Van Hire
in Ottawa

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire companies in Ottawa, 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 in Ottawa.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Ottawa 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 in Ottawa 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)

Your hire van pickup at Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is located at 1003 Airport Parkway Private, Ottawa, ON K1V 2C1. Most partner brands maintain counters on-site or nearby, with shuttle options available for certain locations.

Key details to keep in mind:

• Europcar operates a hire desk directly inside the Ottawa Airport terminal for convenient van pickup without a shuttle.
• Budget offers a staff meet-and-greet or shuttle service to reach the fleet at YOW.
• After landing in Ottawa, allow roughly 30 to 60 minutes to collect baggage, reach the counter, and complete paperwork before driving away in your van.

To find your specific brand counter, check your booking confirmation for the operating partner name, then follow the hire signs inside the Ottawa Airport terminal. If your brand uses a shuttle, proceed to the marked shuttle stop outside the arrivals level. Counter hours can vary by brand, so confirm your scheduled pickup time aligns with the desk's operating hours before you travel.

To collect your hire van in Ottawa, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name. If your licence is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation alongside your original licence.
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the physical card, used for the authorisation hold. Debit, prepaid, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit.
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID.
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside Canada).

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Ottawa van hire counter. Note that temporary licences are not accepted in Canada, so ensure your licence is the full, unexpired original. If you think you may need an IDP, obtain it in your home country before travelling to Ottawa, as it cannot be issued abroad.

When you pick up your hire van in Ottawa, the partner desk will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. For hires in Canada, the typical hold is approximately CAD 300 to CAD 500, though some Ottawa locations may require a minimum authorisation of around CAD 750, particularly for larger vehicles like a van.

Important points to keep in mind:

• The hold is not a charge. It temporarily reduces your available credit and is released after you return the van, subject to all hire terms being met.
• Your bank controls how quickly the hold disappears after release. It can take up to 15 working days to reflect on your statement.
• Only a major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the physical card is accepted for the deposit. Debit and prepaid cards are not permitted.
• Van hires or premium vehicle classes may carry higher holds than standard cars at Ottawa locations.

Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel to Ottawa to prevent fraud blocks on the authorisation.

Ottawa itself does not have toll roads, but if you drive your hire van into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) during your trip, you may encounter Highway 407 ETR, Ontario's primary toll highway.

Key facts about the 407 ETR and your Ottawa van hire:

• The 407 ETR is 100% cashless. There are no cash booths. Tolls are billed by licence plate photography.
• A sample 25 km peak-period trip on the 407 ETR can cost approximately CAD 30.45, including a base toll, trip charge, and camera charge for vehicles without a transponder.
• Weekend and holiday rates for light vehicles range from roughly CAD 0.50 to CAD 0.87 per km depending on the zone and time of day.
• If you drive through a toll without enrolling in a hire toll programme, the hire partner will bill the toll to your card plus an administrative fee per occurrence.
• Hire partners offer daily toll pass programmes (approximately CAD 3.95 to CAD 15 per day) that cover unlimited use on eligible roads.

All other major Ontario highways near Ottawa, including the 400-series roads, are toll-free. There are no congestion charges or emissions zone fees in Ottawa or Ontario.

Hola Car Rentals includes Tolls Cashback on every booking. You can claim up to 5% of your total booking value back for tolls paid during your Ottawa van hire. Submit your claim within 30 days of returning the van to [email protected] with your hire agreement and toll receipts.

When hiring a van at Ottawa International Airport (YOW), expect the following fees and taxes on top of your base rate:

• Airport concession fee: typically 10% to 15% of the base hire rate, charged by the hire partner for operating at YOW.
• Customer facility charge (CFC): approximately CAD 10 to CAD 20 per day, covering the cost of airport hire facilities.
• Ontario HST (Harmonised Sales Tax): 13%, applied to the hire and most associated fees.

There are no unique city-specific hire taxes or tourism surcharges documented for Ottawa beyond the standard provincial and airport fees listed above.

If you prefer to avoid airport surcharges on your Ottawa van hire, off-airport locations such as Enterprise or Budget branches near YOW are typically 20% to 30% cheaper. However, those locations require you to arrange your own transport from the airport, and overnight parking at park-and-ride lots near YOW is not permitted.

Your booking confirmation will show which fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the Ottawa counter. If a fee marked as included on your confirmation is charged again at pickup, the No Extra Charges© guarantee applies.

Ottawa follows Ontario provincial driving rules, and 2026 has brought several changes that directly affect anyone driving a hire van in the city.

• Distracted driving fines start at CAD 615 for a first offence, including glancing at a phone while stopped at a red light. Keep your phone out of reach while driving your van in Ottawa.
• Community safety zones have been expanded in Ottawa to include seniors facilities, recreation centres, and places of worship. Speed limits in these zones drop to 30 km/h and fines for violations are doubled, reaching CAD 300 or more.
• Highway 417 (Trans-Canada) passes through downtown Ottawa and can involve dense urban merges. Allow extra time and space when driving a larger van near the city centre.
• Ontario has strict impaired driving penalties, including immediate licence suspension and mandatory treatment programmes for repeat offences.
• If you rent an electric van or park near EV charging stations, non-EV drivers must yield the charging queue to electric vehicles or face a fine.

