Car Rental New York

keithclancy

Any recommendations for car rental in New York.

Going for a week at the end of the month and staying in Manhattan.

Heading out to New Jersey for 2 nights and was thinking it would be good if I could get a rental for pickup in Manhattan and drop off at JFK.

Cheapest I found so far was with Carhire3000 (76 quid sterling) for the 23rd - 25th.

Yawlboy

One thing to note is that SatNavs tend to have problems working in NYC. I hired a car from Hertz in Manhattan a few years ago and Neverlost was useless until we cleared the skyscrapers, so plan your route in advance.

dar83

I used Dollar on West 52nd when I rented a Charger a few years ago.

One piece of advice I would give you is that I would try to do your driving days in and around Manhattan at the weekend if at all possible. Traffic isn't half as bad on those days but it'll always be somewhat heavy, especially around the Port Authority/Lincoln Tunnel area. It's quite easy to navigate around the island though.

brenn7475

Dollar rent a car are the best rates they have drop off in Jersey aswell. Beware of all the tolls heading into NYC nightmare if you don't know your way. Make sure you get a sat nav also

cloneslad

You could also take a bus/train to Newark airport and rent a car there, it would save you from driving in manhattan. I drove Philadelphia to Long Island and drove through manhattan but there wasn't much traffic as it was only a few days after sandy hit.

When I was walking around manhattan during my time there traffic as often at a standstill. Getting a car from the airport might save this hassle.

rebel.ranter

Avis have 4 or 5 drop off locations in Manhattan. I think Carhire3000 can end up being Avis & other suppliers. As mentioned you can't rely on the Sat Nav there.

keithclancy

brenn7475 wrote: »

Dollar rent a car are the best rates they have drop off in Jersey aswell. Beware of all the tolls heading into NYC nightmare if you don't know your way. Make sure you get a sat nav also

Well its more to have the convenience of dropping off at the airport, we'd be going straight out from Manhattan and driving down to Plainsboro.

Public transport from where were going looks like a bit of a ballache, its around 3 hours from there to JFK but only a 1 hr 21 min drive.

Oral Surgeon

keithclancy wrote: »

Any recommendations for car rental in New York.

Going for a week at the end of the month and staying in Manhattan.

Heading out to New Jersey for 2 nights and was thinking it would be good if I could get a rental for pickup in Manhattan and drop off at JFK.

Cheapest I found so far was with Carhire3000 (76 quid sterling) for the 23rd - 25th.

From personal experience, the best rental car in manhattan/ NYC is no rental car. I've driven all over the states, LA, Vegas, Boston... but NYC is on a whole different level of hassel for driving. Nav systems are useless, maps are pointless as they have so many overlapping roads and junctions, one ways and tolls. Traffic is a nightmare and most hotels charge a fortune for parking....
There is excellent public transport from JFK to manhattan and new jersey and if stuck, a cab is pretty cheap.
Seriously op, I'd pay twice the money on a cab than have that hassel again....

Alanstrainor

carhire3000 are just a 3rd party, you'll end up being with Dollar, Avis, Hertz etc.

Holsten

Why oh why would you even think about renting a car in Manhattan?!

It's not that big, it's easy to walk around the place plus the Subway system, and the cabs.....

People who live there don't even have cars, the traffic is on another level.

chillywilly

I saved about €600 booking through hotwire.com when driving in California. It was through National car rental and found them to be great, although quality of service can differ from branch to branch or so i've read.

keithclancy

Holsten wrote: »

Why oh why would you even think about renting a car in Manhattan?!

It's not that big, it's easy to walk around the place plus the Subway system, and the cabs.....

People who live there don't even have cars, the traffic is on another level.

FFS .. I'm renting a car in Manhattan and driving directly to Plainsboro New Jersey.

Public Transport: 2hrs 27mins
Driving: 1hr 9

And then I'm going directly from Plainsboro to JFK.

Public Transport: 2hrs 48min - 3hrs 10 mins depending.
Driving: 1hr 18

Transport costs are 74 dollars and also transport schedules are disrupted due to Sandy.
To top it off we'll be wheeling around large bags with us.

Get it now ? Why the hell would I want to drive around Manhattan ?

I want to do a rental, pickup in Manhattan and drop off at JFK !

I'd pay a premium to save time and have the convenience of not carrying crap around on the bus/train

cloneslad

keithclancy wrote: »

FFS .. I'm renting a car in Manhattan and driving directly to Plainsboro New Jersey.

Public Transport: 2hrs 27mins
Driving: 1hr 9

And then I'm going directly from Plainsboro to JFK.

Public Transport: 2hrs 48min - 3hrs 10 mins depending.
Driving: 1hr 18

Transport costs are 74 dollars and also transport schedules are disrupted due to Sandy.
To top it off we'll be wheeling around large bags with us.

