Parking in area outside city New York
 

I am driving my grandchildren on history tour of Northeast states. From Philadelphia, going to New York City and do not feel comfortable driving in New York. Needing to know where to park my car for several days in safe parking area with easy access to train. Thank you for your help.

Are you going to drive in Philadelphia? Manhattan is much easier than Philadelphia. Most of it is grid.

but, you could always park at the Secaucus Junction train station and get the train into NYC from there.

Just going to do day in Philadelphia. Probably will check into parking outer area and public transportation imto city. Just started planning trip. While I have driven in large cities and last year drove my granddaughter through Germany, Italy and Austria, thinking about driving in New York City intimidates me.
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To where will you be driving onward after NY?

I don't blame you at all for not wanting to drive in Manhattan - I'm a born-and-raised New Yorker and I hate to drive there! But it's a very good question where you'll be going next becuase it might make sense to park on "that side" so leaving is easier.

Why drive at all? Perhaps you can go city to city by train, saving gas, tolls, parking fees, and logistic dificulties.

Megabus is also a good option for city to city, unless you're bringing your own car from somewhere?

BTW, Philadelphia was the first major city in the US that had a grid system; William Penn didn't want a repeat of the London Fire of 1666. But driving in either Philadelphia or NYC can be tough due to both traffic and parking, so it's a good plan to use public transportation--plus, it's definitely a cultural experience!

Another option: DO drive into Manhattan. Drive via the Lincoln Tunnel and follow the signs when coming out of the tunnel immediately to the Parking at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. You will drive perhaps a block on Manhattan streets and then be safely in the garage.

Agree we need to know where you are going next - so we can figure out if it makes sense for you to park west of the city, or north or east.

Be aware that most train stations are essentially for locals only - usually fill up before 8 am and often require a town sticker. But there are a few large ones in each direction that have space for multi-day parking open to everyone.

You can park at Metropark in the garage if you want to be in NJ next. You can park in White Plains if you want to be upstate next. You can also park in Connecticut (I'd recommend Stamford) if you are going toward Boston, but White Plains works just as well.

Those are the most convenient garages.

However, I also think that the option of driving straight to the Port Authority parking garage is a definite option for you and would be just as convenient. Granted, the parking there is expensive, but it's a safe, secure facility and would put you right in the heart of Times Square. On the way out, you similarly do not have to drive on city streets; you go straight into the Lincoln Tunnel.

Thanks so much for your advice. Plans keep changing. Grandson decided he did not want to miss his first high school team soccer camp this coming week.

Depending on where you are coming from,you can park at the Paoli PA Amtrak station (220 free parking spots).
The fare from Paoli to Philadelphia is $6.50 for a 29-39 minute ride into 30th St. station (PHL).
There are 5 morning Keystone trains that get you to PHL before noon.

It's been many years since I took the Paoli local daily but I remember that the parking spaces there filled very quickly. It could be different now. I would find a PPA garage in the city and park there if your trip is still on.