Standard Ontario speed limits apply on most Ottawa roads: 50 km/h in urban areas unless posted otherwise. Speed enforcement is active in expanded community safety zones throughout Ottawa, so watch for posted signs when driving your van through residential and community areas.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your hire in Ottawa at the counter when you pick up the vehicle.

Whether there is a fee depends on your rate:

• Some Hola Car Rentals rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads "Additional driver free of charge."
• If not included, daily fees apply by partner: Avis, Budget, and Payless charge approximately US$13 per day (capped at US$65); Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar charge approximately US$13.50 per day (capped at US$189); Alamo, National, and Enterprise charge approximately US$15 per day.
• For Avis, Budget, and Payless Ottawa locations, the additional driver must be at least 25 years old at the time of van pickup.

The additional driver must be present at the Ottawa counter with their valid driver’s licence and, if applicable, an IDP. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Only drivers listed on the agreement are covered by the van's insurance protections. Anyone who drives the van without being named on the contract may void cover.

Van hires in Ottawa follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

Steps to follow for a smooth fuel return in Ottawa:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge.
• During your Ottawa hire, use the correct fuel type as shown in the van. Wrong-fuel incidents are not covered and may generate significant charges.
• Before returning the van, refuel within approximately 15 km of the Ottawa return location so the gauge does not drop below full on the drive back.
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as proof of a full tank.

If you return the Ottawa van below the recorded starting level, the hire partner may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. For after-hours returns at Ottawa locations, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance through Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if you experience an emergency during your Ottawa van hire, including a breakdown on Highway 417 or in a remote area outside the city.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel insurance with medical cover for up to 5 passengers.
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident involving your van.
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline on your way to Ottawa.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

To activate assistance during your Ottawa van hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

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

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

Important: this travel assistance benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Canadian and US residents do not qualify for this cover. For vehicle damage or theft, you need CDW/LDW, which is separate from travel assistance.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always mandatory to hire a van in Ottawa, but it is strongly recommended in certain situations.

• If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an IDP is required as a translation alongside your original licence. Without it, the Ottawa hire counter may refuse to hand over the van.
• If your licence is in English or uses a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly mandatory for most Ottawa van hires.
• Temporary licences are not accepted in Canada. You must present your full, unexpired original licence.

The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted without your original licence. You must obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to Ottawa, as it cannot be issued abroad. In the United States, for example, AAA issues IDPs only to US licence holders.

Bring both your original licence and your IDP to the Ottawa hire counter, along with your passport and booking confirmation, to ensure a smooth pickup.

The insurance included with your Ottawa van hire depends on the rate plan you selected at booking. Here is a summary of the main coverages relevant to hiring a van in Ottawa:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire van from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
• Third-Party Liability: in Canada, provincial law requires every vehicle to carry third-party liability insurance. This statutory liability is included by default when you hire a van in Ottawa through Hola Car Rentals. You can purchase higher supplemental limits if desired.
• Travel Assistance: most bookings include travel assistance via Terrawind for medical emergencies and legal support. Note this benefit does not apply to Canadian or US residents.

CDW/LDW does not cover tyres, the undercarriage, the roof, keys, or personal belongings inside the van. For personal items, consider Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) as a separate add-on at the Ottawa counter.

Always review your booking confirmation before arriving in Ottawa to confirm exactly which coverages are included in your van hire rate.

Yes, one-way van hires from Ottawa to a different city are possible, but a drop-off fee will typically apply and must be reviewed before booking.

How one-way fees work for Ottawa van hires:

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and varies by hire partner, the destination city, the season, and the vehicle class. Vans and larger vehicles often carry higher repositioning fees than standard cars.
• The fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section on the rate details page. It will also appear on your booking confirmation.
• The drop-off fee cannot be prepaid and is paid at the Ottawa counter or the return location.
• Cross-border one-way hires, for example returning a van hired in Ottawa to a US city, may be restricted or require special authorisation from the hire partner. Confirm this before booking.

If you change your return location after booking, the drop-off fee may be recalculated and a higher fee or no availability may result. If the Ottawa counter charges a drop-off fee that was not disclosed on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support, as the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply.

Every van hire booked through Hola Car Rentals in Ottawa includes Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the hire period.

While Ottawa itself has no toll roads, you may encounter tolls if you drive your van into the Greater Toronto Area and use Highway 407 ETR, or if your route takes you through other toll areas in Ontario or neighbouring provinces.

How to claim your Tolls Cashback after your Ottawa van hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the van.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number (for example, Tolls Cashback - HOLA1000000).
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement from the Ottawa counter, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid.
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking.

The refund is processed to your original payment method and typically arrives within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. The cashback covers the lesser of your actual toll costs or 5% of your Ottawa van hire total.