New York car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in New York
The best car rental companies in New York are Enterprise, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from $55/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in New York
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Enterprise
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$57/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$60/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$58/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$62/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#5
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$55/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#6
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$65/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#7
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$53/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#8
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$52/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
#9
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$56/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#10
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$51/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-05 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in New York
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $55 | Chevrolet Spark | 4 |
| Compact | $65 | Toyota Corolla | 5 |
| SUV | $90 | Chevrolet Equinox | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | $115 | Chrysler Pacifica | 7 |
| Luxury | $150 | Cadillac Escalade | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in New York
Airport — John F. Kennedy International (JFK) / LaGuardia (LGA) / Newark (EWR)
JFK and LGA have on-airport car rental facilities. Newark (EWR) rentals are via shuttle to an off-airport facility. Most NY visitors find EWR or JFK the easiest for rentals.
Downtown — Midtown Manhattan / Uptown
Several agencies operate in Midtown (East 50s–60s). Downtown driving is not recommended — parking is expensive and scarce.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport concession fee | ~13% of base rate | Airport pickups (JFK/LGA/EWR) |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | $27–35/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | $10–15/day | Per extra driver |
| Tunnel/bridge tolls | $8–17 per crossing | E-ZPass or cash tolls entering Manhattan or NJ |
| Congestion pricing | $9 per entry | Driving south of 60th St in Manhattan (NYC Congestion Zone, weekdays) |
| NYC parking | $30–80/day | Garage parking in Manhattan; street parking very limited |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in New York
- Most visitors don't need a car in NYC itself — the subway, buses, and taxis cover Manhattan well. Rent for day trips or if staying in suburbs.
- Manhattan has an active Congestion Pricing Zone below 60th Street — $9 per entry for passenger cars on weekdays. Check the current schedule before driving in.
- NY State has some of the highest insurance minimums in the USA. CDW/LDW is strongly recommended; rental liability minimums are $25,000/$50,000.
- E-ZPass transponders (offered by rental companies) ease tunnel and bridge tolls into Manhattan ($9.50–17 per crossing). Without one you pay the cash rate + admin fee.
- New York State minimum age is 18 for a licence, but rental companies almost universally require 21; young-driver fees apply under 25.
- Parking garages in Midtown run $30–80/day. If you're staying overnight, choose a hotel with included parking or park in Queens/Brooklyn and take the subway.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in New York
What is the minimum age to rent a car in New York?
Most rental companies in NY require drivers to be at least 21. Drivers aged 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of $27–35/day. NY State law permits 18-year-old drivers, but most companies set their own 21+ minimum.
Which airport is best for a car rental near New York?
Newark (EWR) often has better prices and easier rental car access than JFK or LGA. JFK has an on-airport facility reachable by AirTrain. LGA rentals are on-airport. All three have shuttle connections to the rental centres.
Do I need to pay the NYC Congestion Charge?
If you drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street on weekdays during peak hours, you pay $9/entry for passenger cars (as of 2024–2025 rates; check the current MTA schedule). Rental companies may pass this through as a daily charge if they use a transponder.
Is it worth renting a car to explore New York?
For Manhattan itself, no — public transit is superior and parking is extremely expensive. A rental is ideal for day trips to the Catskills, Hamptons, or upstate NY, or if you are staying in New Jersey or Long Island.
What is the cheapest car to rent in New York?
Economy cars (e.g. Chevrolet Spark) start around $55/day — NYC prices are among the highest in the USA due to limited supply and high demand. Book well in advance for the best rates.
Nearby trips