Get it now ? Why the hell would I want to drive around Manhattan ?

I want to do a rental, pickup in Manhattan and drop off at JFK !

I'd pay a premium to save time and have the convenience of not carrying crap around on the bus/train

Some places charge Hugh prices tomdropmoff in different locations, it can be up to $300. Dollar let me pick up in Philadelphia and drop off in JFK, I think they only charged $28.

If the price is high you might be better catching a train/bus to JFK picking up,the car, then coming back through manhattan on the way to New Jersey and picking up your bags and passengers on the way.

keithclancy

116 Dollars with Dollar for a Ford Focus
86.32 EUR for a Kia Rio with Hertz.
23rd - 25th of Jan.

Edit: actually it seems to be the same price doing a pickup and drop off from a different place as it is for one from JFK for both pickup/dropoff.

Marcusm

keithclancy wrote: »

116 Dollars with Dollar for a Ford Focus
86.32 EUR for a Kia Rio with Hertz.
23rd - 25th of Jan.

Edit: actually it seems to be the same price doing a pickup and drop off from a different place as it is for one from JFK for both pickup/dropoff.

I fully agree with your plans; no idea why other posters find the idea of picking up a car in Manhattan so strange. Carhire3000 is an aggregator which will give you a good idea of pricing and pitch you through to the main rental companies. Intown pick up and airport drop off is generally not a premium service, IME.

NY is a great state for renting as the price you are shown has to include CDW, all liability insurance, taxes etc so its generally easy to price compare and understand what you are actually paying - not the case in Ireland or much of Europe.

THere are lots of intown pickups for the main rental companies and I would generally use one of those and go directly there rather than have a hotel drop off. THe last time they tried to pawn me off with a Mercury Marquis (a Ford Crown Victoria with a bit of lipstick) and I wanted to see what else they had which is easy on site.

SAT NAV can be useful to get out of Manhattan. Generally the only time you'll have difficulty is in the canyons around Wall Street, 5th and 6th in MIdtown. I'll be bringing one from here with US maps as the per day prices are ludicrous and the maps are often not updated.

THey'll generally include an EZ Pass for tolls. I generally reject it as they charge a daily premium which I find is more than the tolls I incur.

As it happens, I'll be heading over on 26th with my brothers. We'll have a car for a 5 day trip upstate New York. I'm thinking a Chevy Suburban.....

Oral Surgeon

keithclancy wrote: »

FFS .. I'm renting a car in Manhattan and driving directly to Plainsboro New Jersey.

Public Transport: 2hrs 27mins
Driving: 1hr 9

And then I'm going directly from Plainsboro to JFK.

Public Transport: 2hrs 48min - 3hrs 10 mins depending.
Driving: 1hr 18

Transport costs are 74 dollars and also transport schedules are disrupted due to Sandy.
To top it off we'll be wheeling around large bags with us.

Get it now ? Why the hell would I want to drive around Manhattan ?

I want to do a rental, pickup in Manhattan and drop off at JFK !

I'd pay a premium to save time and have the convenience of not carrying crap around on the bus/train

Fair enough but from my own experience;
Cape cod to manhattan, google maps says 4 hours 25mins, didn't seem bad but ended up being 9 and a half hours (about 3 solid driving and the rest sitting in traffic coming into NYC, tired, bored, hungry, frustrated, angry...... Why didn't I take the bus or train or even walking would be better......
After getting to the hotel, they charged $50/day parking (plus my rental costs...) te car didn't move until I headed back to the cape... Never again...

Good luck whatever you choose

Marcusm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Fair enough but from my own experience;
Cape cod to manhattan, google maps says 4 hours 25mins, didn't seem bad but ended up being 9 and a half hours (about 3 solid driving and the rest sitting in traffic coming into NYC, tired, bored, hungry, frustrated, angry...... Why didn't I take the bus or train or even walking would be better......
After getting to the hotel, they charged $50/day parking (plus my rental costs...) te car didn't move until I headed back to the cape... Never again...

Good luck whatever you choose

Completely different sections of I-95 though; kclancy (if he has sense) will rent in Midtown west,head through one of the tunnels and down the turnpike to Plainsboro (Are you going to see Dr House?). On the way back, he'll presumably miss the entire city, cross Staten Island and then Verrazanno bridge into Brooklyn and a short trip to JFK. You'll have come in and through the Bronx and hit crappy roads for the last 10 miles or so.

That being said, I wouldn't have taken a car into Manhattan and left it there for 5 days if I wasn't going to use it; parking costs are crazy (and I say that despite living in LOndon).

keithclancy

Right... well booked a car.

