NYC cab question
 

Is there a 4-person limit per cab?

If so, is that for adults? We will be 3 adults, two children (4 and 7). Will we have trouble getting a cab?

Yes, you are correct, 5 people will not be able to ride in one cab. Limit is 4 persons period.

CAbs are only allowed to take 4 people. YOu might try getting one of the car services to pick you up at the airport and take the subway. I don't think you will have to pay for the 4 yr old. And if you get a metro card, for $20 you can get $4 extra on the card. You may find a cab willing to take the family since 2 of the kids are small, so 1 adult will have to sit up with the driver.

Have a great time while you are here.

You can easily get a car service to and fro airports. Other than that - an occasional driver might chance it if you stuff the kids between you in the back seat - but most will refuse - since there's a heavy fine if they're caught.

Yes the limit is 4 persons. Once in a while the driver will allow an extra person if they are a small child but the seatbelt laws are being enforced so you need to make certain the kids all have them. Car service is the best way unless you take public transportation.

Actually, I wasn't thinking about to/from the airport (LGA). We were more
concerned about cabs while we're in the city.

But, now that you mention it, how does one arrange a "car service"? Is that like a shuttle?

A car service (we've used both Carmel and Tel Aviv in NYC) picks up just your party and takes you where you want to go. Unlike a shuttle, there are no other passengers and no other stops.

We were a party of 5 when in NY a few weekends ago. We found that at night one of us could jump in and lay on the floor of the cab.

Probably not that smart and not a good example for kids but it was cold out!!!!

On the three times we tried it we didn't get caught (we did get caught during the day).

There were cabs that were mini-van size that could hold more than 5. We were able to catch one of these during the day.

A few times we took the subway and found it to be cheap, easy & safe (a little smelly at times).

We also took two cabs a few times. They were pretty cheap if you were just staying around the city.

Thanks, everyone. I called the car service and we'll have to hire a minivan for 5 people. Avg: $55 each way plus tolls/tips. I'll look into the train/subway, but I doubt we want to do that with a 4 year old.

There's no reason not to take a 4 year old on the subway - city kids do it their whole lives. It's perfectly safe - just - as any other public place - hold tightly to the kid's hand.

Thanks, NYT. I wasn't clear: we'll take the subway while in the city. I just think it might be a bit much to try it from the airport...with luggage. Once we're in town...well, the 7-year old would pitch a fit if we DIDN'T take the subway!

You don't need a car service from LGA. The minivan taxis are more plentiful at the airports than cruising Manhattan. Tell the dispatcher when you get in line you're 5. They'll get you a larger taxi. OR, try Crown limo who will send a stretch limo for 6 at probably a better rate than the minivan from Carmel or Tel Aviv.

But around town, you may need 2 taxis.

Sorry, I've really muffed this. It's the Newark airport. Does the same advice apply?

Nooooooooo. Newark is further and more expensive. I would get a quote from Crown on a 6 passenger stretch limo.
1800mycrown.com

You can take a taxi (and hope for a large one) but I'm not sure I'd chance that. 2 taxis from EWR is not economical. From LGA it wouldn't have been that much more than a limo.

you could call yellow cab and ask them for a minivan- there are a few of those around

There are no yellow cabs in New Jersey which is where Newark airport is. Yellow NYC cabs are not allowed to pick up passengers at EWR. They can only drop off.

The New Jersey transit trains run directly from Newark airport to Penn Station and are very cheap. Unless you are really loaded down with luggage, I'd consider that.

I have done the Airtrain thing a couple of times from Newark and I must be an idiot because I didn't find it easy or cheap.

You get to schlep your luggage to the Airtrain. Then the Airtrain goes to the Newark Airport train station and you have to get off the Airtrain and pick up NJTransit.

You then get the schlep your luggage on the train and try and not take out commuters with rolling suitcases.

Then, when you get to Penn Station NY you get to again schlep your luggage off the train and haul it up the escalator (if it is working) through tens of thousands of people at Penn Station and try to make your way outside to the taxi stand to then get a cab to your hotel.

I'm exhausted writing this.

You get to do all of the above for the cheap low price of $14.

No thanks.

Car service is $47 from EWR and worth every penny.

I much rather seeing NYC from the backseat of a Town Car than get beat up by my own luggage.

Call 212.666.6666 and tell them you are arriving at Newark, that you are 5 people, including two small children and they will send a mini-van for you. Do not take the train, it will be too annoying with five people and all the luggage that entails. All very easy, actually.

I looked at the train and the fare for the five of us would be about $60. At that rate the car svc makes much more sense.

Michelle:
What number is that?

OK then, forget that train suggestion.Even though I made it, I wouldn't even take the darn thing after reading GoTravel's desription.

I still can't believe that anyone would lie down on the floor of a NYC cab - or that the cabbie would let them. I won;t even put my umbrella there. Can you even begin to imagine what's been down there - and is now on your clothes?

The dry cleaning bill would be more than the cost of a second cab.

Amen! And to think of making a child lie down there? Perish the thought!

Actually, a regular 4 door cab driver can get heavily fined for taking extra passengers, especially if caught by the cab police known as the Taxi Limousine Commission. Don't risk it. All parties involved will be terribly inconvenienced. As others suggest, get a minivan, although I think minivans allow 4 people as well, the dispatcher at places like hotels and Penn Station will help you out.

Traveling around the city, I would highly recommend the subway or the bus. The kids ride free (in subways, they go under the turnstiles, on buses, they just walk by). :D

Oops...I should say both your kids travel free, if they're under 44 inches. Check out the site at http://tinyurl.com/8f38s

Suki, people rant and rave about the Airtrain and I still can't figure it out.

When I did it the first time I chalked my bad experience up to inexperience (I've taken NJ Transit hundreds of time to my parents place in New Jersey from Penn Station so I'm very familiar with Penn Station and NJTransit).

After the second time and it didn't get any better I gave up.

I'd love to meet one of those people who say it is easy and cheap and can get into Midtown in 20 minutes and have them lead me through the process.

I'm not kidding.

The number I gave was for Carmel car service -- one that many on here have and currently use.

I repeat, Crown limo for a stretch limo (not a minivan). Get a quote. 1800mycrown.com

Compare it to the quotes you get from Carmel or Tel Aviv for minivan and then decide.

carmellimo.com
telavivlimo.com