Parking in Boston
 

I'm planning on taking a trip to Boston and Rhode Island. I will be flying into Rhode Island and getting a rental car then driving to Boston. I understand a car is not neccessary for DT Boston. Where would I park my car other than the hotel? Only staying one to two nights.

Thank you

Where is your hotel? There are several parking garages scattered about that will save you a little money over the usual parking fees charged at hotels. It'll still be more than you will like though!

Often you can self-park at the same hotel the garage uses for much less.

If you'll be staying over a weekend, parking is cheaper in the financial district. In fact, you can park there for an entire weekend for less than one night in the hotel garage.

I haven't picked a hotel. Was planning on using Price Line.com.
Now I'm thinking about changing my plans and flying into Boston and sight see there without a car. Then go pick up the car after two days and head to Rhode Island.

Stay at the Midtown Hotel on Huntington St. Decent accommodations that can be had for about $89 a night (check expedia, etc.), in a great location, and they offer FREE PARKING.

Starting in Boston is a great plan.

You may be able to stay at the Midtown for $89 in January - but not October when rates are $169 (Expedia, Hotels.com) or $239 (at the Midtown's own website).

Why not just take the Bonanza bus from the airport to Boston's South Station for $19 or $34 round-trip. 14 trips daily. Travel time ~ 1.5 hours.
http://www.bonanzabus.com/greenma.htm#Boston

The best thing to do would be to take the commuter rail from Providence to Boston. The cost is $7 and it takes about 50 minutes. Once in Boston, the commuter rail stops at several stations that link to subways and are also central, you may be able to walk to your hotel from the commuter rail stop, "Back Bay" for example. The website for the commuter rail is www.mbta.com

Public buses run between T.F. Green airport in Warwick (where you'll be flying into)and Kennedy Plaza in Providence (about a 15 minute ride.) Bus lines 12 and 66 run to/from T.F. Green frequently. Website for the bus schedules is http://www.ripta.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/625 You can walk across the street to the commuter rail.

The commuter rail is much more convenient than Bonanza, more comfortable and much cheaper.

I thought of suggesting the MBTA Rail as "worldexplorer" suggested, but thought the frequency of the trains too limited, plus having to change from city bus to train... but they you'd very likely be changing from Bonanza bus to subway too! Do either, but don't rent a car if you have no suburban visits to make, it would be a waste of time and effort.

I just stayed at the Midtown Hotel for $94 a night last weekend.

tmt, it's not clear to me exactly what you're planning to use your rental car for. You don't need it to travel between Boston and Providence, nor as a tourist IN either city. As other posters have indicated, if you don't have places to go that aren't accessible by public transport, then the car will be a nuisance, not an asset.