Parking in NJ for NYC
 

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but my sis and I will be heading to NYC next month and will probably be coming in via I78 from Pennsylvania. We don't want to drive into Manhattan. Where can we park and get into the city on public transportation? Is Newark airport the best option?

How long will you want to leave the car and how much luggage will you have?

Thanks, NY -- we will be leaving the car for 3 or 4 nights, and just taking our carry-on bags with us into the city.

Drive into Manhattan. It will give you many stories for back home. And it's part of the experience.

Go to www.iconparking.com and find the most reasonably priced parking within a convenient distance to your hotel.

One of you can drop the other and the bags off where you're staying and park the car while the other checks in. Leaving, one of you can tend the bags and check out while the other collects the car.

Driving into NYC is just not as daunting as you would presume and parking in NJ and hauling yourselves and your bags to wherever you're staying is probably just not worth the savings. It's probably more stressful to get to that parking lot in NJ and get yourselves with your bags to Manhattan.

Another good NYC parking resource: http://nyc.bestparking.com

I think the advice above to just drive into NYC is rather the sanest, as otherwise you have to find a place which allows overnight parking and/or is safe to leave a car. I agree that Newark Airport is probably your best bet for this if you really feel you don’t want to drive into NYC, but totally agree that parking costs and hassle may not in fact be worth it overall. For info on parking at Newark Liberty, see http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...r_parking.html

Is it a rental car and if so, can you drop it somewhere (like Newark Airport) and take the train in from there? Or leave it in Philadelphia if you will be there and take Amtrak right into Manhattan?

Some reccos I generally give for parking outside NYC are below.

Coming in on Interstate 78, you might try to park the towns of Summit/Short Hills/Milburn or Maplewood. These are about 10-15 miles from Manhattan. For parking in Summit/Short Hills and the Maplewood area you need a metered lot and not street parking which is hourly. Many lots in these towns are reserved for residents and require a permit. See something like http://www.ci.summit.nj.us/departments/parking.cfm for parking in Summit. There is parking at the Union Place lot in Summit which is paid parking (no permit required) and to the best of my knowledge allows overnight parking and is basically steps from the train station. (Note that the lot is small and so a space is not guaranteed.) Summit is a very nice town, quite safe, and has the “mid-town direct” train to Grand Central Station in Manhattan which takes about half an hour. (You could also leave the car at the nearby Short Hills Mall where there is free parking, and then take either New Jersey Transit Bus #70 to the Summit or Short Hills train station or a taxi, the ride to either would not be far. The Mall parking would be fairly secure, IMO, but has only minimal security. There are huge outdoor lots and a few covered lots. For info on Short Hills Mall see http://www.shopshorthills.com/. There is a Hilton Hotel quite near the mall where you also may be able to park (paid) and then take a taxi to the Short Hills train station, it appears to be $6 a day for parking but it may be more for overnight.)

Another idea would be to drive to the Weehawken/ Hoboken/Jersey City area and take a ferry either over to West 38th Street in Manhattan or downtown to the Wall Street Area (depending on where your hotel is located). Take a look at www.nywaterway.com or call 1-800-53-FERRY. There are several ferry piers to choose from in New Jersey, and you can leave the car overnight at some, but not all of their piers, so do check first with NY Waterway. I have left cars overnight and think it is fairly safe, although obviously put anything valuable in the trunk and don’t leave anything that you would not want to lose.

Metropark in Iselin/Woodbridge is also frequently recommended as a place to park and ride into the train into NYC. However, Iselin/Woodbridge is a bit south of Interstate 78 and NYC, and you would add probably 30-40 minutes to the trip to get down to Metropark, which may not be attractive to you. However if you want to do so, then take Interstate 287 south from Interstate 78 at in the Pluckemin area (and then get some local directions from Mapquest or similar to get to Metropark). In Metropark, there is daily parking in their covered garage which costs about $5 a day. There are frequent trains to NYC from Metorpark, check Amtrak schedules at Amtrak.com and the NJtransit.com schedules. Trains require no changes. Amtrak trains are slightly faster but more expensive.

Sorry, the Mid-Town Direct train from Summit goes to Penn Station in NYC, not Grand Central Station.

How much luggage do you have? Newark requires alot of walking. Rental agency to tram. Tram to NJ Transit. Penn Station to cab. Cab to hotel. Same with any other NJ option. The Waterway option is the quickest and the trip on the boat is more pleasant than any commuter train. I think the Waterway boats are ones that picked up the Hudson river plane landing.

If you drive into the city, the best way to avoid traffic - come in very early - get thee to the tunnels/GWB by 6am. Or late works too, although I've encountered traffic at midnight much more often than at dawn.

First of all, don't park at Newark Airport. That will be more expensive for both parking and transportation (you have to take the overpriced Airtrain/NJ Transit combo, which is a good deal for travelers, but more expensive than the typical park-and-ride lot). The Washington Post has had several articles on this subject, and they have recommended parking spots. The cheapest option might be to park in a garage in downtown Newark and take the PATH train in (it's much cheaper than NJ Transit). But there are several NJ Transit park and ride lots where you might be able to park and then jump on a convenient train about 20 to 30 minutes ride into Manhattan. No need to drive into Manhattan if you don't want to.

