Where to park a car in NYC?
 

I understand NYC isn't car friendly. We're wanting to spend a vacation in NYC. Everyone says don't bring your car. Three adults, flying from Knoxville to NY, over $900. Even with tolls driving would cost $150 to $160.
Looking for a place to stay where we could leave the car and use public transportation while there. We want to go to theater, see the sights, etc. ; but realize we might need to stay in Brooklyn, Queens, etc.
Would appreciate any info. We've traveled over most of the US, but (even though it's only 700 miles away) NYC seems very foreign,strange and a little scary!
It's hard to imagine adults living life without a car; wouldn't work in rural East Tn.

Thanks

I live in NYC and am lucky to live in a bldg. w/ a garage. I drive my car all over the city. Park on the street or in a parking garage. It's part of the adventure. Anyway, google long term parking in NYC and you might find a good deal. Incidentally, NYC is foreign, strange and a little scary.

Well, there are parking lots all over the city. In Manhattan, there seems to be one or two on nearly every block in Midtown. And, honestly, I think driving in NYC is pretty straightforward and easy - easier than Boston, to my mind. When the wife and I both go to NYC, we usually drive.

The question is cost of parking.

In Manhattan, I would think you are looking at between $40 and $50 per night. You'd probably pay more if you are paying via the hotel, especially if it is valet parking.

In the close-in and accessible parts of Queens and Brooklyn, you are likely looking at around $30 to $35 per night. I'd personally avoid trying to go to far out into either borough. You don't want to spend your entire vacation riding the subway.

Someplace like Hoboken might also save a bit on parking and still be accessible, but I never end up in NJ, as all the family is in Manhattan or Queens.

<i>It's hard to imagine adults living life without a car</i>

Plenty of New Yorkers agree with you.

Last time we were there with a car, we actually got a discount on the parking through the hotel (Doubletree Suites) but we drove around the block to the lot ourselves (don't even know if they have valet parking).

I too would recommend driving into the city and paying the cost of parking - still way less than the cost of flying, and it's always better not to have to "commute" to sightsee.

Google Icon Parking Manhattan. Search the Daily and Hourly parking tab for a 24-hr garage at a good price. Drop your bags at your hotel, take the car to the lot and ignore it for the length of your stay.

Thanks for the replies. My wife and I drive a semi; we've been in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, L.A., etc., even Philly and Boston. Guess I was just being "chicken"; when we get ready we'll just drive on in and figure it out! The cost "whew"!
Want to see some Broadway shows,etc.
People joke about Atlanta, "that there are a bunch of tourists in RV's continually circling, because they can't figure where to get off the beltway!

Now for "riding the subway"; that will be different! How do New Yorker's treat Southerners? We can't hide it; as soon as we open our mouths people figure it out.

Southerners are treated fine lol!

<I>How do New Yorker's treat Southerners?</I>

They'll treat you fine. In general, New Yorkers aren't as friendly as Southerners, but they are generally pretty pleasant.

One thing to be careful of... Try to not laugh at their 'cue. Every once in a while, New Yorkers get it in their head that they are going to try 'cue and they think their's is great, when it isn't up to snuff. Ditto for Mexican food.

If you want cheaper parking, you can park at the MetroPark NJ Transit station and then take the train into the city, using public transit while here. Otherwise, as others have suggested, it's always cheaper to park in a public parking garage (as opposed to using the hotel's garage or using the hotel's valet service).

There is indeed parking at some hotels in NJ that are close to NYC. If you want to do that, it's a viable option, and you need to look at hotels that are on a PATH line (the commuter train that serves NJ communities like Jersey City and Hoboken ... all the way to Newark. That's cheaper and easier than taking NJ Transit, which can get expensive.

Finally, you may want or need to consider the cost of hotels. That's the real reason a lot of people stay further outside of Manhattan in places like Queens and Brooklyn. Since the average price of a Manhattan hotel during high season is over $300, that's got to be a consideration in this whole thing, and that's not something anyone else has addressed. You can stay in a hotel in Long Island City, Queens for half the price of staying in Manhattan. Brooklyn is usually a little cheaper but not nearly as cheap as Queens. But public parking garages are few and far between other than in downtown Brooklyn. There are a few uncovered parking lots in Long Island City.

Any hotel in Manhattan will either arrange for your car to be parked ot give the addresses of nearby garages. Assume the cost will be $35 to $40 per night for a regular car. If you have a large size SUV they charge extra since you are taking the space of more than one care. then just leave it there for the duration (but do not leave anything of value in it).

Sorry - do not know what a "semi" is - but it sounds like something big - and your price per night might be more. If it is tall many garages can;t take it - sine ceilings are 8 feet and there are usually pipes below that level. Then you wold have to find a garage that can hold your vehicle.
Do not stay outside Manhattan to try to park a car. Even hotels there rarely have parking - or enough for all cars - unless you go to the airports - which would mean several hours a day of commuting. Just bite the bullet, pay the garage and figure what you are saving over airfare.

