Do You Need a Car in Myrtle Beach?

The easiest way to get around Myrtle Beach is by car, but you may be able to rely on public transportation or walking depending on where you are stay.
Written by Brian Hicks
Reviewed by Georgina Grant
The easiest way to get around town in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is by car, but you may not need one. Depending on where you stay and what you’re planning on doing during your trip, you may be able to rely on public transportation or walking. Taxis and rideshare services are available, although they tend to be expensive.
Myrtle Beach takes up nearly 24 square miles, but it doesn’t go too far inland—this city includes about 60 miles of shoreline, so you can stay as close to the beach as possible throughout your stay. If you don’t plan on bringing or renting a car, your trip may require some extra planning.
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Where to get a rental car in Myrtle Beach

The best way to get around in Myrtle Beach is by car. If you’re planning on staying on or near the beach or if you’re looking to burn off some of those vacation calories, the city can be pedestrian-friendly. There are also some public transportation options for visitors and residents.
There are plenty of places to rent a car in Myrtle Beach, and you can find eight different car rental establishments at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR):
All of these companies offer different rates for different kinds of vehicles. Some, like Enterprise, Hertz, and National, offer stellar customer service and loyalty programs. Others, like Alamo, Avis, and Budget, offer competitive discounts and perks like unlimited mileage.
It’s a good idea to have a style of car in mind and then compare rates between the companies. 
It’s important to note that most of the beachside resorts will have a parking fee (double check your reservations to see if it’s included!), and the parking in Myrtle Beach is mostly metered, which will be an extra, albeit small, expense on your vacation budget.
If you’re staying near the beach, a rental car may be an extra expense that you don’t need—plus, you always have the option of using rideshares and taxis for quick trips out and about. Walking along the beautiful shore is also an option if you aren’t heading too far from your hotel.
MORE: 7 ways to save money on car rentals

Do you need rental car insurance?

Not everyone factors the cost of
rental car insurance
into their vacation budgets, but this might not be a coverage that you need.
If you have
full-coverage auto insurance
, it will likely cover you in your rental vehicle.
Collision
and
comprehensive coverage
should extend to your rental vehicle as long as you’re the one driving, but you should check with your insurance company before your trip
Some loyalty programs and credit cards also offer free rental insurance.
If you only have basic insurance or no auto insurance, then it’s usually a good idea to get the collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental agency. Nobody plans to be in an accident, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. 
The CDW can also cover hidden costs like towing charges (remember that Myrtle Beach metered parking) and administrative fees. Be sure to ask the rental company what this insurance covers.

Do you need a car in Myrtle Beach?

You don’t need a car when visiting Myrtle Beach. However, this is heavily dependent on what you’re planning to do while you’re visiting the city.
If you’re planning to head around town shopping or enjoying the local cuisine, a car will certainly make things easier. This will also give you more freedom if you’re planning on visiting a golf course or another destination away from the water, even though this is the biggest draw for tourists—it is called Myrtle Beach after all.
Without renting a car, you can still access wheels via taxis or rideshare services. These are great options if you’re only planning to take a few trips. However, these costs can quickly add up if you utilize them too much.
The city is fairly pedestrian-friendly as well. Because Myrtle Beach is long rather than wide, you can walk along the boardwalk to get to most of the places you may want to visit. On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of aerobic activity or you have small children with you, walking may not be your easiest option to get around. And that walkability decreases as you get further away from the beach.
There are public transportation options in Myrtle Beach—the city offers ten bus routes to help you get where you need to go. 
The
Coast RTA
costs $1.50 for a one-way fare. But if you use your smartphone wallet to pay, the payments will be $1.00 and cap at $3.50 for a single day. There are also discounts available for students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Where public transportation can take you

The low fares on public transportation make it an appealing option for getting around. The ten routes cover Horry and Georgetown counties, and the buses operate seven days a week, 362 days a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day are the exceptions).
The Coast RTA offers an app that can help you keep track of bus schedules so you can plan accordingly. You’ll most likely be using Route 7 (Myrtle Beach/Conway) or Route 10 (Myrtle Beach Local). Route 10 will get you to Broadway at the Beach, a major attraction, as well as to Wal-Mart to pick up any vacation needs for you and your travel companions.
The local Myrtle Beach Route can help you to hop around the city and see the sights for a lower fare than any rideshare could offer.
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