Softato1

We are staying at Hotel on the Ave for 4 nights.

It will definitely be taxi travel to and from airport

Was just on a site that directs you from one place to another on the subway/bus. Interesting, but a little intimidating.

I get online to check out one little thing and about two hours later I realize I really had other things to do for those two hours. We haven't done much traveling for a couple years and I forgot how much fun planning/researching a trip can be. All I have left to do now is find a hotel at JFK that isn't a flea bag for the night before we fly home.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

HowardR

Well, Michael, I guess the only thing left to say is, "To each his own!"

mclaurie

The hotels at JFK are mostly awful. If your plane is very early, order a car service from your Manhattan hotel. At an early hour it takes no time at all. Have a nice last night in the city.

aussiedreamer

It really is great to read these posts. We leave in about 11 weeks (but who's counting I have been 'annoying' people on this site for nearly a year, planning our trip. Thanks to someones suggestion I filled out the form on Big Apple Greeters web site about 5-6 months ago. I had a lovely email just last week to organize it all. Very excited. I have told them we would like to be 'shown' the subway, so we told feel like total 'hicks' when we attempt it solo, and a general look around the area we will be staying. Nothing seems like too much trouble. Did I mention I was excited?????

I have also decided on a cab from JFK. Flight comes in about 7.30pm. And we were in NY 7 yrs ago for only 4 days and thought the Hop on Hop off bus a fantastic idea. Thinking of using it xmas eve and then it can be used the day after xmas also.

Does anyone know any advantage to buying the pass for the bus on line before we leave?

mclaurie

The price is the same online or in person as though as you buy it from Grayline. Some 3rd party vendors charge more. I've noticed there's a 10% discount if you're a member of AAA. Don't know if you can take advantage of that online. If you belong to the Oz equivalent, don't know if that counts either.

mclaurie

I haven't had enough coffee yet. "...as though as?..." As long as. It's also just occurred to my pea brain your screen name does not mean you live in Oz.

aussiedreamer

McLaurie..........no not a pea brain. Yes I am in Australia (having my 1st coffee of the day, 6.35am) Sorry for my ignorance but what exactly is AAA? I see it mentioned a lot but have never really known what is was.
And as for 3rd party vendors, our travel agent wanted to charge us nearly double what the website is quoting. Sure does pay to do some research.

mclaurie

AAA=American Automobile Association--the guys that give you roadside assistance as well as helping plan roadtrips etc. They have some other travel benefits that I think most of us never take advantage of.

aussiedreamer

I thought thats what it might be, but didn't want to look like a 'goose'
The equivilant here is RACQ (Royal Auto Club Qld)
Thanks.

donco

Hey Aussiedreamer, you will be so glad you are getting some help on the subway-it makes NYC a real breeze to get around.
I have read it's better to get that bus tour ticket ahead of time simply to save time. Anyone know "fersher"???
Hope you love your trip!

aussiedreamer

Hey there donco. Yeah, we really are excited. Its just one week of a 6 week rnd the world trip.
But as this thread originator stated, "Obsessed" is how I feel about NY. I can never seem to get enough info, I never get tired of reading new posts.
Just this morning I have learnt all about the free Staten Island Ferry, which I had read so much about but wasn't real confident to use it, now I'm ready to jump on.

christy1

Juat a comment regarding people's subway anxiety: all subways are alike. If you have taken a subway anywhere in the world, you can take one in NYC. Your guidebook will undoubtedly have a map, and a brief explanation of how to buy tickets, and that's all you need. I've never been in a subway, anywhere, that wasn't very easy to use. Have fun!

Michael

christy 1, The NY subways are somewhat more difficult than the Paris subway. My parents always used public transportation, and got lost (with me) for a couple of hours because different trains run on the same track in NY. We kept on landing in the east Bronx instead of the west Bronx on the IRT line.

Vittrad

Of course this is coming from someone who is used to public transportation ... while the nyc subway is a bit complex, it isn't rocket science, just make sure that you are getting on the right train. though they could probably do a bit of a better job with making it clear what train is going where, and where it stops.


Oh, and think about how much you are going to use it and perhaps buy a visiters card if it makes financial sense, because those $2 trips can add up real quick, and the subway takes credit cards (a foreign concept here).

aussiedreamer

Just to clarify, 'no subways' in Aus!

starrsville

aussiedreamer, good point!

Softato1

Had to get over my obsession and take care of business. Just have to tie up loose ends before we leave on Saturday. We are hoping that the weather clears up!

One last question. On Wednesday night we are going to leave our hotel on the upper west side and stay in a hotel near JFK because we have a very early flight the next day. Our plan is to check out mid day, leave our luggage at the hotel and continue sightseeing. We will then take a taxi to the JFK hotel. What time in the evening would the worst traffic be over so that the trip to JFK won't be a nightmare?

Thanks to all of you I don't feel intimidated anymore. We are excited about our visit to NYC. Think we have a plan of action that we will adapt according to the weather.

HowardR

It should be okay to leave by 7:30-8. Why not have a last-night-meal-to-remember in NYC before going to your airport hotel?

JSAW

Getting out of the city is the worst part, but at least you've missed the summer weekend exodus from Manhattan to Fire Island or the Hamptons, which would have meant traffic until about 9 or 10 PM.

I really agree with having one last great meal in Manhattan before heading out to your hotel near JFK as your chances of getting something good near the airport are zero.

The weather is supposed to clear up by Saturday evening (I hope), according to my last look at the forecast. If not, by Sunday evening for sure.

donco

Don't have any plane info, sorry. Looking forward to hearing all about your trip and wish you a wonderful time!