Getting Around

If you plan to visit only Boston and Cambridge, there's absolutely no reason to have a car. With its pricey parking and narrow, one-way streets, not to mention abundant construction, Boston in particular is a motorist's nightmare. If you arrive by car, park at the hotel and use the car for day trips. Drive to Cambridge only if you're feeling flush -- you'll pay to park there, too. If you're not motoring and you decide to take a day trip, you'll probably want to rent a car. Here's the scoop:

Boston Drivers: Beware -- One of the funniest lines (well, intentionally funny) in the movie Love Story is, "This is Boston -- everybody drives like a maniac." And that was before cellphones and SUVs. Boston drivers absolutely deserve their notoriety, and even though the truly reckless are a tiny minority, it pays to be careful. Never assume that another driver will behave as you might expect, especially when it comes to the rarely used turn signal. Watch out for cars that leave the curb and change lanes without signaling, double- and triple-park in the most inconvenient places imaginable, and travel the wrong way down one-way streets. And remember that most pedestrians and bicyclists are just drivers without their protective covering.

Rentals

The major car-rental firms have offices at Logan Airport and in Boston, and most have other area branches. Seriously consider waiting to pick up the car until you need it, to save yourself the hassle of driving and parking. Rentals that originate in Boston carry a $10 convention center surcharge -- you can get around it by picking up your car in Cambridge, Brookline, or another suburb.

When making a reservation, it's important to remember that Boston doesn't conform to the pattern of a big city that empties out on weekends, when business travelers leave town and rental-car rates plummet. The parts of downtown Boston that aren't densely populated residential neighborhoods are near them, and at busy times -- especially on weekends in the summer and during foliage season -- you'll want to reserve a car well in advance or risk getting shut out.

Some logistics: Most companies set aside cars for nonsmokers, but you have to ask. To rent from the major national chains, you must be at least 25 years old and have a valid driver's license and credit card. In addition, some chains enforce a maximum age; if you're over 70, check ahead to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

Companies with offices at the airport include Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633; www.goalamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/831-2847; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000; www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), and National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.com). Enterprise (tel. 800/325-8007; www.enterprise.com) and Thrifty (tel. 800/367-2277; www.thrifty.com) are nearby but not on the grounds, so leave time for the shuttle bus ride. If you favor a certain company, check ahead to see whether it has a location near your hotel. If you don't mind taking a short T ride to (potentially) save a bundle, check rates at Enterprise's neighborhood locations and call ahead to request pick-up at the station closest to the office you choose.

Insurance -- If you hold a private auto insurance policy, it probably covers you in the U.S. for loss of or damage to the rental car, and for liability in case a passenger is injured. The credit card you use to rent the car may also provide some coverage, but don't assume -- check before you leave home.

Car-rental insurance typically does not cover liability if you caused the accident. Check your own auto insurance policy, the rental company policy, and your credit card coverage for the extent of coverage: Is your destination covered? Are other drivers covered? How much liability is covered if a passenger is injured? If you rely on your credit card for coverage, you may want to bring a second credit card with you, because damages may be charged to your card and you may find yourself stranded with no money.

Car rental insurance costs about $20 a day.

Package Deals -- Many packages include airfare, accommodations, and a rental car with unlimited mileage. Compare these prices with the cost of booking airline tickets and renting a car separately. Don't saddle yourself with a car for a long period if you won't be using it, though. And don't forget to add the price of parking, which can quickly wipe out any savings a package might represent.

Booking Online -- For booking rental cars online, the best deals are usually on rental-car company websites, although all the major online travel booking engines also offer rental-car reservations services. Priceline and Hotwire work well for rental cars, too; the only "mystery" is which major rental company you get, and for most travelers the difference between Hertz, Avis, and Budget is negligible.

Parking

It's difficult to find your way around Boston and practically impossible to find parking in some areas. Most spaces on the street are metered (and patrolled until at least 6pm Mon-Sat) and are open to nonresidents for 2 hours or less between 8am and 6pm. The penalty is a $45 ticket -- even the most expensive garage is cheaper. Read the sign or meter carefully. In some areas parking is allowed only at certain hours. Rates vary in different sections of the city (usually $1/hr. downtown); bring plenty of quarters. Time limits range from 15 minutes to 2 hours.

If you blunder into a tow-away zone, retrieving the car will cost well over $100 and a lot of running around. The city tow lot (tel. 617/635-3900) is at 200 Frontage Rd. in South Boston. Take a taxi, or ride the Red Line to Andrew and flag a cab.

It's best to leave the car in a garage or lot and walk, but be aware that Boston's parking is the second most expensive in the country (after Manhattan's). A full day at most garages costs no more than $30, but some downtown facilities charge as much as $35, and hourly rates can be exorbitant. Many lots charge a lower flat rate if you enter and exit before certain times or if you park in the evening. Some restaurants offer reduced rates at nearby garages; ask when you call for reservations. Regardless of where you park, visit the attendant's booth as you exit on foot to ask whether any local businesses offer discounted parking with a purchase and validation; you may get lucky.

The city-run garage under Boston Common (tel. 617/954-2096) accepts vehicles less than 6 feet, 3 inches tall. Enter from Charles Street between Boylston and Beacon streets. Enter the garage in the state Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza (tel. 617/973-7054), from Charles Street South. The Prudential Center garage (tel. 617/236-3060) has entrances on Boylston Street, Huntington Avenue, and Exeter Street, and at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Parking is discounted if you buy something at the Shops at Prudential Center and have your ticket validated. The garage at Copley Place (tel. 617/375-4488), off Huntington Avenue, offers a similar deal. Many businesses in Faneuil Hall Marketplace validate parking at the 75 State St. Garage (tel. 617/742-7275).

Good-size garages downtown are at Government Center off Congress Street (tel. 617/227-0385), Sudbury Street off Congress Street (tel. 617/973-6954), the New England Aquarium (tel. 617/367-3847), and Zero Post Office Square in the Financial District (tel. 617/423-1500). In the Back Bay, there's a large facility near the Hynes Convention Center on Dalton Street (tel. 617/421-9484). The lots off Northern Avenue in the Seaport District are among the cheapest in town, but downtown proper is some distance away, and the walk can be uncomfortable in inclement weather.

Driving Rules

When traffic permits, drivers may turn right at a red light after stopping, unless a sign is posted saying otherwise (as it often is downtown). Seat belts are mandatory for adults and children, children under 12 may not ride in the front seat, and infants and children under 5 must be strapped into car seats in the back seat. You can't be stopped just for having an unbelted adult in the car, but a youngster on the loose is reason enough to pull you over.

Be aware of two state laws, if only because drivers break them so frequently it'll take your breath away: Pedestrians in the crosswalk have the right of way (most suburbs actually enforce this one), and vehicles already in a rotary (traffic circle or roundabout) have the right of way.