2019 was a year I had looked forward to since I first started solo traveling – the year I turned 25 and could finally rent a car without those pesky fees that are automatically affixed to anyone under the age of 25 trying to rent a car regardless of their driving record. An additional $20 a day can really break a budget! I had already planned out so many dream trips that required a rental car and was just waiting for my 25th birthday to be able to pull the trigger on some of them. My first trip with a rental car – a fabulous autumn getaway to Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC with stops in between! I basked in the freedom and convenience that my rental car gave me. Of course there are some cons to renting a car, and some trips can certainly be done without one. Here are the things to consider when deciding how to get around.
The Pros
Freedom and flexibility. You’re on your own schedule getting around town. You don’t have to time it out to catch a certain bus/train to get where you want to go. Less time walking or waiting for a bus means that you can cover more ground in a day.
Stops between destinations. Traveling in between two cities, you are not limited to just staring out the window at all the places in-between. You can actually stop off and explore if you want! In between Savannah and Charleston, I made stops to explore the town of Beaufort and to see the Angel Oak Tree at Johns Island.
Costs. Depending on the city, sometimes you can rack up a tab between public transit costs and Ubers. Sometimes it makes more sense to just pay a daily rate to have a car at your disposal. Even if the car rental exceeds what you would have spent on public transit, the convenience is worth it.
Baggage. This is one of the most convenient parts about having a rental car. On the day that you are checking out of your hotel, you don’t have to worry about circling back to the hotel to pick up your bags if you are still exploring the city – you can store your bags in the car and just head to the airport whenever you are ready!
Car singing. Is it just me, or is it super fun to drive a long trip by yourself with the windows down and music blasting? One of my favorite memories is doing this on the open road between Savannah and Charleston while taking in views of scenic marshlands.
Safety. As a female solo traveler, having a car that I could park right at my hotel gave me some extra peace of mind, since I didn’t have to worry about walking to or from the nearest bus/train line.
The Cons
Insurance. If you’re someone who drives a lot at home, this is no problem because chances are you already pay for car insurance that will cover you when you rent a car. But for someone like me who lives in a walkable city and doesn’t own a car, I had to figure out how I was going to be insured when I rented a car. I get some basic coverage through my credit card, but had to pay for some additional coverage through the rental car agency, which adds up.
Other costs. When you rent a car, your mind is primarily on the cost of the rental car. What you don’t often think of at the time is the other ancillary costs that add up quickly – parking garages, gas, tolls, etc. And no matter how much you anticipate these ahead of time, things come up. I had planned to utilize Savannah’s cheap public parking garages, but on Halloween night found them all completely full and had to park at a much more expensive private lot.
Sobriety. Renting a car inhibits your ability to fully take advantage of a city’s nightlife, if your hotel is not in walking distance. Not to say I didn’t drink at all in Savannah (of course I had to try some Savannah beers), but had to be very disciplined because my hotel was on the outskirts of town.
Risks. Having a rental car, I spent a lot of time thinking about what could go wrong. What if I get a flat tire or break down in the middle of nowhere in between Savannah and Charleston? What if I get into an accident that ruins my whole trip? Obviously inconveniences can happen no matter what mode of transportation you’re taking, but the difference with a rental car is that you’re going it alone and need to have an action plan in the back of your mind for the unexpected.
Whether or not a rental car makes sense for a trip totally depends on you and the destination. It takes some research into the sites that are your priority to see and how easy they are to get to via public transit. If you have never done a rental car before, or are just back and forth on the decision, I hope this article helps you to weigh out the pros and cons.
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