Avis Car Hire
Winnipeg

Once you have collected your bags from the baggage reclaim carousels at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, proceed to the main arrivals hall. The car hire counters, including the Avis desk, are conveniently located together in this central area. Look for the overhead directional signs for "Car Hire" to guide you. An Avis agent will be ready to assist you with your paperwork and get you on your way.

The Avis hire counter at YWG is located directly inside the main terminal building on the arrivals level, ensuring a convenient and weather-protected experience. After completing the hire process at the counter, you will be directed to the adjacent multi-storey car park where the hire vehicles are parked. This integrated set-up means you will not need to take a shuttle bus or walk to a separate facility to pick up your car.

With multiple suitcases, the route is straightforward and designed for traveller convenience. After retrieving your luggage, use one of the available baggage trolleys and head out into the public arrivals hall. The car hire counters are situated on the same level, just a short walk away. Follow the prominent overhead signs for "Car Hire" to find the Avis desk without needing to use any stairs or lifts.

Arriving late at night at YWG is common, and the airport is designed for easy navigation at all hours. The terminal, including the route to the Avis counter and the multi-storey car park, is well lit and clearly signed. Airport rental locations are used to accommodating travellers from late-arriving flights. Once you have your keys, the drive out of the airport is also straightforward, with minimal traffic allowing you to get your bearings comfortably before heading into the city.

A great meeting spot for a group at YWG is in the public arrivals area, near the baggage reclaim carousels for the last person’s flight. Alternatively, the seating areas near the food court on the arrivals level provide a comfortable place to wait. Once your entire party has assembled, you can all proceed together to the Avis hire counter, which is located on the same level, to complete the pick-up process as a group.

After you complete your hire agreement at the Avis counter, the agent will provide you with a specific bay or row number for your vehicle. The hire cars are located in the covered multi-storey car park, which is directly attached to the terminal. Clear signage within the car park will direct you to the correct level and section. Following these signs and matching them to your assigned number is the most efficient way to locate your car quickly.

Immediately after exiting the YWG multi-storey car park, you can use the airport’s cell phone lot, which is designed for short-term waiting and is a safe place to pull over. Alternatively, just a minute or two from the airport grounds, you will find several commercial areas with large car parks, such as those near hotels or fast-food restaurants. These spots offer a low-stress environment to adjust your mirrors, programme your sat nav, and ensure everything is settled before you join major city routes.

When leaving the YWG hire car car park, the initial road is Wellington Avenue. The main decision point comes quickly as you approach Route 90, also known as Kenaston Boulevard. You will need to decide whether to turn left (south) towards areas like Polo Park and southern Winnipeg, or turn right (north) to access the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) heading west. Paying close attention to the overhead signs for these key routes is crucial for a smooth departure.

For a relatively straightforward drive to The Forks downtown, exit the airport onto Wellington Avenue. Take Wellington east until you can turn right onto Route 90 (Kenaston Boulevard) south. From Route 90, make a left turn onto Portage Avenue (Route 85) and follow it directly into the downtown core. As you approach the city centre, signs will clearly direct you to turn right towards The Forks historic site, minimising complex motorway merges.

The route from YWG to the Polo Park area is one of the easiest in the city, as the shopping centre is very close to the airport. Simply exit the airport onto Wellington Avenue and take it a short distance east to St. James Street, then turn right. Polo Park and the surrounding hotels will be on your left. Parking in this area is generally plentiful, with large surface car parks at the mall and dedicated parking provided by the hotels.

Winnipeg’s downtown core has a significant number of one-way streets, which can be surprising for first-time visitors. Key arteries like Portage Avenue and Graham Avenue run parallel but in opposite directions. It is strongly recommended to use a GPS navigation app, which will correctly account for these one-way routes. Always look for one-way signs before turning, and be prepared for your intended cross-street to be accessible from only one direction.

When visiting the historic Exchange District, you have a few reliable parking options. On-street metered parking is widely available but can be in high demand, so it is best to have a payment app or coins ready. For a more guaranteed space, there are numerous surface car parks and multi-storey car parks scattered throughout the district. These typically offer hourly or daily rates and are a convenient choice for exploring the area’s shops and restaurants on foot.

To visit The Forks on a busy weekend, plan to arrive earlier in the day, before the peak lunch or dinner crowds. The site is well signed from major downtown routes like Main Street and Portage Avenue. The Forks has several large surface car parks available on-site, but they can fill up. Following the signs for event parking or overflow lots can help you find a space more quickly during these peak times.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is located at The Forks, so it shares the same extensive parking facilities. There are several large surface car parks and a multi-storey car park within a short, scenic walk of the museum entrance. The closest car parks are just a two-to-five-minute walk away. The entire area is pedestrian-friendly, with clear pathways leading from the parking areas directly to the museum and other attractions at The Forks.