I think they mean a semi-tractor trailer. I don't think they mean they will drive it on this trip.

https://www.google.com/search?q=semi...&tbm=isch&um=1

>>Sorry - do not know what a "semi" is - but it sounds like something big <<

Just shows the great divide between NYC and fly over country. :) I think most of us knew what you meant . . .

<i>Just shows the great divide between NYC and fly over country.</i>

I was honestly shocked that someone didn't know what a semi was, New Yorker or not. I mean, it isn't like they don't have them in NYC.

The OP was talking about bringing a car to NYC. I did not realize they were talking about another vehicle - thought it might be one of those things that has a car front (front and back seats) and then a pick up truck back - open for carrying stuff. Have seen them in NJ - but never in the city.

Just know that some larger SUVs and vans will not fit in regular garage spaces - and cost extra - or may not fit at all if too high.

And no - I really don't know anything about trucks - nor care to - and don;t even want to drive on the same road with them unless forced to - I stick to parkways.

If you or your party have a smart phone the MTA has a useful app called Hop Stop. This will assist with navigating the transit system, be it subway or bus. It's very intuitive. PS my boyfriend is from Nashville and knows his way around NYC very well but sadly he can't escape that accent LOL. Have fun on your trip.

"And no - I really don't know anything about trucks - nor care to - and don;t even want to drive on the same road with them unless forced to - I stick to parkways."

I don't mean anything ugly; but it really is amazing how many people don't realize how (everything you eat,drink, wear, furniture, computers, I mean everything)has been hauled in a truck!
I agree, it is sort of scary to drive on the road with them! Several years ago the government started allowing larger, longer, heavier, trucks. Now there seems to be no end to it.
I guess my friend has never been on the Kanas Turnpike and saw a semi-tractor pulling three 48 foot trailers.

Now what scares me is the thought of getting on that "subway"! We just got home from West Texas where can go 50 miles and not even see a house. I guess that would be a different experience for many NY'ers.

"boyfriend is from Nashville and knows his way around NYC very well but sadly he can't escape that accent LOL. Have fun on your trip."


Not sure if we will try to come this year or wait till next and have more time. Apparently, Tennesseans have a very distinct accent. My wife and I were in Anaheim, Ca. She was getting her hair done. This young Latino girl started talking to me and just fell in love with the way I talked. She chatted me up the whole time, and wanted to know if there was any way to learn to talk like me?

Once you park your car, you won't need it again till you leave. Look at a subway map ahead of time so you can figure out the north-south lines and the east-west lines and then dive right in. Don't be afraid to ask for directions--NY'ers are used to tourists and helping people out. (I'm a 4th generation New Yorker.)

OK. I'm going to give you the quick version of navigating the subway. Uptown in Manhatten means North. Downtown means south, Look at the sign at the entrance to make sure you enter at the correct platform.

Express trains stop only at intersections with other lines and major locations. If you plan on getting off in two stops, the express train maynot be the best option. (Want to ask me how I know? The answer is we had to take a $12 taxi ride to fix our mistake.)

As for driving in NY. It is not the trucks you need to worry about or even the taxis. It is the bikes!

No - in this area we have quite a few road that are "parkways" - which are for cars only - no trucks allowed. Trucks are limited to some of the major interstates in much of the northeast.

I use parkways whenever possible - since if I'm going to be hit by something I don't want it to be 10 times as big as my car. And those super large trucks are not allowed in many places here - it's practically impossible to get them into Ma.nhattan and there's no place to put them here anyway

If you think hotels and parking is $$$ wait until you look at the prices for the more popular/in demand Broadway shows!

TenesseeGuy, we're from Oregon and went to New York and DC last summer. My husband will drive about anywhere (except when he went to China). The hard thing about driving the city streets of Manhattan was sheer volume of pedestrians and this was most noticeable in the West Midtown area (which includes Times Square). If you drive a semi for a living, you probably pay way more attention to your surroundings than the average Joe and will be fine. Also, the streets in Manhattan are generally a grid which works well.

The other hard part of New York area driving he discovered from another trip was freeway connections from JFK Airport getting to Pennsylvania.

As to the subway: Think of it as its own grid. Compare the map of the subway to the Google map of the city. Most subway routes go "uptown" or "downtown" the length of the island. Very few routes go crosstown. We actually used Google Maps and clicked the Pedestrian to get our routes, including times and stations and routes, rather than the app above.

Would you consider flying to Newark (EWR) instead of one of the New York airports? You can avoid driving into the city by taking an Amtrak Northeast Regional train from The EWR station to NYP (Penn station). You can get on the subway there or take a taxi to your hotel.

Some good advice was given above: Look at the Icon Parking site. You will be able to find coupons for parking in your desired area for prices that are far lower than those posted at the actual garage. We often use that feature when driving from our house to a destination in another neighborhood......you will have to print out the coupon and pay with a credit card, not cash.

Here is an example, in lower Manhattan (downtown):


http://www.iconparkingsystems.com/ne...trict-parking/

tom - your mania for Amtrak is ridiculous.

