Travelkitty

I'll be visiting NY soon, and part of my trip will involve visiting friends in the suburbs about 50 minutes from mid-town Manhattan. I'll have a lot of things with me, and wanted to take a car service instead of dealing with the commuter train. I've looked online and identified a number of services, including Dial and Carmel, but it's hard to tell anything from just the website.

Does anyone have a recommendation of a reliable car service that is easy for a first time user?

J62

Call up Carmel or Dial 7 and tell them where you want to go, they'll tell you the price and pick you up when and where you want. QED.

If you're headed North then metro north RR from Grand Central is easy to use even if you have a lot of things. If you have a couple of suitcases that you can manage with your 2 hands then certainly consider the train. If you want tips write back and we'll try to help you out.

If you have more than you can manage with two hands then you are wise to consider a car service. 50mi radius puts you into Western CT, northern Westchester co, the middle of Long Island, or just about anywhere in NJ. You should expect to pay $150 or more.

Travelkitty

Thanks. I'll not only have a lot of stuff, I'll be travelling later at night and I don't want to ask my friends to have to come meet me at the train station. I figure that I'm saving a lot by staying with them for a few days instead of at a hotel, so that will cover the car service.

nytraveler

Dial and Carmel are both reliable. But do realize they are car services - not limousines. You will get a dark sedan that is clean and neat - but not necessarily new and drivers don;t usually wear suits. On top of the fare quoted you need to pay any tolls plus a tip (20% of fare is usual - esp if they are helping you with a bunch of luggage).

Also - definitely know exactly where you're going and how to get there. Beyond the airports they operate by GPS - since they can't know all of the suburbs - and GPS' often show some very odd routes.

mclaurie

Dial7 and Carmel are "cheap and cheerful" services that specialize in airport to Manhattan service and in city service. To get to a suburban area, very often there are local services from that area that are best as they know their way around. I'd suggest you ask your friends if they can recommend a local company and if not, have a look online in their home area or tell us where it is. A good co. to go to suburban New Jersey is not going to be the same good co. to go to Westchester or Ct.