Quick Summary:
- Use a metered curb space on 8th or 9th Avenue, mid-block.
- Avoid bus lanes and taxi stands, especially on 7th Avenue.
- Never stop within 15 feet of hydrants, corners, or crosswalks.
- If Times Square is gridlocked, use a side-street loading zone one block away.
Times Square is one of the hardest places in New York to do a simple passenger pick-up without getting honked at or ticketed. For drivers using car hire, the challenge is that the kerb space is heavily controlled with bus lanes, “No Standing” rules, taxi-only areas, and constant enforcement. The good news is that you can still pick up or drop off passengers legally, but you need to think like a local: aim for calmer streets just outside the pedestrian-heavy core, read the sign at the exact spot you want to stop, and keep the stop genuinely brief.
This guide maps out practical nearby streets, what the signs generally mean, and a step-by-step method for choosing a legal kerb space near Times Square. It is written for private passenger vehicles, including most rental cars, and assumes you are doing a short stop to load or unload people, not waiting for an extended period.
Know the zone: what “Times Square” means for stopping
Most visitors mean the area around Broadway and 42nd Street. In practice, the toughest stopping conditions are from roughly West 40th Street to West 47th Street, between 6th Avenue and 9th Avenue. Broadway is heavily pedestrianised through the core, and 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue carry intense traffic plus priority lanes. The best legal stopping options are usually not in the heart of the bow-tie, but one block or two away, where there are still metered kerb spaces and occasional passenger loading sections.
If you are arriving from an airport, remember that the final mile is often slower than the whole motorway run. If you are collecting a vehicle at Newark or JFK and driving into Midtown, build in extra time so you are not tempted to stop illegally. Hola Car Rentals has airport-focused pages that help you plan logistics before you reach Manhattan traffic, such as car rental Newark EWR and car hire New York JFK.
The rules that trigger most Times Square tickets
NYC ticketing is sign-based and location-specific. Two spaces on the same block can have different rules. That said, there are common “gotchas” around Times Square that repeatedly catch car hire drivers.
1) “No Standing” is not the same as “No Parking”. In NYC, “No Standing” generally means you cannot stop at the kerb at all, even briefly, except for some limited situations directed by police or for certain authorised vehicles. Many drivers assume they can stop to let someone out. In many places marked “No Standing”, that can still be a ticket.
2) Bus lanes are enforced, and the hours matter. Bus lanes around Midtown often run during weekday peaks and sometimes longer. Entering a bus lane to pick up, even for a moment, risks a camera ticket, and in heavy traffic it can also create a dangerous merge. Treat the bus lane like it is off-limits unless the signs clearly allow general traffic at that time.
3) Hydrants and corners are strict, even if “it’s just for a second”. Fire hydrant clearances are enforced aggressively, and the same is true for crosswalks and corners, where visibility is needed. Do not stop near a hydrant hoping to stay in the car. In this area, enforcement assumes you will block sightlines or emergency access.
4) Taxi stands and hotel loading zones can be private-vehicle traps. Midtown has many signed taxi stands, hotel loading sections, and commercial loading sections. If the sign does not include passenger vehicles or your time window, keep moving.
5) “No Standing Anytime” means exactly that. In Times Square, you will see stretches that are controlled 24/7. If you see that sign, do not stop, not even to pull over and look at directions.
Practical streets to target for legal pick-up and drop-off
Because regulations change, treat these as practical starting points, not guarantees. The winning approach is to target these streets, then confirm legality by reading the sign at the exact kerb space you intend to use.
8th Avenue (northbound and southbound edges, mid-block)
8th Avenue is busy, but it is often more workable than 7th Avenue or Broadway. Look for legal metered kerb spaces on cross streets rather than trying to stop directly at the busiest corners. Aim mid-block where you can pull fully to the kerb without blocking a lane.
9th Avenue (one avenue west, often calmer)
9th Avenue is frequently the best “escape valve” for Times Square pick-ups. It is still Midtown, but it is often slightly less chaotic. If your passenger can walk 5 to 10 minutes, a kerb space on 9th Avenue or a side street feeding into it can reduce ticket risk and stress. This is especially useful if you are in a larger vehicle. If you are travelling with a group and luggage, planning around vehicle size matters, and options like minivan hire New York JFK can be helpful for fitting people and bags without forcing risky kerb manoeuvres.
West 45th Street and West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th)
These blocks are theatre-adjacent and can still be busy, but they often have more usable kerb segments than the 42nd Street core. The key is to avoid the immediate theatre entrances at show times, and to prioritise mid-block stops where you can quickly load passengers and move on.
West 39th Street to West 41st Street (just south of the densest area)
Heading slightly south can reduce congestion and may present more metered parking or loading sections that allow brief passenger activity. This can be a smart compromise if your passenger is near 42nd Street but can walk a couple of blocks.
West 47th Street to West 49th Street (north of the core, depending on traffic)
Going north can also work, especially if your destination is nearer Rockefeller Center or Central Park South afterwards. Again, focus on side streets rather than avenue corners.
How to read the kerb signs quickly, without guessing
At Times Square speeds, you do not have long to interpret signage. Use this quick process.
Step 1: Identify the exact sign for your exact kerb segment. NYC signs apply from the signpost to the next sign or the corner, depending on the layout. Do not rely on a sign you saw half a car length earlier.
