Lying just north of Boston and with a population of over 100.000, Cambridge is famous for being the home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kendall Square, a neighborhood of Cambridge, is referred to as “the most innovative square mile on the planet” due to its high concentration of startups. Situated just north of Boston and Cambridge, Somerville is a densely populated city full of students. Like much of Boston, it has recently gone through sweeping changes as the city gentrified, pushing up housing prices in the process.
Harvard Business School (Photo: Michael A. Herzog/CC BY-ND 2.0)
For those looking to explore the areas in around Cambridge, Somerville and the area around it, we have compared the various rental car companies on a variety of factors, such as opening hours, available cars and of course, daily rates. Here are our favourites.
Harvard University – Hertz
If you’re looking to spend a day in Cambridge and in particular the Harvard University area, you might as well rent from there, rather than at Logan Airport, which is vastly more expensive. Situated in between Charles River and the university campus, our favorite agency in the area is Hertz. We chose it for its ample selection of cheap car rentals, the frequent upgrades and its prime location. Prices kick off at $50 in the economy category for cars like the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata. Regulars recommend arriving early to avoid missing your scheduled departure times. Open Monday – Friday 7.30am – 4pm; Saturday 8am – 4pm; Sunday 9am – 1pm.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnOlogy (MIT) – Budget
Budget was our selection for the best agency the MIT area. First of all, it’s important to point out that there is some confusion to its exact location – although officially listed on Massachusetts Avenue, the entrance is actually on Sidney Street. As is the case with so many rental companies in big, busy cities, you’re far better off arriving 30-45 mins before you need the car as lines can be long, especially in the mornings. As a member of Budget Fast Break, you’d be able to avoid this inconvenience. Amongst the positives, we found a good selection of compact and fuel-efficient cars, namely the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta and for a few dollar more, the Buick Verano at $55 per day. Opening hours Monday – Friday; 8am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 12pm; Sunday Closed
Somerville – Hertz
Whether you’re coming for a business meeting or visiting with a family, Hertz has a wide variety of car classes at competitive prices. Their agency lies in the heart of Spring Hill between Harvard University and Somerville. Hertz includes cars like the Audi Q3 and Mercedes Benz in amongst its luxury category and Toyota Yaris and Mitsubishi Mazda at the other end of the spectrum. In our research, the prices were the lowest around in the area and you can save even more money (without penalty) if you reserve in advance. Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm; Saturday 9am – 12pm; Sunday closed.