Holiday travel without owning a car

posted on November 4, 2026

Not owning a car doesn’t have to put your holiday plans on hold. Whether you’re heading to see the sights over Thanksgiving, chasing snow at Christmas, or ringing in the New Year somewhere new, you can get around in a way that works for you.

For a lot of travelers, that way is a rental car. Turo lets you book the exact car you want for a weekend or a month, with no loan, no lease, and no long-term commitment. Below, we compare your options, share the best cars for popular holiday road trips, and explore why a long-term rental makes sense for holiday travel.

In this guide, we’ll be covering:

Can you travel for the holidays without owning a car?

Yes, you can travel during the holidays without owning a car. Whether you’re jetting off to warmer temperatures in Honolulu, ready to snorkel your way through Key West, or planning to visit the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., getting around via public transit, ferries, or local shuttles is entirely possible.

If your holiday plans take you beyond the city, getting around may take a little more planning. Scenic drives, small coastal towns, and national parks are all virtually inaccessible without your own car. While going car-free is fine when you’re sticking within walking distance of the city center, venturing to areas without good public transportation means you need an alternative way to get around.

If you want all the convenience of owning a car with none of the commitment, a long-term car rental is a good fit. Stay longer, venture off the beaten track, maximize your PTO, and potentially score a discount for extended bookings.

Couple enjoying a holiday getaway with a rental SUV parked nearby. — No car payments, no crowded buses, no rushing to catch the last train. Just you, your favorite travel companion, and the freedom to discover places beyond the reach of public transit.

Holiday travel options without a car: How they compare

Several ways to get around without owning a car exist from public transportation to ridesharing. Here’s how the most common transportation alternatives stack up.

Option	Cost	Flexibility	Range	Commitment	Best for
Long-term rental on Turo	$$ per month	High	Excellent	None (flexible terms)	Longer vacations, multi-stop trips, extended stays
Public transportation	$	Low (fixed routes and schedules)	Mostly within cities	None	Dense cities with good transit
Ridesharing	$$–$$$ (adds up fast over a week)	Medium	Local trips; harder in rural areas	None	Short hops, airport trips
Traditional car rental	$$–$$$ (varies a lot by season and location)	Medium (set pickup counters and hours)	Good	Short-term	Quick trips of a few days
Car lease	$$ per month plus upfront costs	High	Excellent	Multi-year	Daily drivers long term

A monthly rental is the most flexible option above, and it suits the widest range of holiday travel scenarios, from a week in one city to a month-long loop through several states. The other options still have their moments, though. Here’s how they pair with a Turo rental car, depending on the kind of trip you’re planning:

A quick getaway (a weekend or a few days): Rent a car on Turo for just the days you need. Some cars can be delivered to airports, train stations, and hotels, so you can skip the rental counter entirely and get straight into enjoying your holiday. Ridesharing works well for the airport leg if you land late, and you need to pick up your car the next morning.
A week in one big city: You may not need a car every day. Use public transportation while you’re based downtown, then book a car on Turo for the days you want to head out to a national park, a coastal town, or somewhere the train doesn’t go. That way you’re not paying for a car that’s sitting in a parking garage.
A multi-stop regional trip: This is where having your own car really pays off. Drive from city to city, stop at roadside viewpoints and small towns, and skip the stress of working around bus and train schedules. Use ridesharing for a night out in the city where you’d rather not drive or park.
An extended holiday vacation (several weeks or a month or more): A monthly rental on Turo is built for this. You get one monthly price, no loan, no lease, and no long-term commitment, and you can use transit or ridesharing around town whenever it’s easier. Browse long-term rentals on Turo to see what’s available where you’re headed.
Peak holiday weeks: Traditional rental counters can fill up quickly, and prices can climb around busy holiday weekends. With Turo, you can compare specific cars and book early, and use public transportation or ridesharing as your backup if plans change.

Why a long-term rental works for holiday travel

A monthly rental on Turo gives you everything you’d want from your own car on vacation, without the long-term commitment or high costs of ownership. These rentals are built for longer trips, like a few weeks exploring a region or a month-long holiday stay, when daily rates and ride fares add up quickly. Here’s why:

Pick the exact car you’ll drive: You choose the make and model, so you can match the car to your plans. Go with a compact for city days and the one-off day trip, an SUV for a family with luggage, or a convertible for a coastal drive. What you see in the listing is the car you get, with no “similar” car swaps or crowded rental desks to navigate.
One affordable monthly price: Instead of watching daily rates stack up, you plan around a single monthly price. It’s easier to budget for, and you don’t have to count the cost of every drive. Plus, many cars on Turo offer discounted pricing for extended trips of one month or more, lowering the cost of your holiday travel, too.
Flexible terms: Holiday plans can change, and you want the flexibility to be spontaneous, too. With Turo, you can easily request to extend your trip in the app if you are venturing to a new city or sticking around until after New Year’s.
Pickup and delivery options: Plenty of cars on Turo can be delivered to you, whether that’s the airport, train station, or your hotel. Simply filter by your preferred pickup location to see what cars are available for delivery.

