Getting around in NYC

Old Jul 30th, 2015, 06:42 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Getting around in NYC

HI, I have my itinerary set for a 3 day trip with my mom and sister to NYC. I am not sure what the best mode of transportation is while we are there. We plan to walk quite a bit from place to place, but I'm sure there are places that we will need to take transportation. Is it safe to take the subway? Are the cost of taxis reasonable or crazy expensive? If we take a taxi cab, what is the average tip?

My biggest question: What is the best way to get from Laguardia airport to our Times Square hotel? I'm not crazy about taking a shared van as this will probably take too long. If we choose to take a taxi, about how much would the fare be and do I have to make reservations in advance? Should a book a car service?

Thanks all!
staci1 is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2015, 07:15 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

Considering that millions of New Yorkers do it every year, yes.

NEW YORK IS THE SAFEST LARGE CITY IN THE UNITED STATES, even now despite DeBlasio's best efforts.

For cabs: http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=NY
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2015, 07:28 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can just hop in a cab at the airport. There is an official taxi line with a dispatcher. You must pay the fare, the bridge or tunnel toll and a 20% tip. For 3 people a taxi is probably not more than a shuttle. Taxi fare should be $35 to $40 depending on time of day, traffic, construction, etc.

Or you can contact one of the car services and get a fixed quote for the trip - also plus toll and tip. The two largest are Carmel and Dial 7. Go to the website to get a discount coupon and make a reservation. When your plane lands you call them and they will have a car pull up outside to pick you up by the time you get your luggage. Note: for security reasons they can;t sit outside the terminal so you need to go right outside and get in the car - the driver will not come in for you.

As for moving around the city:

Yes, the subway is safe and fast - but can be VERY crowded at rush hour

For 3 people a cab will not be outrageous if you are too tired or hot/cold (depending on when you are here).

For info on costs go to hopstop.com and insert your departure and arrival addresses and you will be given an estimated taxi fare (but again you add 20% tip).
nytraveler is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2015, 07:36 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Vehicular traffic in Manhattan is 100% unbelievable. It can take 30 minutes to go a few blocks during certain hours of the day (on busy streets). Taxis can get expensive even for a short distance. The average tip in a taxi is 15% to 20% (like in a restaurant).


The subway is very safe just take reasonable caution and not flash money, jewelry, cell phones, iphones etc and pay attention to your surroundings.

The best way from LGA to Times Square would be a taxi or a car service or shuttle bus - http://www.nycairporter.com/).

The shuttle bus is $13.00 per person and will leave you at 42nd St- Bryant Park (42nd St-6th Av).

There is a public transportation option (if you have a lot of luggage I would skip this one):

From LAG take the Q70 bus to 74th St-Roosevelt Av-Broadway. Take the 7 train (elevated) or R train (underground) to 42nd St-Times Square. The bus fare is $2.75 per person in coins or MetroCard. You should be able to purchase a MetroCard (at least a $5.50 card) from one of the newsstands in the airport or You can purchase MetroCard at MetroCard Vending Machines inside Terminals B, C, and D in LaGuardia Airport (note there is a $1.00 fee for the purchase of a new MetroCard from a MetroCard Vending Machine but the card can be used for up to 4 people and can be refilled as often as needed. http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/New...e_brochure.htm
If you use a MetroCard on the bus then you will automatically get a free transfer to the subway.
nycguy10002 is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2015, 07:45 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The subways are the fastest ways to go north/south. There are just a few subway routes that go east/west.

Here is the map.

http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html

It sounds like everyone is pretty agile, as most subway stops do not have elevators or escalators and even then they can be unreliable.

The subways are extremely safe as opposed 30-35 years ago, readership continues to increase and even late at night at the major stations, there are incredible amounts of people.

The buses can take a long time and whatever you do not take the 2nd Ave bus above 57th St, the construction for the subway line creates monumental traffic jams.

OTOH, buses are nice, because you can see parts of the City at a mere fraction of the cost of what the HOHO buses charge.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2015, 08:05 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 18,512
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When I visit NYC, my hometown, I use the subway only as a last choice. Safety is not the issue. I like surface transportation because I can see the city and would rather not spend the time underground. Taxis work for me most of the time and if a but is going in your direction, that could be good too if not too crowded.

Mostly, I walk. My cutoff is usually no more than 30-35 blocks north south, I find it enjoyable. The north south streets are much shorter than east west. Walking all of the cross town should take about the same time as 30-35 blocks north south.

Don't forget to walk in Central Park some.
basingstoke2 is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2015, 10:29 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you so much for all of your help! I will check out the links provided. We are looking forward our trip.
staci1 is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2015, 12:09 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My fave bus route in Manhattan is M6. I hop on it at WTC site, and go to Central Park. It goes thru all the hot spots in da city.

http://web.mta.info/nyct/bus/schedule/manh/m006cur.pdf
POMAH is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2015, 04:11 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The subway is fantastic. If you only have 3 days and a lot of ground to cover, why waste it sitting in traffic? Fares are $2.75 for each trip and you can use your fare card to transfer to a connecting bus. If you go to this website: www.mta.info, you can plug in your starting and ending points and it will tell you which lines to take.
stricky is offline  
Old Aug 6th, 2015, 03:26 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If only 3 days in NYC, don't get 7day metro cards; a $10 or $20 will do fine as you get transfers within 2hours too.

Oh, and NYC buses do NOT accept paper bills!
POMAH is offline  
Old Aug 7th, 2015, 08:56 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

Wondering about the connection between increasing readers and safety on subway . . .
BigRuss is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
chnaman
United States
31
Jul 9th, 2012 08:10 AM
donnap
United States
17
Oct 12th, 2010 09:11 AM
dfotravels
United States
5
Jun 19th, 2009 03:53 PM
Cole
United States
5
Aug 27th, 2007 04:52 AM
brighton_blue
United States
10
May 4th, 2007 10:39 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -