As a tourist, how difficult is finding parking in NYC?

Looking for a metered parking spot in NYC can be hard. And when I say this, I don’t mean it’s slightly inconvenient. It’s actually hard, like hardcore hard. 

Here’s what mostly happens to people: they circle around the block for 20 to 30 minutes in hope that they’ll find a spot once someone leaves. The signs are confusing. The locals will grab spots, and you’ll keep circling around, wasting your gas and time. And I’m talking about a normal day. 

Here’s the reality: there are around 85,000 metered parking spaces across the five boroughs of NYC. On a weekday, the parking demand can drastically exceed the supply, and it can be a real hell. The chances of getting lucky are super slim. 

What Makes NYC Parking So Difficult for Tourists? 

The NYC locals actually have an advantage that tourists don’t. They are aware of which block will have higher turnover on which day of the week. They can grasp the parking signs quickly because they’ve been living there for ages. Tourists like you, on the other hand, are starting out from scratch. 

The parking signs in NYC list multiple restrictions. There is no standing in the space for this timing except for trucks or ambulances, and no parking on street-cleaning day. You violate even one and get ready for a ticket.  

Then there’s massive competition. A spot suddenly becomes available, and before you know it, three car owners are fighting for it. The locals, however, win the parking while the tourists are still struggling to determine if it’s legal to park there. 

Navigating the parking system is also a challenge here and favors those who already know it. 

The Difficulty Scale: Manhattan Versus Other Boroughs

One thing to know is that not all NYC boroughs are difficult to park cars in. 
Manhattan below 96th Street is arguably the hardest place to find a parking spot. Not just in NYC but in the entire USA. The occupancy rates are more than 95% on weekdays. This means that we would circle for hours in hope of finding a spot and would end up with nothing. Neighborhoods like Soho, Midtown, and the Financial District are pretty much impossible. 

The Upper West Side and Upper East Side are relatively better. Since they are residential areas, the turnover there occurs more frequently. But they’re just slightly better. 

Other boroughs are much easier. 

The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn—those areas have more metered spots. The competition is less there. Neighborhoods like Park Slope and Astoria, as well as Downtown Brooklyn, have many options. It’ll take probably 10 to 15 minutes to search for a parking spot.

If you’re not a local and are driving in the city, then it’s ideal to plan your destinations that are around these outer boroughs. Prefer walking in Manhattan or taking the subway or even a rideshare. 

When Parking Becomes Easy: The Time Factor

Time is a factor that changes everything. 
When you go out for parking on a weekday morning before 9am? You’ll find good spots. Most of the people are already working. They have their cars parked for the day. The meter might be full, but there are plenty of open spaces too. 

This is even easier after 7pm evenings. Know this: Metered parking in many Manhattan neighborhoods is free after 7pm. This includes all weekdays and all Sundays. This means that once the clock hits 7, the meter becomes a free parking spot with no time limit until 8am the next morning. 

Weekends are moderately easier. But Saturday still has the meter enforcement up until 7pm in the evening. 
A tourist-friendly strategy would be that if you’re visiting an NYC attraction spot, always arrive before 9am or after 6pm. This way you’ll spend less time searching. Chances are you’ll even find parking near your destinations 4 streets away.

Things That Tourists Get Wrong About Metered Parking in NYC

There are some things that many tourists get wrong about NYC metered parking.

• They see a parking spot and park in it without reading the signs.
• They think “2-hour parking” is actually leaving your car for the whole 2 hours. 
• ‘They do not carry quarters or are not aware of the fact that many meters are now digital and require apps for payments. They end up with a ticket because they leave their car without paying right at the beginning of the parking. 
• Tourists park in no-standing zones, which means that you can’t stand there at all and end up with fines. 

It is important to know that every sign on the pole must be read. Pay special attention to the street cleaning days and timing. It’s better to set an alarm on the phone before the meter expires and always check for whether the parking space is legal.  

Finding metered parking in NYC is not completely impossible. It’s just harder than what tourists expect. But with the right know-how and preparation, it can be a hassle-free experience.