3 Reasons to Rent a Car in NYC

Getting around in a big city like New York can be stressful and confusing if you aren’t local to the area. There are many options in transportation, so planning ahead and finding the option that is right for you is key to a smooth trip. Depending on the length of your trip and the part of NYC where you’ll be spending most of your time, public transportation might be easier than renting a car. However, there are circumstances when renting a car works better, and the team at Empire Rent A Car is here to help you find what you’re looking for. 

1. Family Traveler

If you are traveling to New York with your family, especially with kids, a rental car could be right for you. Figuring out the subway system with little ones in tow is not for the faint of heart. Taxis present the problems of limited space and no carseats, not to mention that they can be pricey. It would be much easier to hop in your rental SUV where the kids have plenty of room to spread out, and just go when you need to. 

2. Boroughs Explorer

If you are planning to stay in New York for more than just a couple of days and you want to see more than Manhattan, a rental car might be right for you. A rental car in the outer boroughs gives you the freedom to see more than what public transportation will allow. Here are some destinations that are worth a day trip:

• Red Hook, Brooklyn - This waterfront neighborhood on the western edge of Brooklyn is most well known for its shipping terminal, quaint shops, and restaurants.
• The Rockaways, Queens - This peninsula on the southern edge of the city is a perfect summer destination, and is nicer and less crowded than the beach at Coney Island.
• Storm King Art Center - The outdoor sculpture park is about a one hour and 20 minute drive from Downtown New York, near West Cornwall, NY. Covering 500 acres, the open-air park offers tram tours and bike rentals.

3. Parking Planner

If you enjoy the rush of planning and strategizing, renting a car in NYC might be right for you. Parking is the biggest obstacle to driving a car in New York; however, there are several good parking options if you are willing to plan ahead. There are apps, such as SpotHero, that you can use to find parking garages and lots, so that you can compare prices and even book ahead. Metered parking is also an option and you can use the ParkNYC app to pay via credit card.

If any of these NYC traveler profiles sounds like you, give Empire Rent A Car a call today at (800) 750-8782. We have several locations throughout the city to conveniently serve you. 

Sources:

sixt.com