Is Zipcar really worth it
William Taylor
Published Feb 20, 2026
Zipcar’s model really works best for short trips of an hour or two—where it doesn’t make sense to pay $35 or so for a car just to run errands. At less than $10 an hour (and without the hassle of dealing with gas), Zipcar’s a better choice for a quick outing—and even compares favorably to Uber and Lyft.
Can you use Zipcar without membership?
Other active Zipcar members can drive your Zipcar, but you must be in the car if you booked the trip. Non-members are strictly forbidden from driving your Zipcar. Learn more.
Is Zipcar expensive?
Zipcar costs $7 per month to join (or $70 annually), but you also pay on a per-use basis. For short trips, Zipcar costs around $9 per hour to rent. … That said, Zipcar is a bit more expensive than renting from a more traditional car rental company for longer trips. For shorter trips, you’ll pay an average of $9 per hour.
How do Zipcar rates work?
A car that costs $9 per hour will have a day rate of $74. An SUV that costs $10 per hour will cost you $80 for the day. Larger vehicles that cost $11 per hour will cost you $87 for the day. … Regardless of how many hours you need the car for, ZipCar allows you to drive up to 180 miles at no additional charge.Can you join Zipcar one month?
Zipcar memberships start at $7 a month or $70 a year. Reserve cars by the hour or by the day. Gas, insurance options,* and 180 miles per day are all included in membership.
What kind of cars are zipcars?
Zipcars come in all shapes and sizes—compact sedans, luxury SUVs, vans, and more. Switch it up whenever you feel like it.
Is Zipcar going out of business?
TypeSubsidiaryHeadquartersBoston, Massachusetts
Does Zipcar pay for gas?
We are happy to pay for gas, but we count on members to fuel the vehicles. Every Zipcar has a gas card in the visor above the driver’s seat that should be used when fueling the vehicle. Your Zipcar needs to be left with at least 1/4 tank of gas, no matter how much it had at the start of the reservation.Are there one way zipcars?
At Zipcar we offer two ways of getting around: Roundtrip and Flex. Roundtrip is our traditional service, used for pre-planned round trips, whilst Flex is our one way, drive and drop service.
Does Zipcar charge per mile?Zipcars in the United States All additional mileage will be billed at $0.58/mile when your reservation ends.
Article first time published onIs Zipcar more expensive on weekends?
Weekend reservations are more expensive than weekdays. You’ll find plenty of cars for $10/hr during the week.
How long can you use a Zipcar?
You can reserve a Zipcar for as little as one hour or as long as 14 days at a time. Reservations can be made in half-hour increments. When booking, keep in mind that your Zipcar is available for others to reserve before and after your reservation.
Is Zipcar the cheapest option?
Is it a cheaper option? If you need to run only a few errands around town for a few hours, Zipcar would be the better deal. But don’t overlook the service’s terms and conditions, including additional fees. For example, there’s a one-time $25 applicant fee.
Can you leave a Zipcar anywhere?
Your Zipcar should be returned to the home location in a Zipcar-branded parking space at the end of your trip. … You should never leave your Zipcar in another home location or anywhere outside of its designated location unless otherwise instructed. Check out what else is needed to end your reservation.
Is Turo a legit site?
Turo is a peer-to-peer service along the lines of Airbnb or Vrbo, but for vehicles. The website (also an app) allows you to connect with individual owners who set their own prices, and to some degree, their own terms and conditions.
What is similar to Zipcar?
- Car2go. App Store rating: 4.8/5. Google Play rating: 4.5/5. …
- Zipcar. App Store rating: 4.5/5. Google Play rating: 3.8/5. …
- GIG Car Share. App Store rating: 4.8/5. …
- HyreCar. App Store rating: 4.4/5. …
- Getaround. App Store rating: 4.8/5. …
- Turo. App Store rating: 4.8/5. …
- Enterprise CarShare. App Store rating: 4.8/5.
How long does it take to get Zipcar?
It typically takes 5-7 business days for the Zipcard to arrive. Until your Zipcard arrives, make sure to only book cars and trips where your cell phone has good connectivity.
How many zipcars are there in London?
The company has been operating in the UK for 15 years, first as start-up Streetcar and later as Zipcar UK. It now has 2,600 vehicles in the UK, while Zipcar Flex is now available in 10 London boroughs with more in the pipeline. Lewisham, for example, experienced 44% year-on-year growth and Wandsworth 38%.
Does Zipcar have GPS?
Zipcars are equipped with vehicle tracking and anti-theft technology that uses Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a network of satellites that allows us to determine the location (latitude and longitude) of Zipcars during your reservation. … This information is transmitted to Zipcar and stored.
Are all zipcars automatic?
We have both manual and automatic vehicles in Zipcar’s fleet. To get going you just: Manual – put key in the ignition, foot on the clutch, wiggle the steering wheel to remove the steering wheel lock, whilst at the same time turning the ignition.
Are zipcars owned by people?
Personally owned cars Every Zipcar takes 13 personally-owned vehicles off the road.
Does Zipcar have pickups?
Download the Zipcar app and you can sign up to search and reserve cargo vans nearby. If there are none available, you can usually find a pick up truck or SUV to help you bust a move.
How do I open a Zipcar account?
- Head to the Zipcar you reserved for your trip.
- When you are next to the car, tap the Unlock icon in the app’s Drive screen.
- Once the car unlocks, you are ready to begin your trip.
How far can you drive a Zipcar UK?
There is no mileage limit on reservations in our vehicles (both Roundtrip and Flex). Reservations include 60 free miles per day, with a day representing each 24-hour period of the booking.
How do I end my Zipcar trip?
- The keys have been returned to the holder in the glovebox.
- All personal belongings are to be taken with you (and any rubbish)
- Tap the ‘lock’ icon to lock the car.
- Press the ‘End Trip’ button to finish the reservation.
Does Zipcar have EZ Pass NYC?
Does this mean none of them have passes, or do all the zipcars in and around NYC have them? Hello, there! Most Zipcars will include a toll pass. Since our EZ-pass operates with a microchip, it will read both passes when you go under the electronic reader.
Can I use Zipcar gas card for another car?
Zipcar fuel cards may only be used to fuel Zipcar vehicles and may not be used for any other purpose. Members must ensure that they use the correct fuel when refueling the vehicle (gasoline or diesel).
Can I drive a Zipcar out of London?
You’ll find Flex cars all over London (and can see them with the blue pin in our app!). … Drive where you want to go, and when you’ve finished your trip there’s no need to return it to a specific bay, just make sure you leave it in our Zipzone which covers most of London. Easy!
How can I cancel my Zipcar late fee?
- Book your trip well in advance while the car still has plenty of availability.
- Take traffic into account and book enough time to complete your trip, refuel if below 1/4 tank, and clean out the car before ending your trip.
- If the car is available, extend your trip from the “drive” screen in the app.
Does Zipcar have cargo vans?
Through the Zipvan service, Zipcar offers Ford E-150 full size cargo vans with up-front seats and over 230 cubic feet of cargo space that allow members to transport items that are too bulky for ordinary vehicles.
Can you smoke in Zipcars?
There is no smoking allowed in Zipcars, as smoke or other strong scents can impact the health of other members. Pets are only allowed in Zipcars if they are kept in carriers, as pet hair can cause an allergic reaction for other members.