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Cover from just £2.45*

*Based on an individual aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions taking single trip cover for 3 days to France. Cover starts on August 10th, 2024 and ends on August 13th, 2024. Price correct as of August 15th, 2024.

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Search for the best car hire deals in New York

New York’s extensive public transport network can make hiring a car seem unnecessary, especially if you’re only interested in the main sights. But if you want to explore the beaches, cities and state parks beyond the New York City limits – and you should – getting a rental car could be ideal.

Travel Information

Language: English | Currency: US Dollar ($) | Avg. Flight time: 8 hrs 5 mins

Fast facts about hiring a car from New York airports

New York is served by three international airports, all of which have plenty of car rental options. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the busiest airport, while LaGuardia (LGA) is the closest to Manhattan. There's also the smaller Newark Liberty (EWR).

In terms of which rental companies serve New York’s airports, you’ll find major worldwide brands such as Avis, Enterprise, Hertz and Budget across all three, plus a selection of other top brands: with all that choice, you can find some pretty competitive deals for New York car hire in 2024.

Car rental companies at Newark Liberty (EWR) include:

  • Enterprise (Tel: +1 844 727 2982)
  • Avis (Tel: +1 888 849 0277)
  • Hertz (Tel: +1 973 621 2000)
  • Budget (Tel: +1 800 621 2380)
  • Dollar Rent a Car (Tel: +1 866 434 2226)
  • Advantage (Tel: +1 800 777 5500) Thrifty (Tel: +1 877 283 0898) Alamo (Tel: +1 844 727 2984)

Driving in New York

New York is notorious for its gridlocked roads and endless traffic lights so be wary and patient when driving, especially in central areas such as Manhattan. If you know you’ll be spending the day in one particular area, you might find it easier to park up somewhere local and walk from place to place instead.

Parking can be tricky in the busiest parts of New York City's boroughs, especially in Manhattan. Most people use parking garages, particularly if they need to leave their car overnight. Garages are safe, but they're not particularly cheap. For shorter stays, the other option is to use on-street parking, which is usually paid for using a meter. If you can't see a meter, don't just trust your luck – double check you’re in an authorised parking zone.

Don't be discouraged by all of this – there's much to explore beyond the city, and if you’re venturing out for a day trip, you’ll find the roads quickly get less busy outside of NYC, as lower volumes of traffic and faster roads combine to keep things moving.

Recommended day trips from New York

Catskill State Park

Driving time: Two hours 30 minutes

Whether you want to hike to a waterfall or try out ice fishing, Catskill State Park is ideal to visit at any time of the year. Along with its spectacular, untouched scenery, it’s also home to some quaint towns and villages. You can even ski at destinations such as Belleayre Mountain.

Fire Island

Driving time: Two hours

Also located in the Long Island region, Fire Island is a peaceful slice of heaven on the Atlantic coast. Full of sandy dunes and long stretches of beach, it’s relatively deserted for most of the year – except on Labor Day or on July 4, when it gets absolutely packed. If you're comfortable with the crowds, there's something to be said for coming to join the celebrations.

Oyster Bay

Driving time: 60-90 minutes

Located 35km (22 miles) east of New York City in Long Island, Oyster Bay is a picturesque coastal village that makes the perfect day trip if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It was a holiday favourite of former president Theodore Roosevelt, and it’s easy to see why – elegant houses and pristine beaches rub shoulders with natural attractions like the Bailey Arboretum.

Top tips for driving in New York

  1. 'Jaywalking' - crossing a road illegally - might be a crime, but you still need to watch out for pedestrians. It’s not uncommon for people to step into the road when exiting cabs.
  2. Avoid driving around the city during rush hour. As in any city, there are peak times for traffic, and in New York peak means PEAK. Times to avoid are roughly 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.
  3. Watch your speed. Almost all roads in New York City are restricted to 40kph (25mph) unless signposts say otherwise, and speeding tickets are frequently issued.

Important information

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.

