowing at least double the standard travel time to ensure you reach your destination safely and without rushing.

The most important thing to remember is that all speeds and distances in Manitoba are posted in the metric system. Speed limits are in kilometres per hour (km/h), not miles per hour (mph). A typical motorway speed limit is 100 or 110 km/h (about 62–68 mph), while in urban areas limits are usually 50 km/h (about 31 mph). Road signs often use internationally recognised symbols and may be bilingual in English and French, but they are generally easy for visitors to understand.

The most direct route to Birds Hill Park is to take Lagimodiere Boulevard (Route 20) north, which merges into Highway 59. The park entrance is well signed from the highway, making it an easy drive. To enjoy the park before it gets crowded, especially on a warm summer weekend, plan to leave Winnipeg by 9:00 AM. An early start allows you to secure a prime parking spot and enjoy the trails or beach in relative quiet.

A day trip to Lower Fort Garry after an airport pickup is very realistic and makes for a great afternoon. The drive from the YWG area to the historic site typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes. You can comfortably spend two to three hours exploring the fort and its grounds. This schedule leaves you with plenty of time to drive back to Winnipeg, return to your hotel, and head out for dinner without feeling rushed.

A simple plan is to drive to Assiniboine Park in the morning and park your car for the day. From the city centre, major roads like Portage Avenue will lead you there easily. Start with the Zoo, as the animals are often more active earlier in the day. Afterwards, you can have lunch and explore the park’s gardens or The Leaf conservatory. For a scenic return trip downtown, consider taking Wellington Crescent, a beautiful road that winds along the river.

The best low-stress plan is to park once and explore both areas on foot. Find a spot in one of the large surface lots or car parks at The Forks, which is located right next to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. After your museum visit, you can take a scenic stroll across the Esplanade Riel, a pedestrian bridge that leads you directly into the heart of St. Boniface. This strategy allows you to enjoy both destinations without having to move your car and find new parking.

Driving during major city events can be quite challenging due to road closures, heavy traffic and large crowds of pedestrians. During a Winnipeg Jets Whiteout street party, large sections of the city centre are closed to vehicles. For events like Folklorama or summer festivals, expect increased congestion around specific venues. It’s crucial to check for event-related road closure announcements online, allow significant extra travel time, and consider parking further from the event and walking the final distance.

The best choice depends on your itinerary and hotel parking situation. If you plan day trips straight away and your hotel offers reasonable parking, picking up the car upon arrival at YWG is the most convenient. However, if you intend to spend your first day or two exploring the walkable city centre, you could save on parking costs by taking a taxi to your hotel first. You can then collect your rental car when you’re ready to venture further afield.

When travelling with bulky gear, it’s important to select the right vehicle for your needs. Consider booking an SUV, people carrier or a larger saloon with fold-down rear seats to ensure everything will fit comfortably. Before you leave the rental car lot at the airport, take a few minutes to arrange your equipment securely. This ensures that your luggage doesn’t obstruct your visibility or shift around while you’re driving, making for a safer start to your trip.

The most practical method is to divide tasks. One adult should proceed to the rental car desk to handle the paperwork and retrieve the vehicle. Meanwhile, the other adult can wait with the children and all the luggage in the designated passenger pickup area just outside the arrivals hall. Once the driver has the car, they can circle around to the pickup curb, allowing for a quick and organised loading process away from the busy rental car lot.

Driving to Winnipeg’s major shopping areas is generally straightforward as they are designed for easy car access from main roads. The primary challenge is often navigating the large, busy car parks, especially at weekends. The entrance to the Outlet Collection from Kenaston Boulevard can get particularly congested. The key is to be patient, pay close attention to directional signs within the shopping complexes, and watch for pedestrians in the parking areas.

You should budget approximately 90 minutes for the drive from Winnipeg to the lakeside town of Gimli. The route is a pleasant and direct drive north on either Highway 8 or 9. To avoid the heaviest weekend traffic of city dwellers heading to cottage country, it’s best to get an early start. Leaving Winnipeg before 9:00 AM on a Saturday or Sunday will help you miss the main rush and enjoy a more relaxed journey.

The most direct route to Grand Beach is to take Highway 59 north from Winnipeg, a drive that typically takes about 90 minutes. As one of the most popular beaches in the province, its car parks can fill up very quickly on hot summer weekends. To ensure you get a spot, it is highly recommended that you plan to arrive at the park entrance before 10:30 AM. This will help you avoid disappointment and maximise your time on the sand.

