Zipcar is one of the world’s largest car-sharing services and has hundreds of hubs around the globe.
In this review, we share our experience of using Zipcar looking at features, pricing, and website ease of use.
Table of contents
Review Summary
| Website | zipcar.com |
| Vehicles | 7000+ |
| Price | $11/hour or $83/day |
| Free Trial | No |
Get £30 Free Driving Credit at Zipcar our exclusive Zipcar discount code. Drive any car you like, whenever you like. Just pay for the time you need and they take care of the rest. 🙌
What is Zipcar?
Zipcar is a membership-based car-sharing service. Basically, the way it works is that you sign up for Zipcar and get access to various cars parked throughout your city.
When you need to go somewhere, you reserve the car online and then pick it up at one when your reservation starts. You don’t own the vehicle; you just rent it by the hour or day through the app.
It’s convenient because there are plenty of Zipcars nearby, and they’re easy to book, but it also comes with some drawbacks: availability can be limited, especially during peak hours, and the service isn’t available in many small towns.
The bottom line? Using Zipcar is a convenient way to rent vehicles, especially when you only need the vehicle for a few hours or a couple of days.
Who Can Use Zipcar?
Zipcar is available in over 1,500 cities and towns across a number of countries, including:
| United States | Canada |
| United Kingdom | Spain |
| Germany | Austria |
| Netherlands | Belgium |
You do not need to be a member of Zipcar to use one of their cars for a short-term rental (as long as you have completed all of the required steps to sign up as a driver on the platform).
There are a few additional requirements:
- Drivers must be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have a good driving record
How It Works
Once you’ve signed up, finding a car is simple. Just log into the app, tap on your location and choose from the cars available in your area; you can then view a more detailed list of the vehicles and their condition before renting one.
You’ll be able to see things like how many miles the vehicle has, how many previous drivers have rented the vehicle, and whether or not it has been involved in any accidents. You can also read reviews left by previous users about each car to get an idea of what to expect when driving it yourself.
Once you select a vehicle, simply input your key fob into its designated slot; this will unlock the doors and allow you to start the vehicle. When returning the car at the end of your trip, simply drop it off where you picked it up from.
Also, you should make sure to restore the gas to where it was when you picked up the car. However, if you sign up for one of the Zipcar membership options, your gas consumption is included in the cost of the vehicle rental.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Sign up for the service on the Zipcar website
- Select the vehicle you want to rent
- Pick up the vehicle
- Drive the vehicle
- Return the vehicle
Zipcar Features
Zipcar offers a number of great features and benefits that make the service both convenient and affordable for drivers who need a short-term vehicle rental. Some of the best features are described in more detail below.
1. Large Selection of Vehicles
Zipcar has a large selection of vehicles: cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. If you need something big for moving or large groups of people, Zipcar has it. Its fleet includes over 7,000 vehicles in the US, Canada, and around the world.
2. Insurance is Included
Zipcar insurance is included in your rental, so you can use the car without worrying about insurance. Zipcars are covered by a $1 million policy that covers physical damage, theft of the vehicle, and injuries. If you sign up for one of the Zipcar memberships, then you’ll get even more insurance when you rent a vehicle.
3. 24/7 Roadside Assistance
Zipcar’s roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have an emergency or problem with the vehicle, Zipcar will provide you with a towing service as well as other services such as fuel delivery and flat tire change at no additional cost to you.
4. Affordable Membership Rates
You don’t need to pay for a Zipcar membership if you don’t want to, but if you plan to use the service often, then Zipcar offers a variety of affordable membership options that include additional features and benefits. So, regardless of your budget, you’ll be able to find a membership plan that’s right for you based on your needs and preferences.
5. Gas is Included for Members
When you sign up for one of Zipcar’s affordable memberships, you won’t need to worry about paying for gas or refueling the vehicle before returning it. Just drop it off with enough fuel to get the car to a gas station, and Zipcar will refuel the vehicle before the next driver picks it up.
How Much Does Zipcar Cost?
Firstly, the exact cost of Zipcar varies from city to city, but generally speaking, the service is quite affordable. For example, in the US, average rates range from around $11/hour for an economy vehicle, $12/hour for an SUV, and $17/hour for a luxury vehicle.
Also, you can save money by booking the car for 3 hours rather than a single hour, which makes the service even more cost-effective for those who need to make multiple stops.
Below is a table that shows the average cost of a Zipcar rental in various cities across the United States.
| Vehicle Class | 1 Hour | 1 Day | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $11 | $83 | $165 |
| SUV | $12 | $88 | $175 |
| Luxury | $17 | $133 | $268 |
Keep in mind that these rates are subject to change during peak times and may also be different in other countries.
Zipcar Review: Worth it or Not?
Overall, Zipcar is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable and flexible car rental. If you only need to rent a car for a few hours or for the weekend, then Zipcar may be the perfect choice for you!
It also may be worth considering as an alternative to owning your own vehicle if you don’t drive very often or would prefer to save money on gas.
With its many benefits, such as low-cost membership, a large selection of vehicles, and 24/7 roadside assistance included with every rental, Zipcar makes getting around town much more convenient than traditional car rental services.
Check out their website today and start saving!
Zipcar FAQ
Yes, in most cases, mileage is included with your Zipcar trip. There’s never a limit on how far you can drive your Zipcar, but there is a limit on how many of those miles are covered for free.
Most trips in the US come with 180 miles included per 24-hour period, with 20 additional miles for each additional hour (until 180 miles is reached). All additional mileage will be billed at $0.58/mile upon completion of your trip.
Most trips in Canada come with 200 km included per 24-hour period, with 15 additional km for each additional hour (until 200 km is reached). All additional mileage will be billed at $0.50/km upon completion of your trip.
Yes! Every Zipcar has a fuel card in the visor above the driver’s seat that can be used when purchasing fuel.
Keep in mind, Zipcar is a car sharing community. Please return your Zipcar with at least 1/4 tank of gas at the end of your trip, no matter how much it had at the start.
As long as any changes to your trip are made with enough advance notice, no additional charges or fees will be applied, and you will receive a refund for the change or cancellation.
To ensure you receive the full refund amount, be sure to modify your booking within the following timeframes:
– Within 30 minutes of creating a trip
– Up to 3 hours before the start time (for trips less than 8 hours in length)
– At least 24 hours in advance (for trips greater than 8 hours in length)
Cancellations or shortened bookings made outside of the above timeframes will be ineligible for a refund.
