returntoyourseat

Seven people and luggage - do you have recommendation. Thank you

doug_stallings

You can book a van or you can take two regular taxis. It's hard to know which will be cheaper, so you should price both with a company like Dial 7. You could also book a whole van with SuperShuttle. I don't normally recommend SuperShuttle, which has abysmal service in NYC, but this would be a private transfer.

happytrailstoyou

Perhaps you need a van service such as this: http://www.luxorlimo.com/our-fleet/m...8bJBoC_0Xw_wcB

HTtY

nytraveler

Dial 7 and Carmel are the two largest car services in the city - so I would contact them to determine what they would charge for your group and luggage (be sure to tell them realistically how much luggage you will have so they can determine if a large sUV will work or if you will need a van. Then compare with the cost of 2 taxis (about $70 each which is the $52 flat fee plus bridge or tunnel toll and 20% tip). If you go with the 2 taxi route be sure your luggage will fit. (I was in line at Penn Station behind 4 young women who wanted to take one taxi - but they had SO much luggage - 4 enormous body bags, 2 or 3 carry-ons each, a couple being large duffles, plus purses and they had to hire a 3rd cab just to hold the excess luggage).

You might do better to get a private superShuttle (but do NOT agree to share with anyone else - since they are notorious for driving people around in traffic forever dropping at numerous hotels.

There are also airporter buses to central locations but I believe they charge about $20 each - so $140 just for that, then you would have to get several cabs to get to your hotel - unless it's immediately adjacent to Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station.

There are also public transit options (Air Train plus LIRR to Penn station at about $11 per person but you need to take charge of you own luggge through stations and up and down escalators - or subway at $7.50 each - but that would mean hauling your own luggage up and down stairs) and both would then involve getting cabs or subways to your hotel.

For the best response it would help to know how much luggage you have and how willing or able you are to handle your own luggage on public transit.

IMHO - we o only cab or car service - I am past the age of being pack mule woman on subways - although we take subways all the time when not hauling luggage.

happytrailstoyou

I am past the age of being pack mule woman on subways - although we take subways all the time when not hauling luggage.

I'm with you on this. In Seattle, my jaw drops when I see pulled-together people of a certain age dragging their luggage for blocks from high-priced hotels to the Westlake stop for the light rail train to SeaTac.

HTtY

toddpeterson

Hello returntoyourseat! Why not try corporate car service? How about http://presidentialluxurylimo.com/? My sister in law once asked me to book her an airport shuttle and the limo service did a great job. When she arrived at the airport the chauffeur was already there and was very polite. She'll be coming spring next year and would want the same car service to fetch her.

Lumpy

A car service/limo is the only way to go IMO. If you can afford foreign travel - why do the subway/walking routine especially if you are not used to the system and are of the age to know better.
Many of the suggestions for various transport services should five you a heads-up on making advance plans.
After all, after a long flight - who needs the stress to worry about getting to the hotel?
Be smart - go private!
Lumpy

Lumpy

Also - just as a point of clarity - it is Times Square - named after the New York Times who formerly had a major presence in the area.
Lumpy

bspielman

The Times not only had a presence in the area, its headquarters was built there in the early 20th century to take advantage of newspaper distribution directly via the newly-built subways that converged on what became known as Times Square. The Times moved to West 43rd Street in the mid '60s, and much more recently to the Far West Side.

nytraveler

Note that Carmel and dial 7 are basic car services - they have a ton of Lincoln Town cars plus larger vehicles (SUVs or vans) as needed. They will give you the best price.

You can try the corporate limousine service with met and greet, free beverages and TV in the back - but the cost will probably be double that of Dial 7 or Carmel.

IMDonehere

If we have an afternoon flight from JFK, we will take the Airtrain. We never travel with more one suitcase each and a backpack. Now that the fare from Manhattan to JFK is around $70 with a toll and a tip, why not?

Even if I can afford to travel, I do not see anything wrong in saving 60 bucks, using FF, and any other discount I can muster.

sf7307

I'm with you, IMDonehere. When it makes sense...