The Best Way to Rent Cars in NYC (and Everywhere!)

My kids have always loved rental cars. (Toby has even made photo books!) Through the years, we have tried out all the different agencies around the country, and Turo has become, far and away, our #1 pick for renting cars.

Anton spotting the Camaro convertible we rented.

Turo is the world’s largest car-sharing marketplace — basically, the Airbnb of cars — where you rent from trusted people across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. We’ve had amazing experiences renting Turo cars all around the country, including a Mustang convertible in Atlanta, a Mini in L.A., and a BMW in Michigan.

So, I’m thrilled to announce that Turo is entering New York and available for New Yorkers for the first time in seven years! If you’re taking a trip or just need a car for knocking around, you can find a bunch of great options.

Looking cool, nbd.

Turo offers all different vehicles: electric, pet-friendly, family-friendly, convertible, vans, you name it. If you want a special treat, they also have adventurous cars like Jeeps and luxurious models like Porsches. Turo’s mission is “to put the world’s 1.5 billion cars to better use,” and they’re available in 7,500+ cities with 1300+ makes and models.

Our family uses Turo exclusively these days because they feel so much more trustworthy and enjoyable than traditional rental agencies. Over the past few years, the old-school agencies have been… sort of horrifying? On a trip to see my sister in San Francisco, Dollar had overbooked and couldn’t give us a car (any car!), even though we had a reservation. When we visited relatives in Atlanta, our Hertz rental car made a grinding sound that freaked us out. On a trip to Austin, there was pee on the seats.

But Turo has continually saved the day for us, and we’ve had nothing but amazing experiences with their cars and hosts.

It’s also a joy to rent from warm, friendly, trusted people. You can read reviews of cars and hosts, and hosts can read reviews of you as a driver, so everyone feels good. If you’re interested in becoming a host, you can read more here. It’s an awesome way for folks to be entrepreneurial — $10,516 is the average annual income generated by one car.

Check out all the Turo cars here. Have you tried them yet? Our family can’t recommend them more highly! xoxo

Good news: To celebrate their New York launch, Turo is offering perks for the perfect New York getaway on July weekends. When you book the New York Beach Collection, you can get a beach-ready car for $25 per day, packed with a cooler, sunscreen and beach chairs. You’ll also receive complimentary stays at Ruschmeyers Hotel and special experiences, like wine tasting and boat trips. Find more info here.

(Photos by Christine Han for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Turo, a car sharing marketplace that our family has used and loved for years. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)