There are many things people enjoy about living in Manhattan: the food, the nightlife, the

culture. Owning a car and navigating through heavy traffic usually don’t make the list. Driving

and parking in NYC can be stressful and expensive. To own a car in Manhattan, you must

acquaint yourself with the city’s parking restrictions and garages thoroughly. Here are some

helpful tips and information for NYC car owners.

Most NYC Parking is Valet:

In Manhattan, space is limited. With over eight million people spread out across five boroughs,

parking spots are few and far between. Unlike most cities where street parking is the norm, in

Manhattan, most people park their cars in valet parking garages. This means that when you

arrive at a parking garage, a valet attendant will park and later retrieve your car for you. Parking

garages can fill up fast, which is why it’s always best to prepay and reserve a spot.

Give the Attendant Your Estimated Return Time:

Before the attendant parks your car, be sure to tell them the time you plan on returning. This

helps them determine the best parking spot in the garage for your car. Additionally, it is

important to take any valuables from your car; once your car is parked, it will be a hassle to

retrieve any items you forgot.

Tipping Your Valet Attendant:

Parking attendants have a fast-paced, chaotic job. They have to park and shuffle cars in a

strategic manner and serve a constant influx of customers throughout the day. In New York City,

the best practice is to tip your valet attendant. The average valet tip ranges from $5–10 and

depends on the quality of the service you received.

Parking Garages Charge an Oversize Fee for Large Vehicles:

On top of an hourly or flat rate, most garages will charge an oversize fee for large vehicles. It

depends on the parking garage, but some garages classify small SUVs as large vehicles. The

bigger your vehicle, the more expensive the oversize fee will be. Most oversize fees are typically

between $10–20.

Be Prepared to Wait in Line:

Most parking garages will have wait lines for entry and exit. While parking attendants do their

best to park and retrieve cars in a timely manner, the demand for parking is high, and you will

most likely have to wait in line before you get a spot. Wait times vary depending on the time of

day; most commonly, you can expect to wait for 10–20 minutes.

Be Aware of Heavy Traffic and Plan Accordingly:

In Manhattan, heavy traffic is a daily reality and adds an extra layer to planning your

transportation schedule. It’s always best to use a traffic app to gauge your trip duration and add

additional time for finding a parking spot. This will let you determine the best time to leave in

order to arrive on time. In general, it is always best to give yourself extra time to account for any

unexpected delays.

Park Your Car at a Centerpark Parking Garage:

Manhattan is considered one of the best cities in the world. However, living in the Big Apple

comes with unique challenges. For many, owning a car in Manhattan is a nightmare, but it

doesn’t have to be. At Centerpark, we provide NYC drivers with convenient parking garage

locations and hassle-free parking experiences. If you own a car in Manhattan and are looking

for a way to reduce the stress of finding parking, let Centerpark be your solution. To find

convenient parking solutions near you, call today at 212-245-1299