May
Anyone who’s been to New York knows that every corner of the city has something new and exciting. Many people who visit New York believe that driving is not an option, and that New Yorkers only public transit or taxi. This may have been true in the past, but this is simply no longer. For a cheaper alternative to Uber and a more convenient and personal alternative to the subway, use AAMCAR, a car rental company.
Avoid Hidden Costs
It is affordable, without any hidden costs. Most car companies look affordable on the surface. That is until they slap you with hidden costs non included in the original quote. But with AAMCAR, what you see is what you pay.
With car sharing services such as Uber and Lyft sweeping the nation, it is easy to see how and why Americans are conflicted on how to get around. However, with AAMCAR, there is no question. Have the convenience of your own car to chauffeur you and your companions around on your own time to your own destination. Or use AAMCAR to move!
Uber cost vs. Car Rental cost
One of the first determining factors for weighing your cost savings for using Uber vs rental cars is considering the length of your stay. Is Uber cheaper than a taxi or renting a car? Do the math!
If you’re traveling for a full week, most people would say renting a car proves to be the cheapest option. Let’s look at the math…
Economy rental cars will typically cost between $45-65 per day and should fit two adults and two children. With these numbers in mind, you can expect to drop between $315-450 for a seven day trip.
Uber’s rates are going to be calculated by your mileage in motion, meaning if you just need a quick lift over a short distance, it’s a cost-efficient choice.
To put it into perspective, a 30 minute drive might not seem like much, but that 20 mile each way could end up costing you $40-50 there and back with a ride hailing service. If you times that by the number of days you’re staying to get your “per day Uber cost,” you might be better off just signing up for the rental.
Then there’s considering those extra charges. Do you have to tip your Uber driver?
That’s like asking if you have to tip a waitress. Technically, no, but it’s always a nice gesture as a thank you if your driver was accommodating and friendly.
Consider that when renting you still need to pay for gas as well as parking fees as well for wherever you visit. If the place you’re staying has free parking, that’s a plus, but you could always have to pay to park in a garage or have to deal with the fuss of going back to the car to feed a meter if you are parking in the city on your trip.
If you’re on vacation with your family too, consider how many passengers a ride hailer’s vehicle could hold verses a rental car.
Does Uber charge per person?
The answer is no, however, depending on the kind of car service you go with, the number of passengers varies. For example UberBLACK cars have a four person passenger limit.
If you have a full squad, renting a minivan might be the most convenient.
Keep an eye out for hidden rental car fees though as well, such as extra for returning the car to a different location, adding an additional driver, being under the age of 25, or going over your allotted miles.
Why AAMCAR?
There are a large range of vehicles offered by AAMCAR, depending on your needs and specifications. AAMCAR’s vehicle rentals include economy, compact, full size, mid-sized, minivans, cargo vans, SUVs, and moving vans. If one is more specifically interested in the car’s make, AAMCAR offers the Nissan Cube, Ford Mustang, Ford Explorer, and so many more. If you are travelling with a large party, AAMCAR is proud to offer a 15 Passenger Van so that everyone can participate and no one gets left behind. This 15 Passenger Van Rental is one of AAMCAR’s most popular options and is most often used for large parties, large families, and everything in between. AAMCAR also offers luxury cars to make your getaway even more special.
AAMCAR is proud to offer certain services to enhance the rental experience. Conveniently located on the upper west side, AAMCAR offers late drop off hours, late model sedans, accepts debit cards, most foreign licenses, and also speaks Spanish. Nobody wants to be stranded without any means to get around, pay high Uber prices, or be stuck on the ever unreliable public transit system. There is only one answer: AAMCAR Car Rentals.
