New York City Break

Thenotsowyzewun

Hi,

Me and the Missus really deserve a holiday, haven't had one for over a year.
So, we've just spent the last few hours (its 3:30!!) scouring the web for a deal we can afford.
Anyway, I'm going to be cheeky with this post and say look this is what we'd like, can you help.
We don't drive, and taxis are time and money so I'm guessing the more central the better (with regards to hotel).
Neither of us are employed (we're self-employed :P) so dates don't matter, although we're looking to go within 10 days or so.
3 - 10 days. I know that's vague, but the cost of extra days seems very low...
Ideally, flights arriving AM NY Time and leaving PM NY Time, to give us the most days!
We need to go out aswell, so ideas of where's good to eat, or discount cards that'll get us entry to lots of attractions, and whathaveyou, these suggestions are welcome too!!

Thanks very much, going to go on Teletext now!

Duncan

peterg1965

You will find that most flights to NYC from UK leave in the morning UK time and arrive early/mid Eastern US standard time. 5hr time difference and roughly 8 hr flight. It is very easy to get transfers from JFK/EWR or La guardia into the city centre - Taxi's, pre booked limo, bus, or mini bus shared service, depends on how much you want to pay. Hotels, stay in Manhattan and you are at the centre of the action, transport around the city by walking, taxi or subway is very simple and easy. I have stayed in a Hotel just off Times Sq and also just south of Central Park. It makes little difference really, there are some great hotels at budget prices and some really good hotels at v expensive prices. Depends on yr budget. Eating is good value, provided you stay away from hotels. Flights - plenty of bargains about at the mo i would guess. You need to get onto Expedia or Airline entwork and build yourself a little package. They also add on transfers, tours, attraction tickets etc.

To make sure the hotel is just what you want and is recommended by fellow travellers check out https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk also a great time to go with the exchange rate being nearly $2 to the £.

Good luck and have a great holiday.

lily_the_pink

If going BA, then book direct as usually a bit cheaper than going through expedia plus you will be able to do OLCI and prebook seats (saving time at airport) (not sure whether you can do this when you go through 3rd party).

BA have a sale on so if you book prior to Tuesday you can get a return for a theoretical £199 - however, going out on a morning flight and coming back on an evening flight (arriving back UK in the morning of following day) will cost an extra £40. eg Going out 9:10am from Heathrow, arriving Newark 12.05pm pm on14th Feb, coming back on Monday 19th at 20:45 from Newark, arriving back 08:40 Heathrow on the Tuesday = £237.

HAve a good ole shop around for the hotels - if you book with expedia you can get cashback through quidco (4% I think - not much but it adds up). Hotwire.com sometimes has some decent prices (you only know hotel once you book) or look on priceline (have a look at www.betterbidding.com for detailed info on these sites and what the mystery hotels could be).

If you want something good I would say budget around £100 upwards per night (you may get something for less though). If you can make do with 2 star or even share bathrooms then you will find something considerably cheaper. There are some decentish hostels with private bathrooms but you may find the price differential between that and a decent 3* hotel means you would rather pay the extra for somewhere a bit more comfortable.

On the upside transport (or rather metro and buses) is cheap and you can eat well for not much money. Buy a pair of levis each, some underwear from one of the outlets and other bits and pieces and the savings will go someway towards the cost of the hotel. (as long as you need to buy levis and underwear). The new york pass and the city pass will cut the costs of visiting the main attractions (I got the city pass as I wanted to visit the moma and the guggenheim otherwise the New York pass might be better value).

Louisa_Jane_2

Have a look on here http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g60763-New_York_City_New_York-Vacations.html-
Sorry, just reread other posts and seen trip advisor is already mentioned.

alison74

Do a search on this forum, a lot of questions have been asked about New York over the last week.

If you are planning to go in the next 10 days or so, be prepared for how COLD New York will be. It's FREEZING at this time of year, but no less fun and sometimes the crisp clear days are the best views, but at the top of teh Empire State and Top of the Rock etc, even with your hat and ear muffs on (believe me, you will end up buying a pair off the street ) it is cold.

Apart from that, have a great time, check out old threads on this forum and be armed with some great info and tips.

garybuk

I fly to the states about 5 times a year.

Fly to EWR (Newark Liberty) in New Jersey, its only a few miles across the hudson river to Manhattan, although some taxis will charge you for the toll (depending on the route). however if you pre-book with a minivan service they will include the cost. It really is worth it as most of the time the cost is much cheaper than JFK and the traffic is so much easier, thanks to the Route interchange right outside the airport.