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Picking up a New York City 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 in Manhattan is unnecessary and can be very inconvenient, consider New York City 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. 

The major rental agencies and smaller local companies have offices throughout the city, housed in multi-level garages. New York City car rentals are generally much more expensive than elsewhere in the US. Rates are lower at JFK and LaGuardia Airports than in Manhattan, and lowest at nearby Newark International Airport, due to cheaper New Jersey liability and insurance laws. Insurance rates also tend to be higher in New York than in most other cities. Optional additional coverage can add up to $30 a day, but your existing insurance policies or your credit card may provide all or part of the protection you need, combined with the minimum insurance the car rental company is required by law to provide as a part of every rental.

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, with hotels and garages charging up to $40 or more per day. If you find a rare spot on the street, meters run late into the night, and New York has "alternate side of the street" parking rules, which may require street parkers to move their cars at different times of the day. Parking enforcement officers are very efficient and parking illegally could lead to a costly ticket and towing fee. Gas stations are also hard to find and gas prices can be much higher than in surrounding suburbs. 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 100 intersections in New York City used for issuing summonses for running red lights. Many streets in Manhattan have only one-way traffic so consider renting a New York City 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 anywhere in New York State. Seat belt usage is mandatory for all drivers and passengers, and violators will be fined. 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.