Compare New York car hire

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.