Downtown Calgary is walkable and connected by the C-Train and Plus 15 skywalks, so a rental car isn’t necessary if your trip stays in the city.
Calgary Is Also a Rental Car Hub for the Rockies
A large share of visitors rent a car in Calgary specifically to reach Banff, Lake Louise, and the rest of the Canadian Rockies, since there’s no direct rail connection and bus options run less frequently than a car allows.
Winter Driving Notes
Chinook winds can turn icy roads slushy within hours, then refreeze overnight, so winter driving here requires attention to fast-changing conditions rather than just steady cold.
Compare rental rates above if Banff or Lake Louise are part of your plans, which they are for most visitors flying into Calgary.