The Real Talk on Renting a Car in Naples

The Short Answer: Yes (Mostly)

Naples is spread out. It is a suburban beach town, not a dense city like NYC or Chicago. Unless you plan to stay in one hotel and never leave, you probably need a car.

When You Can Skip the Car:

• You are staying in Old Naples: And you only plan to eat on 5th Ave and lie on the beach.
• You are at a Full Resort: If you are at the Ritz or Naples Grande and just want pool/beach/spa, you're fine.

When You Definitely Need a Car:

• You have kids: Hauling beach gear to Lowdermilk Park requires a trunk.
• You want to explore: Everglades, Marco Island, and Mercato are all 20+ minute drives apart.
• You are staying in an Airbnb: Most rentals are in residential neighborhoods, not walking distance to the beach.

Getting Around Without Wheels

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Availability: Excellent. You will rarely wait more than 10 mins.
• Cost: A trip from Old Naples to Mercato (North Naples) is ~$25 each way. If you do that daily, a rental car is cheaper.

The "Slidr" (Downtown Only)

• What is it? A free electric golf cart shuttle service that operates in the Old Naples / 5th Ave area.
• How to use: Download the Slidr app. It's great for getting from your hotel to dinner.

Free Beach Trams

• Pelican Bay / Clam Pass: These areas have free trams from the parking lots to the sand.

Rental Car Strategy

• The Model: Naples is the land of convertibles. If you ever wanted to rent a Mustang or Jeep, this is the place.
• Parking:
  • 5th Avenue: Almost all street parking is FREE (but limited time). Parking garages are also free and plentiful.
  • Beaches: You pay to park at the beach ($4-10/hr). Most machines take credit cards.
  • Hotels: Many high-end hotels charge for valet ($30+/night). Check your booking!

FAQ