How to Rent a Zipcar in New York City
How to Rent a Zipcar in New York City
If you live in New York City but don’t own a car, Zipcar can be a convenient way to rent a car for a few hours or a day.
Unlike a traditional rental car, you don’t need to go to a rental counter. You can reserve a car through the Zipcar app, pick it up at a nearby location, and unlock it with your phone.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
How Does Zipcar Work?
The process is simple:
1. Sign up
Create an account through the Zipcar Website or app. You will need a valid driver’s license and payment method.
2. Find a car
Open the app and search for a Zipcar near you. Choose the date and time you need it.
3. Reserve the car
Choose your car and reserve it by the hour or day. Check the total price before confirming.
4. Pick up the car
Go to the designated parking location at your reservation time. Use the app to unlock the car.
Before driving, take a quick look at the car and report any damage you notice.
5. Drive!
You can use the car for grocery shopping, errands, visiting friends, or getting out of the city.
Gas is generally included, although tolls and some other charges may apply.
6. Return the car
This is important: Zipcars usually need to be returned to their original parking location. Try to return the car on time. NYC traffic can be unpredictable, so give yourself some extra time. Otherwise, they will charge you extra fees.
Why I Like Using Zipcar
I like Zipcar because we don’t really need a car in New York City.
New York has an excellent public transportation system, so we can use the subway, buses, and trains for most of our everyday activities. There isn’t much reason to own a car just for daily life in the city.
But sometimes, it’s nice to have a car.
I usually book a Zipcar on weekdays, when I find it can be cheaper than weekends. You can do grocery shopping at places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods without having to carry everything home on public transportation.
I also like using Zipcar to visit Japanese grocery stores in Westchester.
And one of my favorite things about having a car occasionally is being able to escape the city and enjoy nature in Upstate New York. – such as Apple picking !
For me, this is the best part of car sharing. I can enjoy a road trip or a day surrounded by nature without having to own a car all year.
Much Cheaper Than Owning a Car
Owning a car in the New York City area can be expensive.
You have to pay for:
- Car payments
- Insurance
- Gas
- Parking – this is the hardest part in NYC !
- Maintenance
- Registration and taxes
With Zipcar, I only pay when I actually need a car.
For someone who mainly uses public transportation, renting a car occasionally can make much more financial sense than owning one.
How Much Does Zipcar Cost?
The price depends on the car, location, time, membership plan, mileage, and other fees.
There is also currently a $25 non-refundable application fee for membership.
Because Zipcar prices and plans can change, check the current price in the app before making your reservation.
Is Zipcar Worth It in NYC?
If you live in New York City and mostly use public transportation, I think Zipcar can be a great option.
You can use public transportation for everyday life and rent a car when you want to explore somewhere that is difficult to reach by train or bus.
For example:
- Grocery shopping
- Visiting Japanese grocery stores outside NYC
- Visiting the suburbs
- Taking a day trip
- Exploring Upstate New York
- Spending time in nature
You don’t necessarily need to own a car to enjoy the freedom of having one occasionally.
My NYC Tip
If you are flexible with your schedule, try booking a Zipcar on a weekday. I often find weekdays more convenient and less expensive than weekends.
And don’t underestimate NYC traffic. Give yourself enough time to return the car.
For me, Zipcar offers the best of both worlds: public transportation for everyday life and a car when I want to escape the city.