Do You Need a Car in Destin?

While bus lines and bike rentals are available, you will need a car to take full advantage of Destin’s beaches. Read more here.
Written by Alita Dark
If you want to fully take advantage of Destin, Florida, it’s a good idea to rent a car. However, you can use the E.C. Rider buses for many locations along the Emerald Coast Parkway. 
Beach towns like Destin, Florida, draw in many people from across the country, but high rental car prices can have tourists second-guessing whether or not they really need a car for their vacation. When you’re trying to plan a relaxing trip, the last thing you want to do is stress yourself out with unnecessary expenses!
Here to give you the scoop on whether or not you need a rental car in Destin is the
licensed insurance broker
app
Jerry
. Stick around until the end for a tip on how to save on your
car insurance
, too! 

Where to get a rental car in Destin

Since you are most likely to fly into
Destin
from an airport a little outside of the city, you’ll probably wind up renting your car directly from there. 
The most popular airport for flights to Destin is Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS). Its actual location is about 16 miles away from the city, in the nearby town of
Valparaiso
. While there are cabs, shuttles, and even limos that will take you into Destin, you may as well pick up your rental car here for use during the rest of your vacation. 
Rental services at VPS include:
You can also choose to fly into Pensacola International Airport (PNS) or Panama City Beach (ECP), but both of those are a bit farther from Destin and will necessitate a longer drive. 
If you’re worried about price, you can use rental car comparison sites like
Kayak
,
Hotwire
, or
Travelocity
to find better deals. Have a
Sam’s Club
or
Costco
membership? Both retailers offer car rentals, often at competitive prices. 
Want another money-saving tip? Pick a sedan instead of an SUV. Smaller cars cost less to rent, and they won’t eat up as much gas either! Since you might spend quite a bit of time idling in the prolific summer traffic, that can be a big advantage.
MORE: Tips for safe and affordable airport parking
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Do you need rental car insurance?

So you’ve decided to rent a car—now you have to decide if you’re going to purchase extra insurance coverage. 
Any reputable rental company in Florida will already follow the state’s
car insurance laws
for the vehicle, so it’s not necessary to buy their add-on options. Any upgrades that exist on your current policy, such as
collision
or
comprehensive insurance
, will carry over to your rental. 
However, should you not have a base car insurance policy, it’s worth purchasing coverage for your rental vehicle. The collision damage waiver might be expensive, but it beats covering towing charges and administrative claim fees. It’s also worth checking the perks that come with your credit card. Some offer rental insurance coverage when you pay for the booking with the card. 

Do you need a car in Destin? 

The real question is whether or not a car is necessary for getting around in Destin. For most locations, the answer is yes—with miles and miles of coastal beaches and 20 different access points, a car is your best bet to soak up all the sights. Parking at most access points is free, though some lots charge a nominal daily fee
Once you’ve parked, it’s best to stay at that beach or cluster of beaches for the day. Spots are competitive, and they fill up quickly. If you leave, you’re not guaranteed to be able to get back in. That may sound like an argument against rental vehicles, but if you want to visit multiple beaches during your stay, you’ll need a way to travel between them. 
If you’re adamant about not renting, you might want to splurge on a beachside resort. Some have access to private beaches, so you can get your fill of sand and seawater, while the hotel amenities will help you keep busy without having to travel. You can also stay in what the locals call 30A—a small collection of towns along County Road 30A that are close enough to traverse by bike.  

Where public transportation can take you

The public transportation system in Destin is a bus line called the
E.C. Rider
(E.C. meaning Emerald Coast). It’s extremely cost-effective at only $2.00 a ride and you can buy an all-day pass for $4.00—if you have a longer vacation, you may consider springing for the 15- or 31-day passes. Passes are available at the E.C. Rider office, or you can get one on the bus, though you’ll need exact change. 
There are three bus routes traveling through Destin: Routes 30, 32, and 33. As each covers different parts of the city, you’ll want to be sure about which route you need to be on before boarding. The E.C. Rider offers an online
trip planner
that will map out your journey for you. 
But where can you actually go? The bus line will take you to several interesting locations:
  • History and Fishing Museum 
  • Harborwalk Village
  • June White Decker Park
  • James Lee Park
  • Silver Sands Outlet
  • Destin Commons
  • Destin Beach Access
A major plus is that the bus has bike racks available, so passengers can use their bikes for trips between beaches, then catch the bus for longer rides. 

Where public transportation can’t take you

The bus line is a good way to get around Destin—if you don’t mind running on its schedule instead of your own. You may end up spending a good chunk of your vacation waiting at bus stops instead of basking on the beach. 
Speaking of, many of the beach access points aren’t directly on the bus route. You’ll either need to get a hotel right on the shore or use a car to travel reliably between all the spots along the coast. 
Not to mention, there are plenty of popular tourist cities not far from Destin that you might want to turn into a day trip.
While public transport is a viable option, having a car will give you more freedom to really make your vacation your own.  

How to save on car insurance in Destin

There’s no doubt comparing policies and hunting down the very best deals is a lot of work, but have you ever wondered if you could take a vacation from car insurance?
Jerry
is here to say that you can!
A car insurance comparison app, Jerry does all the legwork of finding you the most competitive quotes sourced from over 55 insurance providers. It takes care of hours of phone calls in a matter of minutes—and all you have to do is answer a few questions. We’ll even handle switching from your old policy to your new one.
Less work and an average of over $800 a year in savings? Sign us up!
“I had limited time to find a new insurance plan in Florida, so I tried
Jerry
. My experience was personalized and professional, and they found me a plan that fits my portfolio. You should give them a try.” —Valencia T.
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