me and my 3 sisters (all in our 30s)are planning a girls getaway weekend to NYC. We're going to book a room at the Embassy Suites in Secaucus NJ. All the reviews I've read are great so I'm excited about that. I'm just wondering:

Everyone says the bus is right across the street from the hotel and super easy to get to Manhattan (15 minutes) - so we are planning on doing that each day. But at the end of the night, how easy is it to get a taxi back to the hotel??

Because I think we'd rather take a taxi back to the hotel rather than wait around for a bus at night.

I've only been to NYC once before and I stayed right in Manhattan that time so I'm a little stressed about staying in NJ and having to travel to/from Manhattan each day.

Many NYC taxis will not want to go to NJ at night - so you will have trouble finding one. (And if you do find one they charge double the meter outside NYC and you have to pay for the return toll and tips as well.)

You will probably be better organizing a car service in advance - expect the fare to be about $50 - but check the web sites of Carmel and Dial 7 for any coupons..

NYC taxis are not obligated to take you outside city limits (except to Newark airport) and if they chose to, they can charge double what's on the meter outside NYC. Secaucus is really a bad choice for location for a group your age who wants some nightlife. You won't be able to drop off packages at the hotel during the day. You won't be able to change clothes for the evening unless you make 2 roundtrips a day. It may say it's 15 mins. but that's a best case scenario and it will be closer to 30.

If you can't afford a hotel in Manhattan, you're better looking in Jersey City where several hotels are near a PATH train station. PATH is faster, cheaper, runs 24/7.

I agree though if you decide to do this, booking a car service is a better idea than depending on hailing a taxi and it will likely cost at least $50 or more plus tolls.

Agree with mclaurie -

Secaucus is 15 minutes from Manhattan only if you go by helicopter across the Hudson. 30 minutes is still a good time - if you hit traffic coming into the tunnel it can be an hour (just getting through the helix leading to the tunnel can take 30 minutes when traffic is bad/as in any rush hour).

And just to show that it is not strictly a NY-er prejudice, I echo the recommendation to reconsider your lodging choice. You are not booked for a weekend in NYC - you are booked for a weekend in Secaucus. Several years ago I tried this, and it was horrible, never done it again. Even if the room is close to free, you will spend time and money getting in and out of Manhattan. Hotels in Manhattan are sky high these days, but keep your eyes peeled for specials (especially at the weekend some places that cater to Wall Street run good deals.) Agree that Jersey City would also be a better alternative

If you decide to keep your reses and stay in Secaucus, we'll be reading your trip report on how difficult it was to get in and out of the city and price of cabs to NJ, so take our advice and stay in MANHATTAN. It will make the weekend so much easier, since you can subway/bus/walk to most places you want to see.

If you are looking to do some of the outlets in the Secaucus area you can take a bus out of Port Authority for the day, or better yet go up to Woodbury Commons which is also a bus ride away.

The Embassy Suites in lower Manhattan has specials as does the Millenium so you might try there, and www.hotwire.com and www.hotels.com or priceline might be good ideas to check on prices for your trip.

Let us know if you have any other questions.