|
|
Transportation Tips
 |
When booking air travel to New York, remember to check fares and schedules for all three major airports serving the city -- John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty across the Hudson River in New Jersey (EWR). All three are reasonably close to Manhattan, with various options for ground transportation into the city. All are managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which provides flight information and transportation directories on its Web site at www.panynj.gov.
Within the city, your best bet for local transportation is to use a combination of subways, taxis or car services, and just plain walking. In fine weather, traveling on foot is often the most appealing option for shorter jaunts in Manhattan, particularly during commute hours when trains are jammed and surface streets are gridlocked. For longer journeys, the subway offers a fast and safe alternative, with fares paid using stored-value tickets called MetroCards, available from vending machines and ticket booths in the stations. The cost is $2 per ride, or $10 for a six-ride card. If you'll be riding the subway more than a three times a day, pick up a one-day ($7) or seven-day ($24) unlimited-ride MetroCard. Remember that unlimited-ride cards can be used by only one passenger per ride, while several passengers can share a single pay-per-ride card.
When boarding the subway from a station served by multiple lines, pay close attention to the signs on the trains that identify the line and destination, and note the difference between local trains and express trains that make limited stops. Bus and subway maps are available online at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Web site (www.mta.nyc.ny.us), though you'll probably want to get hold of a paper map to carry with you. There's also a free commercial route planning service called HopStop (www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork) that delivers point-to-point subway and bus routes on the Web or via text-enabled mobile phones.
Outside of rush hour it's usually not difficult to flag down a taxi in Manhattan, and for shorter rides, the cost is comparable to riding the subway if three or four people share a cab. The metered fares can really add up for longer rides, however, and you'll have to pay any bridge or tunnel tolls if you leave Manhattan. Except for obvious destinations like Grand Central Station or Lincoln Center, you can't always expect drivers to know the location of a particular restaurant or street address -- instead, name the intersecting streets near your destination, as in “23rd and Broadway†or “59th between Lexington and Third.â€
Unmetered car services can be a good alternative to taxis for airport transfers or trips to and from the outer boroughs. Car services must be booked in advance by phone, with prices generally comparable to the cost of yellow cabs. The quality varies, so ask your New York friends, business associates or a hotel concierge to recommend a good service.
|
|
|