New York State car rentals

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.

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.

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.

On average a rental car in New York State costs $74 per day.

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

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 (11%) and Albany (7%).

On average a rental car in New York State costs $518 per week ($74 per day).

On average a rental car in New York State costs $2,219 per month ($74 per day).

Having a car is the best way to explore everything New York State has to offer beyond New York City. Upstate New York is home to some stunning natural scenery and with your own car, you can explore it fully at your own pace. There are some lovely scenic drives in the state, including the roads that run through the Hudson Valley and the paths through the Catskill Mountains. While New York City has plenty of public transport, if you're planning to visit cities like Rochester and Buffalo or smaller towns, having your own car is often the easiest way to get around.

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.

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.