visiting NYC for the 1st time.... (rental car, rental, hotels)

[jgw1283]

I am planning an East Coast trip and want to check out NYC. I have been from VA Beach up to northern NJ to visit family before but never made it to NYC. So, is it unrealistic to bring a rental car into NYC? I was planning on being in DC for a few days as well as in VA for a bit. I dont want to miss NYC though, but I've heard a lot of rumors about how you shouldnt bring a car into the city as its just too hard to get around.

So, if I want to spend 3-5 days in NYC, is it possible to leave the rental at a hotel in the city? Is that even realistic? Being from the west coast, I'm used to open roads and cars (LA lol).

Are hotels in the city pricey? Everyone tells me to take the subways/metros around the whole coast and that I shouldnt even need a rental.

any thoughts appreciated!

[BKTony]

No its not unrealistic to bring a car to NYC especially if that is how you are getting here. However I would leave the car at the hotel if you are sightseeing because driving in NYC for the first time can be very difficult especially avoiding traffic jams. Manhattan is in a grid so its pretty easy not to get lost driving, but in Brooklyn and Queens one or two wrong turns and you can get lost for hours. Street Parking in Manhattan and most of Brooklyn is very hard to find during the daytime. So the subway will make it easier due to not wasting time in traffic and looking for parking spaces. As far as hotels in NYC they can be more expensive than most of the country, especially in the summer and during the holidays.Try to book a hotel as far in advance as possible. There are numerous travel sites on the internet and believe or not you can actually find a good deal with some research. In general hotels in Manhattan are more expensive than elsewhere in the city. Often you can get some good deals on the hotels near Laguardia Airport.

[tpk-nyc]

It's expensive and unnecessary. If you have family in north Jersey, they're probably not far from a commuter train into the city. Park the car at their house (or even return it so you're not paying for it) and take the train in. Driving in Manhattan is not fun and parking can be extremely expensive.

The other option is the take the train from DC to NYC. It's not that long and you can read a book, chill out, etc. It's no more expensive than what you would spend on gas, tolls and car rental.

Road trips are fun, but not in NYC.

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by tpk-nyc

The other option is the take the train from DC to NYC. It's not that long and you can read a book, chill out, etc. It's no more expensive than what you would spend on gas, tolls and car rental.

Or you could even take a bus like Megabus or something... much cheaper than the train.

[UpstaterInBklyn]

If you are staying in a hotel in Manhattan, everyone's advice would be to leave the car a parking garage for the duration of your stay, because the city is better experienced via walking, public transportation and maybe an occasional taxi. There is plenty of garage parking in Manhattan, but it is expensive - about $45-$60 per day for a convenient garage that is not way over on 11th or 12th Ave.

Since the car is a rental, why not just arrange to return it upon arrival in NYC, then rent another one when you leave? That way you are not paying rental fees for a car parked in a garage.