Quick Summary
- Airport surcharges at EWR can be offset by faster highway access.
- City pickups save the AirTrain leg but add crosstown time and hotel parking.
- Tunnel/bridge tolls can erase small day‑rate savings—budget both ways.
For a two‑day escape, start by comparing rates at EWR with a single search anchored on car rental. Because you’re minutes from the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, more of your paid hours are spent actually moving, not inching across midtown to a tunnel plaza.
When Manhattan wins
If your hotel is a short walk from the depot and you’re leaving outside the Friday 3–7pm peak, a city pickup can work. Watch overnight parking charges at your accommodation; those extras often flip the math back toward the airport. To see what brand coverage looks like kerbside at EWR, browse counters like Alamo at Newark, Avis at Newark and Budget at Newark as a sanity check before you commit.
Worked examples
Chelsea weekend. Collecting in Manhattan saves the AirTrain ride, but you’ll spend 20–40 minutes reaching the Lincoln Tunnel on a Friday evening and pay for overnight parking. Returning Sunday around 7pm can be slow westbound. If your plans are mainly New Jersey‑side, EWR usually wins.
Jersey Shore visit. Starting at EWR gets you onto the Turnpike or Garden State Parkway within minutes. Even with an airport fee, the time saved often matches or exceeds the day‑rate difference.
Protection, documents and timing
Bring a physical licence that matches your payment card; digital copies aren’t accepted. Consider All‑Inclusive+ protection with maximum coverage on selected itineraries for peace of mind on city kerbs, and book early—Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick‑up lets you adjust if the forecast or your show tickets change.
Returns and refuelling
Sunday nights into Manhattan can clog from 6–8pm. An airport return avoids midtown gridlock and the scramble for a curbside bay to unload bags. If you must return in the city, choose a depot with generous evening hours and confirm whether keys can be dropped after closing. Keep your fuel receipt; airport perimeters can be pricier, so top up a few miles before the facility.
Looking for broader NYC cost context? Our explainer on how much it costs to rent a car in New York helps you sense‑check weekend quotes before you lock in a plan.
FAQs
Is the AirTrain fare worth it? If you land at EWR, usually yes—total journey time beats crossing into Manhattan just to collect keys.
Do I pay tunnel tolls both ways? Usually. Budget for Lincoln or Holland in each direction to avoid surprises.
Are one‑day weekend hires allowed? Yes, subject to depot hours. Hola Car Rentals offers Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick‑up so you can book early and adjust later.
Can I add a second driver? Often yes—check your quote for additional driver policies and hours for ID checks.
Ready to roll? Reserve with Hola Car Rentals and spend your weekend on the open road, not in a taxi queue.
Time vs money on airport runs
When your adventure starts and ends in New Jersey, EWR removes two Hudson crossings and the hunt for a city depot bay. With the EWR on‑airport rental centre just a shuttle away, you’re on the Turnpike in minutes and can be on the Shore before a Manhattan pickup has cleared midtown.
Hola Car Rentals helps you optimise either plan with No additional fees on qualifying bookings and Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick‑up—lock a good price now, adjust later if plans shift.
Small details that change the bill
Hotel valet versus self‑park, overnight surcharges and Sunday late returns can move the needle as much as the base day‑rate. Ask your hotel what they charge with tax and whether there’s a grace period on checkout day; sometimes a noon checkout with a mid‑morning return beats paying another full night of parking.
Think about luggage handling too. A midtown pickup with three cases often means a loop around the block while a partner waits with bags. At EWR, you step off the shuttle into a purpose‑built facility with trolleys and wide lanes; that alone can shave 30 minutes off your start.
Smart timing for bridge and tunnel queues
Friday from 3–7pm and Sunday from 5–8pm are the pain points. If you must cross at those times, pad your schedule, use clear lane guidance and avoid last‑second weaves. Keeping your route simple usually beats the shortest‑distance option in crosstown traffic.
