Car rental in NYC?

Just don’t rent from an airport. Some people think that getting out of Manhattan and renting at the airport is the cheapest thing to do. Not so. Hefty airport taxes make it expensive.

I rented one time from some place on the west side in the 40’s I think. Can’t remember. I went for a Chevy Toyota Corolla equivalent thingy and it was surprisingly cheap and for unlimited mileage for a return trip to Boston. I’m not much help, I know but you can get a very good deal if you just spend an hour ringing up the various numbers in the big yellow book.

When I lived in NYC, I used to take a 35 minute express (1 hr. on local) train to Stamford CT, and rent from the places there. There are several places (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc…I forgot which ones exactly) right across the street from the station. Rates would be like 1/4 of the NYC prices. Plus, weekend traffic leaving the city would always suck, so you would avoid the worst of it from being on the train for that first 25 miles. Though if your intention was to be using the car in the city it might not be so cost effective. David, I think the New Haven line, Metro North trains stop at 125th St. as well as Grand Central. At least it used to. Might be convenient for you if you pursue that route.

Thanks guys. All good tips. Prices here so much higher than in Europe and no weekend packages! The big names seem to have a little cartel going. Prices are identical to the cent. The hour on the phone is probably the way to reach the smaller guys. Although one would have thought that by now some form of price comparison website would do the work for you. Anyone know of one? Jethro: thanks I would have never thought of that. It is a bit late for that now (I am driving out tomorrow) but it sounds like a very good solution.

if you really want cheap in NYC you gotta go to sketchy independent rental car companies in the middle of Queens or something, these won’t be advertised online and have to be found in the small print of the Yellow Pages. The cheapest normal rental i’ve has was for $60 a day, out of Newark Airport. Going out of the city is a very good idea. Trains not only connect to Stamford, CT, but also to Philadelphia (NJ Transit) for very cheap, and like in Stamford, you’ll find prices more in line with the rest of the country. otherwise just think of renting a car in new york like you would think of going to an overpriced restaurant that serves mediocre food. get that nice feeling of waste as you sign the credit card receipt!

the cheapest place I know is the car rental in the garage of Brooklyn Marriot.  Its easy to get to by car and subway (Jay street on F train).  Last time it cost me about $50 to rent a car for a day.  call them and ask for the rental agent and chat with them.

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=NYCBK&PPC=google_marriottbrooklyn_nycbk

Thanks guys.

i also rented in newark airport. It was not that expensive (about 70 a day) with all the insurances. the idea of going to another city smaller than nyc is good if you have the time. good luck david

PS: have you heard about public transportation? hehehe