Best value car hire from top brands
New York car hire tips
Where to pick up your car
The most popular car hire location is JFK International Airport (JFK), just over half an hour’s drive from the centre (about 30km).
Top car rental brands
The most popular car rental brands in New York are Dollar, Budget, Thrifty, Alamo and Hertz.
Local currency
US Dollar (USD)
Average temperatures
Warmest month: July (25°C)
Coldest month: January (2°C)
Side of road
Right
Hire a car in New York
New York is an unstoppable city that will jumpstart your heart with an instant adrenaline rush.
The financial and cultural capital of the USA, New York City is the place to be anyone and do anything. You may believe you know New York, given the vast selection of films and literature that romanticize the city. But New York will never truly be what you expect. It will always be so much more.
Car rental in New York – the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the most popular rental length in New York?
A. Eight to nine days.
Q. When is the most popular time to rent a car in New York?
A. August.
Q. What’s the best value car hire brand in New York?
A. Hertz is the cheapest car rental brand in New York, offering cars from just £8 per day.
*Based on easyCar real booking data.
Fast facts
Cheapest month / most expensive monthAverage cost per day of car hire in New York
| March | £23.70 |
| December | £46.70 |
Car typeAverage cost per day of car hire in New York
| Economy | £32.90 |
| Compact | £35.20 |
| Intermediate | £44.90 |
Local knowledge
NYC Boroughs
Manhattan – This big name borough is at the centre of it all. With Times Square at its core, Manhattan is full of the biggest attractions. Make sure to look beyond the bright lights of broadway through, and check out the smaller trendy spots as well.
Brooklyn – This is the real New York, and it doesn’t hold back. From its hipster enclaves to its classic suburbs, Brooklyn has industrial undertones that give this residential borough a cutting edge.
Queens – The largest New York borough, Queens is a patchwork of diversity; around half of its residents are foreign-born. It’s a top spot for avant-garde art and good old baseball games.
Staten Island – The island is home to many of New York’s oldest buildings as well as 170 parks, making it the “greenest borough”. Though it is the third largest borough, Staten Island is the least populated. To reach the island, take a free ride aboard the Staten Island Ferry.
The Bronx – Amongst the borough’s dense apartment blocks, you’ll find Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and New York’s Botanical Garden. The birthplace of hip-hop, the Bronx has a rough and tough reputation, but a visit may have you thinking otherwise.
Top neighbourhoods
Central Park – After trying keep up with New York’s energetic fervor, some down time in the park will be a necessity. Central Park is an oasis in the urban jungle. The 843-acre green space is perfect for almost any outdoor activity, from biking, to ice-skating and fishing.
Coney Island – Between 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement park in the US. As both a residential neighbourhood and entertainment destination, locals and tourists gather in the peak of summer to enjoy the beach. This seaside playground still reminisces in its American pop culture roots.
Williamsburg – This Brooklyn neighbourhood has become the modern hipster retreat. You’ll find a wealth of restaurants here setting the latest culinary trends and a dusk-till-dawn nightlife that doesn’t shy away from the spotlight.
Greenwich Village – Referred to simply as “the Village”, this neighbourhood was the original congregation point for artists and countercultural movements. Located on the west side of Lower Manhattan, it has transformed from bohemian outpost to upscale hangout.
SoHo – This is New York’s prime shop-till-you-drop neighbourhood. It is a sophisticated mix of fashion, art and business. Luxury boutiques and pricey commercial brands will provide plenty of retail therapy.
Points of interest near New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport
JFKThe sixth busiest airport in the United States.
Bedford
A cosy town enjoyed by A-listers to get away from the city rush.
Shelter Island
A summer refuge with a charming waterfront and interesting history.
Catskills Mountain
Part of the Appalachian Mountain system, it is rich with wildlife and a range of hiking trails.
Woodstock
The possibly the most famous small town in New York state with a festive artist community.
Book your car hire now
Book by phone
+44 203 3186 960
Get to know the city
Travel tips
Plan your time wisely. With so much to do, winging it will mean you only scratch the surface. Organise your days by area to get the most out seeing the city.
Tipping is expected in service and greatly appreciated. For waiting staff, bartenders and taxi drivers it is customary to tip 15-20% of the total bill.
Walking and taking the subway around New York is your best option to see as much as possible and not sit in traffic all day. Rent a car to see sites outside of the city.
WiFi is available throughout the city. Look out for free WiFi kiosks – LinkNYC – which keep you connected up to 150 feet away.
Notable attractions
Empire State Building: There is no better way to admire NYC’s skyline from this iconic landmark.
MoMA: A boundary-pushing modern art museum with high-profile masterpieces.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Amongst all the skyscrapers, this classic work of stunning architecture will inspire a different sense of amazement.
Statue of Liberty: Take a boat ride to see the historic monument, which has welcomed immigrants to America for generations.
Madison Square Garden: Get the all-American experience watching a game at this arena.
Seasonal favourites
Spring is the start of baseball season and you can feel the city’s rejuvenation. Admire the cherry blossoms blooming in the botanic gardens.
Summer brings even more to see and do in New York – as if there wasn’t already enough. Outdoor concerts and pop-up festivals take over open spaces.
Autumn is a cosy and colourful time in the city. Stroll through Central Park to enjoy the autumn scenery and watch the grand Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Winter in New York means epic celebrations. See the Rockefeller Christmas tree and the ball drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square.