Chevrolet Aevo
Includes:

• collision damage waiver (cdw) no excess
• third party liability protection (tp)
• theft waiver (tw)
• tax
• oneway rental fee
• unlimited mileage
• breakdown assistance

Pickup is in New Jersey so about 30 minutes over the river by Public Transport from where were staying (Public Transport cost is 2 dollars per person)

Drop off is as JFK.
Total Cost: 64 euros.

Plus we'll be off the Island so won't have to deal with the crazy traffic.

Happy with that, especially that the excess is zero !

Checked out moneysupermarket and then went to Argus to get the price with National.

I have the US Maps for the Satnav so that'll do me, I might get a sim card when over there to have Google maps as a backup.

Marcusm

keithclancy wrote: »

Right... well booked a car.

Chevrolet Aevo
Includes:

• collision damage waiver (cdw) no excess
• third party liability protection (tp)
• theft waiver (tw)
• tax
• oneway rental fee
• unlimited mileage
• breakdown assistance

Pickup is in New Jersey so about 30 minutes over the river by Public Transport from where were staying (Public Transport cost is 2 dollars per person)

Drop off is as JFK.
Total Cost: 64 euros.

Plus we'll be off the Island so won't have to deal with the crazy traffic.

Happy with that, especially that the excess is zero !

Checked out moneysupermarket and then went to Argus to get the price with National.

Have fun in your Daewoo!! Before you go, check out the roadworks on the turnpike; there running a multi year upgrade and a lot of the junctions/exits are closed. Don't want to have to go and extra 50 miles if you don't need to.

keithclancy

Marcusm wrote: »

Have fun in your Daewoo!! Before you go, check out the roadworks on the turnpike; there running a multi year upgrade and a lot of the junctions/exits are closed. Don't want to have to go and extra 50 miles if you don't need to.

Well its 'Or Similar' .. so god knows what it is I don't really care as having 4 wheels and seats is a step up lugging stuff on the bus/train.

Any idea if those roadworks are on Google Navigation ? If it is I might invest in a sim for data.

Cheers for the advice ... any other tips on driving there ? Used to driving on the right as I've been living in NL for 5 years.

jimbomalley

keithclancy wrote: »

Right... well booked a car.

Chevrolet Aevo
Includes:

• collision damage waiver (cdw) no excess
• third party liability protection (tp)
• theft waiver (tw)
• tax
• oneway rental fee
• unlimited mileage
• breakdown assistance

Pickup is in New Jersey so about 30 minutes over the river by Public Transport from where were staying (Public Transport cost is 2 dollars per person)

Drop off is as JFK.
Total Cost: 64 euros.

Plus we'll be off the Island so won't have to deal with the crazy traffic.

Happy with that, especially that the excess is zero !

Checked out moneysupermarket and then went to Argus to get the price with National.

I have the US Maps for the Satnav so that'll do me, I might get a sim card when over there to have Google maps as a backup.

Best of luck driving there, it's certainly an experience. Everybody speeds, nobody cares about traffic cops thus lots drink drive AND even drinking while driving! Expect angry drivers flipping you off and honking horns as you figure out where the sat nav is directing you to go. Toll systems can be a bit of a nightmare, dunno if there s the option of an eazypass with the rental but if there is Id recommend getting it as it makes life that bit easier. I enjoyed it tho, despite everything!

cloneslad

keithclancy wrote: »

Well its 'Or Similar' .. so god knows what it is I don't really care as having 4 wheels and seats is a step up lugging stuff on the bus/train.

Any idea if those roadworks are on Google Navigation ? If it is I might invest in a sim for data.

Cheers for the advice ... any other tips on driving there ? Used to driving on the right as I've been living in NL for 5 years.

It's just driving, you'll be grand. I've driven in Vietnam and korea as well as here London and New York, only difference is slightly bigger roads and more cars depending where you are. As long as you pay attention you'll be okay.

The only place I'd never drive in would be India, I feared for my life on the roads there.

keithclancy

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Fair enough but from my own experience;
Cape cod to manhattan, google maps says 4 hours 25mins, didn't seem bad but ended up being 9 and a half hours (about 3 solid driving and the rest sitting in traffic coming into NYC, tired, bored, hungry, frustrated, angry...... Why didn't I take the bus or train or even walking would be better......
After getting to the hotel, they charged $50/day parking (plus my rental costs...) te car didn't move until I headed back to the cape... Never again...

Good luck whatever you choose

I wouldn't do that.. I mean .. I wouldn't rent a car and expect to park in the Center of a major city, if you think thats expensive there's some streets in Den Haag and Amsterdam that are 10 eur/hour.

I usually always try to find a car drop off point close to a good transport link near my destination.

But i'd never pay to park a rental car ..

goz83

Do you get to pick your car, or is it "similar"?

I'm planning a visit to Vegas this year and would love to rent me a mustang, or maybe a camaro if that's not available. Also visiting NYC on the way back for a few days, but not planning to rent a car there.

