Southwest location without the rental car
Jun 1, 2021, 9:09 am
#17
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,625
So this is kinda crazy question, I was planning a trip to BOS - PWM in July. Because of the crazy rental car price, I'm looking to go somewhere else. I need some SW location suggestions that does not require a rental car. Any help? (Beside Chicago, DC, and NYC)
Thanks
Thanks
Jun 1, 2021, 11:28 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 703
Stay away from Houston, TX. Metro bus/rail very limited. Uber and Lyft only (convenient) option to get from Hobby (SWA), which is closer to downtown than IAH.
Jun 1, 2021, 12:43 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC, WN RR, National Exec, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,057
A few years ago when I had a Companion Pass I looked to put a tour together of 5-6 cities that I could group together and do WN flights to and forgo a rental. Never got to do it but I do think it would be fun.
Jun 1, 2021, 12:48 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,738
I wouldn't call MIA/FLL convenient, but its doable for a short trip where you just want to sit on the beach at a nearby hotel. In some ways, especially in MIA, a car is a pain with parking, etc. Thanks for the tips re: Denver. It'd be a short trip so I can probably pick and choose things that are conveniently located. I also have a friend in the area, so I think a lot of us are leaning on friends around the country until rental car prices return back to normal!
Parts of KC could be done
San Antonio and austin has parts you can do on a weekrnd trip without car.
you could fly to Phoenix and do some neighborhoods like old Scottsdale or ASU area in Tempe.
Jun 1, 2021, 12:50 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,738
Jun 1, 2021, 1:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,955
Two of the biggest attractions (Road to Hana and Haleakala) pretty much require your own car or and expensive tour. Maui is a beautiful and expensive island that meant to be explored. I have no idea why someone would go all that way and spend all that money and not get a car. If we are saying you don't need a car for Maui, then by that standard, you don't need a car for pretty much every city in the Southwest Network.
Jun 1, 2021, 1:37 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,075
Fort Lauderdale has a High Speed Rail. In First class you pay $60 to Miami with Alcoholic Drinks and snacks as well as a lounge. Spend a few days in South Beach and you can take the train to Orlando and fly home from there.
Jun 1, 2021, 1:38 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,075
Two of the biggest attractions (Road to Hana and Haleakala) pretty much require your own car or and expensive tour. Maui is a beautiful and expensive island that meant to be explored. I have no idea why someone would go all that way and spend all that money and not get a car. If we are saying you don't need a car for Maui, then by that standard, you don't need a car for pretty much every city in the Southwest Network.
Jun 1, 2021, 3:11 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,223
Jun 1, 2021, 4:49 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,211
Keep in mind that something potentially holding back the idea of an "urban summer" is that cities with a strong mass transit system were also the same places with strict, prolonged covid closures. Whereas spread-out red and purple states opened quickly, or never really closed, most high density blue areas are only now cautiously, slowly, re-opening. Many attractions remain closed. Others are open with severe capacity restrictions. Some have implemented new timed ticket systems, which makes spontaneity during a vacation difficult.
There are many people who value serendipity and freedom to wander on a leisure trip. Hence outdoor / rural places are now having a renaissance, even if it means a rental car is practically required. Notice this is the first time in a very long while when there was no FL or AZ driveout, because this year, people are flocking to what would normally be considered hot, out of season, places. The interest in escaping noted previously is a big part of why.
There are many people who value serendipity and freedom to wander on a leisure trip. Hence outdoor / rural places are now having a renaissance, even if it means a rental car is practically required. Notice this is the first time in a very long while when there was no FL or AZ driveout, because this year, people are flocking to what would normally be considered hot, out of season, places. The interest in escaping noted previously is a big part of why.
Jun 1, 2021, 5:14 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
(I had a similar issue in NYC two weeks ago trying to get to JFK, but thankfully was able to use the Curb app to summon a cab.)
Jun 1, 2021, 5:25 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: Whoever Has the Best Bonus
Posts: 5,183
The rental car shortages does double into Uber shortages. I saw this problem in Vegas but at least that city is dense enough to have taxis available even if they are more expensive.
Will have to look into that FLL to South Beach train option. Been avoiding most of Florida due to the rental car apocalypse being particularly bad there.
Will have to look into that FLL to South Beach train option. Been avoiding most of Florida due to the rental car apocalypse being particularly bad there.
Jun 1, 2021, 11:02 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,285
If you're considering West Coast destinations:
- San Francisco is eminently walkable and has good transit options. BART gets you there from SFO and OAK.
- Portland is also very navigable with transit. Light rail connects from PDX to downtown, then downtown is very walkable.
- San Diego's light rail doesn't connect the airport, but if you're willing to take a short Lyft/Uber/taxi ride from the airport to downtown (it's just a few miles) you can then walk or use transit to many sites.
- Seattle's downtown is also a great place to see on foot/by transit, though it gets a minus for having a painfully slow transit connection from/to SEA airport.