Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

gapster13 wrote: »

Hey I need some help in understanding the transport system. I need to get to my hotel in new jersey (fairfield inn east rutherford) from jfk airport. From what I understand I can get the airtrain into manhattan and then I can pick up the bus to new jersey from port authority. I'm a little stuck on how the airtrain works, Do I buy a ticket to board it at the airport? Do I go to Howard beach or jamaica?

My head is exploding from all the info.

Any tips please

If I said bad bad bad! would you reconsider your hotel choice? Staying all the way out in New Jersey, and you're arriving into JFK is not a great idea. Also, staying in East Rutherford isn't a good place for a New York holiday.

Have you looked at the Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City - this is a much better location for JFK and also much better for a NYC holiday. You won't spend an hour or two a day travelling into the city, and the price is awesome for what you get.

That said. You can't get the AirTrain into Manhattan, it only runs to Howard Beach or Jamaica.

You want the route that goes to Jamaica, then you pay your $5 as you're leaving the station. Get the LIRR to Penn Station, and hop on the subway for a few stops up Port Authority. Then you can get a bus.

This whole trip will probably take around 2.5 hours. It's a BAD idea to stay in East Rutherford.

Another option is to get a flight into Newark, which is better located.

M

gapster13

We chose the hotel as we plan to do bits in new jersey as well as in new york so it seemed an ideal middle ground as we can bus it in for the day if we wish or bus it further into new jersey.

I'm thinking we just book a car less hassle and less changing around with the cases thanks for the advice and heads up on the long journey.

M4RKM

gapster13 wrote: »

We chose the hotel as we plan to do bits in new jersey as well as in new york so it seemed an ideal middle ground as we can bus it in for the day if we wish or bus it further into new jersey.

I'm thinking we just book a car less hassle and less changing around with the cases thanks for the advice and heads up on the long journey.

Seriously, you should be flying into EWR rather than JFK for this trip then. Also, why would you spend $100's on a car, just to have to drive through Manhattan, and pay tolls for bridges, turnpikes and tunnels?

It's a crazy idea, and not planned well at all IMO.

sonicmouse

Does anyone know of any experiences or shows that we can pre-book for next March?

Obviously im aware of the TKT Booth but id like to book somewhere now, whether its a show, an experience, tour. Just some ideas to keep the birthday girl suprised

curlygirl1971

Don't know if this will float your/her boat but Tom Hanks is appearing on Broadway in play by Norah Ephron (Sleepless in Seatle, Harry met Sally etc)

http://www.telecharge.com/behindTheCurtain.aspx

Previews start next March.

LadyV2508

Hi There!

There are many websites that you can pre book tours and shows on etc. If theres a particular Broadway show that you would like to see then its definitely better to book it in advance, we made the mistake of leaving it until we got there and really struggled to get tickets! I would definitely recommend going up the Empire state building and Rockefeller centre up to the observatory at the top, stunning views!

There are also many museums and attractions that are free to get into (some ask for a token donation but are well worth a look!) Central park is a must, so beautiful whatever time of year you go! A boat ride is also fantastic, i think it only cost us $15 dollars each and went right around the statue of Liberty. Personally i thought the helicopter ride that we went on was very expensive for what it was and wouldnt go on it again! There are so many free things you can do in NYC, you really dont have to spend a fortune to have a good time!

In terms of your accommodation i have to agree with what others have been saying - we made the mistake of staying in New Jersey because it was cheaper than Manhattan! The last couple of times we have stayed at The Salisbury Hotel and i cannot recommend this hotel highly enough, very reasonable prices and 5 minute walk from Times Square!

Have a great time!

the_mackem

can someone tell me the best route to take to get from the garment district to the staten island ferry on a sunday.for a 911 visit.

jaffacat_2

OK looking to go end of March/early April for 5 nights, will be our first time in NYC. Should I start looking for flights after xmas?
Is it best to look at skyscanner or a specific site for flights?
Think it be cheaper to organise ourselves than a trip/hotel all included or am I wrong?

Re accomodation, have read lots of these comments and so confused as where is best to stay. Want to do the usual sights etc and understand its a big place so any recommendations of reasonably priced acc or areas to stay?
Thanks in advance.

M4RKM

Jaffacat - Thing is, Specific dates are so important when looking at a trip to NYC. If you're looking for March / April, start looking now, get an idea of what dates are cheaper to travel on, (always include a saturday night). Where skyscanner is great for cheap getaway flights, Kayak is a much better flight search engine for normal long haul flights. Skyscanner always seems to get the price wrong, whereas Kayak actually works well. Let us know what your departure airport is too!

I personally find it cheaper to book separately, but there are a number of reasons why I find that. 1) I'm a solo traveller. So whereas a hotel is priced per night, package deals normally whack on charges for single occupancy (therefore doubling the cost of the room), as they're advertising per person, based on 2 people sharing. Unfair? No, they're just stupid!

2) I normally want to stay in nice hotels that never appear in packages. My next trip I'm staying at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. About 10 minutes away from Union Square (Better than Times Square IMO!), and the only way to book it, is through the hotel. It's a lovely little boutique hotel.

Where to stay? Well that's the age old question. A lot of people love staying in Times Square, especially for their first trip, but it really depends on what your likes / interests, and plans are. If you're going to be hitting the bars and nightlife a few times while you're in NYC, then it isn't the best, but if you're going to shows each night, then it is, as it is convenient to theater district.

What one person calls reasonable, another calls expensive, and another calls cheap. My budget per night in NYC is around $230 - $250. Others only want to pay $125. So, best thing to do is tell us what your budget is, then I can easily recommend hotels that fit that budget. Budget first, then you can get picky on the area you want to stay.

Hope that helps.

M

VestanPance

Jaffacat that is good advice M4RKM.

If it's your first visit to the city and you plan to tick off a lot of the typical first time visitor tourist attractions then where you stay in my opinion isn't that important, as long as it has good subway access. Unless you prefer for things you like to do in the evening to be right on your doorstep then as M4RKM suggests location is a bigger selling point.

A lot of the big tourist must dos are spread out all over the city. No matter where you stay you won't be on the doorstep of everything, but you will be able to see it all by either walking or jumping on the subway. As for reasonably priced that depends on what you think reasonably priced is. New York accommodation tends to be fairly expensive, so if you give an idea of what your budget is people will be able to suggest some hotels.