Dec
A trip to NYC in your New York discount car rental just wouldnt be complete without a visit to the towering Chrysler Building located in downtown Manhattan. Built back in the early 1930s by automobile tycoon Walter Chrysler as a status symbol, the Chrysler building is now one of the most recognized buildings on Manhattan Island! Made of steel and faced with brick the Chrysler Building pays homage to the car company name with a few intricate details and unbelievable designs! One of the last remaining skyscrapers crafted in the Art Deco style, the Chrysler Building is a definite must-visit for anyone planning a trip to New York City. Located along Lexington Avenue, in the heart of Manhattan, the Chrysler building is located just a short New York discount car rental ride from practically anywhere in Manhattan!
Racing for the Sky
Back in the summer of 1929 an exciting and highly competitive race was being held in NYC, and it wasnt the annual marathon! After the Eiffel Tower was erected in Paris a huge surge was put forth to see who could top the then highest building in the world. The island of Manhattan became the battling group for what is considered to be the most intense race in skyscraper history, pitting the Bank of Manhattan Trust Company against Walter Chrysler and his team of engineers. For months the race was neck and neck, until the spring of 1930, when it appeared that the Bank of Manhattan Trust Company had come out on top, completing a 283 meter tall tower. But the Banks victory was short lived – just one week after construction had ceased on the Bank of Manhattan a secret crew hidden inside the very top of the Chrysler Building jacked a needle thin spire through the skyscrapers crown! Once the building was finally completed it measured in at approximately 319 meters, or 1,046 feet capturing the coveted title of Worlds Largest Building! The Chrysler Buildings victory was also short and sweet as, in true New York style, a bigger and better building was already on its way to completion! Just four months after being crowned the king of all skyscrapers, the Empire State Building opened on 5th Avenue measuring in at a staggering 1,250 feet.
Final Touches
Not only is the Chrysler Building one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, it is also one of the most intricately decorated! When driving by in your upcoming New York discount car rental be sure to stop and take a closer look. When Walter Chrysler decided to build a new office building he wanted something fresh and new; A bold structure, declaring the glories of modern age. So, with the help of famed architect William Van Alen, Mr. Chrysler decorated his skyscraper with everything from hubcaps to mudguards! Instead of using traditional gargoyles as decoration, Walter Chrysler decorated his tower like he did his cars, crafting unique ornamentation in the likeliness of actually automotive parts! Today the Chrysler Building still stands as one of the worlds most innovative and original Art Deco buildings, a style characterized by sharp angular surface forms and interesting ornaments.
Interesting Facts about the Chrysler Building
The following facts will be sure to impress all of your New York discount car rental friends, so be sure to print them out before embarking on your adventure to the Chrysler Building!
- The Chrysler Building is 77 stories high and cost $20 million to build
- There are over 3,862 windows on the Chrysler Building
- Walter Chrysler never paid the famed architect, William Van Alen for his design work on the Chrysler Building because he was certain that Van Alen was involved in a suspicious financial operation with the buildings contractors
- Over 3,826,000 bricks were used to cover the 20,961 tons of structural steel used to support the Chrysler Building
- The Chrysler Building recently underwent a full-scale restoration in 1995, returning the building back to its original glory
Dec
Getting around the Big Apple in your New York car rental can sometimes be a bit tricky what with rush hour traffic and impatient cab drivers. Parking in New York City can also be a bit tricky and can even get pricy if you’re not familiar with the city parking garages and open air lots. With over 7 million people living and working in the greater New York are everyday finding a parking often becomes a little stressful. As a New York car renter it is important to take extra precautions to keep your car safe. The following information will help to guard your New York Car rental against unwanted damage and unnecessary tickets.
Parking Your New York Car Rental Safely:
Avoid leaving any valuable goods inside your car. All shopping bags or purses should be stowed safely in the truck of your vehicle along with any personal valuables. The likelihood of a thief targeting your vehicle diminishes greatly if there is nothing worth stealing visible. Of course you should always lock all of your car doors and ensure that all windows are tightly shut. Also, make sure to feed the parking meter regularly to avoid the wrath of the meter maid. New York issues over 14 million parking summons every year, resulting in approximately 800 vehicles being impounded. No one wants to deal with that sort of a hassle during a vacation to the Big Apple, so be sure to put some extra coins into the meter. If you’re planning to park at a meter on the street, there are a few legalities that you should know of.
