Discover Manhattan on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Manhattan, the heart of New York City, is a bustling metropolis filled with iconic landmarks, world-class cuisine, and endless entertainment. While the city's public transportation is extensive, renting a car can offer you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals in Manhattan, allowing you to discover the city on your own terms.
Why Rent a Car in Manhattan?
Although Manhattan is known for its walkability and subway system, having a car can be advantageous for:
Day trips to nearby attractions like the Hudson Valley or Long Island beaches
Exploring outer boroughs with ease
Convenient shopping trips
Late-night travels when public transportation is less frequent
Tips for Renting a Car in Manhattan
1. Book in advance: Secure better rates and ensure availability, especially during peak tourist seasons.
2. Choose the right size: Opt for a compact car to navigate narrow streets and tight parking spaces.
3. Consider parking: Research parking options near your accommodation, as street parking can be challenging and garage fees can be high.
4. Familiarize yourself with traffic rules: Be aware of New York-specific driving laws and regulations.
5. Plan your routes: Use navigation apps to avoid congestion and find the best routes to your destinations.
Exploring Manhattan by Car
With your rental car, you can easily access attractions like:
The scenic Central Park, where you can park and enjoy a leisurely stroll
The vibrant neighborhoods of Harlem and Greenwich Village
The High Line and Chelsea Market
Museums along Museum Mile on the Upper East Side
Remember to factor in traffic when planning your itinerary, especially during rush hours. With Bookingautos, you'll find the perfect car rental option to suit your needs and budget, ensuring a memorable Manhattan adventure on your own terms.
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Manhattan
Finding parking for your rental car in Manhattan can be challenging and expensive. Here are some options to consider:
Parking Garages
Manhattan has numerous parking garages, but they can be costly. Look for daily or weekly rates to save money. Popular areas include:
Midtown
Financial District
Upper East Side
Street Parking
Street parking is available but limited. Be aware of:
Alternate side parking rules
Metered parking zones
No-parking areas during rush hours
Park and Ride
Consider parking outside Manhattan and using public transportation. Options include:
Long Island Rail Road stations
New Jersey Transit park and ride lots
Metro-North Railroad stations
Remember to always read signs carefully and avoid parking in front of fire hydrants or in bus lanes to prevent costly tickets or towing.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Alamo
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
30 € / Day
Best price
21 € / Day
Estimated price for 7 days rental in Manhattan:
January
€191
February
€128
March
€127
April
€141
May
€172
June
€229
July
€243
August
€260
September
€160
October
€124
November
€109
December
€156
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Manhattan rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Manhattan is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €18, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
In the summer, you should be prepared for an increase in the cost of rent. Price growth can be about 30-50% with a simultaneous reduction in the range of available offers. For example, the average price during July for Mercedes C Class starts from €32per day.
Our fleet has cars of all price categories, from budget to premium: sedans, convertibles, SUVs, minivans, business class cars. You can choose a rental car based on your preferences and budget.
The cost of car rental per day directly depends on the season, car class and rental period. The more days, the cheaper average daily cost. A modest economy car will cost at least €13 per day. In the middle segment, the offer range is €28-€46 per day. Business class car prices start at €72. In the high season, absolutely all rental cars become more expensive, especially rare models and convertibles. So, in summer in Manhattan popular with tourists Mini Couper Cabrio costs at least €82 per day.
In recent years in Manhattan the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent BMW i3 in Manhattan by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental
Download Google maps offline
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Manhattan is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Toyota Aygo or Opel Astra. These models are the most popular with our customers in Manhattan.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Audi A4 Estate will cost €32 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Manhattan, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Manhattan are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Manhattan
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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