Everything & Anything New York City

74jax

M4RKM wrote: »

First piece of advice. It is the subway.

Read a map. type in your locations into Google Maps, and choose the train, and see what results you get. Study it, and it'll all click.

M

Whoops! Excellent piece of first advice - and it did make me smile too.

I have found (from endless searching) a route planner, so I'll start planning my journeys. The exits to subways (see I'm talking the language already ) looks confusing too... Will have to make a note of the correct exits.

We are there for 4 days, is there a daily pass that allows travel on all subways? Or is it best to pay-as-you-go?

Neil49

74jax wrote: »

Learning the Metro.....

Would I be better making a list of where I want to visit and learning if they are uptown/downtown/midtown etc or is there another way of learning the metro system. It doesn't seem as easy as the London underground - maybe I'm wrong?

The biggest problem we found was the lack of signs once you get onto the platforms. On the London Underground you get to the platform and see a large map on the wall with a kist of stations. On the subway you get absolutely nothing.

Even worse, you get trains either side of the platform with one being Express which only stops at certain stations. The problem is working out which stations are Express. You get announcement in an accent you can't understand and possibly hear that the train is stopping at the station you want. We were at 42nd (Time Sq) and wanted to go to 72nd for the Dakota Building. We thought they said it was stopping there but it went at high speed all the way to 125th which is in Harlem. Fortunately a local put is right and we headed back on a stopper.

As far as subway exits go, don't even bother trying to plan in advance, just get an idea in your head of where you want to be in terms of building, location or north, south, east , west. Also be aware that, for example, although you may be travelling to 34th St (Macy's and Empire State Bldg), the ACE, 123 and BDFM line station exits are all different. ACE is on 8th, 123 is at Penn Station on 7th and BDFM at Herald Sq on 6th.

I think it is fair to say we found the subway very confusing at first (and also very hot which didn't help our frustration with the setup). We are going back this May and are now well prepared mentally to cope with how it is set up.

Have a great time.

74jax

Thanks both. I have found this on TripAdvisor which details the Subway and also has photos too.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bF2hkAUfXxkq-LYCAQWuNFALJ_LQTzvzm6nPW2c-RCA/edit?pli=1

Obviously scroll down to page 2, don't buy on page 1

M4RKM

74jax wrote: »

Whoops! Excellent piece of first advice - and it did make me smile too.

I have found (from endless searching) a route planner, so I'll start planning my journeys. The exits to subways (see I'm talking the language already ) looks confusing too... Will have to make a note of the correct exits.

We are there for 4 days, is there a daily pass that allows travel on all subways? Or is it best to pay-as-you-go?

I use google maps or Embark NYC (on iphone) as my route planner. they both work very well.

4 days is a fine line. It's $31 for a week pass, or it is $2.25 per ride. If you do more than 12 rides in the 4 days, you'll be better off with a subway pass.

Now onto some training....

Neil49 wrote: »

The biggest problem we found was the lack of signs once you get onto the platforms. On the London Underground you get to the platform and see a large map on the wall with a kist of stations. On the subway you get absolutely nothing.

This I feel is a myth. I've never failed to look at a Subway Map at all subway stations. The biggest difference is that a lot of NYC Platforms are island platforms, so there are no walls.

There are maps in every station before you enter, showing the local area, and also the whole subway system. There are maps on the platform.

Above you on the platform, you have signs for the trains that will stop on that Platform. It will show you the train number, and the direction you're heading.

Neil49 wrote: »

Even worse, you get trains either side of the platform with one being Express which only stops at certain stations. The problem is working out which stations are Express. You get announcement in an accent you can't understand and possibly hear that the train is stopping at the station you want. We were at 42nd (Time Sq) and wanted to go to 72nd for the Dakota Building. We thought they said it was stopping there but it went at high speed all the way to 125th which is in Harlem. Fortunately a local put is right and we headed back on a stopper.

Stations are clearly marked on the map with a Black/White Circle for an Express Stop. Black Circles only are local stops. The official Subway Map should make it easy. There are number next to the dots, which denote the trains that stop there.

