Parking in New York City can feel like an Olympic sport—and an expensive one at that. Between high hourly rates, limited street parking, and dense traffic patterns, many drivers give up and opt for overpriced valet or risk getting ticketed. But with the right strategies and tools, parking in NYC doesn’t have to drain your wallet.
Here’s how to find budget-friendly parking across the boroughs, plus smart tips to make your next trip into the city stress-free and affordable.
- Hidden Garage Gems by Borough
While parking in Manhattan is notoriously steep, there are pockets across the city where savvy drivers can still find reasonable rates—if they know where to look.
Manhattan:
Avoid garages in Midtown and near Times Square where hourly rates can exceed $30. Instead, try parking near the East Village or Lower East Side, where smaller lots may offer weekend and overnight discounts. Consider using SwiftPark to locate affordable garages near bridges and major avenues with easy walking access to the subway.
Brooklyn:
Downtown Brooklyn garages near Fulton Mall often offer better pricing, especially during off-peak hours. You’ll also find good rates around Fort Greene and Prospect Heights, where smaller, independent lots compete with larger garages.
Queens:
If you’re heading into Manhattan, try parking near LIC (Long Island City) and hopping on the subway. Garages near Court Square are far more affordable than Manhattan options, and the E, M, and 7 trains will get you across the river in minutes.
Bronx and Staten Island:
Infrequently visited by tourists but still a concern for commuters, these boroughs offer some of the cheapest garage rates in the city. In the Bronx, look near Yankee Stadium on non-game days. Staten Island ferry terminal lots are excellent options for a park-and-ride setup.
For drivers exploring cross-borough trips, UrbanSwift is a great resource for navigating local parking and short-distance driving across high-traffic zones.
- Know When to Park and When to Ride
One of the best ways to cut costs in NYC is by knowing when to leave your car and switch to public transit. Street congestion, tolls, and the high cost of central garages make this a smart move for many drivers.
Use your car for:
- Borough-to-borough errands
- Commuting to park-and-ride hubs
- Weekend trips with limited public transit options
Switch to public transit when:
- Heading into Midtown or the Financial District
- Visiting for more than a few hours
- Attending large events or parades
From your parking spot, use CityLink Mobility to plan seamless transitions to subways, buses, or local taxis.
- Prepay and Stack Cashback to Save More
One overlooked way to save on parking is to prepay through apps like SpotHero or ParkWhiz using cashback platforms like Fluz, Rakuten, or Ibotta. These platforms let you purchase gift cards or credits for parking apps and earn rewards at the same time.
Here’s how to do it:
- Buy a SpotHero or ParkWhiz gift card through Fluz
- Redeem it inside the app when reserving your spot
- Earn cashback from both the Fluz purchase and app rewards or promo codes
You can also apply this strategy to popular Fluz merchants located throughout NYC, including CVS, Starbucks, and Staples—great for grabbing snacks or printing tickets while you wait for your ride.
Parking in New York City may always come with a challenge, but it doesn’t have to break your budget. With smart planning, strategic garage choices, and tools like SwiftPark, UrbanSwift, and cashback platforms like Fluz, you can cut your costs and your stress in half.
Park smarter, ride farther, and make every trip into the city a little easier on your time—and your wallet.
