Do You Need a Rental Car in Park City?
No, most visitors to Park City do not need a rental car. Park City Transit has operated a completely free, fare-free public bus system throughout town since 1975, with routes connecting lodging areas to both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley, Main Street, and the Kimball Junction commercial area. Unlike a spread-out destination such as the Big Island, Park City's compact scale means walking, the free bus system, and the Main Street trolley cover nearly everything most travelers plan to do.
Park City's free transit system does most of the work
Park City Transit has provided fare-free public bus service throughout town since 1975, one of the longest-running free transit systems in the country. The system's coverage now works together with High Valley Transit to extend routes across the wider Park City area, and stops connect the town's lodging neighborhoods directly to both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley, as well as the Kimball Junction commercial corridor outside town. For a ski trip built around the mountain and Main Street, this free network typically covers the routes most guests actually need.
Getting between your lodging, the resorts, and Main Street
Old Town Transit Center functions as the system's central hub, where routes from around town connect and transfer. From there, the free Historic Main Street Trolley runs a continuous loop up and down Main Street in Old Town, making it easy to reach restaurants, shops, and galleries without parking or driving. Between the regular bus routes and the trolley, most guests can move between their lodging, the ski resorts, and Old Town's Main Street entirely on the free system.
When a rental car is genuinely worth it
A rental car earns its cost for travelers who want to leave Park City itself, since the free transit system does not reach destinations like Salt Lake City or other parts of Utah. If a day trip beyond town is on the itinerary, renting for just that portion of the stay is a reasonable middle ground. Park City also sits at high elevation and can see winter storm conditions on the roads, which is a real reason some ski-only travelers choose to skip driving altogether and lean on the free transit and resort shuttles instead.
What to actually plan for
Before your trip, look up which free bus route serves your specific lodging area and confirm it stops near Park City Mountain or Deer Valley, whichever resort your trip centers on. If a Salt Lake City day trip or broader Utah exploring is part of the plan, book a rental car for just those days rather than the full stay, since you'll otherwise be paying to park a car you don't need for skiing or Main Street. For a ski-and-town trip only, the free system is generally all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a rental car in Park City?
No, most travelers don't. Park City Transit provides completely free bus service throughout town, connecting lodging areas to Park City Mountain, Deer Valley, Main Street, and Kimball Junction, which covers what most ski and town-based trips actually need.
Is Park City's public transit really free?
Yes. Park City Transit has offered fare-free bus service since 1975, and its coverage now works together with High Valley Transit for a wider regional network, plus the free Historic Main Street Trolley loop in Old Town.
Does KBM Resorts offer a complimentary rental car for Park City stays?
No. KBM's complimentary rental car program applies to qualifying Hawaii stays only. In Park City, most guests find the free transit system covers their needs, with a rental car worth adding only if a day trip beyond town, such as to Salt Lake City, is part of the plan.
Explore Park City
- Mountain Village, Park City (PNF-860)
- Snow Park, Deer Valley (PGE-2413)
- Park City vacation rentals
- Guest FAQ hub
Have a question we haven't answered here? Visit our Hawaii & Park City vacation rental FAQ.