Physical side effects aside, COVID has had some lingering effects on the travel industry. Some of them we saw coming: lay-offs in the hospitality industry, furloughs in the airline industry, small businesses closing their doors temporarily or for good. Some, however, caught us off-guard, such as the rental car shortage. But don’t let that stop you! As long as you choose an accommodation downtown or within walking distance of the things you want to do, you can still travel without spending an arm and a leg on a rental car!
Why is there a Rental Car Shortage?
Looking back, I understand how this started. Rental car companies were compelled to sell off their inventory because no one was traveling for so long. Road trips were happening in cars people already owned because of safety concerns associated with shared spaces (like planes and rental cars) during the pandemic. An additional, unforeseen cause was a fire at a car “chip” factory in China. The place where all the computer chips for cars were made literally burned to the ground, so no chips for existing cars can be replaced (so some car repairs cannot be made), and no new cars can get chips and thus cannot be sold because the cars won’t work!
So now, there’s a major rental car shortage, and the cars that can be rented are going for sky-high prices—some are going for $1500 per day or more! If you’re like me, that’s definitely not on your list of things to do with your money, even if you LOVE to travel. So, I decided to come up with a list of my favorite places to travel where you won’t need a rental car. If your favorite didn’t make my list, please add it in the comments section! And wherever you travel this year, remember to support the small businesses when and where and how you can.
This article from The Points Guy in April is also helpful in understanding why there’s a rental car “apocalypse!”
Waikiki
In my personal and professional opinions, you really need a car on any of the Hawaiian islands you visit. The exception? Waikiki on O’ahu! There is so much to see and do in and around the Waikiki area. It’s literally one of the most picturesque and iconic locations in the world. It’s within easy rideshare or taxi distance from HNL.
And to help inspire your trip, take a look at my book set in Waikiki, Confidence Lost and Found!
Pro Tip
One of my favorite hacks for Hawaii is to only rent a car on the day or (non-consecutive) days you need one. There are so many car rental location in Waikiki, you can walk to one to rent a car just for a day to go around the island, or to drive to a farther location or activity. This saves you money on the days you don’t need or want to drive anywhere, as well as on parking or valet fees at your hotel!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Diamond Head
- Waikiki Beach
- Surfing
- Royal Hawaiian Hotel Tour
- Shopping
- Restaurants
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Pearl Harbor
- Koko Head Crater Hike
- Hanauma Bay
More here: 10 Things to do in Waikiki
Key West
My husband and I visited Key West for the first time in January. We loved it so much, we took my parents back with us in June! We love how walkable Key West is, so it’s a perfect location for a car-free trip. There are so many activities and excursions you can do right from Key West, so whether you’re into museums, shopping, eating, water sports or National and State Parks, there will definitely be plenty to keep you busy! The airport is just 3 miles from Old Town Key West, so it’s a quick rideshare or taxi ride!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Hemingway House Museum
- Truman’s Little White House
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
- West Mortello Museum
- Key West Butterfly Conservatory
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Hogfish Bar and Grill
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
Read next: The Best Things to do in Key West
Nantucket
Nantucket is one of the most beautiful places. Between the vibrant hydrangeas and the friendly people, it’s no wonder some people go back year after year! It’s also a wonderful cycling location if you want to rent a bike for your trip, too. There are few places in the world as charming, quaint, and walkable as Nantucket! You can fly directly to ACK and take a taxi or rideshare from there, or if you prefer, take the ferry from Martha’s Vineyard or various locations on mainland Massachusetts.
In fact, I loved my time on Nantucket so much, I set one of my books here! Click here for your copy of Summer Lost and Found.
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Historic House Museums
- Waterfront
- Jetties Beach
- Shops
- Restaurants
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum
- Siasconset
Read on: 10 Reasons to Visit Nantucket
Block Island
Never heard of Block Island? Put it on your list! This adorable island off the coast of Rhode Island is only accessible by ferry or small plane, and feels like a world away. It’s easy to get around on foot or by bicycle, and while you can bring your car with you on the ferry, why would you want to? If you’re coming by ferry, you can walk to one of the many accommodations near where the ferry docks, or if you’re flying in, simply take a taxi to your accommodation (at the time of this writing, rideshare services are not available). Once there, you can easily rent a bike or scooter to get around!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- National Hotel
- Block Island Historical Society
- Old Harbor Historic District
- Shops
- Restaurants
Things to Do Within Bicycling Distance
- Mohegan Bluffs
- Northeast Lighthouse
- Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
Also helpful: How to Get to Block Island
Washington, D.C.
I quite literally chose to move to D.C. in large part because I did not need to drive everywhere! Thanks to the close proximity of D.C.’s main attractions and its wide-spread metro system, you can definitely fill up a few days, a week, or a month and never once think about “needing” a car to get around. You can get into town by flying into DCA and taking the Metro, or flying into IAD and taking the Metro (via the bus to the silver line), a taxi, or rideshare.
