Car Rental Westchester County Airport (HPN)

Renting a car at Westchester County Airport is a lot easier and quicker than at the big NYC airports. The rental counters are in the main terminal and the cars are parked a short walk away. You can usually finish everything in 15-30 minutes, which can take an hour or more at JFK or LaGuardia.

The most direct way to get to Manhattan is by taking the Hutchinson River Parkway south to the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87). You can also take I-287 to I-87. When traffic is heavy, you should check a traffic app because the Saw Mill River Parkway to the Henry Hudson Parkway might be a better choice.

Many routes are free, but you will have to pay tolls on some bridges and highways. For example, you'll pay a toll on the Henry Hudson Bridge if you take the Saw Mill River Parkway/Henry Hudson Parkway into Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge (I-95) or RFK (Triborough) Bridge via I-278 and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo (Tappan Zee) Bridge on I-287 when you head west across the Hudson River. The New York State Thruway (I-87) north of the Mario Cuomo Bridge also has tolls. In Connecticut, the Merritt Parkway and I-95 are currently free. Most rental cars have an E-ZPass transponder that automatically records these tolls. The rental company will bill you later for the tolls and a daily fee.

Yes, most companies at HPN let you return cars after hours using a key drop box. However, you are still responsible for the car until they inspect it the next business day. You should ask about their rules for after-hours returns when you pick up your car.

HPN is a great choice if you are staying in northern Manhattan, the Bronx or Westchester. If you are going to other parts of NYC, the long drive of over 30 miles (48 km) might cancel out the ease of using a smaller airport, especially in heavy traffic. Think about where exactly you're going before you choose HPN.

Most rental companies let you drive the car anywhere in the continental United States and Canada. They usually don't let you drive on unpaved roads or go off-roading. If you rent a luxury car, the company may have rules about how far you can go, so you should ask if you're planning a long trip.

You'll need to show a valid driver's license, a major credit card in your name and your flight confirmation. If you're visiting from another country, you should also bring your passport. It's a good idea to have an International Driving Permit if your license isn't in English.

Since HPN is a small airport, you can usually return your car in about 15-20 minutes. You should give yourself at least 30 minutes before your flight's check-in time. That's less time than you would need at the bigger airports.