- The City of New York suspends alternate side parking regulations on all 32 legal and religious holidays. This includes Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, along with Labor Day and Easter. For more information on other holidays visit www.ci.nyc.ny.us. This policy is enforced by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Sanitation and the Police Department, so don’t try and give them the slip!
- On major legal holidays all No Stopping, No Standing and No Parking signs are suspended. The only exceptions to this rule are all of the No Parking / No Standing Anytime signs.
- Parking meter regulations are also suspended on major legal holidays.
If you’re a little unsure about parking your New York car rental at a meter why not try one of the open air lots or parking garages. Watch for signs advertising these lots as they are located all over the greater New York area. Many lots also use the help of employees to attract business. If you see an attendant standing at the curbside motioning cars in, chances are there is a parking lot near by. Depending on where you are in New York City garage rates may range from $6 to $15 for the first hour of parking, to approximately $40 a day, with lower rates on Sundays. Be prepared to pay the most money if you’re visiting Midtown Manhattan as this area sees an immense volume of traffic daily. If you’re planning to use one of these open air lots or parking garages look for empty spots close to street lights or pedestrian activity. A thief or vandal is more likely to prey on a car shrouded in darkness, than one that is highly visible.
Another alternative method of parking in New York City is a Professional Valet Parking Service. This new high-tech operation allows you to go online and book, ahead of time, a parking spot in any of 175 parking garages in and around the Big Apple. The rates are calculated by the hour and which garage you choose. Spots can be booked by the hour, day, week or moth. For more information on this revolutionary parking technology, please call 877-PARKING or go online at www.iconparking,com for more details.
Dec
If you’re flying into New York on a domestic flight, chances are you’ll be landing at La Guardia Airport in the borough of Queens. La Guardia is located a short 20 to 40 minute New York car rental drive from Manhattan, depending on traffic, plus La Guardia is located right on the Grand Central Parkway, making navigating easy! The La Guardia Airport is operated by the Port Authority and services many major airlines, most of which are domestic flights. La Guardia is a busy place these days with over 533 non-stop flights departing and arriving daily! LaGuardia is also a major shipping airport with over 1,293 tons being transported through the airport in just one month! Read on for more information on La Guardia Airport and then check out their official website for help with flight changes and other airport services. The La Guardia Airport site can be found at www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgrtfram.htm.
Terminals
The terminals at La Guardia Airport are arranged in a semi-circle position along the Grand Central Parkway. Multiple access roads are available for those of you traveling in your New York car rental, so be sure to consult a map before braving the confusion of airport drop-off traffic! The terminals are lettered A, B, C and D. Terminal A is the Delta Shuttle Marine Air Terminal, terminal B is the Central Terminal Building (or CTB), terminal C is the US Airways and US Airway Shuttle Terminal, while terminal D is home of the Delta airlines. Depending on where you’d like to go upon your arrival in the state of New York, you may wish to head east in your New York car rental towards Long Island and Whitestone Bridge, or you may want to head southwest to the Triboro Bridge and the busy boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. The terminals are relatively close together, and there is a free bus shuttle from the Marine Air Terminal (terminal A) to all the other terminal buildings, so if you need to catch a connecting flight it is recommended that you hop on this handy commuter!
Parking at LaGuardia
La Guardia offers a wide variety of paring options for your New York car rental, from metered spots to long term areas. There are plenty of lots dedicated to daily parking, while the main long term lot is located just between the Central Terminal Building (terminal B) and the US Airways Terminal. Metered parking is found just outside the Marine Air Terminal and is quite limited. Parking costs range from $.50 per 15 minutes at the metered parking to $24 per 24 hour. It’s easy to find the parking garages at La Guardia in your New York car rental – simply follow the “P” signs to the airport exit for additional spaces. La Guardia also offers numerous disabled parking areas close to the terminal entrances along with free courtesy buses that transfer travelers between parking lots and their desired terminals.
