Benefits on car sharing services and car rentals with HSL’s Travel Card

Helsinki metropolitan area has a good public transport network and bicycle is the fastest means of transport in urban areas for journeys less than 5 km in length. If you however need a car occasionally, instead of owning one you can use a car sharing or rental service.

HSL’s Travel Card customers get benefits on the car-sharing service of 24Rent, City Car Club and EkoRent as well as on the car rental services of Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. You can read more about the benefits at https://www.hsl.fi/en/customer-benefits.

From a car sharing service, you can get a car even for just a short time. There are pick-up locations all around the metropolitan area. If you need a car for at least a day, renting one might be a cheaper option.

Owning a car is expensive

Having your own car is often underutilization of an expensive resource. Many people only take into account the running costs, such as fuel, parking charges and servicing. However, owning a car entails a number of fixed costs, such as interest on capital and insurance, which you need to pay even if the car is unused – according to studies up to 95% of time.  

Car sharing is a good solution for occasional car needs. Car sharing companies offer users access to a variety of cars, such as electric and hybrid cars and vans, close to homes and workplaces. In order to be able to use the cars, you need to join the service online or via an app. Once you have joined, no separate agreements are needed every time you need a car: you can book a car online or by mobile. You can collect, open and return the car using your mobile phone.

Using a car sharing service is more economical than owning a car if you drive less than 10,000 km per year. In Helsinki, car-sharing cars are marked with an Z sign, entitling them to use resident parking spaces regardless of the area.

If you are going for a weekend trip, renting a car is usually cheaper than using a car sharing service. At a car rental agency, you sign an agreement for each individual car rental. The minimum rental time is usually one day and you pick up the car from the rental agency. Some rental agencies bring the car to an address of your choice for an additional fee. In addition to the rent, you will pay for the fuel. The rental agencies offer a variety of cars for different needs, as well as accessories such as child seats and sat navs to make traveling easier.