Lmw_20

I need the best way to get from Port Authority in Manhattan ( think it's around 42nd &8th ave) to East 98th street and Madison ave. I have a 1:00pm appointment. I will be taking the express bus from central NJ at 8:55am and arrive at 10:30am in the city so allowing plenty of time for traffic jams, etc. There is also a 9:55 bus arriving at 11:30am but I feel one hour and a half to spare is cutting it close. What do you think? Should I take the early bus or the 9:55am bus? What is the best way to go from Port Authority to 98th street? I would be willing to shell out the cash for a cab since I would like to cut down on walking distance for my mom. What do you think the cab would cost? A rough estimate? How about a bus? It is okay if it's slow, I will take the early bus from NJ and have two and a half hours to get to my appointment. I am going crazy with all of this, please help to narrow down the best way to go!
Thank You in advance for your help.

vjpblovesitaly

www.hopstop.com might be helpful. They have public transport and cab info

nytraveler

There is no way you need an hour and half for that trip - 25 to 30 minutes should be fine by cab. City bus is more like 45 minutes or more.

And if your mom can do limited walking just grab a cab at Port Authority. Fare should be about $15 plus tip (20% is usual)

Subway would require climbing up and down a bunch of stairs as well as along passages when changing trains - and city bus is slow during the day - and your mom might well have to stand most of the way.

nytraveler

And please, calm down. This is just a cab ride - not the middle east peace talks.

vjpblovesitaly

haha

Lmw_20

Thanks,so a cab it is. I will take the later bus and we will grab some lunch when we get there. My nerves are on edge because we are headed to Mt.Sinai. The trip over will be the easy part.

doug_stallings

If you are going to have lunch, then come a little earlier. There are some reasonable lunch spots in the neighborhood (this is very near where I live).

There's a nice French bistro on the corner of 93rd and Madison called Le Paris, and it has an $18.95 lunch special (soup/salad, crepe or omelette, and dessert). Otherwise, the menu is a little pricey. Pascalou, next door, has a more expansive lunch menu for the same price, and it's also a good restaurant.

I also like Ottomanelli for burgers. It's at 94th and Lexington. Though some of the best burgers in the city are at Joy Burger at 100th and Lexington, but it's a really casual place.

Or there's a decent diner at the corner of 96th and Madison called Three Guys.

There are several restaurants around 94th and Madison, but I haven't been to all of them.

DonTopaz

I think you'll have to leave much earlier than foreseen -- Mt Sinai is in Egypt and requires an aeroplane flight.

starrs

Good luck with your visit at Mt. Sinai. I hope it goes well.

maxima

Take the earlier bus. Allow for traffic in NJ and delays at the tunnel. Hopefully you wont have any problem, but the stress will be worse if you take the later bus and you are stuck in traffic. Take a taxi, it will be easier and less stressful than finding the right bus to take you across town and then uptown. Have lunch uptown if that is ok prior to the appointment. When you are finished at the medical center you can decide if you want to take a bus downtown and then a crosstown bus on 42nd street..or just take a taxi back to the port authority. Its on 42nd street and 8th Avenue.

Best of luck with your visit at Mr. Sinai.

Skiergirl

FYI in case you did or could take the train:
At Port Authority you could take the 7 train across town to Grand Central, then switch to the 4/5/6 to 96th Street. It's a couple of blocks walk from there to Mt. Sinai.

I KNOW YOUR MOM CAN'T WALK FAR. I'm just putting this out there in case there is some major incident in the city that day and/or you can't get a cab.

nyer

There are also bus routes if you have lots of time. Crosstown on 42nd, then another bus up Madison Avenue , leading to the back entrance of some of the Mount Sinai buildings which seems to be where you need to go anyway.

A taxi would certainly be easier but a bus ride, figuring about 45 minutes-one hour, is also an option with little walking needed.

nytraveler

Yes, but her mom may not be able to stand on the bus until a seat becomes available. Same thing for the subway.

POMAH

I had a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus going from NYC Port Authority to Mt.Pocono for a 4pm job interview. Bus departed 10am. Why so early? We got stuck 1 hour in LeTunnel, then traffic on the way there, plus 2 stops.

So, yes, if you wish not to be late, give yourself 2.5hrs extra.