Margie

Did a search here for car service information and found several disgruntled Carmel Car Service customers. Can someone recommend a dependable company with clean vehicles? We will use a taxi from JFK to Midtown, but will use the car service to return to JFK at the end of our trip. Thanks in advance for your help!

wantsomesun

I have used Televiv and have always been happy with the service the number is (212) 505-0555.

Have a great time while you are here.

almesq

I've been using Carmel for years. My only problems with them are picking us up at the airport. We always have to seem to wait before they finally find us, after several phone calls. Have NEVER had a problem with them picking us up in Manhattan going to airport. They have always been on time, and I've used them 3-4 times a year for 10 years.

missjanna

Used Tel Aviv before also as they have the best rates. Their other number is 212-777-7777.

Only thing is we had a problem reserving them last week, where I called for a car and they showed up an hour early swearing I said 3:30 and not 4:30. The woman I spoke with then said "I'll play back the recording and check". They must have realized I was right, because they sent the driver back at 4:30.

The other thing you have to be aware of is that most car services charge a lot more beween 3-7pm during the week. the cheapest rates I found to JFK from Manhattan was $42 plus tip and tolls. If this is when you are travelling, a cab would be cheaper.

Patrick

Out of curiosity, how do the TelAviv rates compare to a taxi -- midtown to JFK say at that 3 to 7 time? And for that matter how do they compare at other times? Is it really cheaper than just getting a taxi?

Margie

Thanks for everyone's reply. When I started search here for taxis info into NYC, I noticed that several people advised not taking the cab back to JFK because it was not a flat rate but a metered ride. We would be leaving the city around 7:30 - 8:00 from 51st Street. Any advice/experiences?

missjanna

If you're leaving at 8am or 8pm then either taking a cab or car service wouldn't matter as the prices would be about the same.

Cab rates from Manhattan (metered) to JFK have varied for me anywhere between $30 and $40. I believe for the time you are travelling a car service will charge you about $37 plus tip and tolls.

Margie

Sorry - we are leaving at 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Previous posts (not in this thread) made it sound like taking a cab back to JFK would be a huge mistake, but sounds ok to me.

Marilyn

I just did this, about 2 weeks ago.

Now that a taxi from JFK into Manhattan is a flat rate of $35 (plus toll and tip), I think it's a good deal. I have had way too many hassles connecting with a car service at JFK to bother ever again.

I like to use a car service back to JFK because I stay with a friend as opposed to a hotel and the logistics of getting a taxi are always a bit iffy. I have always found Tel Aviv and Carmel to be much the same. Over some 20 years of this, often 3 trips/year, I've had good and bad experiences with both companies.

Happened to use Carmel this time and was perfectly satisfied. Driver showed up 10 min. early, car was clean and comfortable, etc. Fare was $37.50 (plus toll and tip), so comparable to a cab. But if you should happen to hit bad traffic, a metered ride could get expensive very quickly.