Parking in New York
Jul 31st, 2009, 07:23 AM
#21
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jtroth,
yes, I was referring to your post because I believe the OP is seeking a way to avoid city traffic and driving and parking in the city in general. To drive from Rochester and reach Long Island City the OP would have to cross multiple bridges or tunnels which always adds to the agony of getting around the NY-metro area. For some visitors, Long Island City would be the perfect solution--I don't believe so for this situation.
yes, I was referring to your post because I believe the OP is seeking a way to avoid city traffic and driving and parking in the city in general. To drive from Rochester and reach Long Island City the OP would have to cross multiple bridges or tunnels which always adds to the agony of getting around the NY-metro area. For some visitors, Long Island City would be the perfect solution--I don't believe so for this situation.
Jul 31st, 2009, 12:33 PM
#23
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ellenem - the OP noted that they consider it a hassle to be burdened with a car once in the city - true. But I was just offering an option - this visitor can drive right up to their hotel dump their luggage and then take the car to LIC for inexpensive parking. Driving into the city - to the hotel - is not that much different than driving around Rochester. What you want to avoid is using the car in town. Parking in Poughkeepsie is about a one hour or so ride into town (once you get on the train - and add a half hour or so for the wait)) on the RR (with luggage) and paying RR fare - and ditto to return. Anyway - just an option to consider.
Jul 31st, 2009, 01:16 PM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where are you staying in the city? That might make a difference as well. I'm in Hamilton Heights, and there is onstreet parking but cars have to be moved every couple of days, but once you know the rules, it's not that much of a problem. In this area (keep this quiet please) you can usually find parking on one of the side streets, from 146th to 155th and the A train is close by. If you don't mind taking the subway downtown, you shouldn't have a problem, unless we have had a big snowstorm, then ALL bets are off.
Jul 31st, 2009, 01:50 PM
#25
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Couple of days"???
Sometimes it seems a little foolish to overthink these things. Assume for a minute that you're talking two days which becomes three days (over 24 hours the third perhaps. Parking in NJ or Brooklyn for maybe $20 a day is now $60 total. Two people round trip on a ferry is another $30. So we're up to $90, plus figuring out how to get from the ferry to the hotel with the luggage, etc. How much does that really save from just parking at a nearby garage after dropping off your luggage?
Before you get too carried away go back to ellem's link in the second post of this thread. Enter your dates and your area and see what they find for you. You might actually end up parking close, make the whole thing easier, and save money from schlepping back and forth between boroughs or states!
Sometimes it seems a little foolish to overthink these things. Assume for a minute that you're talking two days which becomes three days (over 24 hours the third perhaps. Parking in NJ or Brooklyn for maybe $20 a day is now $60 total. Two people round trip on a ferry is another $30. So we're up to $90, plus figuring out how to get from the ferry to the hotel with the luggage, etc. How much does that really save from just parking at a nearby garage after dropping off your luggage?
Before you get too carried away go back to ellem's link in the second post of this thread. Enter your dates and your area and see what they find for you. You might actually end up parking close, make the whole thing easier, and save money from schlepping back and forth between boroughs or states!
Jul 31st, 2009, 03:46 PM
#26
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have lived in the city for 10 years and my parents have always driven into Manhattan to visit. You can find street parking easily in certain neighborhoods (Upper East and Upper West Sides). Sunday's you are allowed to park on the Avenues for free, so its even easier. If you are here during the week, be careful about alternate side parking. You can book a hotel on the UWS or UES. You may have to drive around to look for a spot, but it has never taken me more than 20 minutes. Worth the time to not spend $40+ a day to me.
Jul 31st, 2009, 04:01 PM
#27
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The problem is that if you are downtown you would have to rush back uptown in the middle of the day - wasting several hours - in order to move your car from one side of the street to another. Parking on the street is only viable is you are visiting Friday to Sun or Fri to Mon (and then only on one side if each street.
Negotiating it is easy if you live here. But I can;t imagine wasting several hours daily out of a very few vacation days to save a few $.
And remember, if you inadvertently park in the wrong spot and are towed it will cost in excess of $1000 (minimum $150 parking ticket, towing fee and police lot impound fee) and the better part of a day to get your car back.
Negotiating it is easy if you live here. But I can;t imagine wasting several hours daily out of a very few vacation days to save a few $.
And remember, if you inadvertently park in the wrong spot and are towed it will cost in excess of $1000 (minimum $150 parking ticket, towing fee and police lot impound fee) and the better part of a day to get your car back.
Jul 31st, 2009, 05:45 PM
#29
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My initial post included a caveat that the parking days should coincide with their trip and not take away additional time.
But I learned long ago, do not to spend other people's money.
People are trying to save money and if there are different ways to do it and still keep traveling than those different ideas should be encouraged rather being called insane or questioning one's NY cred.
And we as NY'ers should not think that every vistor is a first timer or some timid soul. There are those who can read and those who understand a mistake my cost money.
