SUBWAY PASS/LETTERMAN TICKETS
 

We will be spending 4 days in New York and will use the subway to go into the city and return to our hotel each day. Would it be advisable to purchase a subway pass for these trips or pay for each individual trip?

Also, are there any suggestions or tips for sucessfully obtaining Letterman tickets? I have used the CBS website and have already requested tickets online but have not heard anything. Are our chances bettter by standing in line the day of the show to request tickets or should we call in to request tickets?

Any responses are appreciated.

Where are you staying?

We will be staying at the Best Western City View in Queens.

Depends. What are you going to do and how many times a day do you plan on using the bus/subway? I think a 24 hour pass is $7 (good until 2AM??).

About the Letterman show--I got my tickets through the website, but here's how it worked. I completed the information on the website and used my cell phone number as my call-back number. I did not hear anything from them for several months. The week I was in NYC, I got called there by the show! They asked a trivia question (who is Allen Coddle--the announcer) and then asked us which of two times we wanted to come. We picked our choice and they told us what time to show up at the theater on that date. So, based on my experience, they don't call you until a day or two before they want you to come. I did talk to some other people in line who said they also used the webiste but never got called. They just showed up at the theater and waited in line to get their tickets. I hope it works out for you like it did for us!

I suggest the 7 day unlimited card for $24 if you will use the subway/bus while sightseeing during the day, not just to travel to/from your hotel. If you take 3 or more rides each of the 4 days it will be a better value than the one day fun pass. You could pass them on to other travelers in your hotel to use the remaining time on the cards.
If you are only using public transportation to get to/from Queens you're better off with a pay-per-ride metrocard.

Actually if you get a $20 metrocard, you get $4 credit on the card, so it's 2 free rides. You can also get a free transfer between buses and subway to bus.

Have a great time while you are here.

Just to clarify, the posters above are talking about two different types of Metrocard. The $24 unlimited card is indeed good for a week and gives you unlimited rides.

If you buy a regular (pay-per-ride) card and pay $10 or more, you get a 20% bonus. Thus, if you pay $10 you get a $12 card (6 rides for the price of 5), if you pay $20, you get a $24 card (12 rides for the price of 10), etc.

Also the pay-per-ride card, but not the unlimited card, can be used by up to 4 people at a time. (That is, it can be used for 4 fares at a time--it doesn't let 4 people ride for the price of 1!).

More on Metrocards:
www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm

My husband didn't have any reservations for the Letterman show. He just showed up and waited stand-by. He got a seat, sat somewhere way in the back. It was the show with Jack Black riding the bicycle outside in some diaper looking thong.

We have gotten Letterman tickets by showing up at the Sullivan Theater on the day of the show....around 11:00-12:00 in the morning/afternoon. They gave the crowd "with tickets" a line position, and they also gave away any extra tickets at that time. They are VERY nice and accomodating. When we got ours, it was on Thursday and they were taping both Thursday and Friday night shows, so we had two chances. It has been a 4-5 years since we were able to go, so the process could have changed. Actually, we have done this twice, and both times the staff has been VERY nice. Good Luck. It is a great show!!! We love Dave.....

Thanks to everyone for their advice and guidance!