Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

jammin wrote: »

Thanks Mark. That's a huge help. Thing is you see, I'm booking a massage for my wife (already bought the Groupon) and the latest appointment they have is 3pm on the day we arrive! Talk about cutting it fine..

Is that at the hotel? hmm.. If you're on such a tight schedule, I would actually not risk a taxi, as traffic could hinder you. I'm also not being overly generous on times, however, without having to clear customs, you should be onto a winner.

The best I ever did at T3 in JFK, was from when I got off the plane, to when I was outside the terminal, and that was 22 minutes. I'm still quite pleased with that. 30 - 45 minutes is the norm for T3, thanks to numerous immigration desks, even if there are not many open, things are faster these days, and they're very efficient with the luggage.

With public transport, you have a 5 minute walk to the airtrain station, then head to Howard Beach. a 15 minute airtrain ride, and head downstairs for the subway.

Then it's one ride on the subway to Fulton Street on the A, and your hotel is around the corner. That takes about 35 minutes.

Bang on 1 hour. Still cutting it fine, Can't the Groupon be used for the day after?

M4RKM

Ladyshopper wrote: »

I looked on the airmiles website a couple of days ago (not that I have enough airmiles and no chance of earning them by then which is a shame!). There was a definitely a virgin flight that came up at £330, although when I look now that isn't there, so I either put in a different return date by a day (possible), or its gone up since I looked (also possible!).

I will look at flight times as well as cost, really don't want anything that sets off in the small hours of the morning. Think I'll suffer with jetlag whatever though, we went to LA this year in Feb and it took me a week afterwards to get back into regular sleeping times!

Most flights depart in the AM, no earlier than 8am from LHR, so you're going to be alright there. Once you get to NYC, the trick is to stay awake as long as possible. I perfected that this time, and was crashing out in bed around 11pm. Fight the urge to go to sleep early, or you'll be up early. Fight the urge to get up at 5am if you wake up. I woke up the next morning at 7am, and felt refreshed, and the day was perfect.

On the way back, flights are normally in the PM. I don't care about jetlag on the way back, though it does take a bit for me to get my sleep patterns back to normal.

M

Ladyshopper

M4RKM wrote: »

Most flights depart in the AM, no earlier than 8am from LHR, so you're going to be alright there. Once you get to NYC, the trick is to stay awake as long as possible. I perfected that this time, and was crashing out in bed around 11pm. Fight the urge to go to sleep early, or you'll be up early. Fight the urge to get up at 5am if you wake up. I woke up the next morning at 7am, and felt refreshed, and the day was perfect.

On the way back, flights are normally in the PM. I don't care about jetlag on the way back, though it does take a bit for me to get my sleep patterns back to normal.

M

I wasn't too bad going, like you say its the coming back that does it. Luckily for me I had the week after booked off, as I really was a walking zombie and struggling to sleep.

jammin_2

M4RKM wrote: »

Is that at the hotel? hmm.. If you're on such a tight schedule, I would actually not risk a taxi, as traffic could hinder you. I'm also not being overly generous on times, however, without having to clear customs, you should be onto a winner.

The best I ever did at T3 in JFK, was from when I got off the plane, to when I was outside the terminal, and that was 22 minutes. I'm still quite pleased with that. 30 - 45 minutes is the norm for T3, thanks to numerous immigration desks, even if there are not many open, things are faster these days, and they're very efficient with the luggage.

With public transport, you have a 5 minute walk to the airtrain station, then head to Howard Beach. a 15 minute airtrain ride, and head downstairs for the subway.

Then it's one ride on the subway to Fulton Street on the A, and your hotel is around the corner. That takes about 35 minutes.

Bang on 1 hour. Still cutting it fine, Can't the Groupon be used for the day after?

It can but they've no appointments available. I should have called up to check appointment availability before I bought the Groupon.

I'll see if I can get a refund on it. I think Groupon are normally good with that. If I can't get a refund, I'll do as you suggest though.