Looking at 42nd Street / Times Square, and heading Uptown, to 72nd. I look at the 72nd Street nearest the Dakota Building, and see a black dot, with B or C next to it. Hmm. i can't get that from 42nd Street / Times Square. So, across a few blocks is a White and Black Circle, with 1,2,3 on it. So I can get all trains there.



I think the local told you wrongly, however, I will always recommend that people who are new to the Subway to always get local trains, so you can't make a mistake, and plan journeys with a tool such as HopStop, Embark, Google Maps etc.

Neil49 wrote: »

As far as subway exits go, don't even bother trying to plan in advance, just get an idea in your head of where you want to be in terms of building, location or north, south, east , west. Also be aware that, for example, although you may be travelling to 34th St (Macy's and Empire State Bldg), the ACE, 123 and BDFM line station exits are all different. ACE is on 8th, 123 is at Penn Station on 7th and BDFM at Herald Sq on 6th.

They are not all different exits, they are different stations. It is clearly marked on the Subway Map where they are, and there isn't an interchange between any of these stations. This is why I always encourage people to read the Subway Map. This image here shows how clear it is.



So, you want to go to Macys, well you can either go to Herald Square, or you can go to Penn Station. So you wouldn't go to the A/C/E trains at all. Knowing where you're going is a much better idea than guessing and ending up at the wrong station. Canal Street is another example of multiple stations with the same name. They're all different stations.

This is what confuses people because they're so used to everything having a different name on a subway stop, but also it sometimes hinders them in London. A great game in London to play is to race someone from Great Portland Street Station to Regent's Park Station.



Locals know that's a 3 minute walk away. Tourists will take a train to Baker Street, and then another train to Regent's Park Station

I travel the London Underground nearly daily, and have to stay that the NYC Subway is just as easy to use, and a damn sight cheaper too. Yes platforms can get hot in summer, but that's no different to London. Trains in London are hot in summer, but at least NYC they're all air conditioned.

Hope that is of some use. Do ask questions, ask me for the route I'd take when you're planning, I'm more than willing to help, and you'll get to grips with it before you're even there.

M

74jax

M4RKM wrote: »

Hope that is of some use. Do ask questions, ask me for the route I'd take when you're planning,

M

Thanks M, (ooo I feel like James Bond - but a female version.....)

I think I'll get some main places to visit, plan my route and then ask you if the routes are ok, so I then know if I'm 'kinda' right in what I'm doing :j

I think I need to plan and get my head round it, and use hopstop to plan and not think it's sooooo bad.

pompeyrich

If you arrive at JFK and connect with the Subway at the Jamaica stop on the Airtrain, there is a little kiosk selling papers, drinks etc. just before the exit gates. Buy your Metrocard from there and you will save the $1 fee that you pay at the station itself.

We bought a week pass for $30 and used it for transfers from JFK and back, extra $5 for the airtrain each way on top, a trip to the WTC and SOL a bus to the SOL at night and a trip from Brooklyn after walking the bridge. Probably broke even over our stay, 4 days but saved faffing about reloading the card etc.

We found the subway fairly easy to use, although we felt the on platform info less comprehensive than the tube, no train arrival signs or times, some stations announced arrivals over the tannoy but they were along the lines of "the next uptown local train is now arriving" rather than the 1st 2nd 3rd train displays of London. We also felt the station entrances were not as obvious as they are in London, some entrances were just stairs on a street corner with limited signage from the main road. Our hotel was closest to 42nd St PA bus term station but there was an entrance/exit at 44th St which was right by the hotel door, we soon learned which carriage to sit in to end up at the nearest exit.

Neil49

M4RKM wrote: »

I use google maps or Embark NYC (on iphone) as my route planner. they both work very well.

4 days is a fine line. It's $31 for a week pass, or it is $2.25 per ride. If you do more than 12 rides in the 4 days, you'll be better off with a subway pass.

Now onto some training....



This I feel is a myth. I've never failed to look at a Subway Map at all subway stations. The biggest difference is that a lot of NYC Platforms are island platforms, so there are no walls.

There are maps in every station before you enter, showing the local area, and also the whole subway system. There are maps on the platform.

