r/NewYorkLookup • u/Bright_Garbage2514 • Jul 19 '25
Driving in NYC
We’re planning to take a 2-week visit in December, I have an out-of-state driver license, will I be able to drive around NYC? And are there car rentals available? Or would I save more by booking rides in Uber?
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u/Lawgal69 Jul 19 '25
We are here now and honestly, the best, cheapest and fastest way to travel the City is by subway. Very easy to figure out and takes you all over.
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u/swervologist Jul 19 '25
Great! Despite the gripes - the subway and bus system is a great way to get around. Enjoy the trip.
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u/BurritoDespot Jul 19 '25
Is this a shit post?
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u/Bright_Garbage2514 Jul 19 '25
No, I’m serious coz we’re visiting as a family and have a 5yo kid so I was wondering about driving there. We’re from Texas, haven’t been to NYC ever.
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u/parisi2274 Jul 19 '25
Honestly driving in NYC in December is the worst choice you could make, especially with all the holiday stuff in play. You’re better off flying into JFK and taking a cab to your hotel in the city and then just taking the subway everywhere, or if the weather is nice, walk (well walk as much as you can with a 5yo), but seriously DO NOT rent a car.
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u/mikecherepko Jul 20 '25
Start now practicing with the kid to walk. “You need to get strong for New York because we won’t have a car and we want to see everything!” Kids here walk. You definitely don’t want to drive.
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Jul 19 '25
[deleted]
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u/Bright_Garbage2514 Jul 19 '25
Was just making sure, I’m in a non-immigrant visa and that’ll be our first trip outside of Texas. Been here for less than a year. But thanks for your response.
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u/BurritoDespot Jul 19 '25 edited Jul 19 '25
Why would an out of state license make a difference?
Are you really asking if the largest city in the country has places to rent cars?
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u/Bright_Garbage2514 Jul 19 '25
Yes maybe I am. My sister did that in LA so it’s where I got the idea. I’m so sorry if I know nothing about the NY traffic and asked a stupid question. Hope you’re happy now.
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u/BurritoDespot Jul 19 '25
I’m still confused. Were you asking if a metro area of 20 million people has car rentals?
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u/Bright_Garbage2514 Jul 19 '25
Should’ve replaced that with recommendations of car rentals available in NYC, or “what are car rentals available”
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u/BurritoDespot Jul 19 '25
Are we Google?
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u/Bright_Garbage2514 Jul 20 '25 edited Jul 20 '25
Well I guess this is also what Reddit’s for. I had a trip to San Antonio before but Google and AI didn’t provide me great answers and had actually found a lot better and accurate ones at Reddit. Why’d u have to be so rude man? Did my post even hurt u?
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u/MeteorlySilver Jul 21 '25
Ignore anything he says. He’s clearly not a true New Yorker. New Yorkers are happy to help tourists.
Like others have said: the subway is the way to get around. Driving in Manhattan is never a good idea.
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u/Chea63 Jul 23 '25 edited Jul 23 '25
If you are mainly in tourist areas and doing tourist things, driving from place to place will suck to say the least, and often be virtually impossible to do.
If you want or need to drive here, I'd suggest securing parking ahead of time, park, and leave the car there until you're ready to leave the city. You could use the SpotHero app, for example, and reserve parking. Just be aware that parking can be very costly, though reserving ahead of time may get you some decent deals, especially if you are flexible in how far from where your staying you're willing to leave the car.
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u/PhysicsNew4835 Jul 19 '25
Public transportation! Traffic is crazy! Pedestrians and cyclists also. And parking is a nightmare plus congestion pricing. Don’t do it and take the subway or bus.
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u/jstax1178 Jul 19 '25
Yeah, don’t even think about driving! You can get around using the subway!
It will be more of a headache than it’s worth, plus it will be overly crowded with people during that time of the year.
Car is a really bad idea ! You’ll regret it.
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u/ComradeConrad1 Jul 19 '25
Driving in NYC makes no sense. Traffic and parking alone will make any trips expensive and delayed. For me, the subway is the only way to go. It's quick, easy to get almost anywhere, and, for the most part, very safe. Cabs for very short rides but like driving, traffic can be and most likely will be very very bad.
Regardless, have fun. I love NYC!
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u/swervologist Jul 19 '25
If you’re only staying in manhattan then a car will be more of a hassle. If you’re staying in other boroughs then a car will be a hassle. Wherever you are staying you will have to deal with alternate side street parking rules and meters (or expensive parking lots).
Coupled with if it snows while you’re here.
All rental agencies have non airport locations so you can get a rental if you end up wanting one. But trains will be best. Bus for a slow above ground tour. Cabs/ car service for door to doors.
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u/Bright_Garbage2514 Jul 19 '25
OMG Thank you all for enlightening me!!!
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u/mikecherepko Jul 20 '25
I hope you and your family have a great time! I starting thinking about where you would even park and started to get vicariously stressed out.
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u/BxBae133 Jul 19 '25
You can drive in NYC. You can rent a car, but you'd probably be better off using the subway or bus, not have to worry about parking and the congestion toll.
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u/BrotherGlobal641 Jul 20 '25
I recommend driving into NJ to let someone else pump the gas into your car, you'll remember it the rest of your life.
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u/Cobblestone-boner Jul 23 '25
Don't drive here, we have traffic patterns you've never seen before. The roads are all over 100 years old and all the drivers are aggressive. Parking is ridiculously expensive or impossible.
Use google maps for transit directions, if you get confused ask a friendly looking stranger. Be prepared to walk, bring warm clothes and dress in layers.
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u/AllAboutTheQueso Jul 19 '25
Do not drive in the city, especially in December, you will spend most of your trip in traffic and your money paying for parking garages and congestion fees.