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Making The Hard Choice When You Travel: Rental, Taxi Service Or Ride Share

It's a conundrum that most travelers face – once you arrive, how are you going to get around town? There are many different transportation options, especially in tourist-rich areas like Naples, Florida. For travelers, it boils down to three basic choices, however: rent a car, grab a taxi or arrange ride share. Consider the pros and cons of each as you plan your next trip.

Why Rent a Car?

Rental cars offer convenience, but it comes at a price. As Dollar points out, a rental car is about control. If you want full control over your transportation, a rental is the best option. With both a taxi and ride share service, you have to rely on someone else to be on time.

Renting a car allows you to travel long distances for less, as well. Cab companies charge by the mile, so long trips add up. You can rent a car with unlimited miles and save money.

Control is also the downside to renting a car. When you rent, you take full responsibility for the vehicle. That means either putting it on your policy or paying extra to buy the company's insurance unless you use a credit card. You also deal with parking the vehicle. If you are on vacation, local attractions may charge extra for parking. Renting means paying for fuel, as well; if you return the car without gas, the rental company will charge you to fill the tank.

When is a Taxi Service a Better Choice?

When a rental car is more than you need, then a taxi service is a cost efficient choice. As USA Today points out, rental car rates are high. Unless you are taking a very long ride, the cab will cost less than a rental car.

There is comfort in having someone behind the wheel that knows the area, too. You can order a cab from a site like http://swfltransportation.com/ ahead of time to ensure it arrives when you need it in small towns or just grab one in key areas like an airport.

Cab rates vary from city to city, so you don't always know what the ride will cost you. The Internet offers a solution, though. Websites like Taxi Fare Finder keep track of the rates worldwide and give you an estimate on how much taxi service will run you. This site also lets you know what the standard driver tip is in that area.

What About Ride Sharing?

Ride sharing is a reasonable option when your budget is more important than your time. The Boston Globe explains that ride share services use a smartphone app and GPS to make connections for people traveling in the same basic area. Drivers use their own personal vehicle to pick up riders and take them to their location. The company that owns the app offers liability insurance that covers the car in case of an accident.

Ride share is similar to a taxi service but with a few key differences:

• You share the vehicle with others going in the same general direction, so it may take longer to get where you are going. You pay less because you are sharing the ride.
• Although drivers go through a background check, they may not be vetted as well as someone who works for a cab company. Riding with other people is a safety risk, too.
• Taxis are usually 24 hours a day. Ride share will have limited availability.  

So, you are going on vacation to Florida, what's it going to be – rental, taxi or ride share? Research your options in the area and decide which transportation service best fits your needs.