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Picking up a Manhattan rent a car just to get around downtown is usually discouraged, do to the associated high costs and frustration compared to accessible public transportation. While driving from one attraction to another is unnecessary and can be very inconvenient, consider Manhattan car rentals for outer-borough parkways, driving to one of the train stations served by the Metro North railroad, New Jersey Transit, or Long Island Railroad, or for getting out of the city to visit nearby attractions like Long Island, the Hamptons, and Saratoga Springs. 

All of the major car rental agencies have offices downtown, housed in multi-level garages, including Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, National, Avis, and Hertz. Try Dollar and Thrifty for the best deals. Manhattan car rentals are generally much more expensive than elsewhere in the US and insurance rates also tend to be higher than in most other cities. If you're flying into one of the nearby airports JFK, La Guardia, or Newark, you can save money on rentals at the terminals.

If you decide to rent a car and will be driving downtown, here are some general tips to remember. Manhattan traffic is notoriously congested and New York drivers and cabbies are especially aggressive. Parking is very difficult to find and expensive. The many bridges and tunnels require tolls up to $10.  City speed limits are 30 MPH and right turns on red lights are illegal, unless otherwise posted, due to high pedestrian traffic. There are cameras at many intersections used for issuing summonses for running red lights. Many streets downtown have only one-way traffic so consider renting a Manhattan rent a car with a navigation system, and ask for directions and maps at the rental office to avoid getting lost. It is illegal to talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device and seat belt usage is mandatory for all drivers and passengers. State law prohibits car rental companies from refusing to rent to consumers who are at least 18 or who do not have a credit card, but an additional surcharge (up to $70 or more) may apply for renters under age 25, and a credit screening and deposit of up to $500 may be required if you pay cash.