Parking in NYC

[newton]

Hello - Need some help for those that know New York.

I have a trip to NYC for the weekend on 2/26 - 2/29.  My hotel is paid for (work related) but I have to pay for parking.  I am staying at the Crowne Plaza in Times Square 1605 Broadway at 49th Street.

Any suggestions on where to park my car as the hotel parking rates seem outrageous?

[Jakerado]

Can you ditch the car? You *really* don't need one in NYC. If you need it to get to the city I'd suggest you park it in jersey and take a path train in.

[JoJo]

What direction are you coming from?  You may also have tolls.  I don't think I've seen full day parking for less than $28 a day in Manhattan with no in/out privilege.   I agree to park in outer areas (depending on your direction) and take some form of public transit in, assuming you can't just take public transit/train or bus all the way.

[TheAnonOne]

What direction are you coming from?  You may also have tolls.  I don't think I've seen full day parking for less than $28 a day in Manhattan with no in/out privilege.   I agree to park in outer areas (depending on your direction) and take some form of public transit in, assuming you can't just take public transit/train or bus all the way.

Wow, and I thought we had it back in MN @ $7 to $12 a day...

[Lis]

Yeah, ditto on ditching the car. If you're flying in to JFK or Newark there are trains/shuttles, hell, even a taxi would be cheaper. Once you're in Manhattan, you definitely don't need a car.

I find it odd that they're putting you up in one of the most expensive hotels and not covering parking...

[Dollar Slice]

Agree with not having a car with you. If you have to drive to the city, ditch it at some park-and-ride train station outside the city where you can catch a commuter train. You'll be fairly close to both Penn Station and Grand Central where a lot of commuter trains come in.

If you really have to leave it in Manhattan, maybe go up and west like West 100th-120th streets or a little higher (easy to get to on the 1 train from your hotel). There are apps and websites to find cheap parking and parking coupons in NYC. (I don't have a car so I can't recommend a specific one, but my mom uses them.)  If you really have to leave it in Manhattan and nearby for god-knows-what-reason, go all the way west (like 10th/11th avenue) and you might find something a little cheaper.

[newton]

Can you ditch the car? You *really* don't need one in NYC. If you need it to get to the city I'd suggest you park it in jersey and take a path train in.

Thanks.  I will be travelling from Pennsylvania through NJ and will be driving.  I have no need for my vehicle when I get there.  It will basically sit all weekend.

[newton]

What direction are you coming from?  You may also have tolls.  I don't think I've seen full day parking for less than $28 a day in Manhattan with no in/out privilege.   I agree to park in outer areas (depending on your direction) and take some form of public transit in, assuming you can't just take public transit/train or bus all the way.

I will be coming from Pennsylvania and through New Jersey.  Any suggestions on where to park outside the city??

[jim555]

Park in NJ and take the PATH train in.  Couldn't tell you specifics, never drove in myself.

[MsPeacock]

Try  using Parking Panda - You can put in the specific dates and get rates for the entire stay. Sometimes parking a bit distant from your location can save quite a bit. You can pay on the site, guarantee your rate, etc. I use it when I need to drive into DC or Philly and have been quite happy with it.

[JoJo]

Newark airport parking for as low as $5 per day, train + path into NY is $7.75 each way.

[Dollar Slice]

I looked at parking prices at the other PATH stations - if Newark Airport parking is as cheap as the previous poster says, it is your best bet. You can take PATH or NJ Transit trains (I think PATH is cheaper by a few dollars but NJ Transit would take you closer to your hotel). You could also take a bus into the city if you are having a particularly severe episode of self-loathing, but I don't think it would save you any money over the PATH.

[the_gastropod]

You can usually find free street parking in most neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Fort Greene or North Park Slope are probably your best bets, as they're both very safe neighborhoods, and they're close to Barclay Center, which has any train you'll need.

[rb6p]

I live in Manhattan and used to street park every day.

Agree with the above posters - if you can avoid it, don't drive in.  You won't need the car once here and parking in a garage is expensive. 

However, if you really need to drive, no big deal.  Just drive into Manhattan and find parking in one of the more residential neighborhoods (i.e. not midtown).  No need to go to Brooklyn or another borough.  There's plenty of alternate side street cleaning parking (not meter) in Manhattan in neighborhoods like upper west side, harlem, or even downtown in east village, lower east side, etc.   I used to park in upper west side about 3 subway stops from your hotel every day with no problems.  You may well need to drive around, but you'll almost always find something that will be free through the weekend until the next street cleaning day (usually a weekday).

