Renting Cars When Traveling: The Pros and Cons

"So you’re about to embark on your great Toronto weekend adventure. You have your itinerary all mapped out and you’ve booked the hotel you’re going to be staying in. The only thing left to decide on now is whether it’s wise to rent a car in Toronto or not.

As with anything, renting a car when traveling has its own pros and cons.

On the more positive side, when you use a rented car when you travel, you have more freedom and control. As opposed to using public transport, you do not have to follow strict schedules and you have the luxury of traveling at your own pace. You can stop to have an impromptu picnic at the flower-filled valley you happen to accidentally stumble upon. With rented vehicles, you can, literally, stop to smell the roses. Similarly, with these vehicles, you aren’t confined to a plane or a bus and thus, you are able to appreciate the scenery, and the journey as a whole, better.

Another argument made by those who favor hiring rent a car services is the fact that when they break down while you’re using them, the rent a car company would immediately hand over a new vehicle to you. You wouldn’t have to worry about repairs or finding yourself without an alternative form of transportation—the rental company will take care of all of these for you.

When you rent vehicles, you also get more options and you are able to choose which car would suit your trip better. You can pick a more rugged vehicle or a more luxurious one. You can choose how big or small you want your vehicle to be. If you’re going on a trip to see the Rocky Mountains for example, do you really think it’s wise to drive there in your Maserati Quatroporte? I don’t think so.

Renting a car to use on your trip, many point out, also saves your own car from incurring more miles and, if you are planning on driving on tough terrain, potential damages.

On the flip side of the coin of course, are the disadvantages of renting a car when you’re traveling, the first being, the higher costs of renting a car. While there are affordable rent a car services available, they are still considerably more expensive than traveling using your own car.

Another disadvantage is the added task of having to familiarize yourself with the car’s controls—a tedious task that you nevertheless have to do. You don’t want to end up fidgeting with your car’s buttons, looking for the knob that controls the heater while you’re driving in the middle of a busy road, do you?

Also, there is the added hassle of having to actually rent a car. While many companies now allow clients to make reservations online, renting a car still requires considerably more effort than just entering your garage and turning the ignition of your own vehicle.

To rent or not to rent? Weigh these pros and cons carefully and find out what choice would help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Maraya Mullen is a copywriter affiliated with All Time Car Rental, a provider of affordable rent a car services in Toronto. Visit their site for more information about their Rent a Car in Toronto.