Car rental vs train

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Jim M from Canton Oh on 2/7/2023 8:32:12 AM:

We are planning on riding from Buffalo to Albany this summer. Are there any car rentals in Albany set up with bike racks that we can use to drive back to Buffalo? It would seem this would be easier than a train and good opportunity for a car rental company. I assume they could advetize their services on this site.

M greene on 2/8/2023 11:08:33 AM:

I was looking into car rental also but at this point I’m leaning toward renting a uhaul truck.
There are several along the way and can be dropped off at the starting point. For us that would be Lockport. Riding about 100 miles in two days loading the bikes and driving back.
Uhaul would be about $125

Oldest of the Old from all over the place on 2/8/2023 1:24:08 PM:

I'd be interested in learning about renting a bike rack, too. Never heard of it. How about buying a used one cheap, using it, and selling it cheap? Or, run an ad. Pretty sure there are alot of racks in garages no longer being used. Put an ask out on the trashnothing web site in Albany, and make an offer.

Or, how about rent a van and stash the bikes in it?

Just a few ideas.

Yankee John from Vermont on 2/9/2023 6:17:24 AM:

The Amtrak train has become more rider friendly, and it's not expensive, but you need a reservation for the bike which locks your trip into certain dates. You can rent a van that will hold 2 or 3 bikes, or more bikes if you want to break them down, but van rental is expensive, and you are limited to pickup and return at airports. UHaul rentals are much cheaper, with many choices for pickup and return. The truck will hold several bikes, which you can roll on and roll off, but you will need to carry or buy quite a few ropes or bungees to secure the bikes to protect them from damage in the back. At ~12mpg Uhaul is not the green way to travel, and if gas prices become stratospheric again the cost of the gas might be significant.

Bop from Rochester on 2/9/2023 10:47:37 AM:

I'd stay home.

Bill in Houston from Houston on 2/9/2023 5:15:04 PM:

We rented a minivan one way for the two of us when we rode the GAP. Cheaper than Amtrak.

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 2/13/2023 9:25:22 AM:

I second Bill’s mini-van idea. I’ve done this before. Just put the back seats down and maybe remove your front tire(s) and they will easily fit. You will need to figure out how get from drop off/pickup point to and from the trail of course.

John

Jim M from Canton Oh on 2/23/2023 9:59:47 PM:

Thanks for the ideas! I will check into van and uhaul rentals.

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