icecmom

We are flying in to Newark airport next month, and our hotel is on West 51st. Would you let me know your recommendations for moderately priced car services to the hotel?
Thank you.

Bill_H

We've used Dial 7 on three similar trips (Newark to mid-Manhattan), excellent service each trip. I've heard there are 2-3 other services that have similar reputations, and a few that have poor reputations.

nyer

Dial 7 and Carmel about the same for me, whichever is available at the time.
In some terminals inside and outside other drivers try to get you to come with them, asking how much you're paying for your ride. Stick with whatver company you call and the specific car they send for you.

mclaurie

Dial7.com
Allstatelimo.com

ggreen

All the NYC car services will be about the same price; Dial 7 and Carmel are the most well known (and are very reputable). Keep in mind that in addition to whatever fare they charge, you'll be responsible for the Hudson River toll (up to about $12) plus tip.

You could also take public transportation. Since your hotel is on the west side, the bus to Port Authority (@8th Ave & West 41st Street) would be very straightforward: from the PA, you could catch a cab from the queue in front of the building, or hop the uptown subway 1 stop. However, IME the AirTrain to NJ Transit (into Penn Station, NY) is too much hassle and no savings over the bus!

HappyTrvlr

But the train doesn't have to deal with traffic like the bus.

nyer

In addition to the Lincoln or Holland tunnel toll and depending on the route you may also have to pay another $4-$5 for the NJ turnpike toll.

ggreen

Agreed... but the last time I took AirTrain to NJT to Penn/NY (and then on to my subway to Bklyn), it was really not worth the bother. Way too much schlepping of our not-small suitcases after a long flight! And while Port Authority is no joy, at least the corridors and escalators are designed for volume - unlike Penn's ancient byways!

I've usually taken Gray Line or Olympia from EWR to midtown. Looks like Gray Line has switched to Go Airlink vans (I can't speak from experience).
http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

Also, this looks like a useful compendium for getting from EWR to Manhattan: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/airlinesai.../getto_ewr.htm

nytraveler

The basic car services all cost the same - I use Dial 7 , but have also done Carmel a couple of times. Go to the website and check for discounts - and the they will give you the exact price (it can differ by day of week and time of day). Be aware that you also have to pay the TPKE toll and the tunnel toll ($(?) and a 20% tip is expected - more if they are hauling a lot of luggage around for you.

Do not ask for meet and greet service - where they wait for you at luggage carousel with a sign - this costs more as a basic service and they will also charge you for waiting time if your plane is late.

If you want to spend less - and there are only 1 or 2 of you and you have only small luggage you can checkout the airport bus, then cab from Port Authority to hotel - or take public transit the whole way. It will cost less - a lot less for one person - but IMHO simply isn;t worth it to have to schlep with luggage.