Car Rental in New York: Basic Tips for Drivers

Generously saying, New York differs in many respects from other American cities. Here public transport is developed as nowhere else better. In order to wander around Broadway, relax on the grass in Central Park or walk around Fifth Avenue, a car in New York is not needed at all: the traffic here is appalling. Nevertheless, to rent a car away from the city or somewhere in the airport and go on an unforgettable trip on American highways is even worth it. If you pursue speed, comfort and freedom of movement, then car hire is at your service.

Here are some important advices for tourists travelling on a rented car:

General information about car rentals

The cost of renting a car in New York is the most expensive on the whole continent! A passenger car of an economy class will cost you more than in any other place within the USA. You can save money if you rent a car outside of New York, but even then, you will pay 30% more than in other cities in the US. Another trick is to rent a car not directly at the airport, for example, in New Jersey – so it's a little cheaper.

Note you will not be able to apply to the car rental in New York if you are under 21. If you are not yet 25 years old – you will need to pay an additional amount for the rent. In addition, you definitely need an IDP.

Moving on the road

In New York, local authorities installed "direct passage" in the central streets, when you cannot turn either to the right or to the left. Thus, no one slows down the movement.

The road network is arranged as "squares", where the driver always has the opportunity to drive around the traffic jam on a parallel street. In addition, in New York the movement is divided into local and transit.

Traffic jams and districts 

In New York, there are five districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. Each is interesting in its own way, of course, but Manhattan is unanimously considered the focus of the essence of the city. The streets of Manhattan are overloaded most of the day, from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm. At this time, it's better to take advantage of the chic subway and abandon a taxi or New York car rental.

Stressful traffic jams, aggressive drivers, lack of parking and infernal prices, a very small number of gas stations, surprises on the roads and a lot of streets with one-way traffic – it is about Manhattan. Therefore, if you drive a car, then outside of the center.

Parking places

The biggest headache for drivers in New York is parking, which is very difficult to find. Along the streets with permitted parking, there are special parking meters, which accept plastic cards, coins, as well as special parking cards. The cost for an hour varies from $ 1.50 to $ 3.50, sometimes on Sundays near tourist attractions, parking is free. Place in the parking garage costs from $ 30 - $ 50 per day.

Refueling

The petrol stations of the European type, which are located directly on the road, are found only in the states of New York and New Jersey. There is a small tendency: the farther from the coast, the cheaper the gasoline. On average, in New York, gasoline costs $ 4 per gallon. Or, your car can be with fuel, but the representative of the car rental has his ow prices for that.

Easy move!