One of the fastest growing travel-specific industries of the past 10 years has been the rental car industry. The reason why is obvious - it's not just becoming more affordable and available to those with a tighter budget, but more people are seeking to expand their horizons while on a trip abroad. Having a rental car will not only allow you to avoid potentially confusing, dangerous, or pricey public transportation, but also opens up the possibility of features of the area surrounding your specific destination. Imagine being able to make trips to the surrounding area, stopping at any motel of your choice, or lunch at any place that suits your fancy. Despite trains being available for medium to long distance travel, train tickets may be more expensive when groups are considered, and don't allow you to stop along the way. When you compare car rental prices, it's easy to find a vehicle suitable for your budget and needs, and the advantages are numerous.

Enterprise and Hertz are typically at the top for a weekend rental discount (usually considered as a Friday-Monday rental), while others may be better for week-long rentals. As you compare car rental agencies, you'll see they each have distinct differences that you should consider. There are usually never reservation or cancellation fees, so (after double checking) don't be afraid to make a reservation and keep shopping around for something cheaper. If there's someone over 25 in your group, they should rent the car as there's usually a daily surcharge on those 21-24. Additionally, don't be scared to take public transportation into town to find an inner city rental agency - airport agencies will usually charge more per day on average due to the convenience factor.

Here's an awesome site for tips, tricks, and even a comparison tool to compare car rental prices.