The drive to Riding Mountain National Park takes about three to three-and-a-half hours on the well-maintained Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16). The road is in good condition and passes through several small towns, such as Neepawa, where you can find fuel, food and restrooms. Services become more sparse as you get closer to the park, so it’s a good practice to ensure you have a full tank of fuel before you begin the final, more remote stretch of the journey.

When driving west to Brandon along the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1), you will find that services are readily available. This is a major national corridor with towns, petrol stations and restaurants spaced at regular intervals, including the city of Portage la Prairie. Mobile phone service is generally strong and reliable along this entire route, so you can navigate and stay connected without any major concerns about dead zones.

Highway driving around Winnipeg is typically a comfortable experience for visitors. The Perimeter Highway that encircles the city features long merge lanes and clear signage, making it easy to navigate. The general pace of traffic is steady and not overly aggressive, and local drivers are usually courteous. Overall, the conditions are favourable for those who may not be accustomed to the area’s roads, allowing for a low-stress driving experience.

As in any major city, it’s always wise to be mindful of your surroundings and take standard precautions. In dense areas like the city centre, the Exchange District and Osborne Village, pay close attention to posted parking signs to avoid tickets or towing, especially regarding rush-hour restrictions. To prevent break-ins, always lock your rental car and make sure that no luggage, shopping bags or electronics are left visible inside the vehicle.

For an early-morning return in winter conditions, the most important step is to allow for significant extra time. Plan to leave for the airport at least double the time you would in clear weather. Main routes like Portage Avenue and Route 90 are priority for snow and ice clearing, so stick to them. Drive slowly, maintain a large following distance from other vehicles, and focus on a smooth, cautious journey to the airport.

For a quick turnaround, a safe and realistic timeline is to budget about 30 minutes from the moment you pull into the rental return area to when you arrive at the security checkpoint. The car return process itself usually takes 10–15 minutes. From the rental return location in the car park, it is a 5–10 minute walk to the airline check-in desks. This buffer should provide ample time without feeling rushed.

When driving to the U.S. border, ensure every passenger has their valid passport and any other necessary travel documentation readily accessible. The main crossing at Emerson can get very busy during Canadian or U.S. holidays and on weekends. It’s wise to check a border wait time app before you depart and build a buffer of at least 60–90 minutes into your travel schedule to account for potential delays at customs.

The most straightforward route is to take Highway 75 south directly from Winnipeg to the Emerson–Pembina border crossing. This is a major, well-maintained highway that is easy to follow. The key thing for an unfamiliar driver to remember is to be vigilant about speed limit changes. The speed will drop significantly as you enter small towns along the route, so it’s important to slow down accordingly and watch for posted signs.

To efficiently navigate the suburbs for meetings, try to group your appointments by geographic area. Schedule cross-town travel during off-peak hours, such as between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM or from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. For longer distances between suburbs, using the Perimeter Highway (Hwy 100/101) to go around the city is almost always faster than cutting through the congested city centre during business hours.

For a lovely scenic drive, explore Wellington Crescent, which follows a bend in the Assiniboine River through one of the city’s most beautiful historic residential areas. Another excellent choice is to drive along River Road in the St. Vital neighbourhood for views of the Red River. These routes are best enjoyed on a weekend morning or a weekday midday when commuter traffic is at its lightest, allowing for a relaxed and pleasant experience.

The drive from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay is a long but scenic journey that typically takes about eight hours of pure driving time. The route follows the Trans-Canada Highway through the Canadian Shield, which is beautiful but remote. It is essential to plan your fuel stops, as services can be far apart. Aim to refuel in larger towns like Kenora or Dryden to ensure you have plenty of petrol for the long stretches in between.

When driving on rural Manitoba highways at dawn or dusk, your risk of encountering wildlife, especially deer, is much higher. The best safety plan is to be extra vigilant and actively scan the road ahead as well as the ditches on both sides. Reduce your speed to give yourself more time to react. Remember that deer often travel in groups, so if you see one cross the road, slow down and expect that more may follow.

The most efficient way to coordinate a group pickup is to have the designated primary driver go to the Payless rental desk alone to complete the paperwork. The rest of the group members should gather all the luggage and wait together at the passenger pickup area on the arrivals level. Once the driver has the car, they can drive to the curb to meet the group for a smooth and organised departure.

This hybrid approach is an excellent way to experience Winnipeg. For the days you are exploring the city centre, The Forks or the Exchange District, rely on walking, public transport or rideshare services to avoid parking hassles. Plan your itinerary so that you use your rental car on specific days dedicated to visiting attractions further out, like Assiniboine Park and Zoo, or for day trips to places like Gimli or Grand Beach. This strategy saves money on parking and reduces stress in busy areas.