Exploring Boston by Hire Car
Boston, the capital of the US state of Massachusetts is located on the east coast of the USA. It is one of the oldest and wealthiest cities in America, in addition to being the largest in New England.
A very unique blend of tradition and modernity is what makes Boston so appealing. Here you can admire old churches and historic buildings by day and then turn night into day in hip clubs.
The enchanting surrounding countryside invites for excursions and can be explored excellently by hire car. We have put together a few tips for rental and travel.
Taking over the hire car
At the Boston airport, several shuttle buses will take you to the hire car center. Just inquire at the information desk. Before you book a hire car, just make sure that your rental agency also operates its station at the hire car center. After all, if it is only located near the airport, the worst case scenario is that you will have to take a taxi to get to your hire car after a long flight.
Booking the right hire car
If you primarily want to travel around Boston in a hire car, a smaller car that allows you to use tight parking spaces is recommended. On the other hand, if you want to go cross-country, you should definitely go for a car that is as large as possible so that you can enjoy the drive on the wide highways in comfort.
Hire car prices
It is a little more expensive to hire car in Boston. But the price differences between small cars and luxury cars are often relatively small.
So you can confidently reach for a larger car. You can often get the best deals by booking well in advance of your trip and using our handy price comparison tool.
hire car price comparison boston
Insuring the car properly
It’s easy to get into an accident with an unfamiliar hire car, especially in Boston’s heavy city traffic. Protect yourself and book a car with comprehensive insurance without deductible. With the liability, you should make sure that the amount of coverage is at least one million euros.
This will give you at least some protection if people are injured in an accident or if several vehicles are involved. If you have the impression that the coverage sum of your rental company is too low, you can additionally protect yourself with a so-called traveller policy. Ask your insurer for advice and make sure the policy covers you in the US.
age limit
At virtually all hire car agencies in Boston, the age limit is 21. No cars are rented to younger drivers. And drivers younger than 25 usually pay an additional fee. Check the terms and conditions of your rental company before renting the car.
Accessories
If you need accessories such as navigation equipment or even child seats, you must always order the desired items separately from your rental company so that the equipment is available when you pick up the hire car.
Free kilometers
If you’re only driving a hire car in Boston, you might be able to save a few bucks by reaching for a car that has limited miles.
If, on the other hand, you’re also heading out into the surrounding countryside, be sure to choose a car with free miles so you can explore the charming surroundings extensively.
Tank control
Commonly in Boston, the hire car is handed over with a full tank of gas and then returned with a full tank. Since this is a transparent and fair solution, you should definitely make sure that your rental company does the same.
Bail
When the hire car deposit is actually charged to your credit card, some rental companies like to take a long time before refunding the amount after the car is returned.
Better book with a rental company that just blocks the amount and releases it immediately when you return the car. Before the trip, you should also make sure that the credit limit on your card is sufficient to pay the deposit.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Most customers are satisfied with the hire car companies in Boston. Only some find fault with the exterior condition of some vehicles. You should therefore take a close look at your hire car when you pick it up and have any scratches or dents confirmed in writing in a fault report.
Keep the document well, because with it you can prove when returning that you are not responsible for the damage to the vehicle. Complaints about long wait times at the Boston airport also come up from time to time. So, especially when returning the car, plan enough time to avoid missing the plane.
Safety Hire Car
Most hire cars in Boston are perfectly roadworthy. However, there can always be exceptions, so make sure that all of your car’s lights are working before your first trip.
Don’t forget your turn signals and brake lights, either. And do a quick brake test in your rental company’s parking lot before driving.
Sights in Boston
John Hancock Tower: Enjoy the view
A city tour could start at the John Hancock Tower. At 241 meters, it is the tallest building in the city. Take the elevator to the top and enjoy the fantastic views of Boston and the surrounding area.
King’s Chapel: Magnificent Nave
Afterwards, a visit to King’s Chapel will take you far into the city’s history. Built as early as 1688, the house of worship is Boston’s oldest Anglican church.
From 1749 to 1754, the former wooden building was then replaced by the current stone building. From the outside, the church looks unassuming, but the interior, supported by filigree columns, is worth seeing.
Old State House: Historic Building
You’ll visit an exceedingly historic site when you stroll to the Old State House. The house was built from 1712 to 1713. This makes it the oldest public building still standing in the city.
From the east balcony of the Old State House, the American Declaration of Independence was read on July 18, 1776. Today, the Bostonian Society has set up a historical museum here, where you can learn a lot about the history of the city and the country.
Quincy Market: Lively Market Activity
You’ll experience the living present when you head to Quincy Market. The indoor market was built in 1824. To this day, merchants offer goods for sale there from all over the world at countless stalls. Around the market hall you will find a pretty pedestrian zone with many shops, restaurants and cafes.
Christ Church: Charming decoration
You can visit an exceedingly beautiful place of worship if you now direct your steps to Christ Church. It was built in 1723 and inspires in the interior by the decoration from numerous commemorative pieces of the freedom movement.
A great fun is to take a tour with Boston Duck Tours to conclude your sightseeing. The operator offers a sightseeing tour on amphibious vehicles that allow you to explore Boston by land and water.
Find a good restaurant
The variety of good restaurants in Boston makes it hard to choose. We recommend the Island Creek Oyster Bar. Boston is famous for its oysters, and you’ll get top-quality seafood at this comfortably furnished restaurant. One specialty is “Boston Clam Chowder,” a thick soup made with clams.
Find a good hotel
There’s no shortage of good hotels in Boston, either. You might book a room at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. You can expect a classy establishment with stylishly furnished rooms that lack no comfort.
A worthwhile destination in the area
Lowell: Huge Textile Museum
Take the hire car to Lowell. It will take you just under an hour to drive the 48 kilometres. Already in 1650, the place was settled by the English In the following centuries, it developed into a major center of the textile industry. Today, you can learn about the manufacture of fabrics in the world’s largest textile museum, the American Textile History Museum.
A collection of historic quilts worth seeing can then be admired at the New England Quilt Museum. And on the way back, you will have plenty of time to think about other destinations around Boston. There are still many worthwhile places to reach with a hire car.
Suggestion for a trip by hire car
Plymouth: landing place of the Pilgrim Fathers
A trip by hire car could take you to Plymouth first. In just under an hour, you can be there. This historic site is where the Pilgrim Fathers landed on the Mayflower in 1620 and founded modern America. At Plymouth Plantation, you can see a replica of a 1627 Pilgrim village. Guides in authentic costumes will teach you about the lives of the former immigrants. Second highlight of your visit could be the visit of the Mayflower 2, which you can find in the harbour. It is a replica of the first Pilgrim ship.
Sandy Neck Beach: Pure beach fun
The next stop on your trip is Sandy Neck Beach, which you can reach in three quarters of an hour by car. At the six-kilometre-long beach, you can go for long walks, soak up the sun and then refresh yourself with a dip in the sea.
New Bedford: On the trail of the white whale.
Before you drive back to Boston in your hire car, you can make a stop in New Bedford. You can reach the place in just under an hour. Readers of the novel “Moby Dick” will find the place familiar, because from there the hero of the book set out on his hunt for the white whale.
To this day, the town centre has retained the charm of an old whaling town with its many historic buildings, even though ships no longer set sail to hunt whales today, of course. You can learn a lot about the town’s history at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A good hour’s drive now separates you from Boston. There you can plan your next travels by hire car at your leisure.
conclusion
The vibrant metropolis of Boston is a great place to travel by hire car. There is plenty to see in the city and all around there are numerous attractive destinations, all of which can be easily reached by hire car. Our convenient price comparison will help you to find a suitable car for you at favourable conditions.