I would assume that if you’re traveling to Alaska, you’re going to want to rent a car. There is very poor public transportation around Alaska and, unless you plan on hitchhiking (which is a viable option), a car is very helpful. Also, having a car allows you to turn your Alaska trip into an Alaska camping/backpacking trip, which will save you tons of money on hotel or airbnb fees.
I am writing this guide specifically for Anchorage, although a lot of the tips apply to anywhere in Alaska. It’s just that most people will be picking up their rental car in Anchorage
The issue is that renting a car in Anchorage during the summer is also extremely expensive. There are so many tourists coming during the summer months and most have them have the same idea that you do. It’s not unusual that a friend reaches out to me and asks me how they can get a deal on a rental car. Sometimes, they also ask me if my parents would rent out their car to them 🙂 The answer is always no.
So, if you’re in a similar situation as my friends, or you’re a better planner than they are and you’re actually planning your trip ahead, here are the tips I tell people to get a good deal on a rental car.
What Kind Of Car Should I Rent?
Since it’s Alaska, you might be tempted to get an SUV or off-roading vehicle. In my opinion, this is super unnecessary. For the most part, roads are pretty well maintained and there’s not that many off-roading opportunities. Most of my Alaska adventures have been in the driver’s seat of a Prius. Generally, people get four wheel drive in Alaska because of the winter. Summer-time driving is pretty easy on the car.
You will also save money if you’re willing to get an economy car. Just make sure it has enough for all your camping gear.
When Is The Cheapest Summer-Time Month To Rent A Car?
I did some research and compared prices across the months I think count as “summer” in Alaska – June, July, August, early September. Here’s how prices compare:
Aaaaand, the reality is, that it doesn’t really matter. Prices seem pretty standard throughout the summer months.
How To Rent A Car Cheaply In Anchorage
1. Book Well in Advance for Summer Trips
If you’re not like me and actually possess the capacity to plan more than a month ahead, then get that summer rental car booked early—ideally by November or December if you’re looking to arrive in the summer. For example, at the time that I’m writing this in November, a two week booking in July for a sedan would cost me about $92 a day. Last minute, that would probably cost between $150-200. Comparatively, if I booked a car for two weeks for next month in December, it would cost me $40 / day. Good news for anyone looking at a winter visit.
Additional Tips
- I suggest checking out skyscanner.com to get an overview of pricing and availability. They tend to be a very solid aggregator of rental car deals. I am usually pretty comfortable booking through an alternative website (other than the official agency site), like Discover Cars. Skyscanner lets you compare across those third party booking sites and see reviews, so make sure to check those. Many have solid cancellation policies.
- Look for corporate, AAA, AARP, or military discounts, which can provide significant savings. Since Alaska has such a military presence, usually there are military discounts available.
- Avoid Airport Fees: If you’re flying into Anchorage, keep in mind that airport car rentals usually come with additional fees. However, at least at this point, I didn’t see any significant price difference between renting at the airport and renting in the city. But it’s worth confirming that.
At this point, about 7 months out, here’s how prices look for a compact car in July for two weeks:
2. Try Turo: The Airbnb of Car Rentals
Definitely check out Turo! Turo is like the airbnb of rental cars, allowing you to rent people’s personal vehicles. It usually comes out cheaper than traditional rental companies. As of now, for that two-weeks in July rental, Turo is about $300 cheaper than Alamo.
How to Do It:If you want to spend some more money, they have some fun cars available, like 4Runners, but these tend to run over $200 per day.
3. Check Craigslist for Used Cars to Rent or Buy
This is my favorite idea and it’s worked well for my friends in the past. If you’re in Anchorage for two or more weeks, consider purchasing or renting a car from Craigslist. You can always sell it after. Just be careful, as there are always risks with buying used cars.
I would also recommend reaching out to people and asking if they’d rent the car to you. Some friends of mine managed to rent a white van for a couple of weeks from a fisherman, who was out to sea during that time period.
How to Do It:
- Be cautious when meeting sellers and always request maintenance records and title history if you’re considering buying a vehicle.
- If renting from an individual, confirm the rental terms, ensure the car is insured, and take note of any issues with the vehicle.
4. Use Midnight Sun Car Rentals for Local Deals
Midnight Sun Car Rentals is a local Anchorage rental company and they generally have better rates, especially if you’re booking last minute. They’re also just much more pleasant to work with. For an economy car during the summer, their rates tend to be $120 / day or $750 per week. These are higher than what Skyscanner was showing us, but if you’re booking last minute, it’s probable these guys would be cheaper.
Conclusion
By planning ahead and exploring local rental options, you can save a significant amount on car rentals in Anchorage. I highly recommend booking from Turo, especially having just compared prices across the various options. If that doesn’t work and you’re going to be in Alaska for an extended period of time, I highly recommend looking at local Facebook and Craigslist listings to check about purchasing a used car.
Happy travels, and enjoy the adventure! Please feel free to reach out if you need any personal advice.
