Budget Car Rental Introduce
Planning a trip out of the five boroughs, organizing a group outing, or simply need a reliable vehicle for a day or longer stay in the New York region? Finding a convenient and reputable car rental service in Midtown Manhattan can be a key part of smooth travel planning. Budget Car Rental’s location on West 49th Street serves as a central hub for New Yorkers and visitors alike looking to secure a rental car or van for their journey.
This location is officially a full-service car rental agency and van rental agency, ensuring a wide array of options for different travel requirements, from city-friendly compact cars to larger vans designed for group travel or extra luggage. Choosing a location in the heart of Manhattan offers significant convenience for pickups and returns, especially for those living or staying near Midtown West, the Theater District, or Hell's Kitchen. However, like any metropolitan service center, managing expectations regarding wait times and vehicle availability is crucial for a positive experience.
The Budget Car Rental office is strategically located in Midtown Manhattan, an area known for its high-density traffic and unparalleled access to public transit.
The specific address is: 304 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019, USA.
Its placement on the West Side, between 8th and 9th Avenues, puts it near the bustling Theater District and within easy reach of major subway lines. This central position makes it an ideal spot for those departing the city for destinations upstate, to the Hamptons, or even for longer road trips out of New York State. Travelers should be prepared for typical Manhattan parking conditions; the facility relies on paid street parking, which can be scarce and expensive, or nearby parking garages.
Accessibility Details: The location prioritizes inclusion, offering:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
The hours of operation are typically seven days a week, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, though it is always recommended to check current hours, especially around holidays like New Year's Eve, when operating times may be reduced. This lengthy operating window provides flexibility for both morning pickups and late evening returns, a definite plus for busy New Yorkers.
Budget Car Rental is part of a major national brand, which means it generally offers a comprehensive suite of rental services designed for both short-term local use and extended road trips. The core offerings from this Midtown location include:
- Car Rental Agency services, covering a broad fleet of vehicle classes (Economy, Compact, Midsize, Full-Size, SUV, Premium, Luxury, and Convertibles).
- Van Rental Agency services, including Minivans and Passenger Vans (like 12-passenger options), ideal for family trips or group outings outside the city.
- One-Way Car Rental options, which allow New York customers to pick up a car here and drop it off at another Budget location across the country, perfect for cross-state travel.
- Long-Term Car Rentals for travelers or residents needing a vehicle for an extended period, sometimes up to eleven months.
- Payment flexibility, accepting both Credit cards and Debit cards for rentals and deposits, though terms and conditions often vary significantly based on the card type.
- Optional services like e-Toll access for seamless driving on New York's many toll roads and Extended Roadside Assistance for added peace of mind.
Beyond the standard rental process, this specific Budget location highlights a few key features that may appeal to local users and visitors planning a trip from NYC:
- Active military discounts are provided, offering savings to service members—a valuable benefit.
- The location is designated as having high accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.
- The company often runs promotions such as discounts for neighborhood rentals, free upgrades, and deals for longer-term rentals (five days or more), helping New Yorkers find more affordable travel solutions.
- Unlimited mileage is often available on many vehicle types, making it suitable for long-distance excursions, such as a drive to Niagara Falls, which requires extensive travel outside of the city limits.
- The availability of the Fastbreak Service allows members to expedite the rental process at the counter, a valuable time-saver in a busy city like New York.
For making arrangements, confirming reservations, or inquiring about pick-up services, customers can reach the branch directly.
Address: 304 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Phone: (212) 397-4375
Mobile Phone: +1 212-397-4375
For residents and visitors in the New York region, the primary draw of Budget Car Rental at 304 W 49th St is its unbeatable Manhattan location and the sheer breadth of its fleet, covering standard cars, SUVs, and vans. The accessibility features and the provision of active military discounts are notable benefits that add tangible value.
This location is worth considering for:
- Convenience: Being situated in Midtown West offers easy access for anyone in Manhattan or arriving via major transit lines.
- Variety: The dual designation as a Car rental agency and Van rental agency means you can secure the right size vehicle for nearly any travel need, from a quick city rental to a large passenger van for a group trip to a destination like Niagara Falls.
- Flexibility: The generous operating hours, often from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week, accommodate a wide range of travel schedules, which is highly beneficial for New York’s demanding pace.
However, potential customers should proceed with caution and thorough preparation. User feedback indicates that issues such as long wait times, receiving a vehicle model different from the one reserved, cleanliness concerns, and inconsistent service regarding vehicle documentation (e.g., existing damage) have been reported. Most critically, some reports highlight significant safety issues, such as being given a vehicle without a necessary spare tire or receiving a car with an old, defective tire, which led to a serious roadside emergency. Other complaints point to confusion over pre-paid fuel and deposit charges, as well as difficulties reaching customer service during emergencies.
When renting from this or any busy metropolitan location, New Yorkers are advised to:
- Document Everything: Before leaving the lot, meticulously inspect the car for any pre-existing damage, and note the fuel and mileage. Take time-stamped photos or videos. Do not accept a verbal assurance that damage is documented; ask to see it noted on your contract.
- Verify Essential Safety Gear: Always check for a spare tire, jack, and necessary tools before leaving the busy Manhattan area, especially when planning a long-distance road trip.
- Clarify All Charges: Clearly confirm all payment details, including the deposit amount, the process for the refund, and all terms regarding fuel payment options (e.g., pre-paid versus self-refueling) to avoid unexpected fees.
