Commuting to NYC after Christmas
 

Some friends and I are planning a spontaneous trip to New York City between Christmas and New Year's Eve. We have looked into NYC hotels, and just cannot spend the money to stay in Manhattan. We will have to stay outside the city - in New Jersey, I guess, and commute in each day. However, we would prefer to not drive, so we would like to find areas that have good public access into Manhattan. We are considering the Sheraton near East Rutherford, and possibly a couple of hotels near Fair Lawn. Any suggestions?

Also, I would like for someone to give some more detailed information about the public transportation that is available. I've read some posts and get confused with "train...PATH...subway." Are these names for the same thing? Also what are the costs for riding?

Any help would be great appreciated. We can stay in NJ for about $120-140 as opposed to mid-$200.

Thanks!

First, before you give up on staying in Manhattan, if it's just for a few days you might want to try bidding on Priceline. You can sometimes get a room for 2 in a 4* hotel for under $150. If there are a number of you planning on sharing one room, that won't work though. If you don't know about bidding on Priceline, check out biddingfortravel.com and/or betterbidding.com

As to what areas and what transportation, the short answer is the closest options are
>in Jersey City near the PATH train (this is like a subway)
>in Weehawken (the Sheraton on the Hudson) which is a ferry ride across ($5/person each way or $10/day)

Places like Secaucus/Meadowlands require taking a bus and that trip can take forever. Here's a website prepared by someone on another travel board that outlines the NJ options and their respective transportation.

http://www.broadwayfocus.com/nj_nyc/

I'll also mention I've seen several posts both here and elsewhere about the Holiday Inn in Ft. Lee, NJ near the GW Bridge. This is evidently not a great option if you plan on using bus service, but if you're willing to drive over the bridge and park the car, it's evidently very convenient and pretty close.

You could find a place to park the car using iconparking.com Leave it somewhere on the upper west side and then use a subway or bus to get to midtown or wherever you want to go.

There are several people going, which definitely rules out Priceline. Otherwise, I would go that route.

Thanks for the transportation info. We are seriously looking at the Sheraton on the Hudson. How can I find out what times the ferry runs?

What is the cost for the PATH train? And how long of a ride to an area...Times Square, possibly?

How much does it cost for iconparking? Never heard of anything like that before.

There are 2 ferries in Weehawken. There's one that stops right in front of the Sheraton but runs only M-F--called Lincoln Harbor. Then there's the other one at Port Imperial. Here's the website where you can find schedules for both
http://www.nywaterway.com/ferry/schedules/

You'll see the ferries provide free buses when you get off to get around midtown.

There's also bus service and private mini buses from Weehawken that go to Port Authority bus terminal.

PATH trains cost $1.50/ride. Info here
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...tml/fares.html

I don't know how long they take.

Iconparking.com is a group of garages that allow you to reserve spaces and see price ahead of time online. Each garage has different prices. You put in dates/times of stay and select an area of the city where you want to park and it shows you all the options they have along with prices.

Great info! The web links are very helpful. Thanks for your help.

Any idea where we can find info about the fireworks in Central Park for New Year's Eve? I think we're considering that as a better alternative to the Times Square event.

Found on http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=1638

Central Park(www.centralparknyc.org, 212-794-6564) will also host a midnight fireworks display. Tavern on the Green and Sheep’s Meadow, as well as high rises surrounding the park are among the best spots to watch the fireworks.
 
Other events in Central Park include a costume contest and dancing at the Central Park Bandshell plaza. Athletes who want to ring in the New Year by breaking a sweat can take part in a four-mile run through Central Park hosted by New York Road Runners (www.nyrrc.org, 212-860-4455) or join the cyclists and in-line skaters of Time’s Up and ride from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to Central Park’s Belvedere Castle.

You might try the Grand Union (www.hotelgrandunion.com). The rates are well below $200 if they have availability, it's quite a nice hotel, on E32nd St and staying there instead of NJ will save you ALOT of time AND money.

