Hertz Car Hire
Winnipeg

Hertz operates several convenient locations throughout Winnipeg in addition to the airport branch, so it’s usually easy to find one near your accommodation. To pick the best option, use the location finder on Hertz’s website and compare the addresses with your hotel’s neighbourhood. Consider opening hours and proximity to major routes you plan to use. A city-centre location may be best for exploring downtown, while a branch in a commercial district can offer a quicker start for day trips outside the city.

Collecting your hire car at Winnipeg Airport is designed to be manageable, even with family gear. The rental counters are on the main level of the car park, directly opposite the terminal arrivals hall. You can use a complimentary airport luggage trolley to move your stroller and bags from baggage claim to the Hertz desk. Once the rental agreement is complete, your vehicle will be parked just a few steps away in the same facility, minimising the distance you need to carry your belongings.

If your arrival coincides with a Winnipeg Jets or Blue Bombers match, expect heavier than usual traffic on the main roads leaving the airport. Key routes such as Wellington Avenue, Route 90 (Kenaston Boulevard) and Portage Avenue will be particularly congested as fans head towards Canada Life Centre or IG Field. It’s sensible to check a real-time traffic app before leaving the rental lot. Allowing an extra 20–30 minutes to reach your destination is a good approach to avoid feeling rushed.

The drive from YWG to downtown Winnipeg is generally quite straightforward for a first-time visitor. The most common route takes Wellington Avenue east to Route 90 south, then onto Portage Avenue eastbound, which leads directly into the city centre. A key spot to watch is the transition from Route 90 to Portage Avenue, which requires a dedicated left turn. Also be aware that the downtown area has several one-way streets, so having a GPS active is highly recommended for navigating the final blocks to your hotel.

For a direct drive from the airport to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, take Wellington Avenue to Route 90 south, then connect to Portage Avenue eastbound towards downtown. As you approach The Forks, follow the signs to this historic area where the museum is located. The most convenient parking is in the surface lots and car parks managed by The Forks, situated a short walk from the museum entrance. Arriving earlier in the day helps secure a closer spot, especially at weekends.

When staying near The Forks, handling weekend parking is mainly about planning ahead. Most hotels in the area offer guest parking, which is the most convenient and secure option for overnight stays. For daytime exploring, The Forks has several paid parking areas, but they can fill quickly during festivals or sunny weekends. Consider arriving early in the morning to secure a space or use your hotel’s parking and explore the immediate area on foot, as The Forks is very pedestrian-friendly.

Construction is common during Winnipeg’s warmer months and often affects major thoroughfares like the Perimeter Highway, Kenaston Boulevard and Pembina Highway. Bridges and overpasses are also frequent sites for repair work, leading to lane closures and delays. To plan effectively for meetings, use a GPS app with real-time traffic updates such as Google Maps or Waze. Checking your route about 30 minutes before departure will give the most accurate picture of slowdowns and suggest alternative routes.

Visitors driving in Winnipeg should be aware that the city uses automated enforcement systems, including red-light and speed cameras, at many major junctions and in school zones. These systems operate 24/7 and are designed to enhance road safety. The best practice is to drive defensively, adhere strictly to posted speed limits, and be ready to stop for amber lights. As the hirer of the vehicle, you are responsible for any violations incurred, so mindful driving is key to a smooth trip.

The Perimeter Highway (PTH 100/101) is a ring road encircling Winnipeg, offering a way to bypass city traffic. Compared with city streets it feels more like a rural highway, with higher speed limits and fewer junctions. Most of the route is a four-lane divided carriageway, but some sections remain two lanes, requiring extra caution when overtaking. Exits are well signed but can be spaced far apart, so it’s important to know your exit number in advance rather than relying on last-minute signs.

The drive from Winnipeg to Kenora, Ontario, is a scenic journey of about two and a half hours, mainly on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). The road is well surfaced and travels through the attractive Canadian Shield landscape. While there are some stretches without immediate services, you’ll find reliable rest stops, petrol stations and small towns like Falcon Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park. This makes it easy to plan breaks, refuel and buy snacks without worrying about being too isolated.

A trip to Riding Mountain National Park from Winnipeg is a great excursion, with a drive time of approximately three to three and a half hours. The most common route is to take the Trans-Canada Highway west before heading north on Highway 10. The roads are well-maintained highways suitable for any hire vehicle. Most visitors enter the park through the south gate, which leads directly into the main townsite of Wasagaming, home to shops, restaurants and the scenic Clear Lake.