Airport Terminal Services
La Guardia Airport offers a wide variety of shops and services to travelers ranging from barber shops to shoe shines! So when you’re feeling a little weary or bored why not check out one of the numerous restaurants, slower shops, duty free stores, or cocktail lounges?! La Guardia also offers services like banks, places of worship, wireless internet acess, currency exchange, and nursery stations; you name it and La Guardia has it!
Hotels
If you’re flight arrives late at night, there’s no need to worry; numerous hotels are located right next door to La Guardia Airport, allowing you to catch some much needed Z’s before hoping in your New York car rental and discovering the city!
Dec
Manhattan is by far one of the busiest boroughs in NYC, which makes navigating traffic in your New York car rental a little tricky! Getting across Midtown is never easy with road construction and distracted drivers, so we here at AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals have put together a page with helpful driving tips for braving the busy streets of Manhattan.
Rules of the Road
Driving through Manhattan for the first time in your New York car rental is sure to be an intense experience. Ordered chaos is what awaits you at most intersections, while at others you’ll find pure pandemonium! Rules that most people take for granted when driving, like yielding at yellow lights, or signaling before making a turn, don’t seem to apply to many Manhattan drivers, (especially taxi cabs!), resulting, most often, in the morning commute from hell! The best way to avoid being cut off by impatient or angry motorists in high volume traffic areas like Times Square or the Rockefeller Center, is to stay alert and avoid distractions. People who attempt to multi-task while maneuvering through Manhattan traffic, (examples include attempting to apply makeup and eating breakfast) are most likely seasoned New York City drivers, so DO NOT attempt to duplicate their actions! To avoid unsafe situations remember to avoid tailgating, allowing at least a cars length between your New York car rental and surrounding vehicles. Remember that signaling a turn or lane change in Manhattan seems to be an unpopular commodity, so always be prepared for sudden stops and unexpected traffic congestion.
Safety and Prevention
When traveling through Manhattan in your New York car rental, always be sure to wear your safety belt since buckling up will help prevent injury in the case of an accident. If the flow of traffic is heavy which it normally is, stay calm and travel at an appropriate speed. A good rule of thumb when driving through Manhattan is to leave at least one hour early for any scheduled appointment. Traffic congestion can strike at any moment due to accidents, construction or weather, so make sure to leave a good cushion of travel time available. When traffic jams do occur make sure to be on the look out for impatient drivers; these are the folks that weave carelessly in and out of lanes, drive along shoulders and pretty much just jam traffic up more. Just because you’ve planned ahead, doesn’t mean that others have been so organized!
General Driving Info
- You must be at least 16 years of age to drive your New York car rental in Manhattan (please contact AAMCAR regarding their age policy).
- The speed limit on most highways and expressways in Manhattan is 65 miles per hour, or 110 kilometers per hour. Please watch for signs posting any changes. If you are happening to drive through a Manhattan school zone, please be aware that the speed limit is strictly enforced at 15 miles per hour.
- In NYC it is illegal to turn your New York car rental right on a red light, unless there is a sign posting otherwise
Street Information
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- One-Way streets are extremely popular in the Manhattan area of New York City, so be sure to consult an arrowed map before making any travel plans.
- On Two-Way streets you must drive your New York car rental on the right hand side of the road
- Odd numbered streets, like 57th Street travel West.
- Even numbered streets, like 34th Street travel East.
- Avenues in Manhattan go from North to South
- During busy hours it isn’t uncommon for tunnels and bridges to reverse direction or even close down lanes. Traffic signs and police officers will help to regulate the flow of traffic.
