WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 21, 2020 12:42:54 GMT
I’m planning a long (4-5 day) cultural weekend in New York in April and I’m working on the arrangements. Plan is to stay somewhere near Times Square but, never having actually visited NYC before, I’m wondering how best to arrive, which requires me to choose an airport.
Plan is to take a daytime flight, landing late Saturday afternoon. A taxi from JFK might then be an expensive crawl in traffic. We won't have much luggage, so a train-subway trip shouldn’t be a problem, and my impression is that that is easier from Newark than from JFK. But I’d be glad of the advice of those here who know the place better than I do.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 13:17:01 GMT
It's been a while since I was last in NYC however, trip to San Francisco was the same setup. Head for ground transportation where there's usually a board with a list of hotels/destinations and a number. Note the number and pickup the phone at the end of the board. They'll advise you of a collection point and someone will collect you in a minibus to take you wherever.
There's probably an app for it now where you can set it all up in advance.
Cheaper than a yellow cab and door to door. Usually friendly drivers who you can have a chat with and pick up some hints and tips from.
Can't advise you on airport, I only ever used JFK. No idea about LaGuardia or Newark.
I typed "ground transportation jfk to times square" into search engine. Less than $20 one way.
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Post by bromptonaut on Feb 21, 2020 13:52:00 GMT
We went to NYC for Christmas 2018. Flew both ways with United Heathrow to Newark and return. IIRC we left UK about midday and arrived mid/late afternoon by which time, being December, it was getting dark. In spite of having ESTA etc all sorted Immigration was a fag taking around an hour to clear. No problem with the agent, just a queue. It was just after the drone incident at LGW and there were a number of 'displaced persons' who needed to jump the queue for connections.
Being NY newbies we'd booked a shared taxi, paid in advance, to our hotel. Worked OK except that Mrs B, who's lack of height is entirely down to short legs, couldn't get into one of the seats - her backside not large by British, never mind US standards - did not allow her to squeeze in between seat backs. Fortunately somebody swapped. It was good to get transport door to door as it was late, probably near midnight UK time and we'd been up at 04:30 to drive to LHR, and we'd zero experience of area.
There's a good train service to/from EWR to Penn Station which is only a few blocks south of our hotel in 39th street and we used that to return. Penn Station is actually about 3 stations for different systems and takes a bit of navigating; I'll never complain about New Street again. Once we found the right platforms getting out to EWR and using the internal tramway to the terminal was a cinch. If we went again we'd just get the train.
Our accommodation was in Candlewood Suites on East 39th Street. Near enough to Times Square for them to be titled Candlewood Suites Times Square. A decent sized double room with a kitchenette - oven, hob and microwave plus fridge and adequate crockery. We'd discovered suites on a previous visit to USA and really like the concept - if we didn't fancy eating out we could cook a pizza or nip back in the afternoon and grab a snack. We were on floor 30 something and had a decent view toward Empire State Etc. If you like the concept I'd certainly recommend.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 21, 2020 17:59:18 GMT
Thanks chaps. I’m tending towards Newark as it seems to make the journey slightly easier with no difference to the airfare.
I like Bromp’s suite idea. We’ve used serviced pizzapartments for short stopovers in France, where they’re easier than ghastly ‘family rooms’ in hotels, and introduce useful lower-cost catering options. Cost isn’t a major consideration this time, but comfort certainly is — even if we’re past the stage of needing to accommodate children, or to take them along at all.
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Post by tyrednexited on Feb 21, 2020 20:28:43 GMT
Newark is fine: probably better than JFK at busy times (though the tunnels can be slow). AFAIK, taxi fares are heavily regulated so, though there is a defined supplement for peak hours, any undue delay should make little difference to this cost. It's a good long time since I last did a trip into the centre, but then I used the Airport Shuttle bus rather than train. Given that you're countenancing rail/subway, this might be better, especially if one of the downtown drop-off/pick-up points is near your accommodation (though the last bit by subway is still an option). www.newarkairportexpress.com/
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Post by Humph on Feb 22, 2020 9:02:25 GMT
Normally, if not under time pressure, I'll just get the bus into the city from JFK. Can't remember it being expensive and in a way, it starts to get you into a local mindset.
Took one of those open top bus tours once. Touristy thing to do of course, but enjoyable. I like the bars and restaurants in Greenwich Village, eclectic mix of people but that just adds to the atmosphere.
Anyone with a uniform during immigration will shout at you, which can be quite annoying at first.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 14:06:45 GMT
Hmm, homeland security have definitely become more po-faced since the Donald got his hands on the controls.
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EspadaIII
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Post by EspadaIII on Feb 22, 2020 18:53:08 GMT
Ten years since I visited USA, but Newark was fairly relaxed at the time.
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Post by bromptonaut on Feb 23, 2020 17:49:17 GMT
Thanks chaps. I’m tending towards Newark as it seems to make the journey slightly easier with no difference to the airfare. I like Bromp’s suite idea. We’ve used serviced pizzapartments for short stopovers in France, where they’re easier than ghastly ‘family rooms’ in hotels, and introduce useful lower-cost catering options. Cost isn’t a major consideration this time, but comfort certainly is — even if we’re past the stage of needing to accommodate children, or to take them along at all. We found the Candlewood rooms (west 39th, not east as I stated before) perfectly comfortable but, IIRC, you're at the opposite end of the height spectrum to me, I'm 5' 8", which might make a difference. We found lots of eateries in the area including UK style pubs, American chains (Applebees) and a truly excellent French place just south of Central Park. I'd also commend the NY equivalent of London's 'Boris Bikes' sponsored by Citibank. Seem to use the same bikes and docking kit/software as London. We had an excellent day riding up to and around Central Park picking and dropping bikes as suited. Pretty good cycling/bus lanes on main Avenues, better than cycling in London.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 23, 2020 22:58:24 GMT
...you're at the opposite end of the height spectrum to me, I'm 5' 8". Would that make me 8’5”?
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Post by dixinormus on Feb 29, 2020 0:02:01 GMT
I’d hold off booking the tickets WdB. Who knows what travel restrictions might be imposed in the weeks ahead!
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 29, 2020 17:22:48 GMT
I've done exactly that. MrsB1 has suddenly gone right off the idea.
I'm still rather hoping we won't get a complete shutdown and that there'll be bargains to be had in a couple of weeks if I'm ready to move fast, but at the moment it seems too risky to book concert tickets and other things that insurance wouldn't refund.
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Post by Alanović on Mar 2, 2020 9:29:41 GMT
Same here. We were planning to catch one of Billy Joel's monthly shows at Madison Square Gardens sometime this year, to celebrate both our 50th birthdays. Not going to book anything now until there's a bit more certainty that it won't go wrong.
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Post by Humph on Mar 2, 2020 10:20:12 GMT
Billy Joel?
Ooooooh....Kay
🤔
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Mar 2, 2020 14:00:11 GMT
Go ahead with your own life, leave him alone!
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