Is it always impossible to get a taxi at the end of an opera at Lincoln center or has it been my bad luck last three times that I needed one after a performance?
In March we have tickets for Tosca and are planning in staying at The W in Union Square.
What do you think? Should I keep the reservation or get a hotel close enough to walk?
Thank you.

I can't imagine why one couldn't bet a taxi at Lincoln Center, for heavens sake. There are 10s of thousands of taxis on the streets of NYC at any given time.

If you can't find a cab, don't worry you can hop on the subway right there and get off at 14th St (Union Square).

After a big event at Lincoln Center it is often difficult to get a cab, especially if all three houses are up that night, add to that the Theatres a few blocks away in Times Square, toss in bad weather, and it is often challenging to get around town.

There is also a bus that goes right by Lincoln Center, it will take longer, but think of the view you will get of the city going by.

Have a wonderful time, and enjoy the Met.

Yes - it is always difficult to get a taxi at the end of any event at Lincoln Center - the result of the simple law of supply and demand. Also, since theaters usually let out at about the same time the demand is even greater.

We usually walk home - but live on the UWS. So - your choices are bus, subway - or car service if you feel like splurging (I think its a one-hour minimum at about $40) - or learn to be really aggressive in getting one of the few cabs there are.

It is usually difficult to get a cab right after any Lincoln Center performance. The suggestion of just taking the subway is one you might want to consider.

Other options might be to walk behind Lincoln Center to get a cab heading uptown on Amsterdam, rather than one heading downtown on Broadway or Columbus. Most of the crowd will head out the front, you may have fewer people to deal with by going out the back.

You also might consider walking north on Broadway a few blocks to pick off a cab before it hits the mass at Lincoln Center.

Alternatively, go grab a drink nearby and let the crowds subside a bit.

Here's my tip, but don't tell anyone! Head across the street to the East side of Columbus Ave. You will be standing in front of the Mormon temple and the little dessert cafe. The cabs come down Columbus and haven't had a chance to switch over to Broadway nearer to Lincoln Center. You're more apt to get a cab on that side of the street.

Just a note about the subway from Lincoln Center - the line directly at Lincoln Center(66th Street stop) is the 1 or 9 Broadway line - the West Side line which goes down 7th Avenue/Broadway. The 14th Street stop on that line is 4 looonnnggg blocks to Union Square and the W hotel. (which is actually located at 16th Street and Park Avenue South!)
lisettemac and Ryan make very savy suggestions - walk a few blocks north, east or west of LC right after the opera to find an empty cab.

If you choose to take the subway, change from the 1 or 9 at Times Square to any of the N R W group, which would take you to Union Square.

Or, take the #7 bus downtown. It stops on Broadway right by Lincoln Center and ends its route at Union Square.