To any NYC know it alls: I need cheap parking!

[fs5]

Planning on taking a trip to NYC. Flying into Washington DC and going to rent a car and drive up to NYC for 3/4 days. I need a place to park the rental car because they're charging me an arm and a leg to drive it one way.

Is there cheap parking around midtown? What's the average price down there? The hotel I'm staying at (is on Park Avenue) wants to charge me $45 a day!

I don't know what taxi rates. But I was thinking is it's cheaper to park far away from downtown (say in the suburbs?) and take a taxi/subway back into town?

My options are 1) Rent car for 2 one way trips for a total of $260, 2) take amtrak for round trip (2 tickets) $288, 3) Greyhound for $140 (rather not though), and 4) rent car for total of 7 days + $180 for parking fee.

Priceline doesn't do one way car rentals either

 

[PsychoAndy]

Cheap parking in NYC? Kinda an oxymoron, if you ask me. Every time i've been, parking always has been an arm and a leg. But maybe some local knows better than I. How much is option 4, the 7 day rental car?

 

[ThePresence]

I'm a local, I spend alot of time in midtown, but I dont know of any cheap parking. I'm usually there at night, and I can park my car on the street (Central Park South right after the horses).

 

[Zim Hosein]

fivespeed5 it all depends on what you plan on doing while in NYC; but PsychoAndy is correct, "Cheap parking in NYC? Kinda an oxymoron."

 

[fs5]

How easy it is to find parking on the street ThePresence? Can I park there for 3 days?

I don't know the price for renting a car for 7 days because I would priceline it. But other people have gotten it for $20 a day. So I'd say option 4 is $140 + $180 (if I want to park at the hotel for 4 days). I arrive on tuesday at noon and plan on leaving thursday morning so I think they'll charge me 4 days. Am I correct?

I'm looking to drop the price of parking for 4 days down to $100. $25 a day, is that do able within a 10-15 mile radius of Park Ave? I could take a cab back to the hotel or subway.

Zim Hosein, acutally I don't know what I plan on doing in NYC. My first time there so a little of everything I guess. I hear Bungalow 8 is nice

 

[Rivergater]

street parking is a pain in the ass but its cheap. if you are willing to park anywhere in manhattan, i think you would have an easier time than most others. i have to admit its a big hassle and if you're on vacation, it might be worth the peace of mind to park it in a lot.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
How easy it is to find parking on the street ThePresence? Can I park there for 3 days?

It's relatively easy at night. No, you couldn't park there for 3 days I'm not sure if there are alternate side parking rules over there, but even if there wasnt, you'd have to constantly feed the meter. Parking is free (no meters) after a certain time at night, (7:00?) not sure exactly when though.....

I don't know the price for renting a car for 7 days because I would priceline it. But other people have gotten it for $20 a day. So I'd say option 4 is $140 + $180 (if I want to park at the hotel for 4 days). I arrive on tuesday at noon and plan on leaving thursday morning so I think they'll charge me 4 days. Am I correct?

Doubt you'd get $20 a day. Even if you would, you'd still have to pay insurance if your liabilty doesnt cover rentals and/or if your credit card doesnt cover collision. +tax of course.

I'm looking to drop the price of parking for 4 days down to $100. $25 a day, is that do able within a 10-15 mile radius of Park Ave? I could take a cab back to the hotel or subway.

Might be, not sure though. Brooklyn is so much easier

 

[fs5]

Actually checking on biddingfortravel.com people have gotten $17 a day in the washington DC area for a compact car. So $20 + some tax.

So how much is parking in Brooklyn, all day? Brooklyn isn't that far from Park Avenue right? I could take a cab back and forth and still come out on top?

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
Actually checking on biddingfortravel.com people have gotten $17 a day in the washington DC area for a compact car. So $20 + some tax.

So how much is parking in Brooklyn, all day? Brooklyn isn't that far from Park Avenue right? I could take a cab back and forth and still come out on top?

Well, in my area of Brooklyn all you gotta do is circle the block a few times. ALWAYS parking on the street. Brooklyn is over the bridges (Brooklyn bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsbug Bridge) or through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. How far it is depends on where in Brooklyn we're talking. I'm sure you could find cheap parking in downtown Brooklyn. Kind of an industrial area, so you might not wanna leave your car there.....but hey, that's the closest area in Brooklyn.
EDIT: There are alternate side parking laws. You have to alternate which side of the street you may park on.

 

[fs5]

Thanks ThePresence, I'll have to ponder some more on what I'm going to do. Greyhound for $140 is sounding mighty good though.