Newport Trip--Transit from Boston? Uber vs Rental Car vs other?
 

Just booking in a last minute trip to Newport, Rhode Island. I'm keen on the HBO Series _The Gilded Age_ and want to tour some mansions and explore the city a bit. From what I've read, I really won't need a car while there, so today I booked one of the newer hotels downtown. At that point, I thought there was still a direct bus from Boston Logon to Newport, but it seems there isn't. I fly in and arrive late morning, so I think Uber may be my best bet to get into Newport and to the hotel. It seems like it would be between 100 and 200 dollars. At this point I almost regret not booking a cheaper hotel with free parking and just renting a car.

Should I rethink and just rent a car to have around Newport? How would you recommend getting to and from Boston Logan?

Well, you can at least get to Providence, which should decrease your Uber fare. Take the T from the airport one of the MBTA stations which serve Providence, or to the bus depot. Sorry I can't be more specific. Enjoy Newport!

I would rent a car. Cannot imagine Uber to be cheaper to go to/from
Newport

You can also take Amtrak from Boston to Providence and either rent a car there or look into a bus from Providence to Newport or Uber but if you rent a car at Logan it is less transfers and you have the freedom to make stops along the way.

You will be worn out upon arrival at Logan so go ahead and splurge on an Uber ($159 ow).

I would try to fly into Providence, barring that go ahead and rent a car. I’m not sure Newport is that walkable anyway, I remember driving a bit.

OP FOLLOWUP HERE:
Thanks for all the advice! I ended up renting a car and was glad I did. Renting the car (rental fees) was less than the two Uber fares would have been, but then I also paid for gas and some parking along the way. I stayed near the wharfs in Newport since I was not originally planning on renting a car--parking was $45 per night at the hotel. If I had it to do over, I would have booked a hotel with free parking--either at an inn in Newport or more likely one of the hotels just on Newport's edge in Middletown (Hampton Inn, Residence Inn, Holiday Inn Express).

There is the trolley that runs around Newport but it's still pretty early in the season and I was there midweek. To be honest, I didn't really see the trolley around that much. But since I had the car, I also didn't pay that much attention. The drive from Boston to Newport and back was an easy 90 minutes or so. I was there during early shoulder season and midweek, so there was actually a lot of free street parking available around Newport and lots of empty lots of paid parking. Even the CVS has a gated lot (free parking with validation from the stores) but you still could easily park on the street across from it as well. The mansions all had free parking on their grounds or across the street.

It maybe different a different story during the high season or on weekends, but for early May (midweek), I was happy to have a car. There were also Avis and Hertz in town which maybe one could rent and return on your arrival and departure dates if you didn't want a car during your time in Newport.

Thanks of the followup! I was unsure how to respond or help. But I would have suggested a car rental to more easily arrive and explore the area.
How did you like the mansions?

The mansions were awesome! So fun to see all the extravagance and see where some of the scenes from the show (_The Gilded Age_) were filmed. It was a great time to go as well--there were still some spring bulbs up and the grounds were nice (though probably not as nice as peak summer or peak bulb season). There were also not crowds in any of the mansions either. I went early in the day and midweek and didn't have trouble seeing anything I wanted. When I walked through Marble House on a Wednesday shortly after opening, I was pretty much the only person in each room.

I liked the audio tours for the mansions--they provided great context and also weren't overly long. (45-60 minutes). In each room, there was also the option to listen to more in depth stories or descriptions if one wanted too. You need have your own smartphone and earbuds/headphones. I didn't have headphones, but I stopped at the CVS in town when I arrived in down to pick some up (they did need to charge a little, so keep that in mind). The Servant tour at The Elms was interesting (you get to on the roof and see the third floor areas). I also did the Third Floor tour at The Breakers where the Vanderbilt Family lived after opening up the place to the public and the Beneath the Breakers tour were you see the electrical system, heating systems, etc.

Thanks

Ill have to do that servants tour. My grandmother worked in one of the minor mansions in the kitchen. Funny because she was a terrible cook.

Newport is certainly and beautiful and special place and I’m happy you found your way there. FYI - many of the scenes from the Gilded Age were filmed in both Albany and Troy, NY.

Thanks for coming back and telling how the trip went. It sounds like you had a great time.

Newport Trip--Transit from Boston? Uber vs Rental Car vs other?
 

Sounds like a great trip — The Gilded Age definitely put Newport back on the map!

Since you're staying downtown and plan to explore mostly local sights, you're right: you probably won’t need a car in Newport itself. Parking can be tricky and expensive around the mansions and waterfront, so you’re better off without one unless you plan to explore nearby towns.

For the Boston Logan to Newport leg, Uber or Lyft is probably the easiest last-minute option, though $100–$200 sounds about right depending on demand. Another option is taking a bus or train to Providence, then a local ride (Uber, rental, or bus) to Newport — a bit more effort but usually cheaper.

Unless you're planning side trips, I’d skip the rental. But if you ever plan a trip to places like Dallas, a limo service in Dallas can offer the comfort of Uber with more predictable pricing — something to consider for future travels!

Hope you enjoy Newport!

Amazing how many people (bots?) are so eager to answer the question they don't bother to read the thread.