Assiniboine Park offers numerous free car parks spread throughout its vast grounds. For visiting the Leaf, the most convenient car parks are located directly adjacent to the attraction. At weekends, arriving before 10 a.m. or later in the afternoon can help you find a prime spot more easily. If the main car parks are full, additional parking is available near other park attractions like the Pavilion or the Nature Playground, all within a reasonable walking distance.

The Assiniboine Park Zoo has a large, dedicated car park directly in front of its main entrance. To secure a space close to the entrance and avoid delays, it is best to arrive shortly after it opens in the morning. The car park tends to fill up quickly, especially at weekends and on public holidays. Arriving during the peak midday period may require you to park further away, so an early start is your best strategy for convenience.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq is located downtown, easily accessible from major routes like Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard. The most convenient parking option is the heated underground car park directly beneath the gallery, with an entrance off St. Mary Avenue. Additionally, there are several surface car parks and on-street metered bays within a one-to-two-block radius, providing plenty of choices for your visit.

For a low-stress experience, plan to arrive downtown well before the game starts to account for event traffic. A great strategy is to park in a multi-storey car park a few blocks away from Canada Life Centre, such as those near Portage Place or the RBC Convention Centre. This allows for an easier exit after the game, as you will avoid the immediate congestion around the arena. Walking a few extra blocks can save you considerable time sitting in post-game traffic.

For visitors unfamiliar with prairie winters, driving in Winnipeg requires extra caution. The main roads, including those from the airport, are prioritised for ploughing and salting, but can still be snow-covered or icy. The key is to drive more slowly than you normally would, leave significantly more space between your vehicle and the one ahead, and brake gently. Be prepared for reduced visibility during snowfall and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.

During challenging winter weather, bridges and overpasses, such as the Disraeli Freeway or the bridges crossing the Red and Assiniboine rivers, can be particularly slippery as they freeze faster than roadways. Major routes with higher speeds like the Perimeter Highway or Kenaston Boulevard can also feel intimidating due to blowing snow and faster traffic. Sticking to major arterial roads within the city, like Portage Avenue or Pembina Highway, is often a more comfortable option as they are typically better maintained.

Winnipeg’s rush hour typically runs from about 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Key routes that experience heavy congestion include Pembina Highway, Kenaston Boulevard (Route 90), Portage Avenue, and the Perimeter Highway. If you are travelling between the airport and downtown or southern suburbs during these times, it is wise to add at least 20-30 minutes to your expected travel time to account for the increased traffic volume.

Visitors should be aware that speed limits are strictly enforced in Winnipeg, particularly in school zones and roadworks where fines are significantly higher. The default speed limit on most residential streets is 50 km/h unless otherwise posted. Major routes may be 60-80 km/h. Pay close attention to posted speed limit signs, as they can change frequently, and always drive at a speed that is safe for the current road and weather conditions.

A notable driving characteristic in Winnipeg is the courtesy of drivers often allowing others to merge or turn, so be prepared for unexpected stops. Visitors might also notice that many major junctions lack dedicated left-turn signals, requiring drivers to turn on the yellow or red light after yielding to oncoming traffic. Additionally, be mindful of roads that change names or curve unexpectedly, making a GPS system particularly helpful for navigating the city with confidence.

The most direct route to Birds Hill Provincial Park is to take Main Street north out of the city, which becomes Highway 59. The park entrance is well signed from the motorway. Once inside the park, you will find ample parking at all major destinations, including large car parks at East Beach and West Beach on the lake. There are also smaller parking areas at the trailheads for hiking and cycling, making it easy to access all the park’s amenities.

A day trip to Gimli is a pleasant drive, taking about an hour from Winnipeg’s north end. The simplest route is to take Highway 8 or Highway 9 north. The town of Selkirk, located about halfway, makes for a convenient break stop with petrol stations and coffee shops. Once in Gimli, there is plenty of free on-street parking along the main streets and a large public car park right near the waterfront and the iconic Viking statue.

To get to Steinbach from Winnipeg, the most straightforward route is to take the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) east to the Highway 12 exit, then head south directly to Steinbach. Mennonite Heritage Village is located right on Highway 12 just before you enter the main part of town. The attraction has its own large, dedicated on-site car park, making it very easy for visitors to park their hire car and begin exploring.

