Matador Network's Blog, page 133

This Budget Airline Can Get You to Paris for Half The Price of the Most Popular Flights

Like many travelers, I’m always on the hunt for discounted airfare. Spirit Airlines has gotten me across the East Coast on a budget countless times. However, my enthusiasm for budget airlines wanes once a transatlantic flight is in question, or truthfully, any flight over three or four hours.

So when I spotted last minute summer flights out of Miami via French Bee for literally half the price of competing airlines, my first instinct was skepticism — I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for — but a $500 one-way ticket is quite appealing compared to a $1,000 one-way ticket. I decided to do what any contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire would do when self-doubt presents itself: it was time to poll the people.

Had anyone else ventured on this airline I’d never heard of? As I scanned Reddit posts online, I quickly discovered an overwhelming amount of critical comments from disgruntled customers, warning all readers to steer clear of French Bee. One previous passenger called out the flight crews: “Their flight attendants are all young and inexperienced (like, ALL of them…).” Another described an uncomfortable flight, dubbing French Bee the “worst airline of all time.” But even then, $500 is $500, and since my flight option was a red-eye, I figured I’d spend most of the journey sleeping (one can always prepare with the best ways to sleep on a plane and hope for the best).

Despite the online commentary, I took a chance and decided to proceed.

Like other budget airlines, French Bee follows the à la carte model. You book a cheap flight, and tag on your add-ons. Carrying a personal item? That’s an extra cost. Picking your seat? That’s another cost. It’s about $20 per add-on. Even with a few of these tagged on, you’re still paying way less than usual. The airline started transporting travelers in 2016, and now offers flights from major U.S. hubs like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami to Paris and back, as well as flights to and from French territories far from the motherland including Tahiti and Réunion Island.

As soon as I stepped on the plane, I noticed how new the interior of the aircraft was — presumably a benefit of an airline just shy of its first decade in existence. Though there were complaints online about cramped, smaller seats, I felt perfectly comfortable. The other thing I noticed was the courtesy of the staff on board. Before the passenger next to me even attempted to tuck away her suitcase overhead, a steward approached and insisted on doing it for her, despite it being standard procedure that flight attendants are not supposed to help lift luggage. Throughout the flight, the crew was more polite and friendly than most flights I’ve been on. The only noteworthy difference in service was that water was the only complimentary beverage. Any other drinks required payment (those damn add-ons!). Beyond that, we enjoyed a full meal as usual, and the flight went smoothly.

We landed with no delays at Paris Orly Airport, where French Bee is based. Orly Airport is smaller, less chaotic, and a bit closer to the city than the larger Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (where Air France is based). Perhaps I got lucky with my flight, or perhaps French Bee has been steadily improving its services to compete with juggernaut airlines, but the lesson for me is to not believe every review you read online.

You do typically get what you pay for, but every once in a while, it’s worth taking a chance on a different, less expensive option. You never know what awaits you.

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This Villa Is the Perfect Luxury Abode in Thassos, Greece

When visitors to Greece flock to the famous islands of Santorini or Mykonos, they’re overlooking the natural beauty that the northern part of the country has to offer. The island of Thassos is a perfect alternative for those seeking a more tranquil and authentic Greek experience, and Elia Stone Villas Deluxe Private Pool Villa is the ideal place to stay while you’re there.

The two-story villa combines minimalistic design with luxurious stone architecture. Inside you’ll find two bedrooms, with the master bedroom upstairs featuring an ensuite jacuzzi. The well-equipped kitchen has everything you might need to prepare a meal during your stay. The living room opens up to a huge patio with a private pool surrounded by a lush, green lawn and olive trees. There is even a garden swing and a barbeque, perfect for relaxing and enjoying outdoor meals.

