Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

Katykat wrote: »

Mmm, I'm not comfortable using the subway in a city where I have never been before, thats why we decided a tour was better. I'm fine on the London subway because I have visited a few times. The $71 is each, but I have now found another one thats cheaper at $59 and its valid for 3 days. I think there would be drawbacks with any way we choose, but at least this way we wont have to carry much cash as its pre paid.

But, the bus doesn't go everywhere, nor does it run 24 hours a day. After 6pm you're left with no transportation around the city. Also, HOHO's are not transportation but a guided tour.

The NYC Subway is just as easy, if not easier than the London Underground, and costs only $29 per person for up to 7 days, much cheaper, and will take much less than 2 hours to get from Times Square to Greenwich Village.

You don't have to carry cash to get a subway ticket. You can just pay with your debit / credit card. I think your worries and concerns are unfounded, and you'll miss out on NYC itself if you think that a HOHO is the best way to see the city.

It is great for a one time loop, to get a lay of the land, and understand where you want to go and visit, but it really isn't great for getting around. Buses crawl above ground, and the traffic is horrendous!

M

KarenG

M4RKM wrote: »

It is great for a one time loop, to get a lay of the land, and understand where you want to go and visit, but it really isn't great for getting around. Buses crawl above ground, and the traffic is horrendous!

M

I totally agree. That's about the only purpose of the HOHO. We did it once and won't repeat it.


Give the subway a chance - its faster, better, cheaper.

Katykat

Ok, I'm beginning to warm to the idea of the subway. May have to convince my OH though. I,ve been looking at the types. Do I understand this correctly? The Pay per ride card is like the Oyster card, OK? You load a certain amount on it, say $20( you get an extra 7%) and each time you swipe it, it takes $2.25 off. It says up to 4 people can travel on one card, but does this mean that you have to swipe it 4 times and 4x$2.25 is taken off the card.? Whearas an unlimited card for $29 just runs out after 7days and you have to have one each.There will be 3 of us there for 4 days, so which one would be the cheapest?

mellymeepmeep

M4RKM wrote: »

Well, it looks like that there is zero saving by being under 26. Kayak is showing flights for £430 with 1 change from MAN for some random dates I plugged into it.

As for your accommodation. Manhattan is central, and for someone your age, I'd look elsewhere than the Times Square/Hell Kitchen destination. I'm thinking areas like the lower east side, is much better for nightlife, and character, and just use the Subway to get around. (it will only take 10 mins to get to Times Square!)

Also, you do realise that booking an apartment (regardless that it is on airbnb), is illegal in NYC, and the only accommodation you should look at on airbnb is the "private room", rather than the "complete apartment".

You could end up evicted, or on the street if there are complaints about hotel rooms in residential buildings.

Please don't break the law....

M

The private rooms were what we were looking at because whole apartments are just as expensive as the hotels and we really don't mind sharing, its a bit of a nicer experience than a hostel too! I didn't know it was illegal though so thanks for the heads up! You'd think Airbnb wouldn't allow those kind of listings!

Just gonna keep checking for flights, and thanks for the location reccomendations I will deffo check further out, we're not afraid of doing a bit of travelling if it means we stay somewhere with a bit more character!

M4RKM

mellymeepmeep wrote: »

The private rooms were what we were looking at because whole apartments are just as expensive as the hotels and we really don't mind sharing, its a bit of a nicer experience than a hostel too! I didn't know it was illegal though so thanks for the heads up! You'd think Airbnb wouldn't allow those kind of listings!

Just gonna keep checking for flights, and thanks for the location reccomendations I will deffo check further out, we're not afraid of doing a bit of travelling if it means we stay somewhere with a bit more character!

They are a business, they'll list anything, and it is up to the apartment owners to ensure they're not breaking the law. It's all the Terms when they sign up.

Now, I've done an airbnb private room in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and it was an interesting way to stay in NYC. Personally, I think a hotel is better, and I wouldn't do it again. If you look at certain hotels, you'll be able to stay, have you looked at the Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City, Queens?

M

M4RKM

Katykat wrote: »

Ok, I'm beginning to warm to the idea of the subway. May have to convince my OH though. I,ve been looking at the types. Do I understand this correctly? The Pay per ride card is like the Oyster card, OK? You load a certain amount on it, say $20( you get an extra 7%) and each time you swipe it, it takes $2.25 off. It says up to 4 people can travel on one card, but does this mean that you have to swipe it 4 times and 4x$2.25 is taken off the card.? Whearas an unlimited card for $29 just runs out after 7days and you have to have one each.There will be 3 of us there for 4 days, so which one would be the cheapest?

OK, you're travelling in April, which means the next lot of rises in Subway tickets go in force. This means an unlimited card costs $30, and each Pay Per Ride costs $2.50, and you get a 5% bonus after $5.

If there are 3 of you, you can swipe the card three times, and then go through the turnstiles. If you go down the unlimited route, then you all need a card each.

It's so cheap to travel, and once you get the hang of it (it will take 2 rides at the most to understand how it all works!), then you will use it. 13 trips (so if you did 2 return trips per day), is a breakeven point for an unlimited card. It's probably worth going this way. To make things easier, I made a calculator, so you can work out how much to load on the card. - http://m4rk.in/metrocardcalculator

The MetroCard is also valid on normal buses throughout the city. The city isn't just Manhattan, so that's Brooklyn/Queens/Bronx and Staten Island too!!!

They're like an oyster, but you swipe the card, rather than it be a proximity based card.

M

gregg1

Katykat wrote: »

Making our first trip in April. We have flights and hotel booked, now we are planning our itinerary. Obviously because its our first time we want the usual touristy things. Staying in Holiday Inn 45st/5th ave. i've been looking at the Citysights HoHo tours and one that appeals is the All around town with Empire SB observation deck for $71 (48 hrs). The pickup in M Toussards seems convenient and the itinerary seems good. Anyone done this one? Is it good value? Are there any pitfalls? Is there any better tour?

M Tussaud's isn't a pitfall. If you like that sort of thing it is brilliant. My daughter absolutely loved it.

We have done the hop on and hop off tour and it was excellent for getting your bearings and seeing where you may want to spend more time. It takes longer than the subway but for a first time visitor is very useful.

We book our tickets before we go for stuff like ESB on their website. It was an open ticket which meant you could go any time or day. We also booked our statue island cruise on the official website and ToTR tickets and certain restaurants through Open Table. In fact most of the stuff we knew we wanted to do we booked here prior to travelling. First time I think it's important to have some sort of idea what you want to do on each day as it saves time when there is so much to do.

Katykat

Thanks for the calculator link M4. There is a line for the Airtrain. We had intended using this at Newark, so is the Airtrain included in the Metrocard?

M4RKM

No. You cannot use MetroCard on Newark AirTrain. You'll buy an AirTrain / NJ Transit Ticket and get the AirTrain through to Newark Airport Train Station, and then get on an NJ Transit train through to New York Penn Station (which is the last station!!)

M

mrkenneth

First trip in March and cannot wait! My OH works for TUI and we have got four nights in the Yotel inc flights for £374 each which includes a meal at The View one night! (Advantages of being a travel agent!)

My question is can anyone recommend a decent comedy club?

Something similar to The Stand in Ediburgh as we really liked it there. Would have to be for the Monday night as Tuesday we are watching Jersey Boys and Wednesday we have tickets for the Brooklyn Nets!

Also for four days would the unlimited subway card be our best option for getting around? Realise that is a vague question but I have a dodgy knee so walking distances further than a few miles is dififcult.

Hoping to bombard you all with more questions in the lead up!