Finding parking in New York City is an urban blood sport, with drivers facing limited spots, fierce competition, and expensive prices. Here are five tips to make sure you don’t lose out.
“If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.” Frank Sinatra’s iconic words capture the spirit of New York City: a place for dreamers and high achievers.
And in modern times, it seems the dream of conquering the Big Apple is still alive and well. In 2024, New York City earned the title of the “best city in the world,” thanks to its food scene, culture, beauty, and happy residents.
Additionally, New York remains a coveted destination worldwide, with 15% of respondents expressing a desire to relocate to the city.
It’s not surprising given there is much to love about NYC. It’s the largest city in the U.S., spanning 5 boroughs and comprising over 100 neighborhoods, each with stories to tell and communities to explore.
You can catch a dazzling Broadway show in Times Square, see the latest art collection on display at the Met on Fifth Avenue, or marvel at the breathtaking views from the top of the Empire State Building.
The ‘city that never sleeps’ isn’t just about late-night eats and 24/7 shopping; it’s a city with relentless energy, constantly adapting, innovating, and pushing boundaries.
While there’s no question about Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ proclamation of New York being a “concrete jungle where dreams are made of”, it’s, unfortunately, a city where parking nightmares are also a reality.
New York’s public transportation in the city is fantastic, making it easy to explore every corner with ease. The city’s extensive subway and bus networks, iconic yellow cabs, and even carriages along Central Park give residents and visitors alike several options to get around the city.
But when it comes to parking your car, well, being the “king of the hill” might feel more like a distant fantasy.
In the cutthroat world of NYC parking, just finding a parking spot is a victory in itself. So in this article, we’ll explain the several factors making finding parking in New York difficult and tips on how to make parking a breeze in the Big Apple.
Why is it so hard to find parking in NYC?
Before we get into ways to make parking less of a headache for New York drivers, let’s take a closer look at why finding parking in the city feels tougher than ever.
1. Supply and demand
The main reason why parking is so hard to come by in New York is simply due to the classic case of supply and demand imbalance.
A recent report from the New York Times says there are more than 2.2 million registered cars across the five boroughs and only about 3 million free parking spots. These staggering figures do not include cars that are coming into the city every day – further dwindling parking options in NYC.
Taking a bite into the Big Apple’s street parking supply are also several initiatives such as bike lanes, delivery hubs, and dining sheds, which have already claimed a considerable number of street parking spaces —estimated at 8,000.
Proposed additions like rat-resistant garbage bins could further reduce that number by 150,000.
2. Free and cheap parking
One unique problem New York car owners also face is how free and cheap parking is influencing parking habits.
With much of the city’s street parking free and street parking meter rates being relatively cheap, drivers just choose not to move from a spot.
The low turnover is leading drivers to scour through the boroughs and have no luck finding available parking, with drivers not finding the right incentives to budge.
3. Environmental concerns
With cars zeroed in as a major source of greenhouse gasses, there has been an increasing call to shrink the number of motor vehicles on the road.
In New York, transit and environmental advocates had pushed for expensive parking prices (both in parking garages and on public streets) to keep people from even considering driving as their mode of transportation.
And the figures are eye-watering. The average price of garage parking in Manhattan stands at $441 per month — the most expensive in the country, according to a recent study of nearly 40 big U.S. cities by FINN, a subscription car leasing company.
4. Rising cost of real estate
Rising real estate prices in NYC are also contributing to the parking crisis. Increasing buying competition, along with low inventory across the state have pushed sale prices to an average of $405,000 in the second quarter of 2023, according to Forbes.
So what does it have to do with parking? The high price of real estate (and the land it’s on) is driving the conversion of parking garages into apartments, further reducing available parking options.
The scarcity has led to higher garage prices, as reported by drivers. Some sought-after parking garages even have wait lists. In the Upper West Side, where real estate is at a premium, garage rates average $650 a month.
5 tips to find parking in New York City
1.Pre-book your parking spot
Pre-booking a parking spot is the best way to make sure you always have a place for your car in New York City, especially in popular and high-demand areas.
Platforms like Spacer allow you to see real-time prices and reserve a monthly parking spot virtually anywhere in New York, whether it’s in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, or Staten Island.
One advantage of using platforms like Spacer is you have access to parking options close to your destination. You can find parking garages, parking lots, or street parking readily available in different parking locations across the city.
You can also apply filters so you can find a convenient and cheap parking spot that has the features you need.
By securing a guaranteed parking spot, you can save time by not circling the block endlessly in search of parking.
And while a monthly parking spot may cost more upfront, booking in advance can save you money in the long run with lower daily parking fees. Spacer offers the cheapest parking spots across the city, if not the most affordable parking rates available.
Plus, the peace of gain from having a parking spot ready and waiting for you might be worth the price.
Read more on Why You Should Invest in A Monthly Parking Spot in NYC.
2. Keep tabs on Alternate Side Parking rules’ suspension
Alternate side parking (ASP) rules are unique to New York. Under these rules, drivers can get free street parking across NYC, except during allotted hours when a sanitation truck drives through to clean the streets.