@epic.stays Save this #Airbnb for your next trip to #Thassos #Greece @Elia Stone Villas @Pink Plankton #greecetravel #airbnbfinds ♬ original sound – Airbnb & Hotel Guide

Thassos is known for its lush, mountainous landscapes and crystal-clear waters. Be sure not to miss Giola Lagoon, a natural pool carved out of rock that connects to the sea. Those interested in history should definitely check out one of the several ancient ruins, such as the Alyki Archaeological Site, as well as the Archaeological Museum of Thassos. If you’re just looking to relax, Golden Beach and Paradise Beach are popular choices, but any of the islands’ beaches will do. Renting a car is recommended to freely explore all that Thassos has to offer. The main road around the island is about 60 miles long, so you can easily drive all the way around in a day.

Photo: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

Thassos is accessible by ferry from the mainland towns of Keramoti and Kavala, which are about two hours away from Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. Depending where you depart from, you will arrive at either the Limenas or Skala Prinos ports, and Elia Stone Villas is conveniently located near both.

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Virginia State Parks’ New Viewfinders Help Colorblind Visitors See Fall Foliage

Ever since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, nearly all parks in the United States have been retrofitted to make sure trails, buildings, bathrooms, and other public areas are accessible for people with different mobility needs. But creating accommodations to make visiting parks more enjoyable for people with invisible disabilities — those you can’t see just by looking at a person — has been a slower process.

But recently, one state park system introduced a small new offering, though it’s sure to make a big difference for people with visual differences.

In 2023, Virginia State Parks installed a trial EnChroma-adapted viewfinder at Natural Tunnel State Park, based on a suggestion from the park’s colorblind chief ranger. The mounted viewing devices look like the mounted binoculars you’ll find at many look-out points in parks, but “are equipped with special lenses from EnChroma designed to help those with red-green Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) experience an expanded range of visible color,” according to the release. In 2024, the park installed them at the remaining 42 parks in the system.

Fall foliage to a person with red-green color deficiencies (right), and the view through the new viewfinders (left). Slide for more. Photo: Virginia State Parks/EnChromaPhoto: Virginia State Parks/EnChromaPhoto: Virginia State Parks/EnChromaPhoto: Virginia State Parks/EnChroma

Virginia is the first state to install the colorblind-friendly lenses in viewfinders at all state parks, though the parks’ partner, EnChroma, works with attractions around the county to lend colorblind-friendly eyeglasses to visitors. Travelers visiting destinations ranging from the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida to Canada’s Northern Lights Resort & Spa in Whitehorse or the Parco Nazionale della Maiella in Italy can borrow a pair of EnChroma glasses for their visits, making nearly all colors more vivid and vibrant.

The completion of the project across Virginia’s state parks is ideal timing for visitors keen to see the state’s colorful fall foliage. Deciduous trees like sugar maples, oak trees, and hickories turn the state’s hillsides into a living canvas during autumn. At lower elevations, it’s mostly oaks, sweet gums, and dogwoods creating a vibrant array of reds, yellows, oranges, and even purples.

Some of the best state parks in Virginia for fall foliage include:

Natural Bridge State Park is known for its 215-foot-tall natural bridge, as well as its beautiful fall foliage.Pocahontas State Park near Richmond is an 8,000-acre park with hiking, biking, and horse trails, as well as two fishing lakes and an aquatic center. It’s a great place to see fall foliage from some very accessible walking paths.Grayson Highlands State Park is a mountain park known for bouldering, scenic hiking, and horse trails. It’s also home to a herd of wild ponies, and it’s a great place to see fall foliage in the state’s high country.Sky Meadows State Park is a 1,900-acre park with 24 miles of trails (including the Appalachian Trail) and an 1860s farm in the southern part of the state’s Blue Ridge Mountains. More like thisMusic + NightlifeThe Best Road Trip for Music Lovers Is The Crooked Road in Virginia

One of the Most Romantic Places in Italy Reopens After 12 Years

Italy has no shortage of romantic places to visit, but the colorful coastal towns of Cinque Terre are among the most romantic places in all of Europe. And in Cinque Terre, one particular walkway is known for being one of the most romantic places in town: the Via dell’Amore, a picturesque pedestrian walkway along the coast. And in good news for late-summer visitors, the reopening plans announced in 2019 finally came to fruition on July 27, 2024, after a more than decade-long closure.

