Parking is one of the most important things to consider when visiting the Big Apple if planning to drive in the city. Navigating through NYC is not an easy task. The city’s parking can be expensive and frustrating, especially during the peak tourist season. Drivers spend a lot of time on average looking for parking spaces in the city. Whether trying to find a place to park a vehicle for a few hours or where to store it through the night, it is important to take as much time as possible to plan well and figure things out before visiting. Here is a budget guide for anyone parking in New York City.

Related: No Vehicle Needed: 10 Best Places In The U.S. To Visit Without A Car

How Much Does It Cost To Park In New York City?

Street parking in New York City
Photo by Magnus Andersson on Unsplash
Street parking in New York City

The amount of money travelers will pay to acquire parking in New York City depends on which part of the city they are visiting, how long they need to park, the time of the day, and the day of the week.

Street Parking In New York City

NYC boasts many beautiful streets, where parking is available but challenging, and vacationers should put some things into consideration when looking for a space. First of all, they must be aware of and adhere to the parking rules and regulations of whichever part of the city they're visiting. One should also be ready to practice patience. Sometimes, travelers driving will have to wait to claim a spot. The cost of street parking varies across NYC's boroughs.

There are more than 13,000 metered parking areas in the city, and Manhattan boasts the most spaces.

  • The cost of street parking in NYC: is between $1.25 and $7.50
  • The cost of parking for commercial vehicles: $5-$8
  • Factors influencing the cost of street parking in NYC: Location, parking duration
  • Parking duration: Between one and 15 hours, depending on the type of vehicle

Vacationers can pay for street parking in coins, credit cards, the ParkNYC app, or NYC Parking Card.

NYC Parking Garages

Parking in New York City
Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash
Parking in New York City

New York City has a lot of parking garages, which operate under different rules. Some offer parking services 24 hours a, others are not. Travelers will find some of these garages underground, while others feature rooftop decks. The cost of garage parking varies, depending on the company and location. The popular companies offering parking garages include:

  • The Central Parking System: Operates in Rockefeller Center (536 West 48th Street), Times Square (48th Street), and Herald Square (39th Street).
  • Icon Parking: Operates in Greenwich Village (12th Street), Union Square (14th Street), and SoHo (Spring Street).
  • Edison ParkFast: Operates in the Upper West Side (Columbus Avenue), Upper East Side (1st Avenue), and Midtown East (Lexington Avenue).
  • Quik Park: Theater District (West 44th Street), Hell’s Kitchen (46th Street)

Travelers should opt for parking in a garage since they are safer and can save some money on parking fees.

  • The cost of garage parking in New York City: Between $24-$28

What To Know Before Opting For Parking In A NYC Garage

  • The cost of parking in most garages depends on om the size of the vehicle too, and some companies charge extra fees for minivans, crossovers, and other oversize vehicles.
  • Parking tickets have a return time. Travelers should ask their attendants how much they’ll be charged suppose they come back to the garage after the return time has elapsed. A tip? Extend the duration to avoid paying extra charges.
  • It is important to have some change to tip at the valet when picking up the car.

Monthly Parking In New York City

Parking in The High Line, New York City
Photo by Taylor Rooney on Unsplash
Parking in The High Line, New York City

Monthly parking is a great option for vacationers planning to stay within the city for an extended period. It can save a lot of money than daily or hourly parking fees. Several places in NYC offer monthly parking.

  • The average cost of monthly parking in NYC: $500

Overnight Parking In New York City

If planning to park a car overnight, the streets are not the places. New York is a big city, which means anything can happen. The good news is – many garages in the city offer incredible overnight parking deals. Even if looking to park a car over the weekend, there are places to acquire parking with good rates. The only drawback of weekend parking is that travelers will only be able to exit and enter the car once the weekend is over.

  • The average cost of overnight parking in NYC: between $40 and $60
  • The average cost of weekend parking in NYC: between $20 and $37

Related: 10 Local-Approved, Money-Saving Tips For Visiting NYC

Money Saving Tips For Parking In New York City

Parking at Brooklyn Bridge, New York City
Photo by Red Morley Hewitt on Unsplash
Parking at Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

It is not easy to find cheap parking spots in NYC, but tourists can definitely use some tips:

  • Monthly parking can save a lot of money. As mentioned above, the average cost of monthly parking is $500 in NYC. When broken down to a daily rate, it comes to about $19 per day, which is way lower than the amount vacationers would spend daily.
  • Reduce the number of times of taking the car in and out of the lot or garage: if vacationers don't frequently take their vehicles outside the garage, they can save money because some companies charge an extra fee for doing that.
  • Use online apps and websites to book a parking spot. Visitors should always rely on technology to make things easier and more affordable. These apps and websites help to locate the available parking spaces throughout the city, and through them, one can reserve a spot at a discounted rate.

Parking in NYC can be challenging, but planning well can definitely make a huge difference. Know the potential costs and budget tips for parking.