Everything & Anything New York City

gregg1

M4RKM wrote: »

Firstly, I wouldn't book the 48 hour ticket. This is not public transport, and in NYC it really doesn't work as the hop on hop off scenario. Book the cheapest possible, sit on, do a loop, take a notepad and pen, and note the interesting parts you want to head back to.

Then, you spend $29 on a metrocard for the subway, and use that to get around. It is much much cheaper. these HOHO buses are extortionate, and go via a limited route, set, and stuck in traffic.

If you still want to use them, it means when you exchange your booking for the ticket to board the bus, that is when the countdown starts. Which is unfair really. The metrocard starts counting down on first use, which is more logical.

M

Sorry, I disagree. We have used it as a hop on and off and found it worked really well.

gregg1

P2TKL wrote: »

Thanks for the advice...the $29 metrocard looks like the way to go.....might give the HOHO a miss.....

Thing is with the hoho you get the commentary which can be excellent if you get a good guide, you also get to see loads more and there is something to be said for it going slow in traffic in that you get to have a really good look at things.

P2TKL

gregg1 wrote: »

Thing is with the hoho you get the commentary which can be excellent if you get a good guide, you also get to see loads more and there is something to be said for it going slow in traffic in that you get to have a really good look at things.

Thanks for this......I'm in a bit of a quandry now as to what I should do ????

retrogrrl

The first time we went we got the hoho with the SoL tour and it was invaluable for us. We had never been before and no real idea of where anything was. The tour guide was helpful, the commentary was useful and the stories funny. We got to know where the main attractions were pretty quickly and generally just riding around the city was lovely. Since then we have always got a Metro card but that’s as we reasonably know the area and need to get from A to B in a cheap and fairly quick way. We also go to Coney Island and away from the heart of the city now as we’ve seen all the main sights and you can use the metro for that. It depends on whether it’s your first trip, where you’re staying and what you want to do when you’re there

P2TKL

retrogrrl wrote: »

The first time we went we got the hoho with the SoL tour and it was invaluable for us. We had never been before and no real idea of where anything was. The tour guide was helpful, the commentary was useful and the stories funny. We got to know where the main attractions were pretty quickly and generally just riding around the city was lovely. Since then we have always got a Metro card but that’s as we reasonably know the area and need to get from A to B in a cheap and fairly quick way. We also go to Coney Island and away from the heart of the city now as we’ve seen all the main sights and you can use the metro for that. It depends on whether it’s your first trip, where you’re staying and what you want to do when you’re there

It is our first trip ,staying near Times Square,want to see all the usual things...SOL,TOTR,ESB etc.....thanks

retrogrrl

P2TKL wrote: »

It is our first trip ,staying near Times Square,want to see all the usual things...SOL,TOTR,ESB etc.....thanks

I would say get a metro card as you’re very central and within walking distance for ToTR, ESB, Macy’s. Then get the subway for the SoL and have a walk back from there through Battery Park to the WTC memorial (if that’s on your list of things to see), maybe a slight detour and seeing the Bull on the way

P2TKL

Is it correct that you can use one metrocard for a family of 4 ?

I thought we would need 4 metrocards.....

Savvy_Sue

P2TKL wrote: »

Is it correct that you can use one metrocard for a family of 4 ?

I thought we would need 4 metrocards.....

I know we had one each, I remember buying them!

gregg1

P2TKL wrote: »

Thanks for this......I'm in a bit of a quandry now as to what I should do ????

I agree with retrogrrl, if it's your first trip I thnk you will find the hoho useful, although we only did it for one day so maybe go for that option rather than 48 hours.

retrogrrl

You can get 2 different metro cards – the first costs around $30 and is unlimited rides for 7 days. You have one card each; I believe they have some kind of time limit so you can’t use it then pass it to the other person for them to use as it’s blocked for a while. The other card is like a top-up card where you put an amount on ($10 or $20 etc) and pay per ride, you can use the card for up to 4 people. We’ve always got the unlimited card as it’s more beneficial for us as we’re usually there for at least 7 days, but if you only want to make a few journeys over a few days you’re probably better with the pay-per-ride option. I’d study the NYC map and see if you think you’ll be walking most places or will need to use the subway or buses. I have to say, we have never used a bus in the city.