This iconic trail, celebrated for its romantic atmosphere and stunning sea views, had become a beloved destination for couples worldwide. The restoration project was a complex undertaking, requiring significant investment and engineering expertise to ensure the safety of visitors. New updates included massive steel mesh to cover segments of the cliffside and keep rocks and boulders in place, plus the planting of nearly 10,000 new plants with roots to secure the hillside and minimize the impact of future heavy rain. Italian authorities also installed a warning system, allowing for advanced notice if the path begins to become unstable.

The history of the Via dell’Amore

The Via dell’Amore was built to connect the coastal town of Riomaggiore with Manarola. Photo: Whatafoto/Shutterstock

The Via dell’Amore owes its existence to a rather basic purpose. Constructed in the 1920s, it was initially a utilitarian path carved into the rugged Cinque Terre cliffs to support building a railway tunnel connecting the towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola; the path was an access point for workers and materials. Once the tunnel was completed, the path was abandoned. But it was quickly embraced by local youth, who found its scenic beauty and the secluded atmosphere the perfect spot for a romantic rendezvous. The moniker “Via dell’Amore” emerged in the post-war era, cementing its reputation as a haven for Italian paramours.

However, the Via dell’Amore’s idyllic existence was abruptly interrupted in 2012 when a massive landslide slid down the cliffside, triggered by a combination of heavy rainfall and geological instability. The natural disaster caused severe damage to the Via dell’Amore, rendering the once-loved walkway impassable. The landslide not only disrupted the lives of local residents and injured four Australians, but also dealt a significant blow to the region’s tourism industry, as the Via dell’Amore was a major draw for visitors.

Fortunately, after the $25 million restoration project, it’s once again open for Italians and visitors alike — with a catch.

How to walk the Via dell’Amore

View from along the Via dell’Amore. Photo: Suchan/Shutterstock

The Via dell’Amore is a relatively short stretch, about two-thirds of a mile long, connecting the charming villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola. But you can’t just arrive in Riomaggiore and start walking. To preserve the path’s integrity and avoid overtourism, you’ll need a permit. During a test run in summer of 2023, permits cost five euros (roughly $5.50) per person and were capped at 30 people per hour, which equates to about 600 people per day. Visiting the path is now part of a group tour, rather than an opportunity to independently walk at one’s own pace. Reservations should be made in advance online, though the Via dell’Amore website is still under construction as of late July 2024.

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A Little-Known US Airline Just Added a Massive Amount of New Flights

If you’ve never heard of Avelo Airlines, there’s a reason for that: it’s still a pretty small airline. But that’s changing, as it announced a massive expansion plan for late 2024.

Avelo Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 2020 but didn’t start flying until 2021, rebranding charter-jet companies Casino Express Airlines and Xtra Airways as the public-facing Avelo Airlines. It primarily serves the US East Coast and Pacific Northwest coasts, with major hubs at Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut, Orlando International Airport in Florida, Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, and Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport, in California.

The low-cost carrier didn’t begin flying until 2021. Photo: Avelo Airlines

Currently, Avelo Airlines serves about 50 destinations in the US. Most are to smaller and less-congested airports, which helps keep fares low. But on July 24, the growing airline made a huge announcement. Billed as “the largest expansion in company history,” Avelo Airlines announced it’s adding a whopping 18 new routes to its schedule, and will fly internationally for the first time to Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Cancun, Mexico. Calling it the largest expansion in history is a bit humorous as the airline has only existed for two years — but there’s no denying it’s huge operational increase for a nascent, mostly unknown airline.

Avelo Airlines also announced an expansion into Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, the second-largest airport in New England. Operations from Bradley will begin on November 7, 2024.

New Avelo Airlines routes

Photo: Avelo Airlines

The newly announced routes are spread throughout several of the airline’s airports, and will run twice a week. One-way basic fares are priced starting around $59. Most flights begin early November, though a few are available as soon as mid-October.