There used to be a website that had all parking rules on a map.  Here's the closest thing I can find.
https://smoothparking.com/

[Jakerado]

I will be coming from Pennsylvania and through New Jersey.  Any suggestions on where to park outside the city??

Newark airport. Look at reviews, find a highly rated garage in the area and go for it. (something like http://www.yelp.com/biz/newark-airport-long-term-parking-newark-2, though I've never used them personally it looks like it would run you ~40 for the weekend)

[newton]

Great stuff.  Very helpful.  I certainly appreciate it.  I'm going to start looking at all of these alternatives right now.   

[sstants]

I've driven to NYC for weekends before from Boston and I always find free parking on the Upper West Side near the river. Just drive around for 10-15 minutes and ditch the car and take transit to your hotel. Time is money too and it's a pain in the ass to park in Jersey and take the train in when you can park in the city for free.

[herbgeek]

Our family went to NYC the day after Christmas.  We had someone who used to drive in NY driving us around.  Didn't pay a penny for parking all day (there was a lot of luck involved).  We first parked at the 9/11 memorial, and found a spot that you had to back into at an angle to the street.  It didn't look like "real" parking so it was empty.  We then went to the area around Wall Street and found some street parking.  Same with Little Italy.  Then on to Rockefeller Center, where we parked in what is a loading area Monday to Friday (but this was Saturday).  Completely lucked out all day.

[iwasjustwondering]

I've driven to NYC for weekends before from Boston and I always find free parking on the Upper West Side near the river. Just drive around for 10-15 minutes and ditch the car and take transit to your hotel. Time is money too and it's a pain in the ass to park in Jersey and take the train in when you can park in the city for free.

Ditto.  It's pretty easy to find free parking near Riverside Park.  Just make sure you remember where you parked!  Take a few pictures.

[newton]

I've driven to NYC for weekends before from Boston and I always find free parking on the Upper West Side near the river. Just drive around for 10-15 minutes and ditch the car and take transit to your hotel. Time is money too and it's a pain in the ass to park in Jersey and take the train in when you can park in the city for free.

Thanks.  I hate to ask but any suggestion on certain streets or blocks to look for?  How far to the subway station to get back to my hotel.  I assume parking on the streets is safe (I will have to leave a few items in my trunk, clothes, etc.)

Not familiar with that area but would love to save the $$$.

[newton]

I've driven to NYC for weekends before from Boston and I always find free parking on the Upper West Side near the river. Just drive around for 10-15 minutes and ditch the car and take transit to your hotel. Time is money too and it's a pain in the ass to park in Jersey and take the train in when you can park in the city for free.

Ditto.  It's pretty easy to find free parking near Riverside Park.  Just make sure you remember where you parked!  Take a few pictures.

Thanks for the suggestions.  Anything I need to be aware of as far as being towed?  Same question above as is it safe to leave a car on the street for the weekend??  I appreciate the help :)

[Think]

I've driven to NYC for weekends before from Boston and I always find free parking on the Upper West Side near the river. Just drive around for 10-15 minutes and ditch the car and take transit to your hotel. Time is money too and it's a pain in the ass to park in Jersey and take the train in when you can park in the city for free.

Ditto.  It's pretty easy to find free parking near Riverside Park.  Just make sure you remember where you parked!  Take a few pictures.

Thanks for the suggestions.  Anything I need to be aware of as far as being towed?  Same question above as is it safe to leave a car on the street for the weekend??  I appreciate the help :)

You just need to read the parking signs posted on the street.  You'll be able to park on side streets and not avenues.  Don't get a parking ticket because it will be more expensive as garaging your car.  I don't think you need to go as far up as riverside park.  There is parking on side streets all along the west side of Manhattan (and east). 

Also it can be hard to find a spot and you may have to circle and circle.  Note that if you're attempting to parallel park and someone behind you is honking there is a good chance they are just trying to bully you into giving up and leaving so they can get the spot!

If you want somewhere easy to park maybe try the west 70s closer to the start of riverside.  Near verti square and west end avenue.

[the_gastropod]

Just pay attention to the parking signs and hydrants. Most streets are cleaned once a week, and are closed for parking during the posted times. Aside from that, you'll be good to go. The UWS is a very safe neighborhood.

As for blocks, just try to stick within a few blocks of Broadway between 60th and 110th, and you'll have a 1 train within a few minutes of walking.

