Everything & Anything New York City

SW17

elflaede wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Tripadvisor is a bit mixed on the reviews which has me a bit worried but the rate was $209 + tax for June which seems very good.

Assuming the price is per room, I would say that's a good price for that property and location, and June is a great time to visit NYC.

stewby

Hi there... Currently reading through the thread (there is a lot of info) as I am really hoping we can get to New York in April.

We have found a few trips (flights from aberdeen - new york + hotel) for approximately £1700 and I was curious if this was a good price or if there will be better prices coming up.

The deals are all on exp3d1a and the hotels rate 4/5 and upwards in the guest ratings thing.
The dates are 27th April - 2nd May 2015.

Based on your experiences and knowledge, will there be better prices come up nearer the time??
Thanks in advance for any information and response.

greenface

stewby wrote: »

Hi there... Currently reading through the thread (there is a lot of info) as I am really hoping we can get to New York in April.

We have found a few trips (flights from aberdeen - new york + hotel) for approximately £1700 and I was curious if this was a good price or if there will be better prices coming up.

The deals are all on exp3d1a and the hotels rate 4/5 and upwards in the guest ratings thing.
The dates are 27th April - 2nd May 2015.

Based on your experiences and knowledge, will there be better prices come up nearer the time??
Thanks in advance for any information and response.

If its for one that's expensive. for two about right for 3 good for 4 great .

stewby

Oops, sorry. That's for two people.

struckbyastar

Hi, I fly to New York for the first time on the 19th of this month and it's all been quite rushed to sort out (long story) however there are two things i'm still struggling with.

The first is cash. I work summers abroad in different countries where I'm often required to bank with a local bank so I'm not keen on opening yet another account for a weeks holiday. I have a halifax debit card and a Metrobank mastercard debit and have found the metrobank card has done me well with atm charges but I can't get to grips with how it works in the US!

Second is trips and the variety of New York visitor passes. I've looked at all the threads and sites and we've decided that we definitely want to do the ESB to the top level and TOTR, as well as SOL to the crown (I know, I know, it's going to be cold up there...but it's a once in a lifetime trip.) Apart from that, we don't have any other sites we're desperate to see (apart from the obvious,shopping and seeing shows!). Looking at the passes, they don't seem to cover the extra levels at ESB and SOL but they do work out to save money. Any opinions on whether the top level of ESB is really a must see? or about maybe getting the crown as an add on?

Sorry if I have missed info on this posted earlier in the threads..but it's been a lot of reading and a lot to take in!

greenface

Your bank cards will be OK and easy usable . do you have /need a ESTA ? I would look if there is space for the crown when your there and book a slot IMHO . I don't know if you want or need to do the ESB and totr . I prefere the totr as you get a better view . less rushed you can see the park and more important the ESB . don't know about best pass package .

PeacefulWaters

struckbyastar wrote: »

The first is cash. I work summers abroad in different countries where I'm often required to bank with a local bank so I'm not keen on opening yet another account for a weeks holiday. I have a halifax debit card and a Metrobank mastercard debit and have found the metrobank card has done me well with atm charges but I can't get to grips with how it works in the US!

Take your Halifax card and don't use it. It's expensive so it's your back up card.

Your Metro Bank card with add 1.90% to the cost of each ATM withdrawal or purchase transaction. Prioritise this for use.

Consider getting a Halifax Clarity card for any future use outside Europe.

Second is trips and the variety of New York visitor passes. I've looked at all the threads and sites and we've decided that we definitely want to do the ESB to the top level and TOTR, as well as SOL to the crown (I know, I know, it's going to be cold up there...but it's a once in a lifetime trip.) Apart from that, we don't have any other sites we're desperate to see (apart from the obvious,shopping and seeing shows!). Looking at the passes, they don't seem to cover the extra levels at ESB and SOL but they do work out to save money. Any opinions on whether the top level of ESB is really a must see? or about maybe getting the crown as an add on?

I would prioritise TOTR but enjoyed both.

Use google maps to prioritise and order your walking. Consider use of the yellow river taxis (around $30 a say each IIRC) if you want to do multiple stops (Brooklyn Bridge, Wall St, WTC etc) and get fairly close to the Statue of Liberty. Alternatively a queue and the free Staten Island Ferry can do that.

SW17

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Take your Halifax card and don't use it. It's expensive so it's your back up card.

Your Metro Bank card with add 1.90% to the cost of each ATM withdrawal or purchase transaction. Prioritise this for use.

Consider getting a Halifax Clarity card for any future use outside Europe.

I would prioritise TOTR but enjoyed both.

Small point, Metro Bank card charge outside Europe is 1.9% for purchases, 1.9%+£1 per transaction for ATM withdrawals. As PeacefulWaters says, will still be cheaper than your Halifax Debit.

Agree that the view from TOTR probably has the edge, but have a soft spot for the ESB and its history, and if it's "once in a lifetime" you may regret not doing it at all. Maybe you don't need to go to the very top of ESB if you're doing both, but easy for me to say having already done it.

I would take the advice above from greenface and check/book in advance if you want to go in the crown at Statue of Liberty. Apparently it's pretty busy these days, though I did it many years ago so not sure.

For passes, they can be good value, but only buy one if you really want to do enough of the included attractions to make them pay, otherwise a false economy. ESB and TOTR probably not enough to make it worthwhile, and not sure if they include Liberty (probably not the crown).

HHarry

The Crown tour for the Statue of Liberty gets booked up months in advance, so you may be lucky to get a ticket now.

We did ToTR and ESB last week. The view from ToTR is much better as you get to see the ESB in all it's glory. And the queues to get up are much quicker (15mins once you've got your ticket, as opposed to 1hr45 at the ESB)

If you're only going to do two or three attractions then the passes only just break even. And in some cases you still have to visit the attraction, get your entry ticket for a specific time, and then come back.

vanilla8

I've only booked my crown tickets for the 20th Jan this week so you may be lucky if you book now