A friend of mine is visiting NYC in a few months. He is probably going to drive there. He has no problem driving to or in the city, however he isn't too keen on paying the ridiculous rates for parking in Manhattan. Does anyone have any ideas for places he could park for a Friday to Sunday stay? He would not have a problem with parking near a commuter rail station (NJ Transit, Metro-North) and taking the train in. Does anyone have any suggestions for a place to put a car for a couple of days for relatively cheap (maybe even in Brooklyn or northern Manhattan?

I appreciate any responses, or referrals to websites that might have some info.

Thanks so much.

If he is not adverse to the idea he might be able to park it in the street. Whether this is feasible depends on where he will be staying in NYC. For example, if he were staying on the upper west or east side, in many areas, he can park the car after either 11 or 2 pm on Friday. The car wouldn't have to be moved until Monday at 8 or 11 am.

There is quite a lot of free on-street parking that is reasonably safe in NY. Here are some relevant questions...
What state are his license plates?
What does he drive?
Where is he coming from?

I leave a 1997 Ford Explorer that looks OK on streets in Brroklyn and Queens while I am at work without a problem.

There are many streets in Queens that you never have to move your car.
Let's say your friend is coming from Washington DC. Take I95 which is the New Jersey Turnpike to Route 440 (exit 10) to the Verrazano Bridge, up I278 (Brooklyn Queens Expressway BQE) to the Norther Boulevard Exit in Queens. For many blocks around there is plenty of open parking and you are 20 minutes away from Manhattan with a subway.

Email me with answers to those questions and I'll suggest a good block or a garage where he can park.

There is a lot at 59th and 11th for $8 per 24 hours. They offer a shuttle bus that gets you over to midtown and back -worth looking into.

The lot referred to in the previous post charges $17 for 24 hour parking, tax included. The $8 rate is an early bird special and is for 12 hour parking

Thanks for clearing up my misconception, "aaa". A friend had recommended the lot to me as such a great bargain but at that price it isn't. My favorite place to park is secured indoor parking on W. 40th near 8th and is only $19 per 24 hours including all taxes - worth the extra $2 per day considering the location alone. Another possibility - there are some communities in NJ that are only a 25-30 minute bus ride to PA terminal and have safe free on-street parking a few yards from a bus stop. James - if you need info write to me direct and I'll provide details.

Thanks for all the info everyone

Here are the details. My friend lives in Montreal. He doesn't own a car, so he is going to rent one and drive down. He's aware of how long the drive is and the cost, etc, so him driving dowqn is not the issue.

He will be coming from the north, and driving down. One idea he had thrown about was parking in Poughkeepsie and taking Metro-North in. He said the lot there is $2.50 for 24 hours and free on weekend. I had a feeling he might be able to get closer for just as cheap (like, free parking on the island).

The car would be a rental car, like a Cavalier or something equally as non-descript.

I think he would be very receptive to the idea of parking on the Upper East or West sides. He could drop off his stuff at the hotel and then go park (he's actually looking forward to driving in NYC, he loves insane driving, trust me).

Thanks again for all your ideas. If anyone has any responses to this updated info, it would be greatly appreciated.

James

more info?

Where will he be staying? If we know the neigborhood we call tell him the street parking rules for the area. If I were your friend I would probably park the car as close to the hotel as I can and then take a taxi to the hotel.

There is a good outdoor lot on 61st and west end called Central Parking that offers a free shuttle bus east.
You can also walk to a city bus or just walk from there. Its very secure.