Enjoy your trip!

[rb6p]

Just pay attention to the parking signs and hydrants. Most streets are cleaned once a week, and are closed for parking during the posted times. Aside from that, you'll be good to go. The UWS is a very safe neighborhood.

As for blocks, just try to stick within a few blocks of Broadway between 60th and 110th, and you'll have a 1 train within a few minutes of walking.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree with the above. 

I'd try upper west side. You can use either 1 train (goes up Broadway) or B / C train (goes up central park west).  There are stops on both lines at 72nd st, 79/81st st, and 86th st.  Any of these areas are good for parking and you'd be only a few stops from your hotel.   Park on streets not avenues.  Most streets go by 'alternate side parking' - i.e. free parking except for two separate 2-hr blocks during weekdays.  Avenues have meters.

If you want a rough idea on the parking situation, the link I posted above seems legit - https://smoothparking.com/
Type in 10024 for location. For the friday, type in an afternoon time like 2pm or later. For the monday, type in morning time like 8am.  You'll see green all over the streets in this neighborhood. 

[newton]

I've driven to NYC for weekends before from Boston and I always find free parking on the Upper West Side near the river. Just drive around for 10-15 minutes and ditch the car and take transit to your hotel. Time is money too and it's a pain in the ass to park in Jersey and take the train in when you can park in the city for free.

Ditto.  It's pretty easy to find free parking near Riverside Park.  Just make sure you remember where you parked!  Take a few pictures.

Thanks for the suggestions.  Anything I need to be aware of as far as being towed?  Same question above as is it safe to leave a car on the street for the weekend??  I appreciate the help :)

You just need to read the parking signs posted on the street.  You'll be able to park on side streets and not avenues.  Don't get a parking ticket because it will be more expensive as garaging your car.  I don't think you need to go as far up as riverside park.  There is parking on side streets all along the west side of Manhattan (and east). 

Also it can be hard to find a spot and you may have to circle and circle.  Note that if you're attempting to parallel park and someone behind you is honking there is a good chance they are just trying to bully you into giving up and leaving so they can get the spot!

If you want somewhere easy to park maybe try the west 70s closer to the start of riverside.  Near verti square and west end avenue.

Thanks.  Great suggestions!

[newton]

Just pay attention to the parking signs and hydrants. Most streets are cleaned once a week, and are closed for parking during the posted times. Aside from that, you'll be good to go. The UWS is a very safe neighborhood.

As for blocks, just try to stick within a few blocks of Broadway between 60th and 110th, and you'll have a 1 train within a few minutes of walking.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree with the above. 

I'd try upper west side. You can use either 1 train (goes up Broadway) or B / C train (goes up central park west).  There are stops on both lines at 72nd st, 79/81st st, and 86th st.  Any of these areas are good for parking and you'd be only a few stops from your hotel.   Park on streets not avenues.  Most streets go by 'alternate side parking' - i.e. free parking except for two separate 2-hr blocks during weekdays.  Avenues have meters.

If you want a rough idea on the parking situation, the link I posted above seems legit - https://smoothparking.com/
Type in 10024 for location. For the friday, type in an afternoon time like 2pm or later. For the monday, type in morning time like 8am.  You'll see green all over the streets in this neighborhood.

Excellent.  Thanks for the suggestions.  I will have to leave it there until Tuesday morning.  Will that be a problem do you think (weekdays versus weekends?)

[Think]

Just pay attention to the parking signs and hydrants. Most streets are cleaned once a week, and are closed for parking during the posted times. Aside from that, you'll be good to go. The UWS is a very safe neighborhood.

As for blocks, just try to stick within a few blocks of Broadway between 60th and 110th, and you'll have a 1 train within a few minutes of walking.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree with the above. 

I'd try upper west side. You can use either 1 train (goes up Broadway) or B / C train (goes up central park west).  There are stops on both lines at 72nd st, 79/81st st, and 86th st.  Any of these areas are good for parking and you'd be only a few stops from your hotel.   Park on streets not avenues.  Most streets go by 'alternate side parking' - i.e. free parking except for two separate 2-hr blocks during weekdays.  Avenues have meters.

If you want a rough idea on the parking situation, the link I posted above seems legit - https://smoothparking.com/
Type in 10024 for location. For the friday, type in an afternoon time like 2pm or later. For the monday, type in morning time like 8am.  You'll see green all over the streets in this neighborhood.