Turo host standing beside multiple car rentals available for holiday road trips and getaways. — Beach towels or snow boots? From Hawaii’s sun-drenched shores to Colorado’s powdery slopes, Turo hosts across the US have a car to match holiday plans. Pick your ride and chase the season your way.

Find your holiday ride

Explore a whole region, not just one spot, with a rental car

With your own rental car, a holiday vacation isn’t limited to one destination. In fact, you can build a route that fits in visiting relatives, sightseeing in a new city, and a winter escape to the slopes.

The holiday season is when this really pays off. Thanksgiving gives you a long weekend. Christmas and New Year’s often stretch into a week or two off work, and school’s out, too. That’s enough time to go beyond the usual spot and turn one trip into a longer vacation. A few ways people do it:

Thanksgiving: Catch the parade in New York, then add a couple of days upstate or down the coast. Or head south for a warm-weather break in Florida or Arizona.
Christmas: Hit the holiday lights in a big city, then keep going. Families often pair a theme park like Walt Disney World with beach days along the Florida coast.
Ski trips: Winter break is prime time for the slopes. Base yourself at a resort like Winter Park, Keystone, or Copper Mountain, or head to Big Bear for a quick mountain escape. Then add a couple of stops on the way there or back.
New Year’s: Ring it in on the Las Vegas Strip, then spend the first days of the year driving to the Grand Canyon or Sedona while the crowds are thinner.

Renting a car also takes the pressure off. Holiday weeks mean packed trains, crowded buses, and long waits for rideshares. For a ski trip, it means you’re not hauling skis and boots onto public transportation. With your own car, a viewpoint, a small-town diner, or a last-minute detour is just a turn of the wheel away.

Camper van on a scenic holiday road trip through the mountains. — Thanksgiving in the city, Christmas in the mountains, or New Year’s on the open road. From roomy minivans to comfortable sedans, find the right car on Turo for your crew, your plans, and every stop.

Tip from the writer: For a ski trip, look for a car with a roof rack or plenty of cargo space, and pick one with all-wheel drive for extra traction on snowy roads. Our guides to the best car for ski trips and best cars for ski season will help you narrow down your options.

The best car for your holiday itinerary

The right car depends on where you’re headed, who’s coming along, and how much gear you’re bringing. Here are six holiday road trips, with the kind of car that suits each one.

Southwest national parks loop: Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Sedona

Recommended car type: Midsize SUV or crossover
Recommended vehicles: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5
Car features that matter: Comfortable seats for long highway stretches, strong fuel economy, room for luggage and hiking gear
Where to visit: Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona Red Rock Country

Distances out here are big, and the best views are spread out. With a car, you can catch sunrise and sunset at the overlooks instead of working around tour schedules. Fill up and stock snacks before the remote stretches. Our Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip guide maps out the route.

California coast: San Francisco to Los Angeles

Recommended car type: Convertible or EV
Recommended vehicles: Ford Mustang convertible, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Tesla Model 3
Car features that matter: Roof-down coastal views, comfortable handling on winding roads, fast-charging access if you go electric, a compact trunk (so pack light)
Where to visit: Golden Gate Bridge, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Hollywood Sign

Half the fun is the pull-offs between the big stops, and you can’t reach those by train. Browse sports cars for the Mustang or Miata. If you’re driving an EV, map your charging stops ahead of time. See our San Francisco to Los Angeles drive and Pacific Coast Highway road trip guides.

Convertivble rental in California, US on Turo. — Top down, favorite playlist on, and your best friends singing gloriously off-key. Book a convertible on Turo, follow Big Sur’s winding coastline, and collect memories you’ll laugh about for years.

Florida theme parks and the Space Coast: Orlando and beyond

Recommended car type: Three-row family vehicle
Recommended vehicles: Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival
Car features that matter: Seats for the whole group, easy access for kids, space for strollers and park bags
Where to visit: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Kennedy Space Center

The parks are spread out, and the Space Coast is roughly an hour east of Orlando. A car means no waiting on shuttles with kids and luggage. Heading in from the south? Our Miami to Orlando drive guide has you covered.

Southern music trail: Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans

Recommended car type: Midsize sedan
Recommended vehicles: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord Hybrid
Car features that matter: Smooth highway ride, good mileage, easy parking in city centers
Where to visit: Nashville’s Broadway, Graceland, Beale Street, the French Quarter

Long highway days link three music cities, and the best barbecue is often in a small town between them. A car lets you stop easily. Start with our Memphis to Nashville road trip guide.

Rockies and ski country in winter

Recommended car type: AWD SUV or crossover
Recommended vehicles: Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4
Car features that matter: AWD for added traction on snowy roads, a roof rack or cargo space for ski gear, heated seats (check each listing for details)
Where to visit: Winter Park, Keystone, Vail, Aspen, Lake Tahoe

Mountain towns are far apart, and ski days start early. With your own car, you set the schedule and keep your gear in the trunk instead of on a bus. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive and best car for ski trips guides.

