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Finding a rental car in Princeton is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands across New Jersey with no reservation fees. Skip airport surcharges by picking up downtown, at Princeton Junction Station or along Route 1, and book early if your visit overlaps with Princeton University events or you need a car for quick hops to New York City, Philadelphia or the Jersey Shore.
Princeton offers several car rental options for travelers:
| Rental Location | Advantages | Disadvantages |
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| Princeton Local Offices |
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| Princeton Junction Train Station |
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| Route 1 Corridor |
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| Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) |
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On average, car rentals in Princeton cost around $61 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $24 per day.
Price-shop pickup spots: Compare rates at Princeton local offices, Princeton Junction station and the Route 1 corridor. Local desks often beat Newark Airport by 20-30 percent because they skip airport surcharges.
Dodge "Tiger" weekends: Graduation, reunions and parents' week spike demand. If your dates are flexible, shift a day or two to sidestep hotel-and-car price jumps.
Think "weekly" even for 4-5 days: In Central Jersey, weekly plans can be 15-25 percent cheaper than the same chunk of daily rates. Plug both options into the search before you book.
Match the car to Princeton parking: Downtown garages have tight ramps. A compact or midsize not only rents for less but also saves the headache of hunting for oversized spots.
Finding a Spot:
When visiting major cities:
New Jersey Driving Rules:
Toll Roads:
Rent a car so you can see:
Grounds for Sculpture – sculpture park
New Hope and Lambertville – river towns
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Jersey Shore – Asbury Park beaches
What documents do I need to rent a car in Princeton?
You'll need a valid driver's license and a credit card in your name. Most major rental companies also accept debit cards, but they might ask for more ID, run a credit check and see proof of your return travel. If you're visiting from another country, you need a valid passport and either an International Driving Permit or a license written in English.
How do I handle parking in downtown Princeton and on campus?
In downtown Princeton, you can find metered street parking (enforced Monday–Saturday) and public garages. The Spring Street Garage and Chambers Street Garage are right in the middle of town. Campus parking is very limited, so visitors should use the lots marked for them. If you're here for a special event, think about parking at Princeton Junction station and taking the "Dinky" train to campus.
What's the best strategy for visiting New York City or Philadelphia from Princeton?
To visit NYC, you can drive to the Princeton Junction or Hamilton stations and take an NJ Transit train. For Philadelphia, taking the SEPTA regional rail from Trenton is a good option. Both choices help you avoid city traffic and the hassle of parking. If you decide to drive all the way, make sure to allow extra time for traffic and parking.
How do I handle tolls when driving on the New Jersey Turnpike?
Most rental cars have an E-ZPass device for tolls. You can sign up for the rental company's toll program, which costs around $5-7 a day plus the actual tolls. Or, you can use your own E-ZPass if it works in the car. The New Jersey Turnpike uses a ticket system, so your toll fee depends on how far you drive.
Are there rental car options specifically for Princeton University visitors?
Some rental companies give discounts or special rates to people visiting the campus. You might need a special code to get these deals, which you can get from the university's visitor services. Enterprise has an office near campus that mainly serves university visitors.
What are the best day trips from Princeton?
Some popular day trips you can take are to the historic river towns of New Hope and Lambertville (25 minutes), Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton (15 minutes), Washington Crossing Historic Park (20 minutes) and the Hopewell Valley wine trail (20-30 minutes). You can easily drive to all these places from Princeton.
Is it worth renting a car if I'm only visiting Princeton's downtown and university?
If you're only visiting downtown Princeton and the university campus, you probably don't need a car. You can easily walk around the downtown area and the university runs campus shuttles. However, a car is helpful if you want to explore farther out or if you visit during bad weather.
Are there restrictions on where I can drive the rental car?
Most rental companies let you drive the car throughout the US and into Canada. Driving to Mexico usually isn't allowed. If you rent a luxury car, there may be more limits on where you can take it.
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