I'm just sorry that I can't recommend a specific lot myself.

Well, it may not be the best or cheapest idea, but when we drive we park at Newark airport. We park in the economy lot ($18.00 per day), take the little shuttle to the terminal and grab a cab or shuttle (depending on how many of us there are) into the city. We will be there this weekend, and that is how we plan to do it again. No matter how many people tell us that driving into the city is not bad...we have seen the traffic and it is not for us.

Go thru the Lincoln Tunnel bear left and make your first right up the ramp to the parking garage of the Port Authority. Easy access in and out. No dealing with midtown traffic. Park on Level 6.

Thanks for all the ideas. I especially like the Weehawken ferry and the Summit train station solutions. Doug, I've been looking for park and ride lots on the PATH line but don't seem to be coming up with any information. Can't find the Washington Post articles. All help appreciated!

Click on any of the New Jersey PATH stations here and you'll get a list of parking garages. You'll have to phone to get prices. http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...rkingGuide.pdf

I've been regularly recommending the Port Imperial ferry terminal in Weehawken, NJ which lists the parking prices as $10. I found out today that's not the price for overnight parking and leaving the car overnight, it becomes $20. I haven't confirmed this myself, but it makes this option a lot less desireable. nywaterway.com is the co. who runs the ferries and the lots.

I would have to agree with those who advise to drive in and find a garage near your hotel. The driving is not that bad since traffic moves relativley slowly. YOu can get turn by turn directions on maps.google.com

I thought driving in NYC was bad but it's actually tame compared to driving in foreign countries in Asia and basically cities with poor infrastructure.

If you drive, the worse part of coming in will probably be the tunnel merge if you take Lincoln or Holland and navigating from the tunnel exit to hotel.

<b/>Doug, the problem with the Park ‘n Ride lots is that they tend to fill up with regular commuters early in the day. Moreover, many Park n Ride lots are <i>not</i> near the train station, you have to then take a bus to the train station, which only adds time and inconvenience, see the list of Park ‘n Ride locations in New Jersey at http://www.state.nj.us/transportatio.../prlocate.shtm (counties that may work for the OP would be Union, Essex and Hudson; note that several of these already indicate that they are “at or near capacity”). The Metropark lot in Woodbridge is one that does have space and is near a train station, but as I noted, that one is out of the way for someone coming from PA on Interstate 78 (or 80 as I think she may even be on).

Parking in commuter towns in northern NJ is almost exclusively for residents, and there is often a waiting list for years for a permit. Also, many of the towns which do have lots available for hourly use do not allow overnight parking, which is what the OP wants to do. As I mentioned, some towns, like Summit, do have small Park N Ride lots which may have spaces available on a given day.

As for the <i>Washington</i> Post suggesting parking at garages in Newark, well that is interesting. I went to law school in Newark. There are not a lot of covered garages in Newark near the train station, and those that exist are not much cheaper than parking in NYC, so I don’t see the benefit there for the OP. (They are primarily for monthly paring for employees in the offices buildings attached to them.) There are several uncovered lots near Newark Penn Station and in years past I have left my car there until quite late at night/early morning hours, but it was a late model car and had nothing inside. I am not sure that I would leave a new car, or a car with luggage inside (even in the trunk), <i>for several days</i> in one of the uncovered parking lots near Newark near Penn Station. (Frankly, I am not sure I would leave it in a garage in Newark either.) I also would point out that for someone who may be fearful of driving into NYC, driving in Newark is in many ways an even more daunting prospect. In the first place, streets are not on a grid pattern like NYC and so it is easy to get lost. And getting lost outside of McCarter Highway/Route 21 or in the Ironbound would put you in some <i>very</i> unsafe neighborhoods indeed. Not sure I would really recommend this to someone who does not know Newark.

Here is a transcript of an online chat I did on the Weehawken ferry site:

[Jessica]: Hello, how can I help you today?
[Jessica]: Overnight parking is available @ Port Imperial, Weehawken for $10 upon arrival, $10 addlt per night.
[Jessica]: You will need advise security inside terminal upon doing so.
[You]: Thank you. Is there a map so that we might find Port Imperial easily?
[Jessica]: link to directions:
[Jessica]: http://www.nywaterway.com/Home/Ridet...ult.aspx?ID=11
[You]: Thanks again. One more question: is the lot likely to be full on a weekday at the end of July?
[Jessica]: Is there anything else you need assistance with?
[Jessica]: no, not at all....
[You]: Great. It sounds like a good alternative since our hotel is on 35 street.
[Jessica]: Absolutely!
[Jessica]: Enjoy your day!


Sounds like it's $10 per night, not $20; with an additional $10 paid upon arrival...I will check back, though, to be sure. The ferry sounds like a fun way to arrive in the city.

Agree that taking the ferry is a lot of fun (I commuted that way for about a year myself) and gives some great NYC views.

