Your quick travel guide to Boulder

Car Rental in Boulder: At the Foot of the Rocky Mountains

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder in Colorado USA is just 40 miles away from the bustling city of Denver. Boulder is known for its historic connection with the American Frontier, but is frequented by many people who love music, festivals, the arts, and sports such as skiing, and by those who more generally love the great outdoors.

The best way to get around the area is by car, so a rental car might deliver the best convenience and freedom for you. The wide-open roads of Boulder are easy to navigate, and you will find all the most popular tourist spots and attractions well-signposted. You can easily take in numerous sites within your trip, and having the flexibility of a rental car allows you to do as much or as little as you choose.

When to Visit

Many people say that the best times to visit Boulder are during the months of January through to March and from June through to August. However, people visit Boulder throughout the year, for tourism or work. In the winter the ski slopes beckon, but the temperatures soar in the summer months, and this is a popular time of year for mountain hikers to visit.

Spring: Bring your camera if you intend to visit during the spring, when more than 15,000 tulips bloom along the sides of the quaint brick-paved Pearl Street. Wildflowers bloom in the foothills, so hiking is a rewarding pursuit. Live music and local food can be experienced in and around the popular Central Park.

Summer: You can soak up the sun during summer, and Boulder is quieter because the students of the University of Colorado head home. The Boulder Creek Bike Path is a great family adventure to undertake, or you can collect your rental car and go for a scenic drive.

Autumn: Outside pursuits remain popular through the warm autumn, and the autumn harvest means that those looking for a culinary delight will be well-rewarded.

Winter: A rental car puts you within easy reach of many winter activities such as cross-country skiing and ice skating. Alternatively, you can stroll down Boulder’s Pearl Street and browse the many picturesque boutiques.

Car Rental in Boulder

Prices for car rental in Boulder fluctuate throughout the year from $30 to $40 per day, but these are some of the best deals that you will find:

  • Hyundai Accent (economy class) - $32 per day
  • Ford Focus (compact class) - $34 per day
  • Nissan Sentra (intermediate class) - $35 per day
  • Volkswagen Jetta (standard class) - $36 per day
  • Ford Fusion (fullsize class) - $39 per day

The car-hire rate is dependent on the dates that you choose and also the type of vehicle that is available. You can use the search form at the header of this page in order to check out the deals available for the dates you intend to visit.

If you have a preferred type of car, such as make or model, you should book well in advance of your trip to make sure you get the car you want.

Tips for Saving Money on Boulder Car-Rental

  1. Choose a car with a manual transmission; automatic cars are more popular, so you will save money if you can drive a manual car
  2. Choose a driver that is over 25; although you can rent a car at the age of 21, prices can be cheaper if you are over 25
  3. City-center dealers may sometimes be cheaper than small-town companies, so compare deals before hiring your car
  4. Collect and drop-off the rental car at the same location; if you choose to do these at different locations, additional charges can apply

Rental Car Requirements

If you are looking to hire a rental car in Boulder, then you will need to:

  • Present a US-issued driver’s licence or a non-US-issued drivers licence with a passport
  • Pay a deposit using your credit card or cash

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is provided in compliance with current legislation.

Driving Tips and Regulations

  • All passengers of the rental car are required to wear a seat belt
  • Children up to the age of eight must be restrained in a booster seat or child car-seat
  • You should not use your mobile phone while driving
  • Always have your driver’s license with you when driving
  • You will drive on the right-hand side of the road, and pass on the left
  • Do not drink and drive
  • It is illegal to wear earphones while driving
  • Put an additional driver on your rental agreement; you can take it in turns to drive
  • Make sure you don’t drive when tired
  • When parking, make sure that you are more than 15 meters away from a fire hydrant