When ASP is in effect, parking is not allowed on the side of the street that is being cleaned. This means drivers who park on the streets will have to move their cars two or three times a week to make way for street cleaners. On the upside, this is only required for 90 minutes.
Moving your car (or two hours of sitting in your car going nowhere) when ASP is in effect has become part of NYC’s culture.
In 2009, the late Anthony Bourdain joined the local news anchor Debra Alfarone as she demonstrated alternate side parking. At the end of the whole ritual, the renowned chef and author quipped that the experience led him to one conclusion: “I’m not buying a car.”
In one episode of Seinfeld, George Costanza gets a job moving people’s cars for them which leads to a series of unfortunate events.
To see if an area’s on-street parking spaces are operating under the alternate side parking scheme, look for the street sign with a “P” and broom across that has a designated time slot mentioned below.
If you don’t move your car for street cleaning hours in NYC, a parking ticket in Manhattan on 96th Street and south of it will cost you $65. In all other areas, you can expect a fine of $60. There’s also a chance that your car will be towed.
To ensure that you don’t get caught out, check the New York City Alternate Parking Schedule for the exact times and dates that apply to your location.
Keeping track of ASP rules suspension is one way to get a parking spot in NYC. On certain legal and religious holidays and major holidays each year, ASP rules are not observed. ASP is also not in effect on Sundays and as a bonus, you don’t have to pay the parking meters.
Severe weather conditions as well as other emergencies can also trigger a suspension in ASP rules. To stay up to date on unplanned suspensions, you can sign up to get email notifications or check the NYC Today Calendar for the latest status.
3. Get street smart
Finding parking in New York is often likened to gambling—you need luck on your side to win.
While born and bred New Yorkers would mostly agree, there’s a caveat: like gambling, successful parking also demands strategy. This is where getting street-smart comes in. Here are our tips to get your head in the NYC parking game:
Do your research
Wherever in New York you’re going, it’s a good idea to look up parking regulations at your exact destination.
NYC’s DOTmap provides information about parking location regulations for particular streets and cross streets. What’s more, the tool also lets you search by intersection, street address, or borough to check if there will be any free parking spots available at a certain time.
While none of these spots are guaranteed, it gives you parking options and will prepare you for parking when you pull up at your destination.
Learn general parking rules in NYC
Like other cities, New York has its own set of parking rules. Having a basic understanding and knowledge of these parking rules can help you save lots of money, time, and unwanted stress.
Of course, you should pay attention to the street signs in a specific area regarding parking regulations. But here are general rules that are observed citywide you should take note of:
- Double parking is strictly prohibited, even if there’s someone in the vehicle.
- Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is not permitted.
- Parking in school zones is only allowed when school is not in session.
Know which neighborhoods to avoid
To always find parking in NYC quickly, it’s crucial to know where to park and which areas to avoid. Take the time to choose your spot wisely and do a bit of research beforehand. This is especially important in popular boroughs like Manhattan and Brooklyn.
If you’re new to the city and unfamiliar with your parking options, it’s best to steer clear of well-known areas like Hell’s Kitchen, the Flatiron District, the Civic Center, Koreatown, and Vinegar Hill.
Talk to locals to get the insider scoop about secret parking spots
Locals know about those tucked-away nooks, off-street lots tucked behind buildings, or streets with less-enforced parking regulations. Perhaps there’s a secret alleyway with a few unofficial parking spots or a friend’s driveway they’d be happy to share for a short time. Locals often have insider knowledge of these alternative parking options.
4. Park outside the city and take public transport
For those comfortable with a multi-modal approach, consider parking outside the city limits and hopping on public transportation.
NYC also has Park & Ride stations where you can leave your car and take the train into the city.
Here’s how it works: Drive to a park-and-ride location, conveniently located near major highways, express bus routes, or commuter rail lines.
Park your car (usually on a first-come, first-served basis) and enjoy secure parking with amenities like lighting, phone access, and bike racks. Most importantly, you’ll have easy access to public transportation to take you straight to your destination, saving you time and money on gas and parking in the city center.
The best part? Park-and-Ride locations are typically free, although some might require permits or a small fee. Check the specific location before you go, and skip the city parking hassle with NYC’s Park-and-Ride program!
This strategy not only saves you the stress of battling for a coveted city center spot, but it can also be more budget-friendly compared to expensive downtown parking garages.
While it might involve an additional transfer or two, the trade-off could mean significant savings and a more relaxed journey into the heart of the city.
5. Don’t drive around aimlessly
Don’t waste your time, energy, and gas driving around to look for a parking spot. The truth is that good parking spots in NYC are few and far in between and you might miss out on one by constantly circling.
A better strategy recommended by locals is to wait patiently on a corner and to see if anyone will leave their spot.
Final Word
Finding parking in New York can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Being patient and strategic pays off in the city that never sleeps. With some planning, you’ll be sure to find that perfect spot!
Make sure to also check out Spacer and pre-book a monthly parking spot in NYC for a stress-free parking experience.