First of all EWR IS one of the NY area airports.

And second you would go from the airport to NYC via AirTrain and then NJ Transit. Taking Amtrak instead of NJ Transti for that part of the route is just a waste of money and you have to wait for a long distance train versus taking the cheaper local that runs more frequently.

Amtrak from EWR to NYP. How silly.

We parked our car in Weehawken NJ and took the ferry to Manhattan. I'd recommend it.

http://www.nywaterway.com/PortImperi...nTerminal.aspx

I want to thank everyone for their advice, just recently found this forum. How long will they leave a topic up? I would like to save all this info and links for future use.
I'd like to reply to a couple of comments. It is scary to drive a car among all these huge trucks. The cars are too small and the trucks too big! Many truck drivers are too aggressive, tailgate, speed, etc. Just know that we all aren't like that!
The cost of Broadway shows- I know this will be a once in a lifetime trip.
Driving in NY- it will be the parking, bikes and pedestrians.
The subway- appreciate the info about how to use it. It's more mental. I'm 58, started driving at 14. Rode the subway 1 time MANY years ago in DC. It scared the --- out of me. Rode a city bus 1 time in Honolulu a couple of years ago. It annoyed the --- out of me.
All the NYers are laughing by now. It's sort of a phobia; you guys live so exposed! In my vehicle- I'm in control, people can't get at me, to bother, annoy or harm. If someone wants to come at me- first- they've got to get me stopped, then they have to break in, by that time I'll have some kind of a weapon to fight back with.
We just got back from Atlanta, I would never even consider getting on the Marta. In NY, I'll have to!
I hope you "city folk " didn't mind a trip inside the mind of a "country boy". If you ever jump on the subway and see a really large man with curly gray hair, he's sweaty and nervous, and talks "funny". That will be me!

I think the suggestion to park in Weehawken is a great idea. Then coming across on the ferry you'll get a good look at the Manhattan skyline.
Think of the subway as a convenience not a challenge. Besides, if you're a big guy you won't have many challengers! Also, the best thing about NYC is that if you get a good map you can
walk, walk, walk.
When I first came to NYC over 50 years ago I couldn't believe the fast pace. Took me about
one week to adjust... now all those tourists seem so pokey -:) I hope you'll find a good neighborhood for your stay... that will have a lot to do with your impression of our wonderful
town.

Tennessee must be an awful place to make you so deathly afraid of people.

"vjpblovesitaly on Sep 2, 13 at 9:11pm"

"Tennessee must be an awful place to make you so deathly afraid of people."

Wow! You really made me think. This old world does have some "bad People" in it! I don't know if I'm paranoid or you're naive!

What I mostly was trying to portray was how people from rural areas (me at least) are used to having some personal space. Subways, buses people are packed in like sardines. Huge crowds of people - it's sort of suffocating.

Well, good old Fodor's Forums. Never too late to insult someone or their home state. T/ guy:remember that many, many NYers are from somewhere else.

I was from Podunk, PA.... -:) Relax.

"If you ever jump on the subway and see a really large man...talks 'funny'"

Because everyone on the train will talk the exact same way EXCEPT for you.

"I don't know if I'm paranoid or you're naive!"

I know which it is.

Everyone has their owpoint of view. My grandmother was born in Manhattan and lived her whole life in various parts of the city. she took buses and subway everywhere - not caring who was on them - even through area that were not very salubrious. And would always emerge having met and chatted away with someone else taking a similar trip (of any race, religion or nationality).

When my parents moved to the suburbs she was very tentative at first about safety - since there weren't very many people around. To her - more people equaled safety.

She never got to the point where we could drive with her on a road that didn't have streetlights or sidewalks. (Our area had both but there was a very upscale area nearby without sidewalks and she felt that was just too dangerous. Always felt some crazed mountain person with an ax would jump out and attack us.) She just found streets without people to be scary.

So - it's all in the perspective.

As for people "ta;king funny" in the subway, NYC has residents from more than 100 different countries - so there are a whole lot of people "talking funny".

I think some New Yorkers on this thread have never heard of self-effacing humor.

TennesseeGuy - don't worry, most New Yorkers are more friendly than some of the responses you've gotten. As for the subway... It is annoying (most public transit is). But it is also useful and can be the fastest way to get around, depending upon where you are going and when. I'm sure you will be fine. If you avoid commuting hours, it need not be quite so crowded, though you won't often be alone.

<i>How long will they leave a topic up?</i>

They don't archive posts here. It should be around for quite some time.

That was cute "grandmaw" who was afraid of the mountain man axe murder. I guess we all have different fears.
I love to pull the truck over , at night, in the middle of nowhere and look up. You can see thousands of stars! Even in a small town the lights prevent seeing so many. And being out in "big sky" country where you can see as far as the human eye can see!
I guess we are going to have to put NY off until next year. I can't see going for just a couple of days.

If you want free parking, you need to stay in NJ and take the ferries across the Hudson--not a bad option if you want to save money.