From Hartford, Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport, fly to:Cancun, Mexico, Wednesdays and SaturdaysMontego Bay, Jamaica, Wednesdays and SaturdaysCharlotte, NC, Thursdays and SundaysDaytona Beach, FL, Mondays and FridaysHouston, TX, Mondays and FridaysOrlando/Lakeland, FL, Mondays and FridaysWilmington, NC, Mondays and FridaysFrom Florida’s Lakeland International Airport near Orlando, fly to:Atlanta, GA, Thursdays and SundaysManchester, NH, Mondays and FridaysConcord, NC, Thursdays and SundaysHartford, CT, Mondays and FridaysWilmington, DE, Thursdays and SundaysRochester, NY, Mondays and FridaysSan Juan, PR, Wednesdays and SaturdaysFrom the Delaware Valley’s Wilmington Airport, fly to:Concord, NH, Mondays and FridaysOrlando/Lakeland, FL, Thursdays and SundaysFrom Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in Charlotte, NC, fly to:Rochester, NY, Mondays and FridaysWilmington, DE, Mondays and FridaysOrlando/Lakeland, FL, Thursdays and SundaysHartford, CT, Thursdays and SundaysManchester, NH, Thursdays and SundaysAlbany, NY, Thursdays and Sundays More like thisTravelNew Study Finds Cheap Flight Hacks Don’t Actually Work

Arson, Robberies, and Chaotic Soccer Matches Mark the Start of the 2024 Paris Olympics

The opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics in Paris is designed to be a major spectacle on July 26. Yet issues have plagued the games before they’ve even begun. Just hours before the opening ceremony, arsonists attacked France’s high-speed rail network and disrupted travel to Paris from around Europe for 800,000 people — fans and athletes alike.

According to PBS, French officials say the attacks don’t appear to have a direct link to to the Olympics, though the investigation is still in its early stages. One traveler who was delayed perhaps put it best to PBS: “It’s a hell of a way to start the Olympics.”

Two of the four trains with athletes heading to Paris on the Atlantique high-speed line were delayed by the arson attacks hours ahead of the opening, and two German athletes were forced to turn back in Belgium. Thankfully there were no injuries.

The centerpiece of the opening ceremonies is on the Seine River, which has undergone an expensive cleaning procedure to be safe for swimming. Some residents staged a “poop protest” to dirty the waters, though the Paris mayor made a swim to show it’s safe. It was a sign of some of the tensions before competitions begin.

A 40-year-old Russian chef was arrested for espionage in Paris on July 21 due to a “large scale” destabilization plot, according to The Guardian. Australia’s Olympic broadcast team was robbed of their gear. A staff member of the Canadian women’s soccer team, which won gold at the last games, was caught flying a drone over the New Zealand team’s practice field while they were playing — and the Canadian head coach was suspended, leaving an assistant coach to lead through the games. Chaos in an opening game between Argentina and Morocco led to hours of delay, confusion over who won, and the entire crowd being escorted out of the stadium by riot police.

With a rocky start, one can only hope things get smoother from here.

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Barcelona Will Stop Encouraging Mass Tourism After Protests Against Too Many Visitors

Barcelonans made headlines when, earlier this month, they hosted anti-tourist demonstrations that included squirting tourists with water pistols. The city has become overrun with travelers in recent years, which saw some 26 million overnight visitors in 2023. Locals feel as though their city has been overrun, and as a result, the local tourism agency has taken an interesting approach: Visit Barcelona is dropping “Visit” from its 15-year-old slogan, Skift reported this week.

The decision comes as part of the agency’s effort to focus less on mass tourism and instead shift towards “quality” tourism, which implies targeting fewer visitors with the hope that those who do come will spend more, be more respectful, and engage more fully with the community and its cultural offerings.

