Affordable Car Rentals in Boston won’t be a serious problem, as all major car rental companies have branches throughout the city. The widest selection is at Logan International Airport, where rental locations are even open 24/7. Downtown rental offices tend to be smaller and operate only during daytime hours. Read on to discover when car rental prices are at their peak and how you can save money.
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Car Rental Prices in Boston
When comparing rental prices with other locations across the USA, Boston falls somewhere in the middle range. For an accurate car rental price calculation, I recommend using the following form, which takes into account all car rental companies in Boston. This way, you can secure the lowest possible price. Filling out the form does not commit you to anything, nor do you need to provide your email address.
How Much Will You Pay for a Car Rental in Boston?
- No Hidden Fees
The prices stated at the time of reservation are always final, providing a clear overview of your expenses. - Lowest Price Guarantee
If you find the same deal at a lower price elsewhere, RentalCars will refund the difference. - Cancellation Is Free of Charge
Most bookings can be cancelled or altered free of charge up to 48 hours before collection.
- No Hidden Fees
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How to Save Money on Car Rentals in Boston
The cost of renting a car in Boston depends on several factors, not just the company or rental duration. Some of the key factors include the following:
🗓️ Timing of Reservation
The date you make your reservation matters. Based on my research, prices tend to be lowest about 1-2 months before the pickup date.
You can use the trick of free cancellation if you find a better offer. For example, RentalCars offers the option to cancel existing reservations without any cancellation fees.
A simple rule of thumb: the first Boston car rental company you encounter is probably not the cheapest. Always compare prices across several companies simultaneously. For example, RentalCars.com does this automatically for over 200 companies, guaranteeing customers the best rental price.
⏳ Duration of Rental
Daily rates can be affected by current demand, which tends to be higher during the summer months or around public holidays.
Rental prices are calculated in 24-hour periods, so it’s important to select the same pickup and drop-off times. For example, if you pick up the car at 7 AM and return it at 8 AM, you’ll end up paying for an extra day.
🗺️ Location of the Rental Office
The location of the rental company can influence the price. You’ll usually find lower prices at airport rental locations with more competition than in the city center.
When comparing car rental prices between the airport and downtown Boston, also consider how you’ll get to the city. Sometimes choosing a more expensive airport car can be more cost-effective, as you’ll save on transportation like Uber.
🏎️ Car Class
The cheapest cars available belong to the economy class, though they come with limited luggage space and basic features. Mid-range cars are typically about 10% more expensive, but their larger luggage capacity and greater comfort make them ideal for longer trips.
SUVs, which are about 25% more expensive than the economy class, are highly recommended for long road trips where you’ll be spending hours in the car daily. Convertibles are less common in Boston and are often at least twice as expensive as economy-class cars.
Various factors, including the availability of specific vehicles, can affect the price of cars within each class. Occasionally, economy-class vehicles may be more expensive than larger models.
Economy Class Mid-Range SUV Convertible 
from $37 from $44 from $45 from $64 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔞 Driver’s Age
Rental companies charge additional fees for drivers aged 21 to 24 due to the higher likelihood of damage to the vehicle. Fees vary but expect to pay $16.00 to $37 per day.
Drivers younger than 21 may either be denied rentals or face significantly higher fees.
☂️ Insurance Coverage
Boston rental cars typically include liability and collision coverage with zero deductible. Still, I recommend checking what risks are covered in the agreement.
If certain risks aren’t sufficiently covered, consider purchasing additional insurance.
🛰️ Optional Extras
You can order additional services for an extra fee. One of the most useful options is adding an additional driver, allowing you to share driving responsibilities and ensuring they are insured in case of an incident.
If someone not listed in the contract drives the car, the insurance won’t be valid. The cost for an additional driver typically ranges between $13.00 and $15.00 per day, with companies like Avis capping the fee at $65 for the entire rental period.
In my opinion, renting a GPS is unnecessary since you can easily use your phone for navigation. Similarly, mobile internet isn’t worth the cost, as you can purchase affordable data plans in the U.S. through services like Airalo.
However, if you’re traveling with children, consider renting a child seat or booster, which most Boston rental companies offer in various sizes.
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Affordable Car Rentals in Boston
◻️ Airport Car Rentals
At Boston’s airport, you can rent from companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty, and Zipcar.
All car rental agencies are located in the dedicated Rental Car Center (RCC). Blue shuttle buses on routes 22, 33, and 55 run every 5-6 minutes from the arrivals terminal to the RCC. Just follow the signs for “Ground Transportation” and then “Shuttle Bus.”
◻️ Downtown Car Rentals
Several companies, including Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and Sixt, have branches at various locations throughout downtown Boston.
Car Rental Company Rating 
Alamo Rent a Car 8.7/10 
Avis Car Rental 8.2/10 
Budget Car Rental 8.1/10 
Dollar Car Rental 8.3/10 
Enterprise Rent-A-Car 8.6/10 
Hertz Rent a Car 8.3/10 
National Car Rental 8.6/10 
SIXT Rent A Car 8.3/10 
Thrifty Car Rental 8.3/10 -
Road Trip Tips Near Boston
1️⃣ Salem, Massachusetts
The town of Salem, Massachusetts, is steeped in history, with its most famous moment being the witch trials of 1692. Today, Salem embraces this history. One notable site is The Witch House, the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, a key figure in the trials.
The coastal drive to Salem is only 16 mi, about 35 minutes by car.
2️⃣ Acadia National Park
The nearest national park is Acadia, located 284 mi from downtown Boston, which you can reach in approximately 5 hours by car.
If you’ve never heard of Acadia, it’s worth knowing that it’s one of the most visited national parks in the USA. Its beautiful scenery blends mountains, forests, and coastlines, which — typical of the state of Maine — are dotted with iconic white lighthouses. The park also features Cadillac Mountain, standing at 1,530 ft tall, the highest peak on the Atlantic coast east of the Mississippi River.
3️⃣ Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The Cape Cod peninsula, located at the southeastern tip of Massachusetts, is famous for its picturesque beaches, many of which are punctuated by historic lighthouses. You can enjoy whale watching or hiking along the coast to enhance your visit.
The drive from Boston to Cape Cod is about 90 mi, which typically takes around an hour and a half.
4️⃣ Newport, Rhode Island
The city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island is well-known for its historic mansions built during the Gilded Age (Gilded Age) at the turn of the 20th century. Some of these grand homes are now museums open to visitors. One of the most notable is The Breakers, once the summer residence of industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt’s family.
Another impressive mansion is the Marble House, built between 1888 and 1892 by Alva Vanderbilt using white marble. This mansion is now a landmark of Newport and the Gilded Age, and visitors can explore its rooms and on-site café.
5️⃣ White Mountains, New Hampshire
Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the White Mountains in New Hampshire. In the fall, take a scenic drive along NH-112, commonly known as the Kancamagus Highway. The 56-mile 56 mi route is lined with deciduous trees showcasing vibrant shades of yellow, red, and orange.
You can also hike part of the famous Appalachian Trail within the White Mountains.
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