But I learned long ago, do not to spend other people's money.
People are trying to save money and if there are different ways to do it and still keep traveling than those different ideas should be encouraged rather being called insane or questioning one's NY cred.
And we as NY'ers should not think that every vistor is a first timer or some timid soul. There are those who can read and those who understand a mistake my cost money.
Jul 31st, 2009, 05:52 PM
#30
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>nytraveler makes an excellent point. I once missed a sign 20 feet above the street and received a $150 parking ticket. That was over 20 years ago. Much more expensive now...>>
Yes - I also got a ticket because the sign was 20 feet (or maybe more) above street level. I photographed it. Showed it to the judge. He dismissed the ticket.
Yes - I also got a ticket because the sign was 20 feet (or maybe more) above street level. I photographed it. Showed it to the judge. He dismissed the ticket.
Jul 31st, 2009, 07:26 PM
#31
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A thousand years ago when we lived in Brooklyn Heights, i budgeted for two parking a month. It was still cheaper than a garage.
I received a parking ticket at the same time of the Patty Hearst kidnapping. I told the judge my story but he reamined unconvinced. (He actually said that I was too smart for my own good.) Then I asked him would he beleive that I was kidnapped, brainwashed, and forced to park there. He said of course not, but it was the best story he heard that day, and gave me a couple of bucks off.
I received a parking ticket at the same time of the Patty Hearst kidnapping. I told the judge my story but he reamined unconvinced. (He actually said that I was too smart for my own good.) Then I asked him would he beleive that I was kidnapped, brainwashed, and forced to park there. He said of course not, but it was the best story he heard that day, and gave me a couple of bucks off.
Aug 1st, 2009, 12:47 PM
#32
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about driving over to Albany and training down into the city. I seem to remember a relative of mine who worked in Albany several times a week doing this. I think there were a lot of trains and it was an easy trip.
Aug 1st, 2009, 02:42 PM
#35
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it's about $50 one way on Amtrak and takes around 2.5 hrs. Parking in NYC can be VERY expensive. Maybe something to think about. I assume there is a nominal parking fee up in Albany, but everything seems nominal compared to the city.
Aug 1st, 2009, 03:26 PM
#37
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, and you'd probably only have to take out a second mortgage to do that!!!
ftiznj -- $50 one way is $200 round trip on Amtrak and doesn't get them to their hotel in NYC. If they can't find two days parking for less than $200 then they really shouldn't go to New York at all!!!
ftiznj -- $50 one way is $200 round trip on Amtrak and doesn't get them to their hotel in NYC. If they can't find two days parking for less than $200 then they really shouldn't go to New York at all!!!
Aug 1st, 2009, 03:31 PM
#38
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This might sound a bit nutty, but I might consider parking in New Jersey on a legal, quiet, residential road where overnight parking is permitted and taking a quick bus to the city if you do not need your car while you visit NYC. Maybe a NJ motel would even permit you to pay a nominal charge to leave your car on their lot for a few days. Good luck!
Aug 1st, 2009, 03:51 PM
#39
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Parking in a quiet neighborhood in NJ may not be the answer either.
First, you have to get form the neighborhood to a train station and take the train into the city - not free and can be a hassle with luggage.
Second, you have to understand the local parking rules. There are towns in Jersey and LI that have a variety of parking rules to protect local homeowners - including rules that don;t allow any parking on the street between 2 am and 6 am. And there are no signs to that affect. People who live there know it. And those that don't live there shouldn't be parking there. (The idea is that local police can cruise the neighborhood and ANY car on the street is immediately suspicious - and gets ticketed and/or towed - and homeowners often awakened to see if the car belongs to them or a guest.)
As for parking in a train station lot - many are completely filled before 8 am - and many are open only to town residents with appropriate stickers.
Really just paying for a few night's parking is the simplest solution. And I can;t think of a much cheaper one for two people who are staying only a couple of nights.
First, you have to get form the neighborhood to a train station and take the train into the city - not free and can be a hassle with luggage.
Second, you have to understand the local parking rules. There are towns in Jersey and LI that have a variety of parking rules to protect local homeowners - including rules that don;t allow any parking on the street between 2 am and 6 am. And there are no signs to that affect. People who live there know it. And those that don't live there shouldn't be parking there. (The idea is that local police can cruise the neighborhood and ANY car on the street is immediately suspicious - and gets ticketed and/or towed - and homeowners often awakened to see if the car belongs to them or a guest.)
As for parking in a train station lot - many are completely filled before 8 am - and many are open only to town residents with appropriate stickers.
Really just paying for a few night's parking is the simplest solution. And I can;t think of a much cheaper one for two people who are staying only a couple of nights.
Aug 3rd, 2009, 09:06 AM
#40
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok... say you parked at an Icon lot on the Upper West Side(say 97th and Columbus) beginning Friday late morning to Sunday late morning, it would cost $64 including tax for the ENTIRE weekend. Wouldn't something like this make the most sense?
