Boston car rental and drop off location choices.

Question

My wife and I are coming to the USA for 13 days in September, staying in Boston for a few days and then heading north to Kennebunkport and onwards in a loop finishing in Cape Cod before going back to the airport.

We are staying in the theatre district and won't need a car there. We aren't going to be travelling on toll roads, so didn't want the expense of the E-ZPass rental.

Should we;

A) - go back to the airport to get a car and return it to the airport,

B) - rent from Atlantic Avenue and return to Atlantic Avenue,

C) - rent from the airport and return to Atlantic Avenue?

Answer

It sounds like you have a great trip planned! When it comes to car rental options in Boston, there are a few things to consider in terms of convenience, cost, and flexibility. Here’s a breakdown of the different options you’ve mentioned to help you decide the best approach for your trip:

Option A - Go back to the airport to get a car and return it to the airport
This is a classic option that many travelers use, especially when they know they won’t need a car while staying in the city. By picking up your car at the airport, you avoid the need for a car while exploring Boston and its theatre district. However, you’ll have to factor in the time and potential cost of transportation back to the airport (e.g., taxi, Uber, or public transit) to pick up the car. Returning the car to the airport might also make sense, but there’s an extra trip involved. If you don’t mind the minor inconvenience of going back to the airport, this could be a cost-effective choice, as airport rentals tend to have a large fleet of vehicles with a wide range of options.
Option B - Rent from Atlantic Avenue and return to Atlantic Avenue
Renting a car from a location like Atlantic Avenue (which is close to the Financial District and Downtown) offers convenience if you want to avoid the airport and pick up your vehicle in the city. You won’t have to deal with additional transportation to the airport. Furthermore, returning the car to the same location could be hassle-free. However, keep in mind that city-based rental locations may have higher prices, and availability may be limited compared to the airport. This option is great if you want to get started with your road trip right from the city without needing to deal with airport logistics.
Option C - Rent from the airport and return to Atlantic Avenue
This option offers the convenience of picking up the car at the airport, but with the added flexibility of returning it downtown. If you’re flying into Boston and don’t mind the drive out to the airport to pick up the car, it can give you the option to have a car for the duration of your trip without worrying about tolls or needing it in the city. This gives you the best of both worlds—a vehicle for the road trip portion without the need to keep it in the city. However, rental fees at the airport might be a bit higher, and you’d still have to factor in the drive into Boston to return it.

In your case, since you don’t plan to travel on toll roads and prefer to avoid the expense of the E-ZPass rental, here are a few additional tips:

If you choose Option A, be sure to confirm that the car rental company doesn’t charge a premium for returning the car to a different location. Some companies may offer one-way rentals with no extra fee, while others might charge for this service.
For Option B, consider the total cost of renting from a city location—sometimes the prices can be competitive, but be mindful of any potential surcharges.
Option C can work if you want a more flexible driving schedule, but keep in mind that some rental agencies may charge a fee for returning the car to a non-airport location.

Ultimately, it depends on what you find most convenient: avoiding airport travel entirely with Option B, getting the car right at the airport with Option A or C, or the convenience of not needing a car at all while in the city. All three options are viable depending on your preferences!