Winter-ready SUV rental in Utah, US on Turo. — First time renting on Turo? Find your winter-ready ride with filters for AWD, heated seats, and ski racks. Explore hotel delivery options, skip the extra hassle, and head straight for the slopes.

Northern Plains and the Black Hills

Recommended car type: Full-size or three-row SUV
Recommended vehicles: Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Highlander
Car features that matter: Three rows of seating, long-haul comfort, plenty of cargo room
Where to visit: Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park

Attractions here sit along miles of open highway, and public transportation barely reaches them. A comfortable SUV makes it an easy, scenic loop.

How to book a long-term rental for your trip

Ready to maximize the holidays without owning a car? Here’s how to rent a car for a month (or more) on Turo:

Search by month: Enter your travel dates to see monthly car rental options near you.
Set your preferred pickup location: Enter the airport you’re flying into, the name of your hotel, or a custom address to find cars available for delivery.
Filter by car model and features: Narrow down your search by filtering for specific vehicle types, car brands, or features that matter (from child seats to ski racks).
Book the exact car you want: From SUVs to EVs and more, the exact car you book is the car you’ll drive.
Drive on your terms: Pay monthly and extend, swap, or cancel if plans change.

Booking a monthly car rental on Turo using a laptop to choose a car for an extended holiday trip. — A month of adventures deserves more than a mystery rental. Choose your preferred make, model, and trim on Turo, explore discounts on extended bookings, and make every mile part of the adventure.

Explore monthly rentals

Tips for holiday travel without owning a car

A little planning goes a long way when you’re traveling over the holidays without a car of your own. These tips keep things smooth, particularly when renting a car for the holiday season on Turo:

Book early: Holiday weekends, spring break, and other peak weeks fill up fast. For Thanksgiving, aim for 4-8 weeks ahead. For Christmas and New Year’s, book 3-4 months out. Our guide on how far in advance to book a rental car for the holidays has the full breakdown. Some cars on Turo can be delivered to an airport, train station or hotel, which is one less thing to organize.
Plan fuel or charging: Map your stops ahead of time for long stretches, especially in rural areas.
Check parking: Hotels in big cities may charge for it. Ask before you book your accommodations.
Pack light: It’s easier on any mode of transportation, from a crowded airport to a packed train.
Keep a backup plan: Transit delays and cancellations happen, so have a plan B ready.
Use maps and transit apps: They’re especially helpful in cities where you’ll mix driving with public transportation. Download offline maps for your route too.

Family planning a holiday road trip in a Turo rental using a phone and road map. — Traveling with kids? Book your car early, download offline maps and plan rest stops before hitting the road. A little preparation means fewer surprises and more time for holiday fun.

Frequently asked questions

Can you travel without a car in the US?

Yes you can travel throughout the US without a vehicle, especially in dense cities with strong public transportation. Places like Washington, D.C., New York City, and Seattle are easy to explore on foot or by transit. Once you want national parks, scenic drives or small towns, a car makes things much simpler.

What’s the best way to get around on vacation without a car?

It depends on your trip. Public transportation and ridesharing work well inside a city. For a trip that covers a region, a rental gives you the most freedom. Many travelers mix the two: transit for city days, a car for day trips.

Is it cheaper to rent a car or use public transportation on vacation?

In a dense city, public transportation is usually cheaper and a good way to save money on vacation. Across a region, a rental car can come out ahead once you add up rides, tours, and transfers. Parking in big cities can cost extra, so ask your hotel if there’s a lot you can park in before you book.

How do I get around without a car at the holidays?

You can use public transit, ridesharing, taxis, or a rental car, depending on where you’re going. Walking may cover nearby plans, while booking a car for part of your trip can help you reach family or destinations farther away. Check holiday transit schedules before heading out, since service may be reduced.

Your trip, your pace

Holiday travel without owning a car doesn’t mean sticking to one spot. Public transportation and ridesharing work well in the city, but the moment you want to get out town, a rental car opens up the trip. You choose the route, the stops and the schedule.

Whether you need a car for a long weekend or a monthly rental for a longer vacation, Turo makes it easy. Browse monthly and long-term rentals, pick the exact car you want, and head out on your own terms.

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Lucinda Starr

Lucinda Starr is a travel and automotive writer with 5+ years of firsthand experience road-tripping across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. She writes road trip guides for Turo, drawing on her experience behind the wheel to share practical insights on long-distance drives, destinations, and vehicles. Her travels have taken her across Australia’s East Coast, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, and both islands of New Zealand. One of her most memorable journeys was an 11-day, 2,600+ km route from Auckland to Punakaiki and Queenstown. Lucinda has a particular passion for classic, rugged 4WD vehicles and the freedom they bring to exploring new places.

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