Marcusm

keithclancy wrote: »

Well its 'Or Similar' .. so god knows what it is I don't really care as having 4 wheels and seats is a step up lugging stuff on the bus/train.

Any idea if those roadworks are on Google Navigation ? If it is I might invest in a sim for data.

Cheers for the advice ... any other tips on driving there ? Used to driving on the right as I've been living in NL for 5 years.

I'll bet you'll get an Aveo, they're fairly common and not a bad choice in the city. The surface of the NJ turnpike is like an Irish bog road or at least was at the end of last winter. A lot of exits are short and you don't get much of a run up to merge. That said, they seem to leave the right lane free for entering and exiting with the HGVs staying to the middle lane - I found this a bit odd and asked some of my mates who live there; they confrmed it's the normal manner. Personally, I'd have rented in Manhattan so as not to lug big bags anywhere. Don't get all the hatred of it, north of 15th street or so all the streets run N-S and E-W which I find makes it fairly easy as long as you keep your head. It's true that with nearly all streets and aves being one way that you end up doing a lot of box turns to get onto the actual street but again keeping the head is usually all that's required.

As regards motorway driving lots of trucks (but you'll be used to that with NL/D). Less tailgating and fewer outright speed freaks than in continental Europe or UK in my experience.

When I first picked up a car in New York, I'd never driven on the right, never driven an automatic and certainly never driven a street in NY (I'd been driving 2 years or so). First drive was up the Henry Hudson parkway on the westside, out through Connecticut and onwards to Rhode Island. Had to make sure I kept my cool but being by myself probably helped. Got into canyons between trucks etc but I'm sure you've experienced that.

keithclancy

Marcusm wrote: »

I'll bet you'll get an Aveo, they're fairly common and not a bad choice in the city. The surface of the NJ turnpike is like an Irish bog road or at least was at the end of last winter. A lot of exits are short and you don't get much of a run up to merge. That said, they seem to leave the right lane free for entering and exiting with the HGVs staying to the middle lane - I found this a bit odd and asked some of my mates who live there; they confrmed it's the normal manner. Personally, I'd have rented in Manhattan so as not to lug big bags anywhere. Don't get all the hatred of it, north of 15th street or so all the streets run N-S and E-W which I find makes it fairly easy as long as you keep your head. It's true that with nearly all streets and aves being one way that you end up doing a lot of box turns to get onto the actual street but again keeping the head is usually all that's required.

As regards motorway driving lots of trucks (but you'll be used to that with NL/D). Less tailgating and fewer outright speed freaks than in continental Europe or UK in my experience.

When I first picked up a car in New York, I'd never driven on the right, never driven an automatic and certainly never driven a street in NY (I'd been driving 2 years or so). First drive was up the Henry Hudson parkway on the westside, out through Connecticut and onwards to Rhode Island. Had to make sure I kept my cool but being by myself probably helped. Got into canyons between trucks etc but I'm sure you've experienced that.

Cheers for that

Only reason I went with National in NJ was its a 15 minute difference getting to the rental place and theres a 25 euro difference in price.. plus the rate I go is with zero excess whereas with Hertz in battery park there was an excess.

Sounds like driving in Belgium. :pac:

jackofalltrades

keithclancy wrote: »

Cheers for the advice ... any other tips on driving there ?

Sat Nav's don't work that well if you're driving in Manhattan.
Buy a decent map.
Plan your route and look at the junctions using street view on Google maps.
Be fussy at the car hire desk and ask them what choice of cars that you have.
See if you can get a car with a bit of power, as this makes merging a lot easier.
EZ Pass is very handy, but could restrict your choice of cars.
Road surfaces can be poor in places.
Don't drive anywhere after 3pm on a Friday evening, congestion gets unreal.
Drive on the top deck of bridges if you have the option, views are a lot better.

I see your driving from NJ to JFK, what time of the day are you planning to do this?
The Staten Island Expy, Verrazano bridge and the belt parkway can get quite congested.

keithclancy

jackofalltrades wrote: »

Sat Nav's don't work that well if you're driving in Manhattan.
Buy a decent map.
Plan your route and look at the junctions using street view on Google maps.
Be fussy at the car hire desk and ask them what choice of cars that you have.
See if you can get a car with a bit of power, as this makes merging a lot easier.
EZ Pass is very handy, but could restrict your choice of cars.
Road surfaces can be poor in places.
Don't drive anywhere after 3pm on a Friday evening, congestion gets unreal.
Drive on the top deck of bridges if you have the option, views are a lot better.

I see your driving from NJ to JFK, what time of the day are you planning to do this?
The Staten Island Expy, Verrazano bridge and the belt parkway can get quite congested.

Aiming to be there for 2pm, flight is at 6 o'clock ... what kind of travel time should we be factoring in ?

jackofalltrades

I'd plan on a journey time of around 2.5 hours.