9 Lovely Islands Where You Don't Need To Rent A Car On Vacation

One of the more frustrating parts of travel is renting a car to drive overseas and attempting to figure out how to get around a completely new place with it. There are actually a handful of islands around the world where you won't have to worry about that. Imagine a trip without cars where you could completely eliminate daily hassles that come with driving, like getting stuck in traffic and paying massive amounts for gas. There would be so much more time for all the stuff you actually want to be doing when you're visiting a gorgeous vacation destination. Not to mention that the average car rental in the United States costs up to $600 per week, so eliminating them from the equation entirely can be a major hack for budget travelers. 

The Islands team was curious about where exactly you can go on the planet where motorized vehicles are limited or completely banned, and what these places are really like to visit. After doing some preliminary research to find islands where cars are straight up banned or largely unused, we went a step further by sourcing insider tips from locals and former visitors on Reddit who shared the best ways to get around these spots and amazing things to do in each one. We ended up identifying nine incredible islands where people opt to get around by bicycle, boat, or even horse-drawn cart rather than cars, and they make for a memorable, activity-filled vacation.

Located off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is a 10-square-mile island that has built a reputation as one of the best East Coast beach destinations. However, it's also known for having another more distinctive quality — you don't need a car to fully explore and appreciate the island.  While you're technically permitted to bring a car to Block Island on the car ferry if you register it in advance and pay a hefty fee, this is completely unnecessary. 

Instead of cars, most people just use bikes or scooters here to fly by traffic and make the most out of their time on the island. As one person explained in r/RhodeIsland "I've never gone with more than just 1 other person but I feel like a car would be more trouble than it's worth. Scooters or bikes would probably serve you better; it's not a very big island." Rentals are readily available from several reliable stores, such as Island Moped, where you can get a two-person scooter for $385 per week or rent a bicycle for a weekly price of $35. 

Once you've acquired your ride, it can be used to get to all sorts of fantastic spots around Block Island. There are a bunch of shores where visitors can swim, including Mansion Beach, Cow Cove, and Baby Beach for the kiddos. Alternatively, head over to the harbor where you can take sailing lessons with Block Island Club. Don't forget to indulge in the island's New England food scene at amazing eateries like Beachead and The Oar. 

It might be a bit of a culture shock for the average visitor, but the 14-mile-long Greek island of Hydra actually doesn't allow any wheeled vehicles at all, and there aren't really even any traditional roads here. One individual broke down the rules in r/europe, writing, "There is a Presidential Decree in place on all of Hydra that bans all 'wheeled vehicles'. This includes cars, bicycles, mopeds, quad bikes and basically any vehicle with wheels." 

Don't worry, there are some very interesting vehicle alternatives that people use on Hydra. These include the classic modality of walking, boating, taking a sea taxi, or getting around by mule. It could possibly sound a little outside-the-box; however, mules and horses are one of the main ways that people transport luggage around the island. This automobile-free environment creates a very unique ambiance, as one person illustrated in r/GreeceTravel "The no-cars rule gives the whole place a timeless, peaceful feel. Walking the cobblestone streets, seeing the donkeys carry luggage, and just soaking in the quiet atmosphere was incredible." 

There are so many immensely beautiful beaches in Greece and many gorgeous ones are conveniently located right on this peaceful, car-less island. Kamini Beach is perfect for baking in the sun on the shore and the waters are chill enough for children to take a dip. Then, check out the crystal blue waters of Nikolaos Beach surrounded by mountainous views. If you grow tired of spending all day on the beaches, there are plenty of other varied activities on Hydra, such as night clubs, historical sites, hiking, and shopping. 

You won't see any tourists crowding the streets of La Digue with rental cars. The only sorts of cars that are allowed to drive around this island off the coast of East Africa in the Seychelles are public service vehicles and waste removal trucks. Even electric bikes are required to have less than a 300 watt capacity and the island went so far as to have anything that had power above this wattage completely removed. To comply with these regulations, locals and visitors must rely on bikes and private electric golf cart drivers to get around. 

One person in r/Seychelles explained that "Bicycles are the primary form of transport in La Digue!" There are a handful of shops where you can rent a bicycle for your trip, but one of the highest rated ones is Ton Ven Bike Rental. It offers a variety of bike styles from adult and kids bicycles to tricycles and ones equipped with a seat for a child to ride along with you. Lots of folks really dig the golf cart taxi method as well and there was even another person on the same r/Seychelles thread that said they loved using a golf cart guide around La Digue.

Once you put a pin in the golf cart vs. bicycle debate, there are tons of memorable things to do on the island. Start with getting a feel for the terrain by joining a glass kayak tour through the surrounding sea. Then, go for a dip at the picturesque Anse Source d'Argent or go snorkeling to see the underwater world at Anse Severe. 

The few miles of highway on Mackinac is different from pretty much every other one in the country because cars aren't allowed to drive on it. Don't expect that to change any time soon because it's been car-free for a century so far. There are only a couple of exceptions to Mackinac Island's no-car rule, like for special high-profile visitors and when there is a movie being made. You're technically not even supposed to use e-bikes here unless you're using a Class 1 e-bike, have a mobility disability, and have a license through the island. 

Anyone who doesn't fit that criteria is welcome to get around by bike or horse-drawn carriage, though! The clutter of horse hooves replaces sounds of honking and engines revving on Mackinac Island and it can be a really lovely change of pace for visitors. There are approximately 600 horses who live on the island and pretty much help it function because they're the main way to get around. 

