Getting around NY City
 

I know I have seen this info before here but can't find it now.

We are planning a trip to NY City in Aug. We are looking for a bus pass that allows us to pay 1 price and ride the double decker bus or something similar all day or even for 48 hours. I think I seen one of these. We want to see alot in 2.5 days and think this is our best option. Also my husband gets heel spurs so might also be the most pain free option.

Thank you

Kim

Think twice about the hop-on/hop-off bus option. In addition to what I said in my trip report, we spent A LOT of time sitting in traffic, forcing the "guide" to think of new inanities to share...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35135509

~Liz

Two days of the hop-on-hop-off tour bus will set you each back $50 or more, whereas a pass for a full week of unlimited rides on the city metro system will cost about $25 and take you to more places, run more often, and hardly ever arrive too full for you to even think about boarding (which the double-decker tour buses often do).

If you're really looking for simply transit between tourist destinations, rather than the guided tour, you might even be better-off with taxis, in terms of cost, comfort, and convenience.

>>hardly ever arrive too full for you to even think about boarding <<

wha? that doesn't describe my commute--what trains are you taking?

To answer the poster's question, a metrocard is a better option than the hop-on/off tour bus and you can go where you want, when you want. Avoid rush hours if possible, we have enough people on the train as it is and please DO NOT take your luggage on the train at peak times, again, no room.

Thank you for the options.

We have alot of stuff to see in a short amount of time. Most of the items on our to do list are things to see, take photos and move on so I am confident we will be able to see all we want. We aren't going to New York to relax so not worried about fitting in time to just chill.

Some of the options you have all given me are probably better ideas I will explore.

Thanks for the input

Kim

The problem with the double decker bus is that in August the top is hot as hell and you won;t be able to stand it - and may get fried. And, from the bottom level you really can't see much of anything.

Plus, there are a lot of places it doesn;t go - and as remarked the guides are often inane.

For transit you're better with the regular city bus (with AC) if you want to look at things from inside a bus.

But frankly, you're better off picking out what you want to see and just going and seeing it - the inside of it - not just the front of buildings.

I'm always amazed at all the people sitting on the touring buses just watching regular New Yorkers go about their daily errands - which is an awful lot of what you want to see.

Take boat rides and ascend to the Top of the Rock for an overview - but don;t waste time watching me walk from Duane Reade to the dry cleaner.

+1 on the metrocard passes.

A much better value than the double decker buses, and you can go everywhere!