Want a sneak peek of a car-free D.C. trip? Check out my book, American Lost and Found!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Monuments and Memorials
- Smithsonian Museums
- U.S. Capitol
- Supreme Court
- White House
- Library of Congress
- Theatres
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
Essential info: The Most Helpful Blog Posts You Will Every Find about D.C.
San Francisco
Okay, so it’s walkable, but consider the hills that make San Francisco so famous! Pace yourself. That said, it’s a great place to explore on foot. You could come by ferry from a variety of California locations, or from the airport, which is easily accessible via rideshare, a taxi, or the BART rail system.
What to See Within Walking Distance
- The Wharf
- Ghirardelli
- Coit Tower
- Shops
- Restaurants
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- The Painted ladies
- Sausalito (via ferry)
- Alcatraz
- Golden Gate Bridge
Read on: 10 Reasons to Visit San Francisco
Boston
New England’s pre-Revolutionary cities are fantastic for car-free trips. You know why? Because when they were planned and built, no one even considered cars for transportation! Everything had to be close enough to walk or ride a horse. So, most of the best things to do are well within walking distance, and Boston fits that description. It’s easy to get into the city center via the T rail system, or you could use a rideshare or take a taxi as well.
What to See Within Walking Distance
- The Freedom Trail
- Boston Common
- Boston Tea Party Museum
- Seaport District
- New England Aquarium
- Running Tour
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Red Sox Stadium
- Lexington and Concord
- Harvard
- MIT
Bookmark this one: Your Ultimate Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail
Miami Beach
Thanks to this barrier island’s fantastic boardwalk, it’s one of the most pedestrian-friendly destinations you’ll find! Dozens of hotels, restaurants, and shops line the famous shoreline, not to mention the colorful lifeguard stands and Art Deco architecture. Having so much to do and see definitely helps you cover lots of ground without realizing it, and no matter how many times you walk back and forth here, you’ll always see something different—which will probably include buttcheeks… Fair warning! You can get here easily from the MIA airport via rideshare, taxi, bus, or shuttle.
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Art Deco District
- South Beach
- Miami Beach Boardwalk
- Shops
- Restaurants
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Fontainebleu Hotel
- South Pointe Park
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden
More here: Where to Eat in Miami Beach
Charleston
Much like historic cities in the northeast, Charleston was founded in the 17th century and came to prominence long before cars became an option! As a result, the walkability here is pretty fantastic. You can take a rideshare or bus from the airport, then never think about getting into a car again until time to fly home!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Rainbow Row
- Battery Park
- Historic House Museums
- C.S.S. Hunley
- Waterfront Park
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
- Drayton Hall
- The Citadel
One of my most Pinned posts EVER: The Ultimate List of FREE Things to Do in Charleston
Savannah
I love Savannah. I simply love it! The fountains, the squares, the Spanish moss, the history—Savannah is a favorite. You know what else I love? The walkability! It’s an exceptionally pedestrian friendly town, and it’s a good thing: you’ll want to eat all the Leopold’s Ice Cream, all the Olde Pink House dinner options, all the things all slathered in butter! Just take a rideshare from the airport or the 22-minute bus for $5 into Savannah, then let your feet do the walking!
Want a peek at a fun trip to Savannah? My book, Grace Lost and Found is set here!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Historic House Museums
- Shopping
- Restaurants
- Forsyth Park
- Olde Pink House
- Savannah Historic District
- American Prohibition Museum
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Tybee Island
- Hilton Head Island
- Wormslowe Historic Site
- Bonaventure Cemetery
More here: The Best Places to Eat in Savannah
Austin
The downtown area of the Texas capitol city is pretty compact, so if you can take the heat, this is a great car-free option! My husband lived in Austin for a few years before he ever met me, so he took me and showed me around his favorite old haunts. Just take a rideshare or a bus from AUS into downtown Austin, then have fun on your trip!
What to See Within Walking Distance
- Zilker Park
- Welcome to Austin Mural
- Texas State Capitol
- South Congress (SoCo)
- Congress Avenue Bridge (and bats!)
- Mexic-Arte Museum
- Lady Bird Lake
Things to Do Within Rideshare Distance
- Mount Bonnell
- Magnolia Cafe
- Neill-Cochran House Museum
- President Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library
Read next: The Best Places to Eat in Austin
Notable Mentions
This list, of course, is not exhaustive! Other car-free destinations include New Orleans, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Nashville, Mackinac Island, Redondo Beach, Pensacola, and so many more! What’s your favorite car-less vacation spot, and what are your favorite things to do there? Comment below!
And for more destination inspiration, check out the dedicated Destination section of my Travel Tips Page!
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Philadelphia was definitely walkable, from when I worked there. The subway could get you “reasonably” anywhere else.
I need to make it back to Philly!
I love this post, such great tips! I also enjoy figuring out public transit, it’s a nice way to really get a feel for a new place.
Thank you! I hope it’s helpful and inspirational! I still prefer walking to public transportation, but sometimes it’s the best option!
Great post, so helpful and well written! Much appreciated! You might want to check out San Diego, if you haven’t done so yet. Might be a worthy addition to the list imho.
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful! San Diego would be a great place to visit without a car!