Excellent.  Thanks for the suggestions.  I will have to leave it there until Tuesday morning.  Will that be a problem do you think (weekdays versus weekends?)

Not pp.  you may have to return to your parking spot at some point and move your car.  Again, read the signs. If it says parking allowed except Monday from 9-11 am then this means you have to move your car before 9 am on Monday.  Some people just move it to the other side of the street and sit there until the street cleaners have gone by and then move back to where they were.

It's pretty self explanatory.  Park like you would in any city.  Read the parking signs and don't park in front or fire hydrants or driveways.  I'm sure you know you can't turn right on red in the city.

Do you need a car though?  A car in NY is such a pain. 

[lizzzi]

Well, at the risk of sounding spendypants and getting a face punch, I'll play devil's advocate here. I had to go to a conference some years back which involved staying at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. I drove down from my house ninety miles up the Hudson, and...yes, wait for it...actually parked in the hotel's parking garage and paid what it cost. Easy breezy. I thought the convenience and just being able to go down and get my car after the conference and drive out to the West Side Highway and home was well worth it. Also, FWIW, I used to have to be in Manhattan and the Bronx like all the time, all the time for family visits.  I  found searching for a parking space on the streets to be too time-consuming to be worth it. If a relative couldn't go out and save a space for me by putting their own car there, I would just pay the money and park in a parking garage. Parking in NY is tricky. But as maybe one other poster said upthread, why not just drive all the way in, stay in the hotel parking lot, and relax and enjoy yourself. It's not like you are doing it every day.

[RedMaple]

I used to live on the Upper East Side and Midtown East. You will be able to find street parking, but you may have to move your car for street cleaning. As other people have said, can't you just ditch the car? Having a car is a headache.

[Sofa King]

"Yes, that's right, ladies and gentlemen: the key to cheap overnight parking in Manhattan is getting an oil change. And today, I'm going to explain exactly how it's done."

http://jalopnik.com/the-secret-to-cheap-and-safe-parking-for-a-tourist-in-n-1657972990

[CanuckExpat]

You can also try something like this app/service: http://luxe.com/home
Essentially they have someone pick up the car from you at your location and then drive it somewhere cheaper in the city and park it. Few times wife has used it has been a kid on a scooter, I guess they park the car in the outskirts and then scooter back. They do the reverse to return the car to you when you want it back.

Service has been reasonable, we've been using up free credits so haven't had to pay for it yet.
The first time you use it, they give you $20-$50 in credits, at least right now while they are trying to grow their user numbers. I think I have a promo code if you are interested, PM me.

[newton]

You can also try something like this app/service: http://luxe.com/home
Essentially they have someone pick up the car from you at your location and then drive it somewhere cheaper in the city and park it. Few times wife has used it has been a kid on a scooter, I guess they park the car in the outskirts and then scooter back. They do the reverse to return the car to you when you want it back.

Service has been reasonable, we've been using up free credits so haven't had to pay for it yet.
The first time you use it, they give you $20-$50 in credits, at least right now while they are trying to grow their user numbers. I think I have a promo code if you are interested, PM me.

Interesting.  Thanks.  I will check this out as well.  Great info!

[hernandz]

Allow me to scare you into not bringing your car to Manhattan.  Or at least committed to parking legally.

Parking tickets in Manhattan range from $65-$115. In the unlikely event you are towed, be prepared for a $185 towing fee at the pound (if you are lucky, your car may just be relocated a few streets away), plus a storage fee.  You will need to have proof of registration and insurance ON you when you travel to Pier 76. Thankfully, credit cards are now accepted. 

It is unlikely that a company will reimburse for these types of expenses. 

[Think]

"Yes, that's right, ladies and gentlemen: the key to cheap overnight parking in Manhattan is getting an oil change. And today, I'm going to explain exactly how it's done."

http://jalopnik.com/the-secret-to-cheap-and-safe-parking-for-a-tourist-in-n-1657972990

You can also get your car serviced.  We did this once. 

[headachemustache]

I am facing a similar predicament, and have also been researching parking in NYC.  In the past, I have had good luck finding street parking in NYC, but this time around, I need the certainty & convenience of a spot for 2 days/nights.  On the website "parkingpanda.com", I was able to locate a 24/7 indoor garage with decent rates in the neighborhood where I'll be staying, plus I got a 10% discount on my first reservation after finding a promo code online.  Good luck!