Also, one more thing to point out about taking the PATH train from Newark as recommended above, is that unless you change lines in Jersey City, the PATH train from Newark <i>goes to Wall Street</i>, <u>not</u> mid town Manhattan. I don’t believe that the OP is staying at a hotel in the Wall Street area. IMO it’s just a pain to change lines on the PATH, and with a suitcase to boot (even a small one). And for someone who does not know the PATH system. And in my experience unless you are commuting at rush hours, you can wait a while for PATH trains.

I just phoned ny waterway. Parking is $10 per 12 hrs. or $20/day for overnight parking.

The newest alternative is the parking garage at the Lautenberg Transportation Center (Secaucus Junction) where you can pick up an NJ Transit train direct to Penn Station in Manhattan. The facility, which says it's 400 feet from the train station, opened June 1 and is offering special rates of $5 for nights and weekends, $10 for 24 hours weekdays. It's run by Edison ParkFast. But I agree, the ferry would be more fun.

Thanks for the info, Virginia C! Looks like this parking garage is close to the Weehawken ferry terminal, so we can make up our minds (ferry vs. train) when we get there.

It's been almost a year since you had this conversation but I wanted to thank you for the advice. I parked in the Weehawken ferry lot (not a garage) for 48 hours from Saturday noon until Monday noon and paid $30 for the privilege. Add in $17 for my (one person) ferry toll and I'm feeling good about the deal. I was nervous when I arrived- leaving a car all alone, under the stars, in Jersey?- but everything was fine. In fact, when I got back I even realized I'd left my car unlocked! Clearly the car hadn't been touched, though. Definitely recommend the lot. Definitely DON'T recommend being as stupid as I was about locking the doors!

The ferry parking lot is $10 per day and $10 per night - so $20 total per 24 hours. Plus then you have the ferry fare into the city - about $10 per person. You can park near your hotel for $30 to $40 per 24 hours - IMHO much more convenient. Driving in NYC isn;t bad for much of the year (there are gridlock alert days I wouldn;t touch- but they are between Thanksgivig and Christmas) - unless you are a ver timid driver. It's true it may take a while to get through the tunnel - but it will also take a while to get to the ferry lot, schlep your luggage and wait for the next ferry.

Well, we parked there for four nights last summer, and our total parking fee was $50, so I'm not sure what the formula might be. I just thought it was a great deal, and hassle-free.

I usually come up to NY/NJ from PA along I-78. I called a few of the outer boroughs along the Raritan Valley and Morristown/Gladstone lines, since some of those are somewhat convenient from I-78.

The daily lots can be pretty cheap ($3) but generally don't allow parking more than 24 hours. However, weekends are the exception--if you're coming up for Saturday and Sunday, there is no 24-hour restriction. That can be a good deal for weekend travelers.

Non-resident long-term parking permits for several of these smaller boroughs' park-and-ride lots seem to run about $40 per month, which can still be a good deal compared to parking closer into the city.

The NJT website has parking info and contact information for the various stations.

A couple caveats:

-Service is more limited west of Raritan (on the Raritan Valley line) and west of Summit (on the Gladstone line), so pick stops east of those towns to avoid getting stranded for hours waiting for trains
-The Gladstone/Morristown lines feature "Midtown Direct" service into New York Penn. The Raritan Valley line requires a transfer at Newark Penn to get to NYC (either to another NJT train bound for NY Penn or to the PATH train to Lower Manhattan)

Hope this helps...

The trip was in 2009

@vjpblovesitaly: Yes, but this thread is still one of the more popular Google results for a search of parking along NJ Transit. I posted what I did in case it helps others who also encounter this thread via Google later.

Meant to ask, too--

I'm driving up in the morning (Sunday) and staying through Monday. Since I'm arriving on the weekend, that day is free, and since I'll be returning by Monday evening, I won't be in the lot Monday night.

A) Will I be in violation of the parking rules, and
B) If not, how would I pay for Monday? Is it a collection box that is checked on Monday during the day, a meter to feed, one of those things where I need to put a receipt in my window, etc.?

If you are coming from Pennsylvania along I-78, you might be better served by taking the Trans-Bridge Bus, which has hourly service and along I-78. From the park-and-ride in Clinton, the trip to Manhattan is just over an hour.

http://www.transbridgelines.com/daily.htm

Convent Station has a nice, wide-open parking lot with plenty of daily parking spaces. It is the next stop from Morristown. This is the Dover line. Parking is $5, and overnight parking is allowed (for a maximum of 10 days). Round-trip fare on the NJ transit train is $23 and the trip takes about 60 minutes to NY Penn Station or Hoboken (where you can catch the Path train to lower Manhattan). No steps involved in the NJ transit portion, except climbing up into the train.

Harrison has a nice parking garage with daily parking at $11 for 12 hours (less $ for shorter times) and $22 for 24 hours. The Path train fare is $4.50 round trip and it runs from there to lower Manhattan (direct to World Trade Center, or change at Journal Square for Christopher St, 9th St, 14th St or 33rd St). The change at Journal Square involves stepping across the platform to the often waiting train. The parking garage in Harrison has elevators, however the Harrison Path station does not and would involve carrying your luggage up a few flights of stairs.