New York consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island, where more than 8 million inhabitants live. Many millions more come to the city every day and make New York one of the busiest cities in the world. With the exception of the downtown area, where small streets have names, Manhattan is divided into boulevards and streets that stretch horizontally and vertically, which makes the city very convenient for orientation. For car renters this is a very big advantage despite the difficulty of finding parking.

Exclusive for rentals with Alamo

◾ The freedom to choose

In chosen airports the exclusive program called Choice is activated, offering the car renter a selection of models to choose from in each group. For the list of stations where the Choice option is available, click here.
 

◾ Save time

You can also speed up standing in line with the Save Time service that allows you to check in online in advance for the car rental and also at central stations you can get the rental voucher from a kiosk instead of standing in line! To check in online, click here.

                                                

◾ Tolls Rodes

In the USA there are many toll roads. In order to save unnecessary dealing with small change during your trip, the car rental stations offer renting a Tollpass device (similar to the Route 6 device) with which you can pass on these roads and receive the charge in a centralized manner from the rental company and pay via CC.

Please note that some toll roads are exempt by the TollPass device, for example in Montreal, Kansas and South Carolina. It is your responsibility to verify this before traveling on toll roads. Driving on a toll road without payment is subject to fines.

For more information about the included and excluded roads, visit the following website: https://www.tollpassgo.com/
 

◾ Parking in New York

Despite the density of the city and the expected difficulty in finding parking there, it offers many parking options in the form of parking lots or paid parking. When you arrive in the city, after renting the car in New York, it is recommended to download parking apps such as: parking.com, apps of this type will make it very easy for you to find parking in the city at any given moment.
 

◾ Departure from New York

If you want to leave New York for a trip, it is recommended to take the rental car in New York at a station close to the main road where you need to travel. The exit to the west or south of Downtown Manhattan is done through the Holland Tunnel and for those in Midtown or the Upper West Side it is recommended to use the more northern Lincoln Tunnel. If you want to continue north along the east coast, it is worth considering taking a car at Kennedy Airport and from there get on the Van Wyck Expy (Interstate 678) cross the George Washington Bridge toll and continue on Route 95 towards Connecticut.

For those going north from Queens, it is recommended to use Clearview Expy and from there get on the Throgs Neck Bridge and connect to interstate 95. If you intend to take a car in Kennedy or Brooklyn and continue south towards Washington, it is recommended to get on interstate 278 out of the New York Bay to Staten Island and from there connect to road 95.
 

◾ Carpool

In the USA there are lanes that are designated for vehicles that carry a number of passengers according to the number indicated on the signage. Violation of the rules may result in a significant fine of tens or even hundreds of dollars.
 

◾ Turns on US roads

In some US states, different rules are applied than in Israel regarding right and left turns at traffic lights.

Turning right: In some areas turning right is allowed even when the traffic light is red, when of course there is still an obligation to give the right of way to pedestrians and crossing vehicles. If you are not sure what the rule is in the state you are traveling to, you can wait for a green light.

Turning left: In addition, there are states where even when the traffic light is fully green, turning left does not always give you the right of way, but the right of way is first of all the traffic coming in front.

The exception to this case is when your traffic light also shows a green arrow - then the right of way is yours.
 

◾ Credit cards in the USA

Please note - the rental companies in the USA do not allow Diners or Debit credit cards to be presented as a deposit credit card. An international credit card in the name of the driver of other credit companies must be presented.

For more tips on renting a car in the USA click here.

Renting a car in New York with Ofran will allow you to explore this amazing cultural city, in the pace that's comfortable to you and experience New York in comfort and ease. We will be happy to stand by your side and accompany your trip in New York, while making sure to rent a car of the highest standards.

Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in New York

Mohonk Preserve

The Mohonk Reserve is about an hour and a half drive from New York City. It is located near a town called New Paltz, on the slopes of the Shawangunk Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. It is about 8000 dunams of nature, which include dense forests, cliffs, streams and rivers.
Arriving there you will find plenty of options for hiking trails, horse riding, cycling and other types of sports for the whole family.
Mountaineers from all over the world visit the place every year, as it has over 1000 climbing possibilities.
The reserve aims to promote environmental education, and has over 1400 species of plants and animals, some of which are in danger of extinction.
 

Cold Spring, Hudson Valley

Cold Spring is a lovely town in the Hudson Valley, also about an hour and a half drive from Manhattan.
Its historic and picturesque center was built along the Hudson River, surrounded by a variety of restaurants, boutique and antique shops. The visit here is especially recommended in the summer when you can sit and drink coffee or dine by the river and often also enjoy live music playing in the background.
Near the river there is a park full of trees and plants, where you can walk, ride a bike and enjoy a quiet walk to the sound of the lapping of the water.
Renting a car in New York allows easy access to Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley, and in the summer months you can also visit the Shakespeare Festival held near the town.
 

Buffalo

Buffalo is the second largest city in New York State.
It is located on the US-Canada border, near Niagara Falls. The city itself has experienced a touristic rejuvenation in recent years, due to changes and works that were done in it with the aim of bringing visitors back to it, and it certainly worked. Historic architectural sites were renovated and restored, and the food scene that it developed, today is attracting Foodies from all over the world (Buffalo is the capital of "wings", and you've probably already heard the term Buffalo Wings).
Renting a car in Buffalo allows easy access to Niagara Falls, which are about half an hour's drive from the city.
If you plan to cross the border and continue to Canada, you must plan the trip according to where you return the vehicle.

Culture and entertainment in the city

For art lovers, New York is undoubtedly the place to be. Dozens of museums in almost every subject and field are spread across the city, headed by the massive Metropolitan, the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), and the Guggenheim.
As for entertainment, on Broadway you can find the best theaters, in Times Square is an intoxicating bustle and in Rockefeller Center and in Central Park you can rest and even sunbathe as if without knowing that you are in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.
 

Shopping in New York

You can't talk about New York without talking about shopping.
From the sales at Macy's and Bloomingdales, through the pampering indoor markets of Chelsea Market to the Schwartz toy store - every child's temple. From the food and souvenir stands of China Down to the luxury and glamor of Fifth Avenue.
 

Garden State New Jersey

The mall that is especially worth to check is located outside of New York City, but renting a car in New York allows you to get to the mall very quickly and conveniently, in addition to the fact that you will have a car in which you’ll be able to transport all the worthwhile purchases back to the hotel or the airport.
In the mall there are over 300 shops, restaurants and movie theaters and you will probably find everything you are looking for at extremely affordable prices.

New York with children

The city with endless possibilities offers a variety of exciting attractions especially for children and the whole family, and you will probably be able to realize only a small percentage of the multitude of options that will be in front of you for a family experience that you will remember forever.
 

Staten Island Ferry Staten Island Ferry

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, but for good reason. The ferry ride will give you the best view of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. The cruise is about 25 minutes long and that's exactly the time you'll need to keep the little ones alert and curious.
Please note that with most rental companies you cannot board the ferry with the rental car.
 

Central Park

Besides a picnic in the park on a sunny day, or a trip along its length and width, there are several attractions in the park that will make the children especially happy. One of them is the historic carousel, which for the adults in the family can at least provide a perfect photo opportunity.

The Belvedere Castle is a structure that is entirely intended for the enjoyment of visitors (especially the young ones, who will enjoy the urban visit to the "Castle). It is also a great observation point for the entire park.