Besides the charming ambience, tourists love tasting the locally made fudge from one of the eight adorable shops around town and diving into the history at the 240-year-old Fort Mackinac. There are also a couple of golf courses, boat charter companies, and several playgrounds for kids. If you really need to relax, Mackinac Island offers the lovely Astor's Salon and Spa that provides facials, hair treatments, manicures, and other services. 

Local law totally prohibits the use of motorized vehicles anywhere on the Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan. A visitor in described the alternative transportation situation on the island in r/travel, saying "." They're very right about the size of this particular destination — the whole island is under two miles long and that's very nice in a place where you can't hop in the car to go places. 

While some people might be initially concerned about the living conditions of the animals on the island, many prior visitors were happy to see them being treated well, with one person in r/bali writing "I didn't see any horses being mistreated and I didn't see any horses in distress whilst there." If you're still a bit adverse to relying on the horses here, bikes are another terrific option. There are both regular bicycles and e-bikes available for rent with pricing varying depending on the model. 

Despite its small size, opportunities for new experiences on Gili Trawangan are bountiful. Join a snorkeling boat tour with several stops to see all types of sea creatures. Or, opt to stay on dry land with a horseback riding tour at sunset or sunrise. There are so many fun ways to spend a day at this Indonesian destination. 

While the chaotic city of Cancun is practically always bustling, you can slow things down a little bit by taking a 20-minute ferry ride off the coast to Isla Mujeres. One of the reasons this island provides a more laidback vacation experience is because you don't have to worry about renting a car at all when you're here since most people explore just fine without one. This isn't a place where cars are legally banned and they do still exist on Isla Mujeres, but as one person broke down in r/IslaMujeres "There are only a few roads traveled easily by car and isn't worth it for a couple of days when you can walk all of centro and rent a golf cart if you want to go to the south end." As that Redditor touched on, golf carts are a major hack for getting around Isla Mujeres. 

These are an effective way to maneuver around on your trip since they allow you to access more remote sites, they're super fun to ride for the whole family, and they are even pretty cost effective at around $40 to $90 per day. You can also just go for the classic bicycle rental for as little as $10 daily or you can rely on taking taxis if you really prefer to avoid navigating. Isla Mujeres' stunning Playa Norte is the central attraction here. It is a stunningly beautiful beach in Mexico which can be an amazing destination to swim with dolphins and there are tons of highly rated snorkeling tours available. 

With less than two-square-miles of space, Procida is easily one of the smallest Italian island destinations. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful islands in Italy that doesn't really get enough attention. As one individual highlighted in r/travel "It's often overshadowed by Capri and Ischia, but honestly, Procida feels like stepping into a pastel postcard – colorful houses stacked above turquoise water, lemon trees everywhere, and locals chatting on quiet cobblestone streets."

Thanks to its size, you can freely wander all of these gorgeous features by simply meandering around on foot and its possible to see a lot of the island's sites this way. Another person illuminated in r/napoli how you can actually walk your way around the entire island in just an afternoon. There are quite a few spots to hit for such a petite place, like booking a boat from the Port of Marina Grande or taking in the landscapes from Terra Murata viewpoint. As expected, Procida also features several enchanting beaches to visit, such as Spiaggia Chiaia and Spiaggia libera della Chiaiolella. 

When you decide that your feet need a break from all the walking, there are mini taxis, buses, bikes and scooter rentals at your disposal all over the island. If you're not quite feeling Procia, there is another spot called Panarea that is Italy's smallest Aeolian island and a car-free destination as well. Instead of being right off the coast of Naples, Panarea is further south.

A commenter gave Lamu Island very high praise on a thread in r/KenyaPics, gushing "Lamu is really underrated among all the coastal towns." The Old Town here is actually esteemed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the most well-conserved Swahili settlement in the region. There are a number of ways to take in the culture as a visitor too, such as joining a Swahili Woodcarving class. Along with all this history in Lamu Old Town, hanging out on the small Shela Beach is a lovely way to spend a day and there's a bunch of yummy restaurants like Kijani Rooftop Restaurant where you can fuel up again.

Along with many ways to enjoy a visit to this destination, there is a really quiet, peaceful charm to Lamu Island because you basically won't find any cars here. This is due to the fact that everything is built so close together, making it impossible for cars to squeeze through the streets. Without any cars on this Kenyan island, public transportation is the way most folks manage to get around and it comes in a couple of different forms. There are donkeys available for hire to help visitors get their luggage to hotels upon arrival and departure, motorboats can take you between various points on the island, and the area has a fairly high walkability score, too.

If a vacation without driving around everywhere sounds like a little slice of heaven to you, the Brazilian island of Ilha Grande without any cars is the answer. According to the government, they don't allow cars here as a way to preserve the chill atmosphere that the island prides itself on. One local described how people live life without cars on Ilha Grande in r/Brazil, writing "To get around in Ilha Grande, you will do everything by foot in the village you are (grocery shopping, and so on), as there are no cars and everything is pretty close by. You can book trips in advance, or when you are there." 

Ilha Grande is on the larger side at nearly 75-square-miles in area and there is a varied assortment of things to do here. One former visitor who spent a week exploring the island recommended in r/Brazil "I'd say to stay at least 3 days, since you want to do a variety of activities – that way you'd have one day for a tour around the beaches, one for scuba, one day to do a trail. You can stay longer than that, of course." To reach all these enticing activities, you can participate in organized tours like the previous Redditor suggested, such as one of the many boat tour itineraries around the area offered by Lanchas Ilha Grande. The island also has water taxi stores available in certain tourism hubs like Vila do Abraão that you don't have to reserve in advance, according to one person in a discussion on r/Brazil.