Its not just local residents who have noticed the throngs of tourists in the city. Local businesses and government leaders have felt the pinch, too, and this year Barcelona joined several other popular destinations worldwide in implementing a hgiher tourist tax. Guests staying in hotels will need to pay 4 Euros per night, about $4.35, on top of their nightly rate beginning in October. The city also plans to increase the fee it charges guests staying for less than 12 hours in the city center, though the specific amount to be charged has yet to be disclosed.

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Treehouses on Airbnb

Treehouses are no longer just a fixture of youthful fantasy. Thanks to some creative (and daring) designers, sturdy trees, and the modern convenience of Airbnb, there are a number of spots around the world where you can swap the plain jane hotel for an epic treehouse on your next trip. These are the most epic treehouses on Airbnb.

We hope you love the Airbnb treehouse rentals we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Treehouse Canopy Room at Miami permaculture farm – Miami, FloridaPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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This one bedroom, one bath treehouse is located on a permaculture farm in the heart of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, offering a relaxing step away from the hecticness of the city. As a bonus, you get to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies from the farm during your stay.

Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $65 per night

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Pleasant Bay Lookout – Bellingham, WashingtonPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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This private room in a treehouse could be the ultimate getaway for your next mountain vacation. The treehouse offers the perfect view of Pleasant Bay from the side of Chuckanut Mountain. Access to the host’s home is easy for bathroom and kitchen use.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $255 per night

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Treehouse in Blue Mountains – New South Wales, AustraliaPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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This one’s not for the budget traveler, but if you’re down to shell out for three months of luxury, the views are as rewarding as the amenities. The rustic decor is complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows, a hot tub, and easy access to both a rainforest and two Australian National Parks.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $24,000 per month

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Secluded In-town Treehouse – Atlanta, GeorgiaPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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You may have seen this one before, for good reason — this awesome accommodation has been featured on the Today Show and Treehouse Masters. This raised lodging offers one bedroom and two additional furnished rooms and is easily accessed from downtown Atlanta.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $285 per night

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Balian Treehouse – Bali, IndonesiaPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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Take in the stunning island and lush jungle vistas of Bali from above the trees in this one-bedroom, one-bath treehouse. It even has an onsite pool you can take advantage of.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $103 per night

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Le Nid d’Elfe (The Elf Nest)Photo: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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This treehouse sleeps five people in three beds, and comes decked out with roped bridge to make you feel like a pirate on the lookout. It’s also an ideal base for outdoor activities just outside of Montreal.

Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $152 per night

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Crystal Peak Lookout – Fernwood, IdahoPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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The Crystal Peak Lookout is a cozy retreat open year-round — it even has a warm wood-fired stove perfect for chilly nights or heating up water for morning coffee. After a day of hiking or snowshoeing, unwind in the wood-fired sauna below. And yes, there’s an outhouse – no fire lookout is complete without one! You’ll have 13 wooded acres surrounding this treehouse originally built in 1959. The structure was moved to its current location in 1983 and fully remodeled in 2018. Immerse yourself in nature as you share sunsets with mountain bluebirds, gaze at starlit skies, and maybe even spot a passing moose. Explore the surrounding area, picking huckleberries in the summer or following fresh moose tracks in the winter. Access to the lookout, outhouse, and sauna is yours to enjoy, with snowmobile or Polaris Razor access available during winter months.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $200 per night

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Woodstock treehouse Airbnb in upstate New YorkPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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The Willow Treehouse is a secluded escape nestled among trees, overlooking a swimmable pond, just a 15-minute drive from Woodstock. This cozy retreat offers everything you need to unwind, from cooking and reading to simply relaxing on the couch and enjoying the view. Disconnect from the world with no WiFi or cell service and immerse yourself in nature. Perfect for couples or solo adventurers (2 adults max). Just keep in mind, the loft is accessible only by ladder — so pack light.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $375 per night

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Ryders Treehouse – Baird, TexasPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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This romantic treehouse is nestled on an 800-acre working ranch, which means animals are never far away. It’s perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, or for a weekend away with your partner. The setting is lush and wild, especially for this part of Texas, and you’ll have a chance to take it in from the outdoor screened-in bathroom. Inside is a kitchen equipped with a small refrigerator, propane grill, gas cooktop, and Keurig coffee maker.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $295 per night

