Do you need to rent a car on vacation?
It’s a complicated question, and there’s no one size fits all answer. However, there are a few important details you can and should take into account if you’re on the fence about renting a car on your next holiday.
In this short guide to car rentals for vacation, we’ll look at:
Your destination
Your travel plan
Your travel companions
Your vacation habits
And your budget
With these things considered, you should have a clearer picture of whether or not renting a car is right for your getaway. And hey, remember – this is a good problem to have, it means you’re going on vacation!
Whether or not you want to drive on holiday is a personal decision. Ultimately, this choice can affect the kind of trip you have, so choose based on the vacation you want.
Your destination is a huge factor in deciding whether or not you need a car at all. For example, consider the following:
Is it somewhere you’ll need to drive to get around?
Is it somewhere with robust public transpo and limited parking?
Do they drive on the same side of the road?
What are your plans for meals – will you need to buy groceries?
If you’re going to an all-inclusive resort, or a major city where parking will be expensive and difficult and public transportation is the standard way of getting around, a car might only slow you down. If you’re renting a ranch in Montana or roadtripping through mountains, you’re almost certainly going to want not just a vehicle, but one that can handle inclement weather and rough terrain.
And if you’re going somewhere like Ireland or England where they drive on the other side of the road (or if you’re coming to the U.S. or Canada from, for example, the U.K., India, or Japan), even if having your own transportation might be convenient, you might want to look at buses and trains to lower stress and keep you safe.
There are different considerations for taking a road trip vs. flying somewhere.
If you’re taking a road trip, you might consider taking your own car rather than getting a rental. This is certainly cheaper, and if you’re driving somewhere close to home, taking your own car is a perfectly good option.
The biggest reasons to rent a vehicle for a road trip are:
If your car is old or has limitations that’ll make it uncomfortable or more likely to break down
If you know you’ll need to handle terrain or weather your vehicle isn’t well-suited for
If you’re going somewhere far enough from service stations that a breakdown could mean a major trip interruption
If you’re driving from Boston to Southern Maine, renting a car feels a little silly – you’re close to home, you’re not changing terrain, and you’ll be surrounded by auto shops the whole time. But if you’re driving from Boston to the Grand Canyon, the idea of getting a broken down car back home becomes a much bigger deal. A rental might be more expensive, but if you’re renting with a national company, it may be easier to simply replace a vehicle in the case of an emergency than wait for one to be fixed when you’re several days’ drive from your home and your destination. Of course, that’ll depend on your breakdown coverage and your rental agreement, so read the fine print on everything carefully as you weigh your options.
On the flip side, if you’re flying to your destinations – say you’re off to see the rainforests of Costa Rica – renting a car will likely be your only choice, if all the other factors align and you decide a car is, in fact, necessary.
Big family? Solo travel? Your adventuring party makes a big difference in your transportation needs. If you’re backpacking on a budget alone across Europe, you might be willing to put up with a lot of minor inconveniences to save money. A car might be more of a hindrance than a help – or at least eat up your cash.
On the other hand, if you’re taking your parents and your young kids to a beach house, you’re definitely going to need a vehicle.
And if you’re traveling with a group of several adults, you might be willing to go either way on a vehicle rental vs, taking transportation. In that case, the best thing to do is dive into the details – will several train tickets be as or more expensive than a vehicle rental? Does the train have a scenic view, or would a car be a better way to see and explore the area?
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Another thing to think about is the kind of vacationer you are. Some people like to stay close to home, or stick to eating at restaurants and strolling around urban sites. If that’s you, cabs and walking might be more than sufficient for your needs. But for the outdoorsy, those who love beach days, national parks, and driving into the woods, a car can be a must-have. When you picture yourself on vacation, what are you doing?
If you prefer to split the difference, you can always rent a car just for a day or two rather than for the whole time, to save money.
Maybe one of the most important factors in all of this is what works for your wallet. Compare costs for different options and decide what’s worth it to you.
If money is tight, choosing what will cost the least is probably going to be the best plan of action – just make sure you don’t choose something that could have the unintended consequence of costing you more because your research failed you. If the bus is cheaper, but it only comes every other day and you’ll need to rent a hotel room for a night while you wait, is it still cheaper? How much does a cab actually cost? How much is parking and gas where you’re going? Be thorough, especially if cost is a concern.
And on the other hand, if you have more wiggle room in your budget, the right transportation for the right destination can make a trip more pleasant and less stressful.
That’ll depend on all these factors. A car is not always the right choice for every person and destination.
Hopefully, with all of the above in consideration, you’ll be able to figure out the right steps for you and your next trip!
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