A day trip to Grand Beach is a classic Winnipeg summer activity and is very practical with a hire car. The drive takes about an hour and a half via Highway 59 north. During peak summer weekends, especially on hot sunny days, car parks can fill very quickly. To ensure you get a space, it’s highly recommended to arrive early, ideally before 10am. A provincial park pass is required for vehicle entry and is typically available to purchase at the park gate on arrival.

When planning a cross-border trip into the United States, it’s important to be well prepared. All travellers in the vehicle will need their required personal identification, such as a valid passport. It’s also essential to notify Hertz staff at the rental desk of your intention to drive into the US when you collect your car. They will confirm whether your hire vehicle is permitted for cross-border travel and provide the necessary vehicle documentation and information for a smooth border crossing.

Suburban neighbourhoods like Tuxedo, River Heights and St. Vital are generally easy to navigate for visitors, with grid-like street patterns and clear signage. These areas offer a more relaxed driving experience. The most challenging area is the Exchange District, just north of the well-known Portage and Main intersection. This historic neighbourhood is known for a high concentration of one-way streets and narrow lanes, making a reliable GPS an essential tool for those unfamiliar with the layout.

Driving in downtown Winnipeg during weekday rush hours, typically from 7:30–9:00am and 3:30–5:30pm, can be challenging. The area around the iconic Portage and Main junction becomes particularly congested, with heavy traffic flow and synchronised lights that require patience. Major arteries like Portage Avenue, Main Street and Donald Street experience significant slowdowns. If possible, plan travel into or out of the downtown core outside of these peak times for a much smoother, less stressful drive.

For a hassle-free experience attending an event at Canada Life Centre, the key is to arrive in the city centre early. There are numerous car parks and surface lots within a few blocks of the arena, but they fill up fast. A smooth plan is to pre-book a parking space online through a service such as Park-King, which guarantees you a spot. Aim to park at least 45–60 minutes before the event starts, giving you ample time to walk to the venue and avoid the last-minute traffic surge near the building.

Driving to Assiniboine Park and the zoo during school holidays or sunny summer weekends means planning for crowds. The park has multiple free parking areas, but those closest to the zoo entrance and The Leaf conservatory fill up very quickly. It’s wise to arrive early in the day to secure a convenient spot. If you arrive later, be prepared to park in a more distant lot and enjoy a pleasant walk through the park to reach your destination. Patience is key, as traffic within the park can also be slow.

To navigate efficiently between neighbourhoods like St. Vital and St. James, it’s best to familiarise yourself with Winnipeg’s main arterial roads. Using major routes such as Bishop Grandin Boulevard, Kenaston Boulevard (Route 90) and the Perimeter Highway is often faster than cutting through residential streets. These roads are designed to handle higher traffic volumes and have fewer stops. A GPS will help you stay on these primary routes and avoid constant rerouting on smaller, less direct streets.

Winnipeg is a major rail hub, and train crossings can significantly impact drive times, especially along routes like Logan Avenue, Marion Street and Plessis Road. Visitors are often caught off guard by the length and frequency of trains, which can cause delays of 10–15 minutes or more during peak hours. The most confusing area is the series of tracks crossing Route 90 (Kenaston Boulevard) near IKEA. It’s always a good idea to factor in potential train delays when planning travel across the city.

For a simple and safe curbside pickup at Winnipeg Airport, the best option is to use the cell-phone waiting lot. This free area allows you to wait until your party has collected their luggage and is standing outside the arrivals doors. Once they call you, it’s a short two-minute drive to the designated passenger pickup curb on the arrivals level. This avoids circling the terminal roads and ensures you are not stopping in a no-parking zone, making the process stress-free.

Using a hire car for a culinary day out in Winnipeg can be quite convenient, particularly for accessing neighbourhoods such as the Exchange District or Osborne Village. The key is to plan your stops strategically. Many areas have paid on-street parking or nearby surface lots. A good approach is to park once in a central, walkable location, explore several breweries or restaurants on foot, then drive to your next cluster of destinations. This minimises time spent looking for a new parking space at every stop.

To enjoy Winnipeg’s summer festivals without traffic headaches, planning is essential. Before you head out, check the festival’s official website and local news outlets for information on planned road closures, especially for events like the Fringe Festival or Folklorama. The best strategy is often to park your hire car on the periphery of the festival area in a designated lot or car park and walk the final few blocks. This lets you avoid the most congested streets and enjoy the event atmosphere without worrying about navigating detours.

Driving from the Polo Park area to downtown Winnipeg is very straightforward. The simplest route is to take Portage Avenue directly eastbound. This major artery leads straight into the heart of the city with minimal complex merges or interchanges. The lanes are well signed and traffic signals control the flow, making it a much less stressful drive than a major freeway. For the return trip, simply follow Portage Avenue westbound back toward your accommodation for an easy, direct commute.