The rooms for New Year's Eve for 4 people are $300. We can stay in NJ for around $120.

Just out of curiousity, where are you paying $120 again?

There's a couple of places in NJ that I found special deals on.

...places that have good reviews and reputation.

You can stay in some hotels in NJ and take NJ Transit buses into the city, but I"m definitely not a fan of staying in NJ. I'd always prefer the Comfort Inn Long Island City if it were available. Not only is it a couple of blocks from a subway, but it's just one stop from Manhattan in Queens. Plus, it's a $20 or less cab ride from many parts of Midtown. I'm not sure it's $120 a night, but it's much cheaper than Manhattan.

Ferries and NJ Transit are fairly expensive transit options. PATH is cheaper (I think it's still $1.50, but don't quote me on that.) But it doesn't run very often at all after 11pm (as in once an hour). Ferries don't run late either.

Another reason to not stay in NJ is getting back to your hotel at night is expensive and extremely inconvenient. The ferries don't run at night, the PATH train is extremeley infrequet, and taxis will gouge you. They don't have to turn the meter on when they take you to Jersey, and it frequently costs $40-$50 to get there.

If you can, I would also suggest that you avoid staying in NJ. The whole purpose of coming to New York is to embrace the energy and life of the city. You will lose out on a lot of that if you are spending nights in New Jersey and hours upon hours on commuting (which it could definitely take during this time of year, depending on where you are). If you must be outside the City, look into Hoboken, Weehawken, or places in Brooklyn (I don't know if there are any hotel options near Brooklyn Heights/Park Slope/Cobble Hill areas - but those are nice). They are much more NYC neighborhood-like (so you'll still get the NYC vibe) and have much better commuting options (ie. Path train and NYC subway). You want to avoid places where you'll be forced to drive in or take a bus, where you'll be left to the whim of NYC traffic and, inevitably, start cursing your fellow drivers at every opportunity.

I just called the Travel Inn on W.42nd and the Grand Union for you and will call back tomorrow to talk to the GM of the hotel and see if there is a better rate we can get you.

Will keep you posted.

I'm also not a fan of staying in NJ to visit NYC - when you add up the transportation costs (especially the high ticket return at night) it's really not that much cheaper, and far less convenient- especially if you want to pop back to the room to drop off things you've bought or just to freshen up a bit. How many people will be in your group? Have you looked at some of the posts on www.craigslist.org? There are a couple 2 bedroom places that might work in the Manhattan vacation renatls section.

Can people not stick with the original questions? I didn't ask for opinions of staying in NYC or NJ?

I hate it when people think the poster is a travel idiot. I do enough research on here to make a decision based on what we're looking for, the time frame we'll be there, and what will fit our personalities.

If you can't answer the original question, then go to another thread where people are looking for your opinion of in the city or in NJ.

Thanks for your opinions - but they weren't asked for.

Not sure about Fair Lawn, but the Sheraton in East Rutherford is close to several ways to commute into NYC. The best suggestion I have is to check the NJ Transit website. One function allows you to "trip plan". Put in the address and it'll give you the various options.

Here's the NJ commuting story.

NJ Transit operates the train and bus lines into NJ. Buses go into the Port Authority Terminal. Trains either go into Hoboken or into Penn Station NY. There is a transfer station in Secaucus, near Rutherford, where passengers can transfer between train lines to get into and out of NY. (Rutherford is about 15 minutes from that transfer station. There is parking. Not sure the details.)

The PATH is a train line that runs from Manhattan to New Jersey. In Manhattan the train makes 5 stops, the last at 34th near Macy's. The main terminals are in Hoboken, Journal Square (Jersey City) and Newark. The PATH would not get you to Rutherford.

The subway usually refers to the NYC subway system which operates in the 5 boroughs of NY.

An MTA Metrocard can be used for the PATH trains and the NYC subway.

Ok never mind.

Just a quick comment...