- Plan for Delays: Expect long lines, even with a reservation, and factor in extra time for the pickup process. The high volume of renters in a central NYC location often leads to significant delays.
By managing these common urban car rental challenges and being proactive about the condition and documentation of the vehicle, the convenient Midtown West location of Budget Car Rental can be a viable and accessible option for your New York travel needs.
Budget Car Rental Details
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
Budget Car Rental Photos










Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental
304 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
reviewsfuelprepaiddesk30 minutesqueueemployeetimes squareone personwindshield wiper fluid
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Disappointing experience from start to finish. The car I received was dirty inside and out, with a windshield so grimy it made driving in the rain difficult—and there was no windshield washer fluid to help clean it. The attendant rushed through the check-out process and didn’t want to note the many scratches and marks on the vehicle. To make matters worse, there was a painted number on the driver’s side window, which looked unprofessional and added to the overall sense of neglect.This experience has really discouraged me from using Budget again. I’ll be moving my business account to Enterprise, where vehicles and service have always been handled with more care and professionalism.
October 11 · Traveling KafkaWe stood in line for 40 minutes, even though we had booked the car in advance. We had a nice chat with the manager (an elderly man in glasses) and told him that we were planning to go far — to Niagara Falls with kids. We booked a Toyota RAV4 but received a Dodge Hornet instead. They handed it over quickly; we noticed damage, and the guy said everything was okay and already documented. I asked where our Toyota was, and he said there was none — this is “the equivalent.” What equivalent?! The trunk was much smaller — and we had suitcases!We didn’t argue because there were a lot of people, it was hot, and very inconvenient to take the car since there was a traffic jam there. We took the car and left. The manager said we had to return the car with a full tank, but we had booked it in advance through Booking.com and paid for a full tank already. Booking.com warned us that we were not obligated to return it with a full tank since it was already paid. That was the first red flag!On our way back from the falls, with about three hours left to drive to New York, we were traveling as a family with two kids. Suddenly, the car began to swerve; my husband managed to control it and we stopped. We had been driving carefully, not speeding — everything was fine.The rear tire burst! We took the suitcases out of the trunk, but there was no spare tire anywhere in the car. By then, it was already 8:30 PM. The kids were very scared, and we were alone on the highway.We got out the documents and started calling the phone numbers listed — but couldn’t get through for a whole hour! It became dark and cold. Some people stopped and wanted to help us change the tire — but we didn’t have a spare! They couldn’t understand how we were given such a car with such an old, patched-up tire. In other words, the tire was already defective from the start!Eventually, we reached customer service. While we were explaining everything, a man driving a tow truck stopped — he was just passing by. He helped us arrange with customer service for him to take us to the Pennsylvania airport where Budget employees would replace the car and wait for us.By then, it was already 11:00 PM, and the ride took another hour. The tow truck only had two seats, so I and my daughter rode in the cab while my husband and son went in the broken car on the tow truck, risking their lives.We arrived at the airport, unloaded the car, the kind man left, and we went to the Budget office — but there was no one there at all. I found a security guard, and he said everyone had left and would only be back at 10:00 AM. We were hungry, tired, and one child wasn’t feeling well — he caught a cold while we stood on the highway. We tried calling customer service again, but again no one answered — we called for two hours. The kids were exhausted and wanted to sleep. By then, it was already 1 AM.I attached videos and photos showing that no one was waiting for us and no one was there!We ended up calling a taxi at our own expense — $311 — and went to New York to our hotel. We arrived at the hotel around 4 AM!The next day we came to the office and started expressing our complaints to the manager (the elderly man in glasses who had handled our paperwork). He pretended not to know us and told us to call customer service, saying they were just managers who handed out cars — that’s all. I said, “How could you give us a car without a spare tire?!”We sent several complaints to customer service but got different responses: in one they offered to refund 30% of the rental (about $30 😂), in another they claimed it was our fault and we damaged the tire, and in a third they were willing to compensate $107.I’m shocked! We’ve often rented cars in Europe from SIXT and Hertz — everything was great. This was our first time in America, so we decided to rent from a big American company — Budget. We asked to return our $300 deposit and compensate us for the taxi to New Yorkthey didn’t refund us anything at all — on the contrary, they even charged $500 from our card for the tow truck!
July 08 · Ekaterina BilkeiI read a lot of negative reviews but my experience was excellent. Saturday 10 am picked a car even without warning in line. It took 10 min. The car was brand new with maximum equipment. Ford Explorer platinum. Panoramic roof, 10 inch screen, Bang & Olson sound system is the to tier. Also liked the cruise control. Drop off took 10 min the same day evening 9:30 pm.
April 30 · Antonio RybalchenkoI decided to leave a review because I've seen so many negative reviews before my rental.My experience was very good. Quick and friendly handling. We received the car in 20m including paperwork. The dropoff at JFK was also instant. No hidden charges. I've left satisfied.
June 05 · Péter MargittayEdwin was awesome and provided great customer service. We booked a last minute reservation on a third-party website and the booking wasn’t confirmed by Budget when we arrived. Edwin was incredibly helpful in finding a car for us on a busy summer Friday. A stressful missed train to a wedding turned into a nice drive up to Newport in a convertible.
October 07 · Kevin Fultz
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