Driving in Winnipeg after dark is generally manageable for visitors. Major roads and highways are well lit, and signage is typically reflective and easy to see. However, some older residential neighbourhoods may have dimmer lighting, so drive more cautiously in unfamiliar areas. The Exchange District can be slightly more challenging to navigate at night due to its network of one-way streets. Using a GPS with a night-mode display is highly recommended to help you stay on track and confident behind the wheel.

Winnipeg drivers adapt their habits considerably in winter, and visitors should follow suit. Locals leave a much larger following distance to allow for longer stopping times on icy roads—aim for at least four to five seconds behind the car in front. When merging, be patient and give others ample space. On unploughed side streets, drive slowly and be prepared for deep snow or ruts. The unwritten rule is to be courteous and predictable, as sudden movements can easily lead to a loss of traction.

When changing hotels in the Exchange District, the simplest approach is to call your hotel ahead to ask about their specific loading-zone policies. Most establishments have a designated short-term area near the entrance for check-in and luggage handling. Use this space efficiently by having your bags ready before you pull up. For additional short-term needs, look for metered on-street parking, but read the signs carefully for time limits and restrictions, as they are strictly enforced in this busy area.

Most major attractions in Winnipeg, such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Assiniboine Park and The Forks, are highly accessible by car for travellers with mobility needs. These venues provide designated accessible parking bays located conveniently close to the main entrances. It’s good practice to check an attraction’s website beforehand for specific details on parking locations and accessible routes. Displaying a valid accessible parking permit is required to use these designated spaces across the city.

Planning a drive to Indigenous cultural sites near Winnipeg, such as the Peguis Treaty Site or the Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail, is a rewarding experience. These locations are typically accessible via well-maintained provincial roads. Before you go, check the site’s official website for opening hours, directions and any visitor guidelines. It’s also wise to ensure your hire car has a full tank of petrol before leaving the city, as services can be more spread out in rural areas. Pack water and snacks for the journey to ensure a comfortable trip.

The drive from Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to the University of Manitoba campus in the south of the city typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. The slowest times for this route are during weekday morning and afternoon rush hours, roughly 7:30–9:00am and 3:30–5:30pm. During these periods, traffic on major north–south arteries such as Pembina Highway and Kenaston Boulevard can be very heavy, potentially extending the journey to an hour or more.

When leaving Winnipeg on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), there are convenient towns for a first break in either direction. Heading west, Portage la Prairie, about an hour away, offers numerous petrol stations, fast-food outlets and restaurants right off the highway. If travelling east, the town of Steinbach is a good first stop, located a short drive south of the highway. It provides a full range of services and is a perfect place to stretch your legs before continuing your journey.

A common navigation mistake is underestimating the complexity of the interchange between Route 90 (Kenaston) and the Perimeter Highway. To avoid stressful last-second lane changes, set your GPS to provide voice guidance well in advance of turns. It’s also helpful to review your route on the map before you start driving to get a mental picture of the key interchanges. Keeping your focus on the overhead signs, which are generally clear, will help confirm the instructions from your navigation app.

For easy driving breaks with children, several spots around Winnipeg are conveniently located near major routes. Assiniboine Park, just off Portage Avenue, is a perfect option with playgrounds, open green space and toilet facilities. If you’re on the Perimeter Highway, Kildonan Park in the north and St. Vital Park in the south are both short detours and offer excellent play areas and picnic spaces. These parks provide a great opportunity for children to run around before getting back in the car.

When driving to Manitoba’s lake and cabin regions, it’s crucial to be extra vigilant for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk when animals are most active. Deer are common on highways like PTH 59 (to Grand Beach) and the Trans-Canada Highway. Reduce your speed during these twilight hours and actively scan ditches and tree lines on both sides of the road. Using your main beams on unlit highways can help you spot animals sooner, but be sure to dip them for oncoming traffic.

For a seamless group return at Winnipeg Airport, the most efficient method is to drop off all passengers and luggage at the Departures curb first. One person can stay with the bags while the driver proceeds alone to the Hertz return area, which is clearly signed as you approach the terminal. This avoids managing everyone’s luggage in the return lot. After completing the vehicle return process, the driver can quickly walk back into the terminal to rejoin the group for check-in.

During a Winnipeg snowstorm or periods of extreme cold, it’s essential to allow significant extra time for your drive back to the airport. A good rule of thumb is to double your usual estimated travel time. Roads will be slippery, visibility may be poor, and traffic will move much slower than normal. Extreme cold can also affect vehicle performance, so starting your car a few minutes early is wise. Checking the provincial highway conditions report before you leave is a critical step to ensure you are prepared for the journey.