While the PATH train does run infrequently late at night, it does run to a schedule to a tee. The trains run every half hour late at night (think between the hours of 12-6 am). They stick to the schedule. Print it out and you can save yourself from waiting in the station. Here's the schedule:
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...table_1006.pdf

I'd opt for a spot in Jersey City close to the PATH station (Journal Square or Exchange Place) than East Rutherford.

I agree with the poster who suggested Priceline, but if that doesn't work, one option might be New Brunswick, NJ. It's farther from the city than East Rutherford or Newark, but it has a few advantages. The train service is direct, runs late, and the station is in a safe, busy area of NB. Plus, New Brunswick on its own is a fun town. You could come back from NYC at night and head out for drinks at Nova Terra (great pan latino place), Harvest Moon (brewery), or Tumulty's (Irish pub). It might be nice for you to be staying in an are in NJ that has lots for you to do as well.

The one downside: train tickets (through njtransit.com) cost around $15 round-trip per day.

Oh -- I should be more specific. By "farther" I mean it's a 45-minute train ride instead of a 15-20 minute ride on the PATH. But, to me it's worth it to have something to do when you're back at your hotel.

I've seen some posters saying that getting back to NJ at night is expensive....it's actually the same if you're taking public transportation. In fact, trains are slightly cheaper because it's "off-peak" (not commuting hours).

My "expensive" comment was in reference to taxis only, not public transportation.

Any money you save by staying in New Jersey will be eaten up by commute time and cost.

Don't say we didn't try and help you out.

For some reason, the powers to be deleted some of the responses here, including one which the OP said that some of the people traveling in the group were afraid of NYC (or some such words), alomg with my response (which was not meant to be sarcastic) that their plans to stay out of the city and commute might be potentionally more dangerous.

Newark has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country. New York City is definitely safer than some of the outlying areas.

GoTravel - thanks for this comment. We were not aware of the safety issue in the outlying areas.

Most people only recommend not staying in NJ because you're not "really experiencing New York."

This will effect our decision much more.

Thanks!

Newark does have a high violent crime rate. But, I don't see where the OP indicated that as one of the options.

Rutherford is MILES from Newark as is Fair Lawn.

Sorry, hit reply before I was finished.

The Sheraton in Rutherford is across Route 3 from the Meadowlands complex. There actually isn't much near it except for MetroMedia's offices and about a 1/2 mile away, Secaucus.

To suggest that ALL of NJ is unsafe just because Newark is, would make about as much sense as saying you shouldn't stay at the Waldorf because it is 7 miles from the South Bronx. (About 2 miles closer than Rutherford is to Newark.)

Ryan, Howard pointed out that they are staying in New Jersey not just because of money but because some of their group is afraid of NYC.

My point was that New Jersey isn't safer and I used Newark to stress that point.

Capishe?

And, for folks scared of NYC, IMO they will enjoy the experience far less by having to negotiate into the city via bus and/or train. Did I understand the OP that they are thinking about doing the fireworks in Central Park on New Year's Eve? It would be far better (as others have said) to be able to duck into your hotel room to rest or refresh - especially when travelling with a group. One or two could go back to the room when they wanted to while the others are still able to enjoy the city.

Factor in the transportation costs and the time going back and forth - well, the plan seems a bit "penny wise and pound foolish".

Traveling with a group can be stressful.
Commuting in and out of the city can be stressful.

Honestly, if you read enough posts on this board, there's a common thread - folks were were "leery" of Manhattan who fell in love with it after their first visit.

NYC is the safest big city in the country. Savor it and stay in it. Save the extra $100 elsewhere in the trip (food choices, don't buy junk, etc.) but don't set yourself up for a miserable time because you want to save $100 a day.

I've stayed at the Sheraton at Meadowlands for business meetings. It felt like exile. Nothing to do nearby. We had charter buses take us into the city. No comparison to staying in the city.

I've stayed at the Hilton Gateway in Newark, right across from the Newark Penn Station. We walked around the area quite a bit too. Didn't consider it dangerous, just boring. We had choices of PATH, NJT or Amtrak trains, and used the first two.

