New York City Parking and Transit Tips Thread

[Cuzic]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, and posting because I am driving in for a week-long stay at the DoubleTree Hotel in Midtown East (lex and 51st) with my family. I called the hotel and PARKING IS $70/DAY. I almost had a heart attack. In my panic, I did some Googling and found this site, and noticed that there were a few other parking related posts; yet none explained what to do - they just listed some lots without any prices or rates.

Can I park on the street? I've heard about the crazy alternate side parking rules, but I don't know if they are in effect in Midtown. The hotel advised, obviously, their own garage. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards,

James

[Cuzic]

Sorry for my initial outburst. I did some more research and found the answers to my problem. However, I thought I'd post the following sites for everyone's benefit:

http://www.bestparking.com/

I ended up using that site to book a weekly parking reservation (7 days for $125 on the east river, but park & lock is included which means my car won't get dented up -- there is no SUV surcharge which also cuts down the price)

http://www.iconparking.com/

Allows reservations for all Icon Parking garages. Very helpful, but the info and reservations on this site were also on the previous site.

http://www.parkfast.com/ - Edison ParkFast

http://www.championparking.com/ - Champion Parking

http://www.gmcparking.com/ - GMC Parking

Nevertheless, if you know of any place that can beat 7 days for $125, please let me know. The reservation was free so I can always cancel it.

[thereuare]

Where are you driving in from and i assume you don't need your car while you're in Manhattan? How many are in your group?

[Cuzic]

Thanks for the response. I'm coming in from Weston, Mass., so have some experience with Boston parking. It's just me and my family (4 of us), so I won't be needing the car. Yet, I'll need to unload the car (plus wife and kids) when I arrive, so can't park the car in NJ and take the train in (which is what I may have ordinarily done).

[thereuare]

I would still look to see if there are any places along your route (in CT perhaps) where you can park and take the train in... but it seems as if the $125/week rate may be your best option when factoring cost vs. convenience.

[Occupationalhazard]

Thanks for the response. I'm coming in from Weston, Mass., so have some experience with Boston parking. It's just me and my family (4 of us), so I won't be needing the car. Yet, I'll need to unload the car (plus wife and kids) when I arrive, so can't park the car in NJ and take the train in (which is what I may have ordinarily done).

Why not unload car/wife/kids at hotel, let wifey handle check-in and go park?

When I come drive in, I park for free on Upper West and go from there. You can park on the street on the East Side, but you're going to wind up 40-50 blocks north on 3rd or coming back on Lex.

O/H

[AaronJB]

$70? And I thought Chicago hotels charged a lot for parking - wow.

[thereuare]

Parking in NYC is expensive, but not that expensive... currently from their website:

Self Parking:

30.00 USD

No in/out privileges

This thread is over a year old so the hotel may have changed their previous relationship to a different garage since originally posted, or the OP may have had to park two cars, but at $70/day there would certainly be cheaper, alternate, options.

[AaronJB]

Please post tips, tricks or other hints regarding more reasonable parking and transit in the general New York City area in this thread.

[redondoTouristAug09]

http://primospot.com has garage rates and on-street parking regulations for every block in most of Manhattan, as well as selected outer borough neighborhoods. To find out all the details of garage rates, follow the links to pictures of the rate signs.

Many garages have deep discounts for weekday commuters -- early bird specials where you have to be in before 9 or 10 AM and leave before 6 or 7 PM.

[sixstring]

I have a simalar situ and spoke with New Jersey Transit yesterday about some ideas...The customer rep there suggested leaving my car at Secacus station for $16 a day. She said it would be safe there, take the 12-15 minute train ride into the city. Sounds like a plan! http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv...eAction=TrainTo