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Elevated treehouse built by the Tree House Guys on protected land — Moretown, VermontPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

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Lilla Rustica is a magical treehouse retreat built by the renowned Tree House Guys. This cabin boasts stunning views of Camels Hump State Park and a perfect blend of natural simplicity and thoughtful details. The loft’s queen bed and downstairs queen bed with panoramic windows offer unparalleled stargazing and wildlife encounters. You can hike straight from the doorstep, so it’s great for active adventurers.

You’re still conveniently located near Route 100, which puts you within a short drive of Ben & Jerry’s, breweries, ski resorts, and swimming holes. The cabin provides essential amenities like internet, a small refrigerator, luxurious linens, a propane fireplace, and fresh spring water. Although off-grid, there’s an outhouse for your business and it even comes with a view.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $255 per night

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This Map Shows Where to Find a Michelin-Starred Lunch in Paris For as Low as 32 Euros

Paris is the city with the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Research by the culinary website Chef’s Pencil shows that a meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the French capital costs an average of €210 ($230) per person. According to the same research, the most expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, Guy Savoy, charges €680 ($735) per person for the tasting menu. But among the 121 Parisian restaurants that have been awarded the prestigious distinction in 2024, some are surprisingly affordable.

Because very few people have $228 to spend on a single meal — let alone $735 — we looked the lists of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants, compiled by Michelin Guide itself and Chef’s Pencil, to map the 15 most affordable options in Paris (under €60 or $65) . That way, you can try out some very fancy food without blowing your budget.

Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris for affordable lunches (under €60 or $65)

Click on each restaurant’s name to see each the lunch price and access the link to its website.

The cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris for lunch is Benoît, holder of one Michelin star and located in the fourth Arrondissement of Paris. The lunch menu starts at €32 ($35) for a starter and an entrée or an entrée and a dessert. If you opt for the bigger lunch option (starter, entrée, and dessert), it’ll cost you €42 ($45).

Of course, making a reservation early is highly recommended for the restaurants featured on this map, especially if you’re visiting this summer while the Olympic Games are taking place.

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Tested: How Kyte Is Making the Often Frustrating Car Rental Process More Seamless

Waiting in a rental car line is high on my list of things I try to avoid after a flight. This was confirmed on a recent trip to Washington when I saw hectic crowds squeezing around the construction at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This time around, I avoided them all with Kyte, a rental car company started in 2020 that delivers cars right to you or offers pick-ups and drop-offs at lots near select airports.

I rarely rented a car on my travels before I became a dad in late 2022, either for my frequent work trips as a travel writer and editor or for my own personal trips. I always packed light, and kept my schedule flexible to accommodate whatever public transportation had to offer (which often also meant a fair bit of walking). Traveling with a kid comes with a lot of literal baggage that’s not public transportation friendly. Another benefit? It opens the door to more easily explore rural areas around the cities I visit most.

The concept of Kyte will be familiar to anyone who has used any of the app-enabled services that have popped up over the last decade and a half: minimum human interaction (about 10 minutes with someone to check in and drop off a car, zero interaction with other people using the service); booking, verification, and alerts all handled immediately through an app; and often lower rates than the old way of doing things.

It does differ in a significant way from the Ubers and Airbnbs of the world, however. Kyte is not a peer-to-peer service that’s part of the “sharing economy.” Kyte owns all of its vehicles through a fleet provider, and professionally maintains the cars for the up to two years the company uses them.

“I previously worked at Uber and saw that people were always in search of convenience when it came to traveling,” Kyte cofounder Nikolaus Volk says in an email. “No one wants to wait in lines or be waiting for a driver. There were only these outdated methods when it came to renting a car and that always involved going to the airport or car rental storefront. There wasn’t an option to get a car for those short trips (and one that comes to your doorstep), and that’s where we started to design the model from.”

