NYC Flights + Hostels - Late April

Jamp

Hi All

I'm wondering about doing an internship in NY for a year so want to visit before I apply in order to decide if I like the place enough

Looking at going the last week of my uni easter hols so say April 17 - 23; can be a bit flexible but must be back in Sheffield for the 25th. There might be just me going or possibly up to 4 of us. Any suggestions of cheap places to stay? Don't mind hostels etc so long as they're safe, clean and fairly well located.

Expedia shows flights with Virgin or AA for £243 or Continental for £246 from LHR to JFK or some Virgin flights are to EWR. Which would be the pick of these? Flights from MAN would be easier but more expensive and/or not direct from what I can find.

Being a bit of a plane geek I'd quite like to have the individual screens that you can see pilot's view camera on - I believe (Virgin's) A340s have this but what about their 747s or the others' 777s? Other more sensible considerations are leg room, veggie food, and power facility for laptop.

Lastly, is this a good time to go to NY? I could postpone it to late September if that would be more sensible (it certainly would from a revising for uni exams point of view!) Anyone know of a good online tool to see what gigs (indie rock) are scheduled for when I'll be there?

Cheers,

Ben

clu

Hi

Most of it I can't help you, but I have just purchased a ticket to Boston. On expedia the cheapest flight was with American Airlines, but I got it a wee bit cheaper booking through the actual site.
When I was booking it was also cheaper going on a Wednesday, I do not know if this is true as a rule but its worth a look.

Dee123_2

Hello

British Airways £228.40 on ebookers.com.

It's usually a few squid cheaper on the BA website but it doesnt seem to be working at the moment. I'd always fly BA if possible.

I'd give you some tips but I am one of the only people on the planet who did not like New York at all. Everyone else loves it I stayed at the Best Western out at JFK for £50 a room per night which was ok but meant a courtesy coach to the airport then two short train rides into Manhattan.

EWR (Newark) is a bit further from Manhattan but all airports have good coaches/trains in.

Dee

skintscotsman

Hi there,

I have just arranged accomodation in Manhattan for myself and a friend for 9 nights. We're staying in Hostelling International New York (http://www.hinewyork.org/), it came recommended by a friend and the reviews for HI-NY say it is fine.

This site http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60763-i5-New_York_City_New_York.html is great for finding stuff about NYC.

SallyD

I have only ever heard good reports for the International Youth Hostel in NYC. Let us know your opinion when you get back as I am hoping to visit in a few months.

nelly_2

them seat back tvs are the single best thing on a plane,we've been a few times lately sometimes you get them sometimes you dont. We had 29 channels + games once. channel 1 was route map channel 2 was a pilot eye camera and channel 3 was a camera that faced straight down it was great, but i'm obviously sad but it pssed the time.

gron1979

I bought flights to new york last week, leaving heathrow on 13th April for a wekk, cost me £406 for two people, through opodo, they had £20 off each flight, so made it even cheaper, was well happy as it is boyfriends 30th birthday so will be chuffed!

billlew

Each time I've visited NY, I've stopped at the Vanderbilt YMCA on East 47th Street, Ideal Location. Basic rooms but facilities great. (By the way I'm in my 50's). You can get more info by googling Vanderbilt YMCA. Good Luck

SallyD

Billlew, Thanks for that. I too am in my 50's and was told you can get a single room at the Vanderbilt, I shall look at the site. At the International Youth Hostel you have a shared room and I would prefer a single. I am all for cheapie accommodation. I have had some wonderful trips staying at Youth Hostels making my holidays very cheap.

Jamp

Thanks all for the helpful replies Will definitely look at HI-NY as a friend who's over touring the US at the moment also recommended it.

Unfortunately my friends aren't going to be able to afford the April trip so I'm wondering about postponing til June. I'm having shoulder surgery in early April so would still be in a sling if I went later that month which I suppose is a bit of a silly idea anyway. Also the BA and Virgin flights have all gone up £20ish now, but thanks to the above poster for letting me know about the cheaper weekday flights. Can still get under £240 with AA or Continental, or £224 with US Airways but via Philly.

I have exams in early June but am free from the 11th onwards. Trouble is all the flights I can find are £335+. One of my friends is particularly keen to fly from MAN and these are £340+ and mostly 767s (Delta, Continental, BA) which I guess won't be all that great. US Airways also available via Philly from MAN using A330 though.

Are the June flights likely to come down as the dates get closer? Or are they all expensive because it's summer?

pin

BA and VS will have seat back TVs. However BA's IFE is really poor. VS will be VOD, so that's a consideration.

Now if you want to really do it in style try Maxjet. They are a business class only airline. They are rumoured to have flights for around £438 at present to NY. You are guaranteed a personal TV set with them!

There is a really nice small hostel near Penn station, but at present for the life of me can't remember the name of it.