Definitely a better bet to use the airtrain / subway rather than a taxi you think, yes? We have a three year old..

M4RKM

jammin wrote: »

Definitely a better bet to use the airtrain / subway rather than a taxi you think, yes? We have a three year old..

Six and two threes if you ask me. Both will take the same amount of time. The Taxi however may take longer, if there is a crash or other incident on one of the expressways into Manhattan, however, it is easier, to get into a taxi at the airport, and sit down. Nothing to worry about, and you get dropped off right outside the door. You do pay for the privilege though. It's $45 plus tip (no toll as you'll use the Brooklyn Bridge), so that works out to be around $55.

The AirTrain / Subway combo works out to be $14.50, if the three year old is under 44 inches tall. (3ft 7). It's not something I can help with, to which one you choose. On my last trip to NYC, (i did NYC, then San Francisco, then back to NYC), I had 2 trips to/from the airport, and on the way into NYC the first time, and back to the airport the first time, I did the Subway/AirTrain. On the second leg, I took taxis. Just the way I felt.


M

Y5VEE

M4RKM wrote: »

$149 for a mini bus? Carmel and Dial 7 as a pre booked car service, have mini vans, and these are cheaper. (Just noticed your title, and there are 10 of you), Mini vans from Dial 7 will hold 5 people with 5 pieces of luggage, so you might be able book 2 of these for $120.

TOTR rarely has queues, also, if you pre book, and the weather is atrocious that day, you've kinda lost your money. Greenwich Village you'll be able to get a great meal if that is where you mean.

A HOHO bus tour is ok to get your bearings, a lot of people recommend just staying on for the full loop, but it is about 4 hours worth, and it's slow going. I'm not a fan, I find time better spent, going to an area, and walking around, with some bullet points of what I want to see.

If you want to just see views of the statue of liberty, then you could try the Staten Island Ferry. This is a commuter ferry, which is free of charge, and goes over to Staten Island, You can get some shots of the SOL, but you do need a reasonable zoom lens. Circle Line also do pay for cruises, that will go closer.

Thanks M4RKM, will look at the two cab companies to see if we can beat our quote. How much should we tip the driver, not sure if there is an expected amount.

Considering we booked this trip over 12 months ago, can't belive how quickly the past few months have gone. So bound to have lots of other topics we suddenly need an answer to.

M4RKM

Y5VEE wrote: »

Thanks M4RKM, will look at the two cab companies to see if we can beat our quote. How much should we tip the driver, not sure if there is an expected amount.

Considering we booked this trip over 12 months ago, can't belive how quickly the past few months have gone. So bound to have lots of other topics we suddenly need an answer to.

15-20% if the driver helps with the bags, is a standard amount to tip. Also bear in mind, that the prices might not include tolls, and if you're going into Midtown, there will be a toll. For a normal car that's $5.50, but a minivan/minibus, that might be more. Tip on the amount before the toll (so the $60 for the mini vans, or the $150 for the minibus)

M

gregg1

jammin wrote: »

It can but they've no appointments available. I should have called up to check appointment availability before I bought the Groupon.

I'll see if I can get a refund on it. I think Groupon are normally good with that. If I can't get a refund, I'll do as you suggest though.

Definitely a better bet to use the airtrain / subway rather than a taxi you think, yes? We have a three year old..

jammin, I would most certainly take a risk with the taxi if I were travelling with a 3 year old. You really need the easiest option which is basically just walking outside the terminal and jumping in a yellow cab at the ground transportation point. $60 includes tolls and a decent tip. You may be lucky and get there in time but I would still use that method of getting into NY if I were you.

jammin_2

Thanks everyone - really excellent advice.

Nobjocki

A quick heads up that the new Yotel in NYC is now taking bookings ahead of its June '11 opening.

Could be an interesting development for the budget-minded traveller to the US although that depends how long their $149 introductory rate lasts.

https://www.yotel.com