Step 2: Look for the strictest rule first. If any sign says “No Standing” for the current time, treat the space as unusable for passenger pick-up. If it says “No Parking” you might be allowed to stand temporarily to load passengers, but only if other restrictions do not apply. If it is a metered parking space, short stops to load or unload passengers are usually workable, provided you do not exceed time limits and you do not leave the vehicle in a way that violates the rules on that sign.
Step 3: Confirm you are not in a bus lane, bike lane, or turn lane. Even if the kerb seems open, lane markings can make the stop illegal or unsafe. Do not stop in a painted lane that is clearly reserved.
Step 4: Check the obvious physical prohibitions. Hydrants, driveways, crosswalks, and corners can override your plan. If your passenger asks you to stop “right by the hydrant”, keep rolling.
Step 5: If unsure, circle once, do not gamble. A slow loop around the block is cheaper than a ticket and far safer than a last-second kerb cut-in.
Times Square-specific hazards: where drivers get trapped
7th Avenue near 42nd Street tends to have heavy restrictions, intense congestion, and constant enforcement. Even when there is kerb space, it is often not intended for private vehicles. If you can avoid it, do.
Broadway through the pedestrian plazas can look like a place to stop because traffic sometimes crawls. But stopping is commonly restricted, and you can end up blocking an intersection with nowhere to pull in.
42nd Street crosstown is a magnet for buses, tour vehicles, and delivery activity. Legal stopping exists, but it is hard to access without disrupting traffic. If you are simply collecting a person, a quieter side street is usually a better choice.
A practical pick-up plan that works with car hire realities
1) Set the meeting point one block away from the busiest corner. Ask passengers to walk to a calmer cross street, ideally between 8th and 9th Avenue or slightly south of 42nd. The reduction in chaos is immediate.
2) Time it to avoid the worst surges. Theatre crowd waves, weekday rush, and weekend evenings can make legal kerb access near-impossible. If you can, schedule pick-up 10 to 15 minutes before or after peak release times.
3) Use a “one-minute rule” mindset. The longer you sit, the more you attract enforcement and angry drivers. Have passengers ready at the kerb, bags zipped, and doors opened and closed quickly.
4) Choose the right vehicle size for Midtown kerbs. Bigger vehicles can be more comfortable, but they need more space to pull in cleanly. If you are considering an SUV for winter comfort or luggage, it can help to understand your options before you drive into Midtown, such as SUV hire Newark EWR.
5) Plan your approach route to minimise last-second lane changes. Many tickets and near-misses happen when drivers cut across lanes trying to reach a kerb gap. Approach from the avenue that keeps you closest to the side of the road you need, then take a predictable turn onto the target side street.
Drop-off is easier than pick-up, if you do it this way
For drop-offs, you can often choose a slightly farther spot and let passengers walk the final block through the plazas. The key is to avoid stopping at corners, avoid blocking a live lane, and avoid any “No Standing” or bus lane kerb. A legal metered space or a permitted loading segment mid-block is typically the safest choice.
If the passenger insists on the closest possible kerb, set expectations: in Times Square, “closest” can translate into “most ticketed”. A short walk is usually faster overall than sitting in traffic searching for a perfect kerb space.
What to do if you cannot find a legal kerb space
Sometimes the streets are simply full, or every open kerb is restricted at that hour. In that case, do not improvise in a bus lane or beside a hydrant. Use one of these fallbacks.
Option A: Use a nearby car park entry for a brief stop. Entering a garage avoids kerb restrictions, although you will pay for it. For a guaranteed, stress-free pick-up in heavy rain or with lots of luggage, it can be worth it.
Option B: Reposition to 9th Avenue and loop. One extra loop is normal in Midtown. Keep your passenger informed so they stay put at the agreed meeting point.
Option C: Move the meeting point to a quieter avenue. If Times Square is locked up, shifting one or two avenues can make the stop possible. This is where clear messaging helps: “Meet at the kerb on X Street, between 8th and 9th.”
Option D: If you are heading back towards Newark, plan the exit early. If your journey continues to EWR, remember that Midtown traffic can make the first miles slow. Reviewing airport-oriented planning pages in advance, such as car rental airport New Jersey EWR, can help you think about timing and vehicle hand-back logistics without rushing your Times Square stop.
FAQ
Can I stop in a “No Standing” zone just to let someone out? Usually no. “No Standing” generally forbids stopping at the kerb, even briefly, during the posted hours. In Times Square, assume it is enforced and pick a different kerb space.
Are metered parking spaces legal for quick passenger pick-up near Times Square? Often yes, if you follow the posted time limits and other restrictions on that specific sign. Choose a mid-block metered space, keep the stop brief, and avoid blocking traffic.
How close can I stop to a fire hydrant in New York? Do not stop right next to a hydrant. Hydrant clearances are strictly enforced, and in Times Square it is not worth the risk. Keep well clear and choose a legal kerb segment instead.
Do bus lanes allow quick stopping for pick-up or drop-off? Generally no. Bus lanes have posted operating hours and are often camera-enforced. Even a short stop can trigger a ticket and create an unsafe merge.
What is the safest strategy if Times Square is too congested to stop legally? Set the meeting point one block away on a calmer side street or closer to 9th Avenue, then do a single loop until a legal kerb space opens.
