Getting around Perth (more info) can mean covering quite a bit of ground, especially if you’re planning to visit several places in one day. A hybrid rental can be a handy option, giving you the freedom to explore without spending as much on fuel as you might with a traditional petrol car. Whether you’re heading to the beach, exploring the city, or driving out to the suburbs, a hybrid could make the day a little easier. But is it the right choice for your plans?
What Does Your Schedule Actually Demand?
- Do you only need it for a few hours, e.g., for an airport run?
- Will you need it overnight (can you park it)?
- Do you need it for a full day, e.g., for running errands all over town?
- Do you need to pick it up early the next morning?
Let’s say you’re headed to Perth Airport from Scarborough to pick someone up. You leave yourself plenty of time, but realise once you’re there that the person you’re picking up will be arriving late. Oh, and you need to pop into the shops first, and you’ve also got their luggage to drag all the way back to your hotel… It might no longer be convenient for you to drop the car off at this stage.
On days when you’re reacting to circumstances, logistics matter. If you’re in the CBD, don’t factor in too long a trek to pick the car up. Convenience might trump saving a couple of dollars per day.
Would a Hybrid Suit Your Needs?
Stuck for alternatives? Thinking of hiring a car just for today, or at least until tomorrow afternoon? This is when you might consider searching for hybrid car rental Perth. A hybrid may be especially useful if your day involves lots of stopping and starting. In traffic, idling, and/or lots of back-and-forth traversing of the city, rather than one straightforward trip from A to B.
How Much Luggage Do You Have?
Beach forecast turned soggy? Plans of heading down to Hillarys from the CBD may need to be amended. Are wet beach bags and towels likely to feature prominently? What about:
- A folded pram?
- Cabin-sized luggage?
- Groceries?
- Your relative’s suitcase that looked small when booked online but suddenly seems enormous next to three others?
While a hybrid car rental in Perth may be more than ample for two with limited luggage, it may be a tight squeeze if everyone’s collected items throughout the day, including bags, beach and wet clothes. Think about who and what needs to travel with you before you book, because size matters.
How Much Driving and Parking Are Involved?
Starting out from Subiaco, do you have a meeting to get to in Cannington? Do you also want to swing past someone’s place closer to the river to grab something they forgot to give you? Dinner reservations booked, back in the city? Perth isn’t huge, but all of this adds up, especially factoring in driving around looking for parking!
Fuel economy will, of course, vary, depending on the car you hire, the weight of the car, driving conditions and habits, etc. But in general, lots of low-speed city and suburban driving, short trips, and lots of stopping and starting at lights or traffic make for the perfect conditions for a hybrid.
If you’re reacting to circumstances, you’ve likely already worked out the answer to most of these questions, but jot down:
- Where and when you need to collect the car
- The first place you’re headed for your meeting or pickup
- Anything else you absolutely need to factor in, such as appointments, pickups, and drop-offs
- Where you’ll be at night, and when you plan on dropping the car off.
Chances are, you’ll realise that getting around via public transport and rideshare is going to be more of a hassle than just hiring a car for the day, especially if there’s more than two or three places on your list!
Tip: Don’t forget to factor in parking! If you’re planning on leaving your rental car with your luggage in the boot while you head off for coffee or dinner, think about whether this is secure and out of sight of prying eyes.
Where Will You Park at Night?
Easy to forget, but potentially expensive, so check ahead if parking is an additional cost at your hotel! Depending on the hotel, parking spots may also be limited.
Heads up: some parking garages in the CBD have height limitations. If you’re hiring a car with an aerial, roof racks, or something a little taller than average, double-check this before you arrive! Older buildings are more likely to have low entrances, so check the car parking clearance listed.
Depending on where you plan on parking, there may also be rules and restrictions on overnight parking because you do not want to have to drag yourself out of bed to move the car.
Remember that you may be renting the car for the whole day, but only actually using it intermittently throughout. If your plans have you heading back to Scarborough from the city but unexpectedly staying for the night before heading to the airport the next day, make sure there’s somewhere you can safely leave your rental car when you’re heading inside for the night.