The drive from Winnipeg to Brandon is a straight run west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and takes about two and a half hours. For a comfortable break, the town of Portage la Prairie, located about an hour into the drive, is an ideal stop with numerous petrol stations, restaurants, and coffee shops right off the motorway. Another good option is the town of Carberry, which is closer to Brandon and offers a quieter place to stretch your legs.

After picking up your car at YWG, a great first leg for a Manitoba road trip is a drive to Riding Mountain National Park. The drive takes about three hours, making it manageable after a flight. The route is simple: head west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and then north on Highway 10. This allows you to settle into your hire car on a major highway before transitioning to a scenic two-lane road leading into the park.

The most practical place to install car seats is right at your assigned parking bay in the YWG multi-storey car park. This covered, well-lit environment protects you from the elements and provides a safe space away from moving traffic. You can take your time to ensure the seats are installed correctly and get the children settled comfortably before you even start the car. This allows for a much calmer and more organised departure from the airport.

For a family or group with several large suitcases, a standard or full-size SUV is an excellent choice. These vehicles offer generous cargo capacity behind the second row, ensuring your luggage fits securely without obstructing your rear view. While larger than a saloon, a standard SUV is still manoeuvrable enough for navigating Winnipeg’s city streets and fitting into standard parking spaces at hotels and attractions, offering a great balance of space and practicality.

When travelling with bulky gear like hockey bags or skis, it is crucial to inspect the vehicle’s cargo area before leaving the car park. An SUV or a people carrier will typically offer the most practical space. Look for vehicles with fold-flat rear seats, which can create a long, uninterrupted space for items like skis. For large hockey bags, the deep, wide cargo area of an SUV is ideal, so be sure to confirm the vehicle you have chosen can accommodate your equipment comfortably.

Before you drive away, take a moment for a quick vehicle check. Test the headlights, brake lights, and indicators to ensure they are all working. Especially in winter, confirm the windscreen wipers are in good condition and that the washer fluid reservoir is full. It is also wise to do a quick visual inspection of the tyres and glance at the dashboard to ensure there are no warning lights illuminated, setting you up for a trouble-free hire experience.

If your GPS is slow to connect, remember two key road names: Wellington Avenue and Route 90. You will exit the airport directly onto Wellington Avenue. From there, nearly all major routes into the city connect via Route 90, which is also called Kenaston Boulevard to the south and Brookside Boulevard to the north. Following the signs for Wellington Avenue and then Route 90 will get you properly oriented and on your way into Winnipeg.

When driving on highways outside of Winnipeg, especially during dawn and dusk, it is very important to be vigilant for wildlife. Deer are common across southern Manitoba and can appear on roadways unexpectedly. Scan the ditches and road shoulders as you drive, and if you see one deer, be prepared for others to follow. Using your full beams on unlit highways when there is no oncoming traffic can help you spot animals from a greater distance.

There are several conveniently located petrol stations just a few minutes from the airport. A cluster of them can be found along Wellington Avenue, the main road leading to the airport entrance. Another excellent option is on Sargent Avenue, which runs parallel to Wellington. Refuelling at one of these locations allows for a simple, direct drive back to the airport’s hire car return area without any complex turns.

As you approach Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, stay in the left-hand lanes. The airport access road has clear overhead signage that separates traffic for "Departures/Arrivals" from "Hire Car Return". Be sure to follow the specific signs for Hire Car Return. This will guide you directly into the multi-storey car park entrance designated for returns, keeping you out of the main loop for passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.

The process is very straightforward. First, follow the signs for "Departures" and pull up to the kerb to drop off your passengers and their luggage. After they are safely on the pavement, simply continue following the airport roadway as it loops around. The signs for "Hire Car Return" will appear again, directing you to circle back towards the multi-storey car park entrance without having to leave the airport grounds, making for a quick and efficient sequence.

The hire car return area is located within the main airport multi-storey car park, which is directly connected to the terminal building. After you have dropped off your vehicle and keys, simply walk from the car park into the terminal. Lifts and escalators are available to take you up to the Departures level. Once there, you can easily find your airline’s check-in desk by consulting the large departure screens.

For an early flight, allow extra time for the vehicle check-in process at the hire car return, as there may be a queue of other travellers doing the same. The walk from the car park back to the terminal is quick, but airline check-in and security screening queues can be longest during the peak early-morning departure bank. It is wise to budget at least 30 minutes more than you think you will need for the entire process from car return to reaching your gate.

During a snowstorm, your final drive to YWG will require extra time and caution. City streets and airport approach roads may be slippery, so reduce your speed and increase your following distance significantly. Visibility might also be poor. Plan to leave for the airport much earlier than you normally would to account for these slower driving conditions, ensuring you have plenty of time to return the vehicle and catch your flight without rushing.