Car Hire Manhattan

Guide

Famous the world over, Manhattan is the most cosmopolitan of all five of New York City’s boroughs. As the centre of ‘the Big Apple’, the area is packed with chic restaurants, shops and famous attractions that set the precedent for New York’s remarkable and always stylish social scene. Car rentals are a great way of exploring the city and its surrounding's. Please book car hire in Manhattan with us for cheap quotes, a large selection of cars to choose from, and to also save time queuing on arrival to Manhattan,  whether it be at one of its three nearby airports or from a downtown depot.

Explore Manhattan

The Upper East Side of Manhattan boasts the highest concentration of museums and art galleries in the city. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses over two million pieces of art, dating from prehistoric times to the present day. The Guggenheim Museums has one of the most impressive collections of modern art in the world.

Manhattan is also home to some of the world’s greatest theatres, nestled in the neighbourhood appropriately named the Theatre District. Radio City Music Hall, famous for The Rockettes Chorus Line, presents live stage performances, concerts and Hollywood movie premieres.

Times Square, one of New York’s quintessential sites, is also in this area. The 1,250 ft (381m) Empire State Building is likely the most recognised building in New York’s famous skyline. You can take in the breathtaking view of the city from one of the observatories. The Statue of Liberty, another of New York’s landmarks, can be accessed from ferries that run from lower Manhattan and has a viewing deck inside the statue’s crown.

But there’s so much more to Manhattan. Stroll down Fifth Avenue, amazed by all the upmarket boutiques, maybe even spot a celebrity. If this isn’t your style, perhaps you’ll feel more at home in the more bohemian Greenwich Village, or the busy Chelsea area. SoHo is another trendy district that has been transformed from industrial dullness to an exciting precinct of stylishly restored buildings housing expensive boutiques and galleries. Tribeca has a similar background, and the area has been redeveloped with lively cafes and restaurants.

To escape the bustle of the city, New Yorkers flock to Central Park. This 843 acre refuge houses over 500 000 trees and shrubs, and the Central Park Wildlife Conservation Center contains over 100 species of animals from various climate zones.

For a good view of New York’s altered skyline take the Staten Island Ferry across the bay. The terminal is in close proximity to Ground Zero, now one of America’s most sanctified sites, and paying a visit to show respect to the 2,700 people who died in the 9/11 tragedy is almost obligatory.

Transport

By air
There are three major airports serving the area; JFK, La Guardia and Newark. La Guardia is closest to the downtown, and has domestic service from all over North America. JFK (John F Kennedy) International Airport is one of the major international airports of the world. There are flights here from virtually everywhere, as well as domestic flights. Newark, New Jersey is the site of the area's third airport. A major hub, Newark receives services from all over North America, and an ever-increasing number of international services.

All the airports have bus services to Manhattan, as well as shuttle buses that will take visitors to any destination in the New York City area. Car rental companies operate from each of the three airports. Popular suppliers include; Dollar, Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and National. For more options, and to book early, search and compare quotes with us today.  

By car
Manhattan is easily accessible by car. Approaches from the east include the Connecticut Turnpike (I-95), and from New Jersey, the I-95 crosses the George Washington Bridge. Via I-95, it's 193 miles south from Boston, 104 miles north from Philadelphia, and 233 miles north from Washington, DC.

There are three routes to get to Manhattan, each crossing the Hudson River. Travellers will either cross via the Lincoln Tunnel, located mid town, or take the Holland Tunnel in the lower reaches of Manhattan, or by using the upper Manhattan, George Washington Bridge.

The I-87 (NY State Thruway) runs from upstate New York across the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge, to the Major Deegan Expressway, still the I-87, through the Bronx. The New England Thruway (I-95) will get you from New England to Manhattan. You must connect with the Bruckner Expressway (I-278), which leads to the Triborough Bridge and the FDR on the east side.

By bus
Greyhound Bus Lines links New York with major cities across Canada and the USA. Peter Pan Trailways runs buses to the nearest major cities. New Jersey Transit buses go to Atlantic City and other cities across the Garden State. Buses arrive and depart from the Port Authority Terminal on the West Side.

By train
Amtrak trains depart from Pennsylvania Station, including the daily Metroliner service to Princeton, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, and Washington DC. New Jersey Transit service the area with trains running from Penn Station to the Jersey Shore and the suburbs. The suburbs in the north, as well as Connecticut are serviced by the Metro North Railroad.

Trains are also a major player in the New York City transportation scene. Fast commuter trains serve the heavily travelled Northeast Corridor between New York and Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC. There is also long-distance service from nearly all points in the continental US, as well as from Toronto and Montreal in Canada.

By boat
There is only one passenger liner service into New York City which is the Cunard Line travelling from Southampton, England. This is an incredible way to travel to New York. A large number of cruise ships also use New York as their port of embarkation and disembarkation.