Car rental near Metro North rail station, with a sunday evening return?
June 12, 2017 12:20 PM Subscribe
Help us Train->Car->Train.
We need to get to the Berkshires and back to Brooklyn on a Friday-Sunday itinerary. Having just done this drive this past weekend, I'd like to avoid the first/last 50 or so miles of the trip, even at the risk of lengthening it somewhat.
My thought was that we would take Metro North to somewhere on either the Hudson Valley or New Haven lines (Stamford, Danbury, Harlem Valley-Wingdale), switch to a car to get up to where we need to be and reverse it on the way back.
Enterprise has a deal with MNR but none of the participating locations are open on Sundays (or if they are they close at 1pm, an unrealistically early time for our plans).
If all else fails I suppose well end up just dealing with the traffic and driving the whole way, I'd love suggestions for how to avoid that fate.
We need to get to the Berkshires and back to Brooklyn on a Friday-Sunday itinerary. Having just done this drive this past weekend, I'd like to avoid the first/last 50 or so miles of the trip, even at the risk of lengthening it somewhat.
My thought was that we would take Metro North to somewhere on either the Hudson Valley or New Haven lines (Stamford, Danbury, Harlem Valley-Wingdale), switch to a car to get up to where we need to be and reverse it on the way back.
Enterprise has a deal with MNR but none of the participating locations are open on Sundays (or if they are they close at 1pm, an unrealistically early time for our plans).
If all else fails I suppose well end up just dealing with the traffic and driving the whole way, I'd love suggestions for how to avoid that fate.
Call the Enterprise location directly. (Listen carefully to the recording when you call. There are particular instructions for reaching the actual location.) They probably have a drop-box where you can deposit the key upon your return on Sunday.
This will mean that, technically, your rental period will run until 8am (or whatever time they open) on Monday. However, the few extra hours may be worth it in terms of convenience for you.
posted by John Borrowman at 12:34 PM on June 12, 2017
This will mean that, technically, your rental period will run until 8am (or whatever time they open) on Monday. However, the few extra hours may be worth it in terms of convenience for you.
posted by John Borrowman at 12:34 PM on June 12, 2017
Response by poster: At the risk of seeming to thread-sit: I appreciate the response to call the specific office, and am (now) aware of key-drop type set ups for after-close returns. The enterprise deal I linked to seems ill suited for this as their deal is they will bring your car to the station, so even if they had a key drop box for the return I'd be at their office, not the train station.
It looks like we could potentially keep the Hertz car and return it after 4 in white plains using their drop box (and as you note, pay for the rental through until they open in the am).
Other suggestions for Car Rental offices at/very near metro north stations on the Harlem Valley or New Haven lines(or a method for searching for the same) still appreciated.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:46 PM on June 12, 2017
It looks like we could potentially keep the Hertz car and return it after 4 in white plains using their drop box (and as you note, pay for the rental through until they open in the am).
Other suggestions for Car Rental offices at/very near metro north stations on the Harlem Valley or New Haven lines(or a method for searching for the same) still appreciated.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:46 PM on June 12, 2017
There is an Avis in the New Haven train station. They close at 4pm on Sundays.
posted by unknowncommand at 12:50 PM on June 12, 2017
posted by unknowncommand at 12:50 PM on June 12, 2017
Also, a Hertz behind the Stamford station that closes at 4pm on Sundays.
posted by unknowncommand at 12:57 PM on June 12, 2017
posted by unknowncommand at 12:57 PM on June 12, 2017
Way I searched was figure out general area where Metro North went, brought up google maps and typed "car rental". I then clicked through to see their hours. You won't find anything better than 4pm on a Sunday. White Plains airport + cab to train is an option too..
posted by sandmanwv at 2:04 PM on June 12, 2017
posted by sandmanwv at 2:04 PM on June 12, 2017
You could theoretically also take Metro North to New Haven and take a quick cab ride to Tweed Airport. Google is saying it's a 15 minute trip and I always see cabs waiting at the train station in New Haven. I'm seeing that most of the agencies at Tweed are open until 10 or 11 pm on Sundays.
posted by rdnnyc at 2:21 PM on June 12, 2017
posted by rdnnyc at 2:21 PM on June 12, 2017
There are car rental companies near the Stamford train station, but I think it's a bit out of your way. We found the best route to Williamstown from Stamford was the Taconic.
It's probably too slow and complicated to consider, but when my son was in college, there was a bus that ran from Bennington through Williamstown, Pittsfield, etc down to Danbury (which you can reach by Metro North). I bet there is a straight bus run from NYC to Pittsfield.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:19 PM on June 12, 2017
It's probably too slow and complicated to consider, but when my son was in college, there was a bus that ran from Bennington through Williamstown, Pittsfield, etc down to Danbury (which you can reach by Metro North). I bet there is a straight bus run from NYC to Pittsfield.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:19 PM on June 12, 2017
I don't remember the details, but I know that a few years back we dropped a car at the rental office and then took a cab to the station, either Metro North or White Plains.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:47 PM on June 12, 2017
posted by SLC Mom at 7:47 PM on June 12, 2017
i don't know if Zipcar is competitively priced, but you can get them near many Metro North stations, including stamford.
posted by xo at 8:48 PM on June 12, 2017
posted by xo at 8:48 PM on June 12, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sandmanwv at 12:24 PM on June 12, 2017 [1 favorite]