Car hire in Boston

Question

We are flying into Logan Airport on 21st May and have booked 3 nights in Boston - leaving on Saturday 24th. We will be located in the Theatre district. We intend to hire a car on 24th to do some travelling for 7 days and will return to Ireland from Logan Airport on Saturday 31st May. On 31st May we will be travelling from Cape Cod to the airport.

Should we hire a car from Downtown Boston on 24th May and return it to Logan Airport or would it be best to travel back to the airport to collect our hire car and then return it to the same location.

We have no idea of traffic/driving in Boston on Saturdays so any advice would be much appreciated.

Answer

When it comes to renting a car in Boston, there are a few things to consider, especially with your itinerary and travel plans. Since you’ll be staying in the Theatre District, you'll be in a fairly central part of the city. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

Option 1: Renting a Car from Downtown Boston (Theatre District) on 24th May This option is likely the most convenient, especially since you'll already be in the heart of the city. Here are the pros and cons:

Convenience: Picking up the car from downtown means you won’t have to go back to Logan Airport on the day you need to drive out of Boston. This could save time and effort, particularly since Logan is a bit of a distance from the Theatre District (about 10-15 minutes by car).
Traffic Consideration: Driving around Boston, particularly near the downtown area, can be tricky, especially on Saturdays when the city tends to be busier. There can be traffic congestion, especially during the morning or late afternoon. However, by picking up the car in the downtown area, you'll be in a more manageable part of the city, as opposed to navigating through airport traffic.
Parking Costs: Parking in downtown Boston can be expensive, so check for car rental locations with easy access to parking. If you're not returning the car immediately, you may need to factor in the cost of parking until you're ready to leave.

Option 2: Returning to Logan Airport to Pick Up the Car Alternatively, you could take a taxi, rideshare, or public transport to Logan Airport to pick up the car. Here are the pros and cons of this option:

Simplicity: Picking up the car directly at the airport might feel like a simpler option since there’s no need to worry about navigating the city. Logan Airport has a variety of rental car agencies, and the process is fairly straightforward.
Traffic Consideration: If you’re concerned about city traffic, getting to Logan might actually be easier than driving through downtown Boston. The drive from the Theatre District to Logan can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. You might avoid some of the more congested downtown areas, but be aware that there can still be traffic around Logan Airport, particularly on weekends and during peak travel hours.
Additional Travel: The downside is that you’ll need to spend time traveling back to the airport to pick up the car, which could eat into your day. If you have an early start, you may want to factor this extra time into your plans.

Additional Tips:

Driving in Boston: Boston is known for its narrow streets, one-way systems, and sometimes confusing traffic patterns. If you’re not familiar with the area, it can be a bit overwhelming. Avoid driving in the downtown area if possible, especially during peak hours. Once you leave the city, driving becomes much easier.
Saturday Traffic: Saturdays can still be busy, especially if you're leaving the city in the late morning or early afternoon. Morning traffic might be lighter, but you should try to avoid peak times if possible.
Public Transportation: If you're planning to do a lot of sightseeing in Boston before you leave, consider using public transportation (such as the T, Boston’s subway system) to get around the city. Boston has an excellent public transit network, and it might be easier than trying to navigate and park a car in the city.

Conclusion: If you prefer convenience and want to avoid the hassle of traveling back to the airport, renting a car from downtown Boston on 24th May might be your best option, despite the potential traffic. If you don’t mind a quick trip back to Logan Airport and prefer the simplicity of getting the car directly from there, that option works too. In any case, be prepared for some traffic, but remember that leaving Boston early in the day on a Saturday can help you avoid the worst congestion.

Car hire in Boston

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