Help for my first visit to US - NYC in August
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:16 PM
#1
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Help for my first visit to US - NYC in August
Hi Everybody. Im Brazilian and I would like some hints about NY. I would like to know the safest way to leave JFK airport since Ill be alone and If You know which area is better for me to book hostels or if You know some nice hostels to tell me. Can I use my drivers licence there, since it is not in English? Which areas shouldnt I go to visit because its not safe for a woman? Thank You all.
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:57 PM
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Well - all tourist areas of NYC are safe - it's the safest large city in the country. (I wouldn't wander down dark alleys alone at 3 am - but then that's not really safe anywhere).
Your choices from JFK into the city are:
cab ($45 flat fee plus tip and toll for a total of about $60)
shuttle bus (various options - check the JFK web site for details) - the ones that take you direct to your hotel can take a VERY long time since they may stop at many hotels
public transit (AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica, where you change to the subway or the LIRR to Penn Station - then walk or subway or cab depending on where your hotel is). this is cheapest and perfectly safe but not good if you have a LOT of luggage.
If you do a search below on NYC hostels there is some info. You can also google for a list. I know of one near where I live - 103rd and Amsterdam. Mostly young european backpackers who seem happy with it. I believe $35 per night in a bed in a shared room with locker.
You won't need your driver lic since cars are useless in NYC - there's never any place to park them on the street and garages are very expensive. Plus cars are at least $100 per day. Your best transit option is feet for short distances and subway for longer ones.
(If you are contemplating driving outside the city let us know the details and we can make suggestions.)
Your choices from JFK into the city are:
cab ($45 flat fee plus tip and toll for a total of about $60)
shuttle bus (various options - check the JFK web site for details) - the ones that take you direct to your hotel can take a VERY long time since they may stop at many hotels
public transit (AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica, where you change to the subway or the LIRR to Penn Station - then walk or subway or cab depending on where your hotel is). this is cheapest and perfectly safe but not good if you have a LOT of luggage.
If you do a search below on NYC hostels there is some info. You can also google for a list. I know of one near where I live - 103rd and Amsterdam. Mostly young european backpackers who seem happy with it. I believe $35 per night in a bed in a shared room with locker.
You won't need your driver lic since cars are useless in NYC - there's never any place to park them on the street and garages are very expensive. Plus cars are at least $100 per day. Your best transit option is feet for short distances and subway for longer ones.
(If you are contemplating driving outside the city let us know the details and we can make suggestions.)
Jul 10th, 2006, 10:10 PM
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Hi
My wife and I went to NYC for the first time in the summer of 2004. I have posted a trip report with some pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/new_york_city_trip_report.htm
Maybe you can find some useful info there. Get in touch if you have questions or comments
Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway
My wife and I went to NYC for the first time in the summer of 2004. I have posted a trip report with some pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/new_york_city_trip_report.htm
Maybe you can find some useful info there. Get in touch if you have questions or commentsRegards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway
Jul 11th, 2006, 03:20 AM
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The hostel that gets the highest ratings is Hostelling International.
http://www.hinewyork.org/
It's in an area called the upper westside not far from Columbia University. It's not as centrally located as others though. They have some private rooms but mostly dorms.
But maybe a better idea for you is staying in one of the women's residences where you'd get a private room and some meals included. There are restrictions about guests in your room etc. Here are websites for 3. The first is also on the upper westside
http://www.thebrandon.org/
http://www.websterapartments.org/
http://www.sacredheartresidence.com/
The Westside YMCA is another hostel option. Look for hostel listings and reviews on hostelz.com
You can use your drivers license but you shouldn't need to since the public transport system is very good. The only reason to rent a car is if you want to go outside the city.
The only NOT safe way to travel from the airport is to accept a ride from someone who offers you a ride/taxi that's not a licensed yellow taxi. The most convenient way to travel is a taxi from the taxi line.
http://www.hinewyork.org/
It's in an area called the upper westside not far from Columbia University. It's not as centrally located as others though. They have some private rooms but mostly dorms.
But maybe a better idea for you is staying in one of the women's residences where you'd get a private room and some meals included. There are restrictions about guests in your room etc. Here are websites for 3. The first is also on the upper westside
http://www.thebrandon.org/
http://www.websterapartments.org/
http://www.sacredheartresidence.com/
The Westside YMCA is another hostel option. Look for hostel listings and reviews on hostelz.com
You can use your drivers license but you shouldn't need to since the public transport system is very good. The only reason to rent a car is if you want to go outside the city.
The only NOT safe way to travel from the airport is to accept a ride from someone who offers you a ride/taxi that's not a licensed yellow taxi. The most convenient way to travel is a taxi from the taxi line.
Jul 11th, 2006, 03:36 AM
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The quickest, least expensive way to get to Manhattan is to take an express bus. They go directly from the airport to Manhattan, and cost $15. Once you are in Manhattan you can easily get a subway, taxi, or even walk to your hotel, if it is near the bus station.
The express buses differ depending on which Manhattan bus station they use. I think each bus goes to only one station, so you have to be careful to board the right bus. These are the 3 bus stations:
1. Port Authority, at 42nd Street & 8th Avenue
2. Grand Central Terminal, at 42nd street
3. Penn Station at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue
These buses all run frequently. I've taken the bus that goes to Grand Central Station, and it was a very comfortable ride.
For more information go to http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsfram.htm .
The express buses differ depending on which Manhattan bus station they use. I think each bus goes to only one station, so you have to be careful to board the right bus. These are the 3 bus stations:
1. Port Authority, at 42nd Street & 8th Avenue
2. Grand Central Terminal, at 42nd street
3. Penn Station at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue
These buses all run frequently. I've taken the bus that goes to Grand Central Station, and it was a very comfortable ride.
For more information go to http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsfram.htm .
