A Train from JFK, then what?
 

Have booked five nights in New York, Upper West Side, in April. We are on a very strict budget, and can't afford taxis from airport into New York, but have figured out that we can take the A train from Howard Beach to 103rd St, and it looks as though we could walk from the station there to our hotel in West End Ave. However, have just realised it may be about 9pm when we arrive at 103rd St, and am not sure just how safe this walk would be - two fit sixty somethings with roll along bags. Fit and strong though! Any thoughts please? Have been to New York before, but had a hire car.

Carrabella, there are things you scrimp on and things you don't.

The subway and Airtrain will take you two hours to get into Manhattan.

I'd splurge on a cab and save money elsewhere.

First of all, I don't think the A train stops at 103rd, at leat not all the time In any case, the stop there is not what I'd consider the best block. Instead,you can take the A train to 59th street, and switch to the 1 train which will take you to 103 and Broadway, one block off of West End Avenue.
Where exactly is the hotel? 9pm on the upper west side (103rd st) is still pretty busy outside, except possibly on a Sunday night. Most likely you will just look like locals coming back from the airport, not a tourist since there aren't many tourist up there except the kids going to the hostel on Amsterdam avenue.
It's a long trip, but if you must save money...

Take a taxi, without a doubt.

Where on West End Ave. are you staying???? If you don't want to spend the $60 for a taxi (safe and sane) then take the Express Airport Bus to Port Authority Bus terminal at 42 st & 8th ave. ($15/person or $30) and from there either taxi or bus uptown. Bus would be $2/person, taxi about $10.

Am curious about what hotel you're staying at - since I'm not aware of any there. It's primarily residential (very mixed, some upscale, some moderate and some public housing) with tons of restaurants and shops on Broadway.

I know there's a hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam - but don;t know any hotel at 103rd.

This area is quite busy until late - but what time deos your plane land - since Air Train and all the way by subway can easily take 2 hours in the evening. (JFK is at the very far end of Queens and at that time of night the train will stop at every station.)

This one maybe?

www.westendstudios.com/

I sure hope not. This place is the WORST. I'd rather sleep in the street.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

Oh boy!

Have never heard of this place but it appears to be VERY bad news.

They're listed as a 1* hotel on the same site that shows the infamous Marrakech (which keeps changing names to avoid being identified with it's reviews) as a 2*.

I would VERY seriously reconsider this place. Check out the Hotel Newton - very basic and in the same general area - but at least clean - and not trying to hide who they are. They have rooms with shared baths if you're on a super budget.

Hi! First of all, I do not think that walking to your hotel from the subway stop at 103rd street at 9pm at night is at all dangerous. That neighborhood is very gentrified.

The A train does not stop at 103rd. The A train is an express train. It stops at 59th street and then not again until 125th street. However, you can easily take the A to 59th street and then change to the #1 train (uptown). That's the simplest and most sensible thing to do.

Just in case you are looking for info on that neighborhood where your hotel is -- La Rosita (Broadway and 108th?) is an absolutely delicious run-down-at-the-heels latin place. One of my favorites.

Good luck!

Two 60+ tourists rolling suitcases on the subway, transferring, and then walking crosstown on 103rd Street (with their rolling luggage)???

Are you kidding me?

Take a taxi, Carrabella. <i>Please.</i>

Thank you all for your concern and advice, and especially the hotel info.
We WERE booked in to the infamous Westend, but have spent the last couple of days getting out of it and finding somewhere new. It's now the Days Inn, on Broadway, at I think 79th St, so this will affect our A Train plans a bit. Maybe #1?

Gekko and GoTravel, we really can't afford a taxi - we are two retired old Aussies, but this is our fourth overseas trip in the last two years, all of them done on a strict budget. Strike while we have the energy and desire, even if not the money! This time, we are going first to Cape Town in South Africa, then Cologne in Germany, before NewYork and on to Vegas, Flagstaff and LA. If we used our money on taxis etc, we'd have to cut a week off our time away - six weeks. It's just what we have chosen to do with our lives - travel and enjoy what we see as much as possible on what we can afford. I don't think we'll look like &quot;tourists&quot; unless I open my mouth!

From what I've been reading, Upper West Side sounds like lots of fun.
Thank you all again,
Carrabella

Carrabella, no offense, but 2 60+ Australians pulling suitcases on the subway?? You'll SCREAM 'tourist'.

But Broadway &amp; 79th is better than 103 @ West End.

But, seriously, if you can afford your hotel you can afford a taxi, and you <i>should</i>.

