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Just as people were preparing to travel again, the soaring car rental prices made some vacation costs too high. As of mid-May, in New York City and Jacksonville, Florida, the rent for a mid-size SUV was $193 a day, while in Indianapolis, the rental for the same car was $249 a day. And these prices are prices before taxes and fees.
When the pandemic made business and leisure travel troubled, car rental companies sold thousands of vacant rental cars. There is a serious shortage of rental cars, and the price is skylights. Some travelers even turn to renting U-Haul and trucks from home improvement stores in cities where car rental is not possible, regardless of the price.
Mary Zweng is one of thousands of people who have been hit by car rental prices. In June, her daughter will hold a small wedding in Napa Valley, California. Zweng booked a car in San Francisco in March for $60 a day.
“That was for my husband and me. I called my son to book one in May and the price more than doubled,” she said. “I worry that if other guests wait until the last minute to book, they might not even have a car available for rent in San Francisco.”
There are actually many ways to spend the holidays without overspending with traditional car companies. Don’t let the car rental fee make you cancel your trip or spend money you don’t have.
Here are 6 alternatives to traditional car rental companies
1. Try a car sharing company
Think of Airbnb, but for cars. Customers access privately owned cars through apps or websites. Vehicle owners must insure their vehicles and perform necessary maintenance. Drivers who rent a car must meet standards similar to those required by traditional car rental companies, such as a valid driver’s license.
This is an effective concept in the sharing economy. Turo, established 10 years ago, is a nationwide car-sharing company, while Getaround, established 11 years ago, is spread across more than a dozen major cities. Some markets have their own car sharing alternatives, such as eGo CarShare in Denver and Boulder, Colorado, and Hui Car Share in Hawaii.
Below is the cost of renting a car at the car-sharing companies Turo and Getaroud compared to a four-day weekend rental in Chicago by two traditional car rental companies in June.
2018 Ford Escape SUV $50 per day
2010 Toyota Corolla $39 per day
2016 Ford Escape is $61 per day
2013 Toyota Corolla $47.50 per day
A new car similar to the Ford Escape is $249 per day
A new car similar to the Toyota Corolla is $108 a day
A new car similar to the Ford Escape is $249 per day
A new car similar to the Toyota Corolla is $91 per day
If the customer or car owner chooses, Turo and Getaround will provide 24-hour roadside assistance.
Some airports do not allow Turo owners and renters to exchange keys at the airport, so you may need to arrange to pick up the car at a nearby location.
2. Try to use Zipcars instead of a car rental company
Zipcar has traditionally been suitable for people who believe that car ownership is overvalued but need to use the vehicle for several hours. This company, owned by the Avis Budget Group, is especially popular with college students who don’t have their own vehicles. They can grab a car on campus and use it to run errands. A special access code allows customers to unlock the car with their mobile phone.
But now Zipcar’s daily fees may be cheaper than the fees charged by traditional leasing companies for cars.
Zipcars usually charge $11 per hour and $80 to $90 per day. Even if you have to join Zipcar and pay a $7 membership fee in the month you rent it, this is another option for you to save extra cash during the holidays.
3. Borrow a friend’s car
Lara Cerri recently traveled from Phoenix to the Tampa Bay area to attend a memorial service for friends. She let several friends in her former stomping ground know that she was flying for a week, and soon there were other options for renting a car.
“Before I knew it, I had a friend on both sides of the bay suggested that I use their car,” Cerri said. “I don’t need to rent at all. Their level is too high.”
Since both the car owner and Cerri have insurance, the car will be covered even in the event of an accident.
The lesson here is to spread the news that you will be in town and ask if anyone owns a car they don’t use, even if no one provides it.When you return the car, be sure to fill it up as a thank you to the owner, don’t expect roadside assistance at 2am
4. Urban vacation with convenient public transportation
If you can travel by light rail, tram, tram, bus, or subway, you don’t need to worry about car rental. Not only can you avoid the cost of renting a car, you can also save money by not paying for gas or parking.
Many cities have public transportation options from the airport to the city center, as well as popular and inaccessible places. Some are free, while other cities offer passes for about $5 a day, allowing you to ride as you wish.
And there is no shortage of rental bicycles in big cities or small towns. There are self-service bicycle rental stations in hundreds of locations. Many also have self-service stations for renting electric bicycles. Depending on the style of the bicycle, it can help riders reach an average speed of 20 to 28 miles per hour with moderate pedaling.
5. Take a bus or shuttle bus to visit many places
Instead of relying on a rental car to travel from one vacation location to another, it is better to take a bus. For example, buses depart from Boston throughout the day to various attractions along Cape Cod, and the round-trip cost is approximately US$50 per person.
Even for a family of four traveling to Cape Town for three days after a historic weekend in Boston, this can save money. It’s better to spend $200 a day to get everyone there and back than to spend $200 a day to rent a car for $600 for three days.
On the opposite coast, a Greyhound round trip from Los Angeles to San Diego costs $30, while a standard four-door car rental in Los Angeles costs about $170 per day.
6. Take a discount airline instead of renting a car to reach the second location
Apply the same thought process from above to flying. Don’t pay $600 for a three-day car rental to reach your second destination. Fly instead and let the airline buy gasoline. Many airlines cost US$19 to US$50 for a one-way ticket.Here are the finding tips Cheap flights, One of the fastest alternative driving methods.
Katherine Snow Smith is the senior writer of The Penny Hoarder.
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