First time in New York

I am from Denver and planning a trip to Buffalo-New York City-Washington DC for 5 days

I will start from Buffalo and then move to Washington DC by rental car and then to New York City.

My questions and concerns:

1) How is it driving in NYC? Is taking a rental car there good idea? This is my first time.

2) What budget hotels I can get in NYC? I know there are lot of them but some suggestions would be welcome with my budhet of around $200 per night

Thanks

Rahul, Denver

First time in New York

Driving TO New York City is fine. Driving IN New York City - not a good idea. Drop off the car at the hotel (or one of the many parking garages)and leave it there until you leave. Use the subway or walk.

You don%26#39;t say when you%26#39;re going, but you can get some great deals at travelzoo or quikbook:

http://www.travelzoo.com/

http://www.quikbook.com/

Good luck :)

First time in New York

Thank you so much for your quick response!

I am going there in May first week.

So are there garages where we can park the car on the outskirts of the city?

You can either park in Manhattan -

http://www.iconparking.com/

or the outskirts, depending on your preference or hotel location. I usually park at the hotel, so can%26#39;t help with parking outside Manhattan, but I%26#39;m sure someone else will respond :)

You won%26#39;t need (or want) to have the car in New York, and frankly, driving around %26amp; finding parking in Washington, DC, is no picnic either. How about ditching the car upon your arrival in DC and taking the train or one of the decent, inexpensive bus services from DC to NYC?

Do you think you will be able to do either place justice with such a short time in each? I would recommend dropping one of them and focus more on one city. There is so much to see and do in both DC and NYC that you need more than a day or two in each.

What is your timeline for travel and time in each location?

Why Buffalo ?? You must have a relative there.

totally agree with CocleCove that you won%26#39;t need your car in NYC or DC. Not sure why you%26#39;re doing DC first (NYC is closer to Buffalo) but I%26#39;d ditch that rental if you can. DC has a fine subway system (not as good as NYC%26#39;s, but still pretty darn good and a lot prettier!)

Thank you so much everyone.

Actually I have a very short time and I want to see Niagara, DC and NYC. Total days are just 6. I understand that I am not doing justice to either of the places but cant help ight now. This is how I am planning:

1) Land in Buffalo from Denver on the night of May 7. Take a rental car and then move to hotel.

2) May 8 goes in Niagara.

3) May 9 - Take the rental and move to DC. May 9 and May 10 goes in DC

4) Take the same rental and move to NYC on May 11.

5) Dump the rental at NYC on May 13 and fly back to Denver

My Issues:

1) I reach Buffalo at night and National Rent a car is open till 5 PM only :(. I have option of National only as nobody else would allow me to dump the car ( I need 6 seater ) at a different location. Other companies which allow this dont have a 6 seater available to be taken to other locations. DO YOU GUYS KNOW OF ANY HOTEL WHICH PROVIDES SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM AIRPORT IN BUFFALO? I posted this in Buffalo forum but no reply

2) Second issue is how to commute in DC and NYC and is it wise to take rental all across NY state and DC? Any options?

Any suggestions on the change in the trip will be most welcome.

I know many of you would say that dump one city but cant help :(

If I were you, I%26#39;d see Niagara AND hit the road on May 8. Niagara Falls is a small town and you%26#39;ll likely want to see the Canada side. Buffalo to DC is a pretty long drive (I would think at least 9 hours), so you may want to divide it into two parts, where you%26#39;ll have the afternoon and evening of May 9 in DC.

The Buffalo Airport%26#39;s website gives a list, with map, of all the nearby hotels that offer shuttle service:

www.buffaloairport.com/AccommodationsMap.asp

Again, I%26#39;ll urge you to return the car to a DC in-town location upon your arrival there; it will cost you at least $30 a day to park the vehicle in DC and in NYC, on top of the rental charges. You %26amp; your family/friends will have a much easier time getting around both cities the same way most locals do: walking and via bus/subway.

Not sure what you mean when you ask if it%26#39;s wise to take car across NY state and DC; National presumably offers roadside assistance in the event of mechanical difficulties. Your rental rate, however, may only cover driving within a certain number of miles of the pick-up location or in New York alone; you may have to pay a bit extra to drive outside the usual area contemplated by the rental contract.

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