Take a cab unless you are truly destitute ... especially at that hour, the other options are a complete waste of time.

completely disagree. i think theyre still doing construction on the holland tunnel which makes the lincoln more crowded. could be wrong though... anyways i love the train. its so fast if its running right w your schedule. i take cabs at night- i cant lie. but times sq at that time is a mess anyhow. either way you'll be fine.

I came into Manhattan from Newark at midnight two nights ago ... zero traffic, zero wait at the tunnel.

The airtrain/shuttle are a waste of time.

ok. well i dont disagree. but if the choice is super shuttle or train i'd take the train anytime. like i said. i take a car.

I will not be destitute, however, I asked the hotel what they thought the price for a taxi would be, and they quoted me $75 from Newark! Now, I'm kind of thinking...$75 for a cab, or $12 for airtran. By your own suggestion...you would take the cab. So I guess I'll ask this...is it REALLY $75 for a cab from the airport?

Book a car service for less money than a cab ... www.dial7.com

When you have your bags, you call the car service and a car picks you up in 2-10 minutes. I do it all the time, most recently 2 nights ago.

At that hour and since you want to go out to the LES, the Airtrain is a colossal waste of time. Don't do it. Spend the extra money to get into the city quickly.

that sounds like the best option...Thanks
Gekko!! Good Vibes coming from NYC. lots of thanks from LA

btw, should I have them wait at the hotel, and have them take me to LES too, or do I hail a cab from the hotel, once I'm there?

No reason to hold a cab, especially since coming from New Jersey it will be a Jersey cab and it can't pick up fares in Manhattan. (That's also why it costs so much--they have to go back to Jersey empty.)

You can easily hail a Manhattan cab once you've checked in and are ready to go.

If you are at the Crowne Plaza mentioned at 49th and Broadway, you can save some money and get a fast ride downtown on the subway. Walk one block to 49th and 7th and take the N, R, or W to 8th St or Prince St and walk east to reach the East Village and Lower East Side--$2 subway versus $10 ca ride.

No, don't hold your car service at the hotel ... check in and then jump in a cab to the LES. If you're hungry, start at Schiller's, a Keith McNally bar/restaurant.