I don't understand why everybody says taxi is a must. It is not. Subway is not easy, but it's possible. My dad's 72 years old today (his birthday), travels around the world, and he's hardly taken a taxi anywhere.

So, go ahead with your subway plan. Travel light and you'll be fine.

Here's a link to the NY subway map. http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

orangecats is right about the stops. Carra -- you would switch from the A to #1 at 59th but I don't really remember just how many stairs you will have to navigate to do this so that may be your biggest consideration. 79th and Broadway is definitely a better place to be, will be quite lively and busy. I take it you know there are fixed fares for taxis from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan, plus toll and tip -- so you're probably looking at a savings of about 45 dollars. It is a very long train ride.

Travel light??

<i>&quot; . . . we are going first to Cape Town in South Africa, then Cologne in Germany, before New York and on to Vegas, Flagstaff and LA . . . &quot;</i>

I may not, but my 72-year old dad can travel indefinitely with just a backpack with wheels.

I think the Days Inn is further uptown, maybe 93rd or 94th street. I really don't think there is one at 79th street. Given that, the 1 stops at 96th street, which is an express stop.

The subway isn't horrible. It'll just take time. If you travel a lot and are used to public transportation then taking the subway in New York is perfectly okay. Just make sure you take the right Airtrain at JFK to go to the A train not the E train though the E train may be faster and you can transfer from the E train to the 1 train as well.

It will take time, but if you have enough time, it's not bad. Also, changing from the A to the 1 at 59th street is not bad. There aren't too many stairs. I have definitely seen more stairs on other subway locations.

Also to the poster who posted about La Rosita up near Columbia, I think it just closed. Sorry.

You're going to be tourists in a wonderful city. Ignore anyone who suggests you should spend a lot more just so you don't &quot;scream tourist&quot;. Who the hell cares if you look like a tourist? And late in the evening, it will not be like trying to jam in with luggage at rush hour, so there is really no problem.

Have a great time. And the subway will be fine.

My tourist comment was directed at the fact that Carrabella planned to exit the subway on 103rd Street at night and walk crosstown to West End Avenue &quot;with roll along bags.&quot;

Anyone who would suggest that 2 60+ individuals from Australia pulling suitcases crosstown in the dark of night are not targets is not thinking and obviously does not live in the city.

Of course they shouldn't care if they look like tourists while visiting NYC -- they are tourists.

But they <i>should</i> take a cab from JFK to their motel on the UWS.

That neighborhood is perfectly fine in the evening. Walking a couple of blocks with rollie bags should not be an issue at 9pm considering how many people are on the streets at that time. (That general area has tons of restaurants and watering spot - both for locals and a lot of kids from Columbia.)

I'm more concerned about the place they're staying - which I think might be a real issue.

Also if I'm not mistaken the hotel NOW in question is at 96th and Broadway. Isn't there a subway exit right there?

Yes - Broadway and 96th is a major (express) stop for all Broadway line trains - 1, 2, 3 - no need to trek to 103rd St.

Thanks again to everyone - I'm sure we'll be fine, and now have no worries about having to walk too far at the end of the train trip, 96th St to the hotel at 95th.
Jenskar thanks for the subway map link - it's great.
Our &quot;travel light&quot; rule is - one small bag over the shoulder, and one roll along, less than 20Kg, which is OK for lugging up stairs here and there. Keeps us fit! And I know we'll enjoy NY.

Carrabella, Carrabella. You're not using us or the tools available to you to best use. I applaud your plan, but then use tripadvisor for reviews and use us for recommendations. The hotel you picked, the DAYS Hotel (NOT a Days Inn) while better than the other flea bag is still not the place you want to be. It's on 94 st &amp; Broadway. Read these reviews. You must become attached to tripadvisor which has reviews for most every hotel anywhere.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

The best budget hotel on the upper west side is the Newton, just a block or so from the place you're currently booked at. If that's not affordable, have a look at the Pod, a newly renovated place in midtown.
http://www.pickwickarms.com/

You have many more options if these are too expensive. Post back to us with an update.

Agree the Days is looking worse then ever. Waslked past the other day and the restaurant is STILL closed (can't get anybody to take the space) and the front door was broken - with only 1/2 working and people tryiong to squueze in and out. Agree to go for the Newton in that area and super budget price range. Right on Broadway near 95th - and at least clean and reliable.

(And the 96th St station has entrances at both 94th and 96th - so you're better off at the front or back of the train to avoid extra walking.)

We're sticking with the Days this time - thanks again for all input . Shall let you know what it is like. The Newton was more expensive. At least it won't be far to walk.