Car Rental Alternatives You Should Know About

If you’re looking for a rental car alternative, the good news is that you have more rental options than traditional car rental companies now than before. While renting a car can be more convenient than some options on this list, sometimes the cost savings make it worth the hassle. 

1. Borrow a friend’s car

You depend on your friends to be there through thick and thin, but what about when you need to borrow their car? One of the most cost-effective car rental alternatives relies on your friends lending you their keys to drive their own car, whether for a few hours or days. This rental car alternative can come with an informal agreement or even something written into a basic contract. The idea is that you return the favor by returning your friend’s car in the same shape (or better) than when you borrowed it. 

2. Bicycle or electric bike

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, mesh motorized efficiency with the ability to maneuver around busy city streets. Travelers often turn to bicycles to navigate new surroundings, especially when renting a car can be expensive and cumbersome. Even better, you don’t need a driver’s license to ride a bike. 

In addition, renting or even riding your own bicycle or e-bike can help you maximize the efficiency of your commute and avoid the costs of renting a car. While bike riding is best done in balmy and sunny conditions, it’s a cost-effective alternative to renting a car during the warmer months of the year. Plus, you can work your gym visit into your commute to kill two birds with one stone. 

3. Taxi

Travelers who find accommodations near their destination may only need motorized transportation for a night out on the town or an excursion outside city limits. Taxis provide convenient services to help cab-hailers get where they need to go. If you travel to a large city, you can expect a pool of taxis waiting to chauffeur you around. 

While taxis may be a more expensive mode of transportation, your cab fare will likely be less than the overall cost of renting a car. You won’t risk any penalties for excess wear-and-tear or detailing fees, either. In addition, you don’t have to worry about navigating unfamiliar streets. 

4. Shuttle or vanpool

Airports and hotels often employ a shuttle or vanpool to pick up passengers and transport them between destinations. Some companies offer a shuttle as a complementary service. If you want to avoid parking at the airport or renting a car through the airport, a shuttle or vanpool can help. 

5. Scooter or moped

Bikes, scooters, and mopeds allow for dexterously navigating busy city streets. This mode of transportation is best for individuals who travel light, as getting a suitcase to play nicely with a scooter can present a challenge. Depending on your destination, you may be able to rent a moped for a fraction of the cost of a rental car—and have more fun. 

6. Public transportation

Believe it or not, most public transportation allows you to navigate a city effortlessly. Public bus routes cover popular hotspots and tend to run on a strict schedule. Subways, light rails, and trains have been ferrying residents and visitors for decades. Public transportation is the most logical option to avoid finding parking or babysitting a car while traveling. 

7. Buy a cheap used car

As counterintuitive as it sounds, buying a cheap used car and ensuring it’s road-worthy can put you ahead versus renting a car. Buying a car at a fair price and addressing any mechanical issues requires some wrench-turning skills, but it’s well worth it if you can sell the car for a profit once your trip ends. There’s typically always a market for affordable cars, and you don’t have to stress over spills, dings, or dents you pick up along the way. 

8. RV rental 

Renting an RV can seem like overkill if you’re trying to avoid renting a car. However, an RV can help you minimize the costs of accommodations and allow you to experience a different side of visiting new places. By combining your mode of transportation and housing accommodations in one vehicle, you can spend more time exploring. 

9. Ridesharing apps

Most people are now familiar with rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. Riders request drivers to pick them up and take them to a particular destination, a trip that may or may not include several stops. Lyft Rentals also makes selecting various transportation options to fit your needs easy. 

Ridesharing apps are a popular alternative to car rental agencies because they combine the availability of taxis with personalized service and convenience. The best rideshare drivers offer their riders a memorable experience with delightful conversation, snacks and drinks, or suggestions on local eateries and destinations. Again, ridesharing can often cost less than renting a car and helps you avoid costly penalties such as refueling, excess wear-and-tear, and other damage fees. 

10. Lease assumption

Taking up another person’s lease offers several benefits. Many lessees list their leases on LeaseTrader or Swapalease, looking for someone to cover their remaining lease terms to avoid early termination fees. If you’ve wanted to get into a lease but get your feet wet first, lease assumptions offer a unique opportunity. Just read the fine print and get all the necessary information before you sign any paperwork. 

11. Peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplaces 

If you’re looking for that sweet spot between renting a car from a rental company and driving your own vehicle, peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing marketplaces could be the answer. These marketplaces are like the Airbnb for cars and include Getaround, Zipcar, and Turo. It’s like borrowing your friend’s car, but they’re in a different state, and you haven’t known them since kindergarten. 

12. FINN car subscription

Companies like Sixt and FINN offer subscription-based terms to redefine the car rental dichotomy. Rather than trying to figure out the best time to rent a car, which company offers the best rate, and what penalties could apply when you drop off the car, car subscriptions like those from FINN provide flexible terms and perks that will have you wondering why you ever rented in the first place. 

13. Private car service 

Even if you can’t rent a car for someone else, you can hire a private car service. Otherwise known as a chauffeur, private car services can be expensive. However, many private car services employ only high-end luxury vehicles so you can spend a night out on the town in style. 

14. Discounted flights

Depending on your destination, flying could be cheaper than renting a car and driving there. In addition, discount flights can also help you save money. You could then use your savings to hail a taxi, arrange a rideshare driver, or even hire a private car service to cater to your needs. However, most discounted flights don’t fly straight through to a popular destination or run during peak traveling season. 

15. Private helicopter or jet 

Last but not least—especially considering the cost, is taking a private jet or helicopter. Typically left to the most affluent travelers, these more intimate modes of transportation aren’t available to everyone. However, they can make traveling the country more manageable and provide a welcome respite from spending hours in the car amidst traffic. 

Not all car rental alternatives make sense for your situation. For example, many travelers might prefer to fly to another state, but flying doesn't fit the bill if you’re looking for a car rental to drive within a few miles from home. Keep the following in mind to help you make the most of your alternate transportation: 

• Keep the miles off your personal car: If you’re planning to drive long distances, like from the East Coast of the USA like New York City, New York or Boston, to San Francisco or Los Angeles, California, renting a car can keep road trip miles off your personal vehicle. However, subscribing to a car with FINN can give you the ultimate test-drive experience without the hassle of rental car returns or penalties.  
• Verify availability: Certain car rental alternatives aren’t available in every city or state. Check the availability of your chosen alternative before you make any other plans. Call ahead to see if you need to make reservations before arriving. 
• Weigh the benefits versus the costs: Hiring a private jet or helicopter means you’ll arrive in style and in potentially the shortest amount of time. However, these premium travel methods are typically reserved for individuals with a larger budget. 
• Distance to destination: Riding a scooter around town can help you make the most of affordable transportation. However, a taxi, public transportation, or rideshare app makes more sense to a destination an hour or more away. 
• Comfort level: Not everyone is comfortable using public transportation or riding a bicycle. Work within your personal comfort limits for a more enjoyable experience.

If you’re looking for a car rental with no deposit, check out a FINN car subscription. Unlike a rental car, you can drive your FINN car subscription for six to 12 months. FINN also welcomes subscribers to continue their subscriptions with another vehicle to maintain the benefits of car subscriptions.