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Why rent a car in New York?

New York City, on the east coast of the US, is easily one of the world’s most exciting urban spaces and offers a huge range of sites, attractions and experiences. Each of its five boroughs has a different flavour, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s also a great location for visiting nearby destinations by hire car, such as Jersey,Philadelphia,Connecticut and Rhode Island.

How to get to and around New York?

If you’re arriving via LaGuardia Airport then it’s an 11-mile drive by rental car to New York. En route you could stop off for a view of the East river, which is actually more of an estuary and connects Upper New York Bay to Long Island Sound.

Hiring a car in New York city centre

Finding a hire car in New York is straightforward. You can rent a car from a range of providers at both LaGuardia Airport and in New York City centre. The city also has a number of parking facilities such as Icon Parking Systems, ParkWhiz and Central Parking Systems. New York also has a huge variety of hotels to suit a range of budgets, including the New York Hilton Midtown, the Hotel Pennsylvania and The Roosevelt Hotel. Many hotels offer free parking so do check before booking.

What brands are available?

There are various hire car providers to suit your budget and preferences, including Dollar, Thrifty and Budget. Many offer extras like free cancellation, unlimited mileage and a shuttle service to your rental car.

Must-sees within an easy drive of New York

There is much to see and do by hire car in New York. It’s easily one of the world’s most exciting urban spaces, and offers a variety of experiences across its different areas (from high-energy Manhattan to fashionable Tribeca to hipster Williamsburg). You can also enjoy world-famous attractions like Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, the Metropolitan Art Museum and Radio City Music Hall. Plus if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city you can find refuge in Central Park’s 843 acres of idyllic green space. Other places to take your rental car in New York include the historic seafront area of Coney Island, which includes the Luna Park fairground, and the Brooklyn Bridge, which is an iconic drive across one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US.

Scenic and glamorous Long Island is a 54-mile drive away by rental car from New York. A favoured getaway of the Manhattan elite, Long Island is known for its mansions, antique shops, beautiful white beaches, excellent restaurants and thriving wineries. Key attractions include the high-end resort area of the Hamptons, the 18th century Montauk Lighthouse and the protected beaches of Fire Island.

Wider New York State is wonderful to explore by hire car as it encompasses a variety of breathtaking attractions like the Catskill Mountains, a 137-mile drive from New York, the Finger Lakes region, a 256-mile journey and Niagara Falls, which is a 409-mile car drive and also borders Ontario.

Tips and tricks for driving in New York

Bear in mind that New York State Route 9A into the city has tolls and can also be congested at peak times. The fastest route from New York to the Catskills Mountains, via the 1-87 N, also has tolls. The US is right-hand drive and remember to keep an eye on your mirror, as drivers don’t always indicate a direction change. Every state has different driving laws, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the New York ones before your visit.

Ready to plan your New York city break?

Feeling inspired to explore New York and the rest of the US? Check out this City Guide and use the Expedia search tool to help you find the best car hire, flight and hotel deals and to research the best attractions and activities.

Travelling to New York City

Those travelling to New York City can do so via a number of forms of transportation, such as flying into LaGuardia Airport (LGA) or JFK Airport (JFK), arriving by train at Pennsylvania Station, or disembarking from a bus at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. All of these transport hubs provide new arrivals with relatively easy access to different parts of the city centre, whether by taxi, subway.

These stations and ports can also connect travellers to destinations outside the city, whether they want to go up and down the Eastern Seaboard or head inland. Those hoping to book a car rental service in New York should be sure to use the Expedia search tool, which can help to save money.

Hiring a Car from JFK or LaGuardia Airport

Both JFK and LaGuardia airports are major international destinations that have flights departing to, and arriving from, a wide range of cities throughout the world. If you happen to be planning to explore attractions outside of the city while visiting New York, then it is possible that hiring a car will both save you time and money, and allow you to visit more out-of-the-way sites as well. Both airports are home to a number of recognised car rental brands, including Enterprise, Budget, Image, and ACE.

Hire a Car from Manhattan

For those staying in Manhattan, or arriving by train or bus, you will find a number of car hire service providers scattered throughout the island, including brands such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, and Dollar.

Please note that driving in Manhattan, and New York City in general, can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavour due to heavy traffic, one way streets, and expensive parking that is also quite difficult to find. If you do plan on hiring a car to travel outside of the city, then be sure to organise your pick-up and drop-off so that you won’t have to pay for parking in the city.

Driving the East Coast

Many visitors to the United States choose to tour the major East Coast cities, which include New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington. Because all the cities have only a short distance between them, it is easy to drive from one to the next and explore major attractions along the way. However, be sure to travel at off-peak hours, as rush hour traffic can sometimes cause major delays.

Begin planning your visit to New York City and discovering all the attractions this major destination has to offer with the Expedia search tool. Use it now to research and reserve affordable hotel rooms for your stay.