Dec
If youre looking for upper class excitement during your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City vacation, look no further than the streets of Manhattans East Village located on the islands lower east side. Over the past 100 years this area has arguably been one of the most influential havens of art and culture, kick starting many alternative forms of entertainment and expression. From Hip Hop to the American Gangster, the streets of the East Village are always alive with excitement and energy, so what are you waiting for?! Located on the outskirts of New York University, the East Village is currently home to a wide variety of residents, creating a rich melting pot of cultures, interests, business and entertainment. From tattoo parlors to art galleries, the East Village is always on top of the latest trends, so grab a friend and stop by during your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City vacation!
East Village Landmarks
Located in the area between Broadway and the East River from East Houston Street on up to 14th Street, the East Village is one of New York Citys most diverse neighborhoods. When driving through the city in your AAMCAR rent-a-car remember to keep your eyes peeled for the following local attractions; no other area in the city boasts such a varied arrangement of entertainment, dining and retail establishments.
- St Marys Place AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City strongly recommends taking a drive down this infamous city street, home to some of the citys darkest memories and most suspicious secrets. From the Firemans Memorial Garden to Stingy Lulus 1950s diner, St. Marys Place continues to be a street shrouded in mystery. Past events on the street have include the cover shoot of Led Zeppelins Physical Graffiti album, the opening of Andy Warhols famous Electric Circus and numerous acts of activism and revolution.
- Tompkins Square Park Located at the heart of the East Village, Tompkins Square Park has long been a center for political demonstrations, as well as Manhattans home of radical thought. Protesters have gathered to march on issues ranging from police brutality and immigration to gay rights and homelessness. Many of these protests have been marred with violence, but the park still stands as important cultural, political and social landmark. The Grateful Dead played their first ever east coast gig here back in 19967.
- The New York Marble Cemetery The New York Marble Cemetery is the oldest non-sectarian cemetery in all of NYC, providing customers of AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City with access to hundreds of 19th century gravestones and burials. A sister cemetery entitled the New York CITY Marble Cemetery is located around the corner at 65 2nd Street.
More Interesting Facts
The East Village is literally overflowing with interesting information and landmarks, prompting millions of prominent American and international performers to take up residence in the area. Famous East Village tenets have include Madonna (she once lived at 230 East 4th Street, perfecting her talents at local clubs like Webster Hall, The Palladium and the Danceteria), blues legend Leadbelly, Abbie Hoffman, members of the band Dee-Lite, and Lon Trotsky. Artists like The Doors, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Black Sabbath, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Ravi Shankar and Ray Charles have also preformed in East Village. If you would like to be a part of the East Village music revolution simply stop by the Continental Music Hall at the corner of 23rd Avenue at St Marks Place. This revolutionary club has been the most important music venue in NYC for the past 15 years, providing the customers of AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City with access to bands like The Ramones, Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop, Guns and Roses, Greenday and The Wallflowers.
To learn more about the happenings of Manhattans East Village please feel free to visit the neighborhoods online directory and free press at www.east-village.com. Customers of AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City are sure to find tons of up-to-date information here, as well as informative maps and useful commentary.
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Re the car, the reason that I rated it only “Satisfactory” is that the motor could be heard rather noticeably. it sounded as if the automatic transmission was not shifting into 2nd gear but staying in first gear…one of the other passengers thought it was a “timing issue.”
Thu Nov 2, 2017
Mon Oct 23, 2017
Sat Sep 27, 2014
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Mon May 5, 2014
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Wed Oct 16, 2013
Sat Dec 15, 2012
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When I called in the morning to confirm reservation (even though I had email, since done online, I always double check), they had no record of it. Do we went to Alamo, who happily rented us a car for $5 less than you. Therefore, you are at the very bottom of my car rental place to go. Too bad for you. We rent often. It was my first try … try not again, I will.
Poor doesn’t describe it. How about AWFUL.
Janice Taylor
Mon Sep 19, 2011
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