NYC experts: What to do with a rental car

motion · 03-26-2013, 05:20 PM

We'll be back in NYC in a few weeks, this time with a rental car. Last time I did that I learned my lesson, so no more $100 a night parking garages for me. Where is the best place to stash a car for 48 hours and have fast transport to Manhattan? I really don't like Newark, as it requires a bus transfer and an expensive train ride to Union Square. Any other ideas? We'll be driving up from Virginia Beach. TIA!

Hugh R · 03-26-2013, 05:26 PM

Rent at Enterprise, you can turn it in at a different location than where you rented. Then re-rent another one when you need it.

motion · 03-26-2013, 05:28 PM

Too late for that, but a great idea. And, I never, ever want to drive through the Lincoln tunnel again.

TimT · 03-26-2013, 05:30 PM

In front of my house?

Seriously, where are you arriving from? chances are you wont be able to leave your car parked for 48 hours unless you park in some re,mote part of the outer Boroughs

Leave it in one of the Port Authority Long term lots and get a car service/cab to your crib..

PA long term is $33/day? the rate drops the longer the duration...

jwgn777 · jwgn777's Garage

I would try to get parking in the Queens area. It has access to every thing. Manhattan to Long Island. This might help. I have not used these places but you could call and find info.NYC Parking | Central Parking > Parking in Queens Don't have to drive trough the Lincoln tunnel you go over the GW then to the Tri Borough or AKA RFK Bridge.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-26-2013, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

Too late for that, but a great idea. And, I never, ever want to drive through the Lincoln tunnel again.

try walking through it.

jwasbury · 03-26-2013, 06:49 PM

If you're coming from the Jersey side, there is a parking deck you can stash it at here in Jersey City just around the corner from my place. Probably costs 20-30 per 24 hours. Steps away from the PATH train to Manhattan which runs 24/7 to either World Trade center (2 stops <10 minutes), or Midtown (34th St. Herald Square terminus is a 20 minute ride, also stops in Greenwich Village and a few spots along 6th ave).

jwasbury · 03-26-2013, 06:52 PM

If you're coming from the Jersey side, there is a parking deck you can stash it at here in Jersey City just around the corner from my place. Probably costs 20-30 per 24 hours. Steps away from the PATH train to Manhattan which runs 24/7 to either World Trade center (2 stops <10 minutes), or Midtown (34th St. Herald Square terminus is a 20 minute ride, also stops in Greenwich Village and a few spots along 6th ave). PATH fare is about $2.50 per one way trip. If you're here on a weekend, street parking in Jersey City is free and typically available. The PATH station is Grove St. You can google it to get a sense of the geography. The parking deck is a 50 Christopher Columbus Drive.

froggert · 03-26-2013, 07:32 PM

secaucus junction might be an option. it's exit 15x off the nj turnpike with frequent trains into midtown.

LakeCleElum · 03-26-2013, 07:44 PM

Staten Island and walk onto the free ferry.....I did that for a day trip and paid no parking fee......

NY65912 · 03-27-2013, 02:45 AM

Park it in Brooklyn, (Williamsburg) and take the L into Union Sq. You can go anywhere from there, uptown, downtown with no additional fare.

It will be worth it as there are a ton of great eating spots in Billyburg and it is a very eclectic area, lots to see........if you're a hipster. Hell, you can just look at the hipsters for entertainment.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-27-2013, 04:26 AM

When I'm at the Javits, I park at 34th & 10th, typically $25 tax included for the day, get in at 8, leave at 5. That's a non-show rate. I think a show rate is $30. It's outdoors but a lot of nice cars in the lot. Might be $50 max for each 24 hour period.

bell · bell's Garage

Swirly twirly gumdrops.....then I walked through the Lincoln tunnel
.......lol

Seahawk · 03-27-2013, 05:10 AM

Where are you headed after Manhattan?

motion · 03-27-2013, 08:51 AM

Thanks! Lots of great options to consider.

Seahawk, we are heading south to Dulles to catch our flight back home.

motion · 03-27-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bell

Swirly twirly gumdrops.....then I walked through the Lincoln tunnel
.......lol

Must be a good story, Sean. Let's here it.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-27-2013, 10:02 AM

At one time it was a good story, that was years and years ago, I've forgotten much of it, all the fun details, and like most, it's definitely better in person.

Two kids from the country, western Mass, need to see the Roger Waters Pros & Cons of Hitchhiking tour in the NJ Meadowlands, summer of 1984. We take the train down to NYC and grab a cab over to NJ. OF COURSE cabs will be there to take us back, no problem we thought. Concert was f'ing amazing, to this day one of the best, but when we get out, there are no cabs. There's nothing but people leaving in their own cars.

We can see NYC, it can't be that far away! Let's walk.

We get a mile and see a hotel, think there will be a cab there. No, just 2 hookers outside. A shame we had limited cash.

So we walk, and walk, and there's the tunnel. And at about 1AM, we walk into it. The tunnel is longer than you think. And the air in it isn't really air, it's car exhaust.We get through it fairly dizzy at the end, get to Penn Station at 3AM and fall asleep with the bums.

Next day we're back in Northampton after an amazing adventure.

EarlyPorsche · 03-27-2013, 07:59 PM

Do to have a hotel yet? There is a hotel in midtown that includes free parking with its rooms. Rooms are cheap at like $200 a night but they aren't the nicest or anywhere close. If you're interested I can dig up the name for you.

Seahawk · 03-28-2013, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggert

secaucus junction might be an option. it's exit 15x off the nj turnpike with frequent trains into midtown.

I do this all the time, especially headed up from the south. I spend a day or so every month in Manhattan. I have tried every method, trains, airlines, etc. and driving still works out the best if I can work around rush hour(s).

The reason I asked where you where headed after NYC is that I will often park north of the city (Stamford, CT is very convenient) if I need to be in NYC then continue north.

Just a few other tips (although you probably know all this):

Drive up the Eastern Shore on your way out of Va Beach. The drive isn't that scenic but the drive up I-64 to I-95 is stunningly boring. That and you'll only have to see parts of the drive twice.

Make sure your rental car has EZ Pass. There are a lot of tolls on your way to and back from NYC and EZ Pass makes it much "EZ'er". Sorry.

Hopefully the rental will have sat radio...the traffic channels are awesome.

Download the Amtrak app and any other apps you will need for the train stuff. The status pages are excellent.

Headed to Dulles from NYC , if the traffic is bad take the southern route on the beltway around DC. It is 20 miles longer but much faster in traffic often since the southern beltway and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge have been dramatically improved in the last few years. They even have EZ Pass lanes just past the I-95 split past the WWB all the way to the Dulles turn. 495 north still has some hairy sections that back-up for fricking ever.

Time rush hours since you have a number of big cities and feeder routes on your way to Dulles. If you don't head south in the morning, be headed south out of Secaucus /NYC NLT than 1300. Failing that, head south after 1800.

Enjoy.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-28-2013, 04:57 AM

if you are looking at hotels, I've stayed at the Hotel Chandler and it was beautiful. Midtown East isn't the best location, but it's a great hotel, cozy and romantic, hard to find in the City.

Hotel in Midtown Manhattan| Hotel Chandler | Boutique Hotel in NYC