Things to know about car hire in New York

Most booked car typeIntermediate
Most booked supplierDollar
Average price£49.15/day
Good deal£36.86/day
When should I book?31 days ahead
How long do I need?8 days
Most commonly included policies
    Unlimited mileageFree cancellationTheft protectionCollision damage waiver
Best time to book car hire at New York - John F Kennedy Intl AptTap on the month below to see the average daily price of car hire at New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt per month
Nov£39.30
£60
£48
£36
£24
£12
£0

Top car rental companies in New York

    Budget

    9 locations in New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK), Queens County, New York, United States

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £28.17 /day

    View deals

    Avis

    6 locations in New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK), Queens County, New York, United States

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free additional driver

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £30 /day

    View deals

    Thrifty

    20 locations in New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK), Queens County, New York, United States

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free additional driver

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Excess insurance

    Personal accident cover

    Theft protection

    From

    £31.11 /day

    View deals

    Hertz

    11 locations in New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK), Queens County, New York, United States

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Excess insurance

    Personal accident cover

    Theft protection

    From

    £33.63 /day

    View deals

    Sixt

    8 locations in New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK), Queens County, New York, United States

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £35.58 /day

    View deals

    Alamo

    14 locations in New York - John F Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK), Queens County, New York, United States

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free additional driver

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Excess insurance

    Personal accident cover

    Theft protection

    From

    £36.92 /day

    View deals
Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

Find answers to your questions

What age do I need to be to hire a vehicle in New York?

New York is one of the few cities in the US that allows drivers as young as 18 to rent a car. In fact, this policy applies across the entire state of New York. That said, you must have held a full driving licence for a minimum of 12 months. If you’re under 25, expect a ‘young driver surcharge’.

What do I need to hire a vehicle in New York?

All the essentials: a full driving licence, an International Driving Permit and a credit card. It’s always useful to bring along a secondary form of ID, such as your passport. This does vary from one car hire company to the next, so do check in advance with your provider.

Do I need car hire excess insurance in New York?

Taking out car hire excess insurance in New York isn’t mandatory, but it’s an extra that’s well worth paying for. To keep your costs down, consider going with a standalone insurance provider – they tend to offer more favourable rates than those offered by car hire companies.

Can I rent a car with a debit card in New York?

You can rent a car with a debit card in New York, but you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money if you book online in advance using a credit card. For example, if you opt to pay with a debit card, you may have to put down a cash deposit as a security.

Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or off-site in New York?

If you compare deals for hire cars in advance, you could get as good a deal for a rental at the airport as you would for one off-site in New York – if not better (even with a surcharge).

Can you rent a car in New York and drop it off in another city?

Yes. Most hire companies, from Sixt and Enterprise to Alamo and Budget offer one-way rental deals in New York. There’s usually a fee that comes with the convenience, so do shop around for the best deal.

Can you rent a car the same day in New York?

You can hire a car on the same day in New York, but it’s more practical and cheaper to book online in advance. Book on the day and you may find that your choice of rental car is limited, too.

Can I hire a vehicle at 21 years of age in New York?

Yes. You can hire a car in New York if you are 21 years of age – but that’s not the minimum. You can be as young as 18, so long as you’ve been qualified for at least a year. For all drivers under the age of 25, a ‘young driver fee’ will be added to the cost of your rental.

What's the average price of renting a car in New York?

A car hire in New York costs £64 per day on average, though prices will change depending on the car type you select

How many days ahead should I book to get the cheapest car hire price in New York?

According to our data, on average you should book 17 days ahead to get the cheapest price

Which supplier is the most booked in New York?

People who have used TravelSupermarket have booked more cars with than any other supplier

What is the most popular type of car rented in New York?

Intermediate is the most frequently booked car hire type in New York.

How much does car rental in New York cost for a week?

On average a car rental in New York costs £448 per week (£64 per day).

How many days should I book my car hire for?

That depends on your holiday, but on average most TravelSupermarket users have booked their car for 3 days

How many suppliers does TravelSupermarket compare for car hire in New York?

In the last 30 days, TravelSupermarket has compared 8 companies to help find the best car hire deal for you in New York

What's a good price for a hire car in New York?

Based on our data, a car for £48 a day would be a good deal, as it's 25% lower than the average price