KAYAK’s insights & trends for New York State car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in New York State with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in New York State?
You should book your rental car in New York State around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in New York State?
Rentals in the SUV category (Chevrolet Blazer or similar) are the most popular option in New York State, costing $98/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $60/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in New York State?
The cheapest month to rent a car in New York State is January at an average cost of $51/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in New York State when prices are $93/day on average, which tends to be 36% above the yearly average rental price for New York State.
What rental car company in New York State has the most locations?
Avis operates 28 locations in New York State, more than any other rental company.
If you are driving in New York City, it is important to know the difference between “parking” and “standing.” “No Parking” means you can’t leave your vehicle, but you can stop temporarily to unload or load passengers or goods. “No Standing” means only a brief stop is allowed for loading or unloading passengers. Another regulation is the requirement of child safety seats for all children under the age of four, and booster seats for children up to the age of eight.
If you’re planning on driving primarily in New York City, it can be beneficial to rent a compact car to make parking and navigating through traffic easier to manage. Parking can be a hassle on busy city streets, so having a car with a rearview camera may be helpful. If you plan on doing most of your driving outside of the city, then it is much better to book a rental car based on the size of your party and your preferred style of car.
New York is known for having snowy winters. If you are traveling during the months of December to March, it may be best to ask for an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle. It is important to note that in certain snow conditions, snow chains may be required in New York State, but many rental car companies do not allow chains to be used on their vehicles. Make sure to check with different companies on their policies.
Parking on city streets in New York State, especially those in New York City, requires paying attention to many different regulations about which side of the street you can park on, on which day, and at what time. The rules are clearly posted, but always double-check before you leave your rental car. Remember, you’ll be held responsible for paying any tickets you receive on your rental car.
Even if you don't plan on driving in New York State, remember that many people will commute into and out of the city during rush hour. This means that major roads connecting the rest of the state to NYC can get very busy between 07:00 and 09:00 and between 16:00 and 19:00. The state's other major cities, including Buffalo, will also experience some traffic during rush hour, often between 08:00 and 09:00 and between 16:30 and 18:00. In Buffalo, Interstate-190 and Interstate-290 are usually the busiest roads.
If you're considering hiring a car in New York State in winter, be prepared for snow and ice on the roads. Most companies offering New York State car hires either offer winter tyres or are always equipped with all-season tyres. Keep an eye on local warnings during periods of heavy snow, and remember to prepare your vehicle before you drive by clearing any snow or ice off the roof and windscreen.
Most people hiring a car in New York State will likely spend some time driving on more rural roads outside of cities. On these roads, keep an eye out for wildlife and be prepared to slow down or stop if there are any crossing or blocking the road. Animals like deer and moose are usually most active at dawn and dusk, and can be difficult to see if you aren't paying close attention.
Most companies offering New York State car hires can provide child seats for your rental. Children under the age of four must be in a child safety seat that is federally approved, and children under the age of two must be in a rear-facing seat. Children up to the age of eight are required to use child restraint systems. All passengers over the age of eight must use the car's seat belts, regardless of how they're seated.
25% of our users found rental cars in New York for $54 or less
Medium rental cars in New York are around 54% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in New York State
Should I rent a car in New York State?
Renting a car when visiting New York State is a great idea. Once you use the car to get around the various neighborhoods of New York City, the rest of the state offers sprawling wilderness and wonderful scenery that would be tough to reach without a car. You can follow the Hudson River up north, or you can drive to Lake Erie and Niagara Falls for stunning views. Even closer to the city, you can explore the Catskill Mountains. The benefit of having a rental car rather than relying on public transportation is the freedom to see New York beyond just the city.
What is driving like in New York State?
Expect to drive much slower in New York State than in other regions of the country. The maximum speed, unless otherwise posted, is 55 mph, but can drop down to 40 mph on select highways. Another thing to keep in mind is toll roads. New York has transitioned to cashless tolling, which means that a camera will be taking a picture of the license plate as you drive by. Some rental cars are equipped with an E-ZPass, but you may want to check your rental agreement for surcharges or just pay online yourself.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in New York State?
To rent a car in New York State, you must be at least eighteen years of age, though most companies will charge a “young renter” fee to renters under the age of twenty five. Prices can vary quite a bit between companies, however, so be sure to compare multiple options. Restrictions also apply to some categories of cars, including premium vehicles and SUVs. To rent a car, you must produce a driver’s license and proof of insurance. Foreign nationals can use an international driver’s license, but will most likely have to provide a passport or some other form of identification as well.
How much does it cost to rent a car in New York State?
On average a rental car in New York State costs $76 per day.
How can I find car rentals near me in New York State?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in New York State are New York (50% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in New York State), Buffalo (10%) and Albany (8%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in New York State?
On average a rental car in New York State costs $529 per week ($76 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in New York State?
On average a rental car in New York State costs $2,268 per month ($76 per day).
What is driving like in New York State?
Driving in New York State outside the cities is often quiet and pleasant. Most roads are well-kept (although roadworks are relatively common) and easy to navigate. Driving in New York City is a very different experience, and most people will avoid it. You can make use of Park & Ride car parks or nearby train stations before transferring to the city's public transit. New York City's roads are busy at most hours of the day, and there are planned congestion charges for the city centre. If you do decide to drive in New York City, remember that turning right on red is illegal.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in New York State?
All companies offering New York State car hires are required to hire cars to drivers aged 18 or older. You may only be able to select types of vehicles, and an extra daily fee is generally charged to drivers under the age of 25. You'll need your driving licence and a payment method in order to pick up your vehicle. In New York, you don't need to use a credit card, but if you use a debit card you may be subject to a thorough screening process that takes multiple days.
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in New York State
145 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in New York State
117 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in New York State
57 Locations
Avis car rental locations in New York State
53 Locations
Budget car rental locations in New York State
47 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in New York State
43 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in New York State
19 Locations
National car rental locations in New York State
17 Locations
Easirent car rental locations in New York State
16 Locations
Empire Rent A Car car rental locations in New York State
15 Locations
Alamo car rental locations in New York State
14 Locations
All Car car rental locations in New York State
11 Locations
Car rental locations in New York State
Everything you need to know for your car rental in New York State
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