discussion

We are flying into Denver and out of Rapid city last 2 weeks of August. We will visit Tetons, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore on the way. Flights and accomodation are all booked months ago and can't be changed. We haven't organised car hire yet and are aghast at the prices. National are quoting $1563 for bottom of the range economy car for 15 days. A full size is nearly $2,000. Our problem seems to be:

1. Rapid City is a minor car rental depot and not all the companies will let you drop off there so it redces our options
2. Costs will always be a little higher because we drop off to a different location.
3. It's August so high season.

We had sort of *naively* expected to pay ca. $750 for the 2 weeks so this is coming as a major shock.

Are now wondering could we rent a car in Denver for a few days when we are there. Catch a bus to Jackson Hole- looking out at the scenery going by. Pick up a rental car for a week to do the Tetons and Yellowstone, drop it back, either to Jackson Hotel/Bozeman or W.Yellowstone, then catch a bus to Rapid City where we could pick up another rental car for the few days we are there. Overall the amount of rental days is the same but we would eliminate one way rental costs and it might be cheaper as we can take advantage of small (cheaper) local companies and hopefully special deals.

However, can't seem to find bus services to go where we want to!

Other posters mentioned that it is prudent in the mountains to have a decent car so we can't do without, but we really can't afford that sort of cost. (we rented a Mercedes in Germany last week for 8 days for $150 and an upgrade coupon with Avis so really expected car-friendly America not to be so expensive)

Can anyone recommend any rental companies that could help or any suggestions to reduce cost? Thanks to you all for your suggestions!

discussion

Forgot to mention there will just be 2 of us travelling.

maryann

I had that problem when I was trying to find a car from Tucson to Vancouver for 3 weeks.

Only Avis would let me drop in Vancouver,the next time I checked for prices, they said 'no'.

I then put in our trip in 2 segments, Tucson to Las Vegas (1 week) then Las Vegas to Vancouver (2 weeks) and it was accepted.

Total cost for both rentals , about $1000, for an intermediate car.

Try Denver to Jackson - Then Jackson to Rapid City (2 different transactions), you might get lucky.

mrwunrfl

For the bus options, go to greyhound.com and click on the Travel Planning link and view the route maps.

Looks like you can get a bus from Denver to Buffalo, WY. Rent a car in Buffalo and drive west. Return the car to Buffalo and take the bus to Rapid City.

There is an Avis location at the Sheridan County airport (according to avis.com).

discussion

Hi, thanks for this. The problem with Greyhound was that it didn't take us all the way, we could start but then we'd be deposited in the middle of Wyoming- Thermopolis after a 12 hr ride- and not at the final destination: YNP, Tetons.