Victoria Airport BC Car Rental: Desks, Rules, and Returns

By The BestFlightHotelDeals editors · Published 2026-09-23 · 4 sources

Car rental desks at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) are located inside the main passenger terminal in North Saanich, offering on-site pickup counters alongside shuttle connections to nearby vehicle lots. Arriving travellers can book models ranging from compact economy cars to large minivans and pickup trucks, with vehicles permitted for travel across Vancouver Island and on coastal ferries. Key return drop boxes allow vehicle drop-offs outside regular counter hours, while drivers between 21 and 24 can rent select vehicle categories subject to standard underage fees.

Terminal Counter Locations at Victoria Airport

The passenger terminal at Victoria International Airport is situated on the Saanich Peninsula in North Saanich, approximately 22 kilometres northwest of downtown Victoria, with sections of the airfield extending into Sidney. All primary car rental desks operate inside the terminal building on the ground level, meaning you do not have to leave the airport facility to reach the check-in counters.

For example, National Car Rental operates an in-terminal branch located at 1640 Electra Boulevard, Suite 132. While prominent brands maintain physical desks inside the terminal, other rental operators manage customer pickups via courtesy shuttles that transfer passengers to rental locations situated right around the airport grounds.

Rental Companies and Vehicle Types Available

Multiple providers serve arriving passengers at the terminal, including national brands like National and Avis Rent a Car. Vehicle options at YYJ accommodate diverse travel requirements, ranging from individual business travellers to families touring British Columbia.

Available vehicle categories through Airport Rentals at YYJ and on-site providers include:

• Small economy cars and compact sedans for fuel-efficient highway driving
• Two-door pickup trucks, cargo vans, and one-ton cube trucks for hauling extra gear
• Minivans with seating capacity for larger family groups

Renters can also reserve accessories such as GPS navigation units or add vehicle protection packages during the reservation process.

Minimum Age Limits and Underage Surcharges

To rent a vehicle at the Victoria Airport station, standard rental policies establish a minimum age of 25 for unrestricted access to all vehicle classes. There is also a maximum rental age limit of 79 years.

Younger drivers are not excluded entirely. Renters aged 21 to 24 are permitted to secure vehicles, but their selection is strictly restricted to five specific categories:

• Economy car
• Compact car
• Two-door pickup truck
• Cargo van
• One-ton cube truck

Any renter between the ages of 21 and 24 is assessed a mandatory young driver fee of 35.00 CAD per day by National Car Rental.

Driver's Licence Requirements and Extra Drivers

Every driver must produce valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification at the rental counter before receiving keys.

Licensing rules require the following credentials:

• Canadian residents must present an unexpired, full Class 5 driver's licence or higher with a photo; graduated or learner licences do not qualify.
• United States residents and visitors from US territories must show a valid, unexpired government-issued driver's licence that includes their photograph.

All secondary drivers must appear in person at the rental desk, present their valid licence, and sign the rental agreement. A spouse or domestic partner who meets identical age and licence criteria can be registered as an additional driver free of charge. For any other qualified driver added to the contract, an additional driver fee of 11.00 CAD per day applies.

Vehicle Return Rules and After-Hours Drop Box

While rental desks do not offer vehicle collections outside opening hours, after-hours returns are accommodated for travellers on late-night or early-morning schedules. The terminal building maintains operating hours from 3:00 am to 1:00 am (see our overview of Victoria airport opening hours).

When returning a rental outside station desk hours, follow these steps:

1. Park the vehicle only within a designated parking space located on airport property.
2. Confirm that all personal belongings have been gathered from the cabin and trunk.
3. Ensure all vehicle doors are securely locked.
4. Deposit the keys into the after-hours drop box inside the terminal, situated at the National counter beside the Express Return sign.

Be aware that the renter remains financially and legally liable for the vehicle until an airport branch employee inspects it during the next business day. For daytime parking rules, review Victoria airport parking fees and lot guidelines.

Refuelling Policies and Managing Fuel Costs

Rental companies at the airport provide customers with three straightforward options for managing fuel charges:

• Pre-paid fuel: Pay for a full tank of petrol at pickup and return the car empty; no refunds are issued for unused petrol left in the tank.
• Agency refuelling: Return the vehicle without refilling, and allow the rental company to bill you for fuel used; the price per litre assessed by the company is higher than standard pump rates at local service stations.
• Return full: Refill the petrol tank completely before driving back to the airport lot to avoid extra refuelling charges.

Renters can also purchase an optional Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). While LDW is not insurance, purchasing it waives your contractual responsibility for vehicle theft or exterior damage, provided terms are not breached.

Ferry Travel and Cross-Border Boundaries

Driving a rental car picked up at Victoria Airport allows you to tour Vancouver Island and connect directly to British Columbia's marine transport system. Ferry crossings aboard vehicle ferries are expressly permitted under the rental terms.

However, strict travel boundaries apply to your rental contract:

• Vehicles cannot be driven into any other country; cross-border road trips into the United States or Mexico are strictly prohibited.
• One-way rentals within Canada are allowed between participating branches, though an inter-city drop charge or mileage fee may be added to your bill.
• You must return the vehicle to the specific return destination named on your rental agreement, as returning to an unauthorized branch incurs separate penalty fees.

Terminal Facilities for Arriving Rental Customers

Inside the terminal, Airport Rentals customers can access free Wi-Fi throughout the complex, currency exchange kiosks, dining outlets, retail shops, and a tourist help desk. Most car hire reservations also provide free cancellation up to 48 hours before collection, giving travellers peace of mind if flight itineraries change unexpectedly.