Which Boston Rental Car


Is the Best Choice for You?

Do you really need a rental car in Boston?

Although you can pick up a Boston rental car when you arrive at Logan Airport, you should first ask yourself . . . "Do I really need a car rental for my entire Boston visit?"

Boston car rental choices available from the ground transportation area at Logan International Airport include Hertz, Avis, National, Dollar, Budget, Alamo, and Enterprise.  If you want a Hertz car rental, a National car rental, or a vehicle from any of the other large companies, the keys will be in your hands after a short shuttle bus ride. 

But that's the easy part.

Do you really need a rental car in Boston?

If you're heading out of Boston, reserving a rental car at Logan is a no-brainer - but if you're heading into the city, a car can quickly become a liability.

Although Boston's compact size delights walkers, smallness comes with a price.  Streets tend to be narrow and winding, one-way only, blocked by double-parkers, and clogged with jay-walking pedestrians.   Local driving customs include not using turn signals, ignoring red lights, and making random u-turns.  Finding your way around can be more of a challenge than you might expect - and GPS does not have a 100% accuracy rate here.

And then there's the cost of city parking:  some Boston hotels now charge up to $49/night (plus tax) to park overnight.  Daytime garage rates can be almost as high.  A car quickly becomes an expensive liability - especially if you end up mostly walking while you're here.

So before you automatically reserve a Boston rental car for your entire visit, consider taking a water taxi or regular taxi to your hotel from the airport, and renting a car only for whatever time you need one.   You'll save a lot of money - and avoid a lot of stress.

Always be sure to read the fine print . . . that's $10 for every HALF HOUR of parking!

Getting from Boston Logan Airport to your hotel

The fastest and most scenic way to get from Logan International Airport to Downtown Boston, the South Boston Waterfront, Charlestown, or the North End is by water.  Boston water taxis make the trip in about 7-10 minutes, and operate in all but the most severe weather conditions.

Water taxis work well if you can manage your own luggage, and if your hotel is within a short walk from the wharf. 

If not, you can take the Boston subway's Silver Line to South Station and transfer to another line if necessary.  You can also take a land taxi from the airport to your hotel. 

More about Boston water taxis

Car rental locations in Boston and Cambridge

There are certainly times when you may need a Boston rental car during your visit.  Perhaps you want to attend an event outside of the city, such as a New England Patriots game or concert at Gillette Stadium, or enjoy a day of power shopping at Wrentham Outlets, or visit Plimouth Plantation on Boston's South Shore. 

The good news is that you can easily arrange a Boston car rental for just the period of time when you need it. 

Several car rental agencies have pick-up/drop-off locations in Boston and across the river in Cambridge: 

• National and Alamo:  270 Atlantic Ave (near New England Aquarium on Downtown Waterfront)
• Hertz:  30 Park Plaza (next to Park Plaza Hotel); Back Bay Amtrak Station; South Station;  Sheraton Boston Hotel next to Prudential Center
• Avis:   Government Center; Back Bay Amtrak Station; Charles Hotel in Cambridge
• Budget:  Le Meridian Hotel (20 Sidney St), Cambridge
• Dollar:  Holiday Inn Boston (near Mass General Hospital, Beacon Hill, Government Center)
• Select:  Seaport Hotel, South Boston Waterfront

Usually you can get slightly lower car rental rates outside of the airport - but if you get quoted significantly better rates for Logan pick-up, a short water taxi ride will take you back there.

Perhaps an even better option is to rent a Zipcar or iCar by the hour.  These services attract a lot of fans here in Boston, and you'll find numerous pick-up points around the city, including at or near most hotels.  At the time that I'm writing this (2011), you can rent a car for as little as $5/hour.

Another alternative to a Boston rental car

A few Boston luxury hotels provide complimentary in-town car services, ranging from plush sedans to green hybrids.  Depending on what you need, this may work well for you - plus you'll get to stay in one of Boston's best hotels. 

Here are three luxury Boston hotels offering car service to check out:  

• Colonnade Hotel (Huntington Ave, Back Bay) - Check reviews  |  Find best rates   
• XV Beacon Hotel (Downtown, near Beacon Hill) - Check reviews  |  Find best rates
• Lenox Hotel (Copley Square in Back Bay) - Check reviews  |  Find best rates

The bottom line?

Reserve a Boston rental car for your entire stay only if you really need one!  Otherwise, rent a car just for the hours or days when you actually need it.  If you only need in-town transport, consider a luxury hotel that throws this in for free may be your best choice.

You'll save a bundle on car rental fees, taxes, insurance, and parking fees by renting a car for only the time that you need it - and you use the money you saved for a wonderful meal in a Boston restaurant.