Washington DC is a dangerous city too, but millions visit without incident every year. Most of that reported crime (in either city) is in areas that most of us would not be visiting.

As for the "bother" of commute time - when one does not use subway every day of their (work)life, it's more a novelty, and need not be a bother at all. So while I prefer to be IN the city I'm visiting, it just makes more sense sometimes to stay in the "burbs" and use some of my savings for museums, shows, or dinners. Have a great trip, pianograd.

PS- if the age group and flexibility of everyone would allow it, there is a hostel at 103rd & Amsterdam. You'll pay $30-some for each person in their own (bunk)bed, with dorm-type bathroom/shower "down the hall" - but it's clean and safe. The "recentgrad" name makes me wonder if you're late teens or early-mid 20's. The hostel is open to all, but an earlier age group would find it more acceptable.
http://www.hinewyork.org/
or www.hiayh.com

Whatever you decide, I STRONGLY urge you to read reviews of the hotel on tripadvisor and then to post here to get feedback on the location/area. I normally agree it's much better to stay in NYC, but when you said $200 was not within the budget and it sounds like you want to have more than 2 to a room, I doubt that can be accomplished in Manhattan.

But now that the safety has become a concern, I'll agree that there are many hotels in outlying areas that are not in great neighborhoods. If the price is too good to be true, it may be. Then there are some locations that are safe, but don't look safe b/c they're a bit industrial.

Agree for the need to understand both the distance (New Brunsiwick is at least an hour from Manhattan - never mind the train fare) and safety of hotels in New Jersey. Some are in perfectly safe areas - but some are in places you wouldn't want to be on the street - or in the hotel for that matter.

If you are up for a hostel (there may be enough of you to get a private room - or you may want to stump up a little extra to get a room to youselves) agree that the one at Amsterdam & 103rd seems to meet the needs of a lot of young europeans.

Can;t overemphazisze the advantages of being IN the city - or within simple/fast (this mean by rail or ferry - bus can take forever) convenient travel of Manhattan.

I'm not "picking" on New Jersey as being unsafe, per se. My point is that you are probably safer at night returning to a hotel in the city than dealing with transportation to anywhere outside the city.
That plus the fact that the New York experience just isn't the same if you stay outside the city should tilt you into making a concerted effort to convince everyone in your group that NYC is safe. Period!

I've done 4 to a room at the Hilton and friends took a church trip and stayed 4 to a room at the new Hampton Inn. In both cases, it was priceless (literally) to be able to stop by the room to rest for a few minutes before a show. Two nights we bought food from a deli and had a picnic in the room before heading out for the evening. The friends - of all ages, shapes and sizes - had a great time at the Hampton. Having a room in the city gives you the flexibility to come and go, to split up and then regroup, to just enjoy the trip more. Free breakfast at the Hampton too (although I had free breakfast and evening snacks at the Hilton). 4 to a room means each is spending $25 more to stay in the city. Subtract your commute costs and it is a steal to get two extra hours in the city for $20 a day.

rb, I have to disagree with you on this one. The Newark area is an armpit and I'd love to know where actually you were able to walk? Through the long term parking? Down the runways?

Sorry, I don't buy it.

Staying in the burbs of DC is a whole different ballgame than staying in a NYC suburb. It can take as long as an hour to get from Newark to NYC and that is one of the closest suburbs.

It can take an hour to get to Newark? GoTravel, it actually takes my train about 14 minutes. To the airport, about 25.

"GoTravel - thanks for this comment. We were not aware of the safety issue in the outlying areas.

Most people only recommend not staying in NJ because you're not "really experiencing New York.""

So much for thethorough research you said you had done whilst scolding people for getting off-topic.

Ryan, I've done the PIA airtrain from Newark to NY Penn station several times and yes, it always takes me an hour.

From Newark Penn Station less time but if you are staying at a Newark hotel, you still have to get to Newark Penn Station.

It simply isn't a quick trip from Newark anywhere to Manhattan.