lantana

I plan to visit the BBG during our NYC visit next month. My mother is a huge rose fanatic and I've read that the roses are at their most lovely in early June. I'd like to try and use the subway a good bit on our trip but will want to save time (and energy) w/ cab rides as well, especially since we only have 3 days/4 nights. I plan to take the subway there (have already printed out directions for that) but would like to take a cab back to our hotel that afternoon. Will cabs be readily available outside the BBG? Thank you.

SueNYC

Your quickest cheapest return will be by subway and since we have no idea where your hotel is, no one would be able to give you an idea of what a taxi would cost and or how available they are out there.

lantana

I didn't ask about quickest or cheapest. I asked whether cabs would be readily available outside of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We are staying in TriBeCa, if it really matters.

nytraveler

First of all, for longer rides - except in the middle of the night - subway is almost always faster than cab.

Second, cabs are rare in Brooklyn - they really are only easily available in Manhattan below 96 st and at the airports. The rest of the city is served by "car services" - which may cruise some popular areas but to be sure to get one you need to reserve. If you're sure you want a car back then you will need to reserve a car service (try Dial 7 or Carmel and check their web sites for discounts)

lantana

"cars are rare in Brooklyn" - that's exactly what I need to know. Thank you! And thank you for the names of those car services. I really appreciate it.

Aduchamp1

Generally but not applicable to the Botanical Gardens.

You can often catch a cab in Brooklyn returning to the Manhattan Bridge along Clinton Street and Adams Street heading toward the city.

K_brklyn

Cabs will not be readily available outside of the Garden.

You can try a local car service like Arecibo car service in Park Slope. They should be able to have a car there within 5 minutes.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/arecibo-car-service-brooklyn

BTW: Most taxis begin and end their shifts in parts of Brooklyn, since many of the taxi depots are in Brooklyn, so you can usually catch them along 4th ave, 5th Ave, Atlantic Ave, Flatbush Ave, and in Brooklyn Heights as mentioned above.

K_brklyn

Here's the link to Arecibo's website:
http://www.arecibocc.com/

nytraveler

It's true that many of the cab companies are in the outer boroughs and if you know the times and the routes you may be able to find one (for instance, a bunch come off the 59th St bridge across 60th st between 4 and 6 pm) but it;s not like Manhattan, where there are numerous cabs per block at all hours. Near a major tourist sight in Brooklyn you might find one - or not - and it can take a considerable time.

ellenem

K_brklyn's idea of a local car service is a good one, since they would often be quickest to respond on short notice. Most people I know who live in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx have their favorite local service and carry the number with them. Often the information desk of restaurants, museums, and such in the outer boroughs keep car service numbers handy to help visitors.

lantana

Thank you all very much for the info.