Kyte started during the pandemic, and only operates in a select set of cities. That limits use to people traveling to or using 12 major cities as a base where they can pick up or drop off their rental. More metro areas in the United States, as well as international, are set to be announced in 2025 as growth continues, Volk says. It’s important to note that currently cars are only available for use in the US. Users are responsible for the full cost of anything that happens if a vehicle is taken into Canada or Mexico.

Kyte is available in the following markets as of mid-2024:

AtlantaBostonBrooklynChicagoDenverJersey CityLos AngelesNew York CityPhiladelphiaSan FranciscoSeattleWashington, DC

Getting set up with Kyte

It’d be hard to argue that the days of glitchy and unusable apps are completely over. Yet we are living at a time when certain companies have taken all of the frustrations out of booking and arranging travel over an app through better tech and better design. Kyte is on a higher level than most, with a user experience on par with the ease of the award-winning United Airlines app.

I was able to submit my license, photo verification, credit card, and other information on the Kyte app even with spotty service from an Airbnb in Sitka, Alaska. The whole process, from download to booking confirmation, took about 15 minutes.

The cost of renting a car through Kyte

Rental cars are also expensive. A NerdWallet analysis of more than 480 rental car prices in 2024 found that the record high costs from July 2021 have abated, but every month in the first half of 2024 had a higher rental car price than any time before the pandemic — an average of 35 percent more, to be exact.

By NerdWallet’s numbers, the average seven-day car rental from Seattle-Tacoma Airport in 2024 is $690.60. The price we saw when booking our trip through an online travel company that compared costs from various brands in mid-July was more than $800 for six days, and that included savings from booking the car and flight together months ahead of time. We weren’t able to guarantee a vehicle big enough for myself, my wife, our toddler and her car seat, and our nanny (not to mention all those bags). While we were told an upgrade could be made at pick-up if a larger car was available, we could only be confirmed for a Ford Mustang — a two-door car with a decent trunk, but not ideal if we wanted any sort of comfort and space, regardless of how much I wanted my daughter to experience the joys of driving with the top down.

The options on Kyte couldn’t be more different. After registering, I booked an SUV with plenty of space in about 10 minutes just three days before we arrived in Seattle. The rental itself was $497.94, with an airport fee of $122.96. SUV damage insurance added another $114, and I added optional liability insurance for $119.94 (renters can skip this if their credit card insurance is sufficient). The total of $854.84 was about the same as our prior discounted booking, but only because I was able to secure extra insurance and a guaranteed vehicle type. Both of those things weren’t yet calculated into the price we would have seen if we went forward with our previous arrangement. By contrast, Kyte’s pricing is transparent before completing a reservation.

“Kyte fundamentally takes cost out of the operating model by getting rid of branches, staff and physical real estate,” Volk says, adding that “the primary guiding factor behind Kyte is to design the experience around the consumer. Our goal is to make it convenient, accessible and reliable. This also involves full transparency about fees, costs, insurance, etc.”

There are a lot of cost variables with travel, and car rentals are no exception. I highly suggest checking the price on Kyte before committing to any one service, as in my experience there was greater price transparency, more guarantees, and an overall comparable or lower rate.

Picking up and dropping off a Kyte rental car

Photo: Nickolaus Hines

The biggest differentiator is the straight-to-you delivery model that Kyte started with. A representative, called a Kyte Surfer, will drop off or pick up the vehicle in a 10-minute window of the designated time set when booking. There’s a $10 late fee outside of the grace period up to 30 minutes, or a $25 rescheduling fee outside of that time frame to compensate the Surfer for their time.

Kyte accounts for the sometimes unpredictable nature of travel with an easy method to update your times through the app up to two hours before the originally scheduled time for free. You can easily extend your rental through the app or shorten it for free more than 48 hours of the original drop-off (you’ll get a Kyte credit for the unused days if it’s less than 48 hours).