Above you on the platform, you have signs for the trains that will stop on that Platform. It will show you the train number, and the direction you're heading.




Stations are clearly marked on the map with a Black/White Circle for an Express Stop. Black Circles only are local stops. The official Subway Map should make it easy. There are number next to the dots, which denote the trains that stop there.

Looking at 42nd Street / Times Square, and heading Uptown, to 72nd. I look at the 72nd Street nearest the Dakota Building, and see a black dot, with B or C next to it. Hmm. i can't get that from 42nd Street / Times Square. So, across a few blocks is a White and Black Circle, with 1,2,3 on it. So I can get all trains there.



I think the local told you wrongly, however, I will always recommend that people who are new to the Subway to always get local trains, so you can't make a mistake, and plan journeys with a tool such as HopStop, Embark, Google Maps etc.



They are not all different exits, they are different stations. It is clearly marked on the Subway Map where they are, and there isn't an interchange between any of these stations. This is why I always encourage people to read the Subway Map. This image here shows how clear it is.



So, you want to go to Macys, well you can either go to Herald Square, or you can go to Penn Station. So you wouldn't go to the A/C/E trains at all. Knowing where you're going is a much better idea than guessing and ending up at the wrong station. Canal Street is another example of multiple stations with the same name. They're all different stations.

This is what confuses people because they're so used to everything having a different name on a subway stop, but also it sometimes hinders them in London. A great game in London to play is to race someone from Great Portland Street Station to Regent's Park Station.



Locals know that's a 3 minute walk away. Tourists will take a train to Baker Street, and then another train to Regent's Park Station

I travel the London Underground nearly daily, and have to stay that the NYC Subway is just as easy to use, and a damn sight cheaper too. Yes platforms can get hot in summer, but that's no different to London. Trains in London are hot in summer, but at least NYC they're all air conditioned.

Hope that is of some use. Do ask questions, ask me for the route I'd take when you're planning, I'm more than willing to help, and you'll get to grips with it before you're even there.

M

Having been to NY I can appreciate what you are saying, however, for a NY newbie (which is what we were when we visited last year) it can be quite confusing. We are now aware to watch out for Express services but weren't aware that the black/white circles at stations represented Express stops ( so thanks for that).

It can be quite a culture shock on your first visit if you are used to the London Underground but we are now well prepared for our return in May.

Many thanks for your comments which have both been very useful for me and, I am sure, to others on this site who are preparing to visit NY.

snowydogh

Hi all

Looking for some advice. I've been to New York 3 times ... Twice stayed in Affinia Manhatten (pre renovations) and once in Essex House on Central Park Aveneue

I want to try another hotel but I'm a bit indecisive and have a few on the list. Going on St Patricks day too.

Booking on expedia and all the hotels I list below are within my price range. I just am spoilt for choice....if anyone would like to give me your thoughts if you have stayed at any of them (I don't mind the hustle and bustle of Times Square FYI).

- crowned Plaza times sq
- hotel metro
- st Giles hotel
- Novotel Times Square
- Affinia dumont
- millennium broadway
- the kitano
- the Roosevelt
- the Iroquois
- the Algonquin
- Affinia shelburne
- staybridge suites

We use the subway a lot while there so somewhere handy to go downtown. Would also like a room with a view ... I think it's the Novotel where you can choose a room between floors 21-34 or something like that. The hotel metro has breakfast included and is in a good distance to macys etc

I'm just pretty confused now. I'm probably leaning on the side of Novotel but I'd like to see others opinions first.

Would prefer a relatively spacious (I know this is New York however all 3 times I've been I've had a spacious room)...

Anyway, you guys have the floor now....l

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me

Stephb1986_2

We booked our honeymoon tonight


29th November from Manchester to Heathrow to JFK flying with BA

Hotel we're staying at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York Midtown Manhattan/Fifth Avenue costing $2443 for the king studio with city view


Flying back on the 6th from JFK to Heathrow to Manchester in Premium Economy £922 Total costs of flights are £1,518.76


Steph x

richardw

Stephb1986 wrote: »

...Hotel we're staying at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York Midtown Manhattan/Fifth Avenue..

That's a good location, bang in the middle of things!