New York transportation and tour advice
 

Hello,

I'll be in New York for the first time in April for a conference, and am hoping for some advice! First, what is the best way for a single person to get from Newark airport to the Sheraton Manhattan? I am considering Super Shuttle or Airlink Shuttle, but was surprised to see that they want to pick me up 4 hours and 15 minutes before my return flight? Is that necessary? Are these decent services?

Second, I'd love to see some of New York while I'm there. Any recommendations for tours that would take me from the hotel to some of the must see locations?

Any information or suggestions for my trip would be greatly appreciated!

Cabs from Newark into Manhanttan are a set price depending on the area.

Super shuttle can be Ok, if you are first off, otherwise it could be like a tour bus.

Super Shuttle and Airlink are the cheapest way to get door to door service for a single traveler, but what you save in money is not worth the LOOOOOOONG waits for others to picked up and dropped off, and as you say, the ridiculous pick up times for the returns. People have actually missed their flights from no shows on pick ups too.

I would take a taxi or car service like dial7.com to your hotel and for the return, consider taking the Express bus from Port Authority bus terminal. If you don't have a lot of luggage, you could walk to the bus terminal or just take a taxi there. The Express bus is $15/person from Port Authority to Newark.
http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp
You could certainly use it for your arrival too, butfor a first trip after a tiring flight, it may just not be worth it.

Nypartyshuttle.com is very well regarded, has small groups, climate controlled buses and good guides. They have a few different tour options depending on your schedule. They won't pick you up, but they start very near your hotel. hopstop.com is a good website to help you figure out how to get around, even a walking map.

Super Shuttle in NYC is VERY unrelaible. Sometimes late, sometimes doesn;t show t all - and usually drives you around in traffic for an hour dropping off or picking up people to./from other hotels.

For a single person with little luggage you can do Air Train to Newark, then NJ Transit to NY Penn Station , then a cab - $10 or so to your hotel.

Or, take a shuttle bus to the Port Authority and then a cab or walk to your hotel.

I don;t like any of the NYC bus tours. It's a city that must be walked to be experienced. And you should be going in and seeing the places of most interest - not looking at the outside of the buildings. There are some good themed walking tours - but bus tours IMHO area waste of time.

Another vote for skipping the bus tour and walking around the city. You'll be in a good location to walk around and see a lot of the interesting sites of the city. Your hotel will be able to give you some specific directions.

Thanks for the information. It helps a lot!

When-ever I go to N.Y. I just get the bus from the air-port to Manhattan, no waits, no problem. I never took a tour because in Manhattan one needs only to go out of the hotel and all the touring is right there. It's a very easy island to get around and so much to see and do without a tour.

All the world is a noun Manhattan is a verb.

If you have a budget to stick to, alot of luggage, want door to door, don't mind waiting, try Super Shuttle. My experience is that Air Link is less reliable.

Or you could take the bus to Manhattan for $12 and then get a cab. It comes I guess every 15 min or 30 min?

I was thinking about that 4 hours and 15 minutes to get to Newark. It might not be THAT far off. If it were, say, rush hour, it could take quite awhile to get to Newark - more than an hour anyway. Then if the airport were really busy you could need an hour and a half at least to be sure you were through security etc. So, depending on the time of day, be sure to leave plenty of time even if you just grab a cab.

Thanks again! As for departure times, my flight is at 7:45 on Sunday. (Super Shuttle wanted to pick me up at 3:30) Any suggestions on when it would be appropriate to leave? I'm guessing traffic shouldn't be too bad at that point, but not knowing New York, I'm not sure!