Both of the Surfers I interacted with were professional, timely, and seemed just as interested in making small talk as I was (meaning zero interest). Avoiding the back-and-forth upselling tactics I’ve experienced at every traditional car rental pick-up desk is reason enough to choose the service, in my opinion.

Kyte has expanded into select pick-up and drop-off locations since its launch — a crucial addition for people arriving at the airport and needing a vehicle immediately. While that makes it more similar to a standard car rental, there are still some clear advantages. Kyte’s locations aren’t in the hustle and bustle of the airport car rental center, so no waiting in line in close proximity to a bunch of people very tired of being crammed into close quarters after their flight. There’s also a bigger two-hour window for pick-ups and drop-offs.

Photo: Nickolaus Hines

That does mean some walking, however. At the Seattle airport, the pick up spot is at a lot that’s about a 15-minute walk from the terminals. The app provides clear walking instructions and helpful pictures to get there, but I did have to leave my bags with my wife at the terminal to avoid carrying our stuff, our toddler, and the many things that come with traveling with a toddler through the 90-degree summer heat. On the return, it meant dropping them off with our stuff before returning the car and meeting back up in the airport.

“Admittedly, Kyte is only carefully rolling out its service to airport locations in the country for exactly those reasons,” Volk explains. “We are doing a lot of diligence on customer experience, locations, etc. before launching new airports.”

The only other notable disadvantage for travelers is the need for a hand-off with a Surfer. While convenient during normal business hours, there’s no option for people taking a red-eye and no way to leave the car somewhere after hours. A little prior planning gets around that issue, though, as users can arrange for a car hand-off at their accommodations the day before they leave — even if they used a designated airport location for the pick-up.

Comparing Kyte to other rental car alternatives

Photo: Kyte

I’ve experimented with other car rentals outside of the traditional companies with mixed results. Turo, which takes the sharing economy concept of Airbnb and applies it to cars, has been one go-to, but has it’s downsides.

For one, renters are using someone’s daily car, so there’s always a more lived-in feel — and an owner who has very specific thoughts about how their vehicle is used. When my wife booked a Turo for a bachelorette party, the owner informed her that he had an Apple AirTag in the car for his own peace of mind and to be able to quickly find the car if there were any issues. Aside from the creepiness factor, that created an obvious safety issue for a group of women who were then forced to share their location on every drive with an unknown man, as well as alerting the owner to their Airbnb’s address and when they were likely there. There’s no guarantee that a Turo renter will get that same disclosure, and the possibility of the same thing happening again without being told ahead of time has always been in the back of our minds.

Some things with Kyte are standard for the rental car industry. There’s a mileage limit of 300 miles per day, calculated as the total number of days times 300. It’s 45 cents per mile after that, or you can opt for unlimited mileage for $15 per day during booking on the app or ahead of your trip with the help of a customer service agent. You can fill the tank back up yourself or pay for a small refueling fee similar to other car rental options. The minimum age for a driver is 21 (it’s free to add another driver) in all states but New York, where it’s 18, and there’s the typical young renter fee for drivers under 25.

The biggest advantage I found was the reliability of what you’re going to get. There’s no ambiguity or random upgrades or downgrades: what you book is what you receive. Full-size SUVs have seven seats, all economy cars on Kyte are four-door, and AWD options handle inclement weather. The luxury option is an Audi Q3, and for those who want to go electric there’s a standard option (Chevrolet Bolt) or premium (Tesla Model 3). The car models in each of Kyte’s eight vehicle classes are clearly laid out on the website.

Then there’s the customer support. I’ve spent hours on hold with car rental companies only to be hung up on. Thankfully, I didn’t have any issues when using Kyte. If I did, the response would be near immediate.

“We have an incredible Customer experience and customer support team who can help in any situation,” Volk says. “You can reach them via the in-app chat very quickly and they can also hop on the phone if there are issues. Our response times are usually in less than 30 seconds so you don’t have to worry about being stuck on a line for hours with other players. We want our customers to feel taken care of at each point in time.”

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