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NEW_YORK_GETTING_AROUND
Grand Central Station narrowly escaped demolition some years back, which is a good thing. It is a transportation hub, and worth a visit just to admire it.
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| New York City is Tops on Transport Options |
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The New York City metropolis is transportation center for the eastern seaboard and is home to three major airports, each managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and each carrying somewhat infamous reputations for delays, clogged runways and stressful environments.
By Air:
John F Kennedy International Airport
(718- 244-4444)
Situated aside Jamaica Bay in southeastern Queens, busy JFK is a mere 15 highway miles from the center of Manhattan, although what sounds like a short jaunt can seem an eternity, especially in insane New York traffic. The airport recently underwent a multi-billion dollar construction renovation which upgraded each of the nine terminals and the central parking garages, and added the Airtrain light rail system connecting the airport to regional rail service. LaGuardia and Newark also serve NYC.
Numerous transportation companies are represented in the terminals with a service desk or courtesy phone. Transport to the lots on Van Wyck Expressway is provided via free shuttle. Taxis are readily available outside the terminals, but make sure you book through a uniformed dispatcher and hire an authorized cab.
Set fare to central Manhattan, as of when this was written, is $35 plus tolls. Express bus service (718-875-8200/ http://www.nyairportservice.com ) travels to the Port Authority Bus Station, Penn Station, and Grand Central in Manhattan. Service runs every 15-30 minutes and costs around $13. Tran-bridge (800-962-9135/ http://www.transbridgebus.com ) operates bus service to the Port Authority bus station three times daily. Fares are $10 one-way; $19 round trip.
Once the Airtrain is up and running it will connect to the Howard Beach Station and the MTA "A" line. It will also link with Jamaica Station allowing access to the Long Island Railroad (718-330-1234/ http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us ) and numerous subway options. Super Shuttle (212 258 3826/ http://www.supershuttle.com ) offers an inexpensive door-to-door option.
For $15 to $20, shared service into Manhattan is available on demand, 24 hours daily. Those with a sense of adventure and a minimal budget can hop the Q10 Green Bus (718-995-4700 ) or Q3 Transit Authority Bus (718-330-1234 ). Each departs outside the terminals every 15 minutes and connects to various subway lines leading into the city. Another nifty option is to catch one of the buses marked "long term parking". Besides the usual stops at outer parking lots, the buses go to the Howard Beach Station. Various private limo and van companies are also onsite.
La Guardia Airport ( LGA )
(718-533-3400)
This airport also resides in Queens, just eight miles outside Manhattan, and is infamous for holding up passengers in just about every other airport in the United States with its connection delays. It has a Central Terminal and five dedicated terminals. Parking is available outside each terminal. Free shuttle buses connect the terminals. Airlines serving LaGuardia include:
Ground Transportation:
Rental cars are not the cheapest transportation option and driving in and around the city can make most drivers have nightmares for years. Rental car companies on hand include the usual major operators.
All rental offers car hire, and each has a desk or courtesy phone in the terminals and runs a free shuttle to the car lots. Uniformed dispatchers and licensed taxis are located at stands outside each terminal. A metered trip into Manhattan costs $16 to $26, plus tolls.
Express busses (718-875-8200/ http://www.nyairportservice.com ) run to and from the airport and the Port Authority Bus terminal, Penn Station and Grand Central every 15-60 minutes ( depending on bus and destination ) for around USD10-USD12. Super Shuttle (212-258-3826/http://www.supershuttle.com) offers door-to-door service from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Triboro Coach (718-335-1000/ http://www.triborocoach.com/ ) runs two 24-hour buses (Q33, Q47) into Manhattan.
Each connects to various subway routes. Fares are a paltry $1-$2. The New York Transit Authority's M60 bus also heads into Manhattan, leaving the terminals every 30 minutes from 5am-1am daily. Various private limo (http://www.royalimo.com ) and van companies are also onsite.
Newark Liberty International Airport ( EWR )
(973-961-6000)
Although located in New Jersey, many travelers opt to save a few dollars and avoid the more crowded NYC airports by flying into Newark. Plus, being the only area airport ( at this point ) to offer direct rail service into Manhattan, it just might be the best option in town. The airport's four terminals, numerous parking lots, rental car lots and onsite train station are linked by the Airtrain monorail. Airlines serving Newark include:
Ground Transportation:
To hire a car take the Airtrain monorail to stop P3 for Avis, Hertz, National, or P2 for Budget, Dollar, and courtesy shuttles to Enterprise. Taxi ranks are located outside each terminal. Make sure to stick with authorized cab companies. Fares into Manhattan range from run around $60, plus tolls and tip
Airtrain (888-397-4636/ http://www.airtrainnewark.com ) offers direct service to Penn Station in Manhattan for around $11 and connecting service to the center of town via PATH trains and NJ Transit buses.
Olympia Airport Express (877-894-9155/ http://www.olympiabus.com ) buses operate every 15-40 minutes ( depending on destination ) to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station and Penn Station. Fares start at $12. Super Shuttle (212-258-3826/ http://www.supershuttle.com ) features on demand door-to-door service for $15-$25. Various public buses run from the airport to points around the region. Private limo and van companies are also onsite.
By Car-Share:
Zipcar (212-691-2884/ http://www.zipcar.com )
By Train:
Unlike most other places in the United States, train travel is a viable alternative to air travel in the Northeast, especially if the destination is New York. Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com ) operates from Penn Station both high speed train and slog service to points across the eastern seaboard and Midwest.
Another option is the AirTrain Newark (800 234 PATH/ http://www.panynj.gov ), a fast, reliable, affordable airport connection.
AirTrain Newark is a better way to, from and around Newark Liberty International Airport. The train also travels to Manhattan and points north or Philadelphia and points south. To ride the AirTrane within the JFK and Newark airports the cost is free. When you use a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard, the cost is $5 per rise or if you are a frequent traveler, buy the Unlimited Ride MetroCard for AirTrain for $40, and pay less than $1 per ride.
By Bus:
The Port Authority Bus Terminal (625 8th Ave., between W. 40th and W. 42nd Sts., Midtown West/212-564-8484/ http://www.panynj.gov ) is the transport hub for multiple long haul and commuter buses coming and going to all points across region and the United States.
By Car:
The city is easily accessed by I-95 north/south connecting to numerous east/west routes. The problem is that when you get there you may be stuck in traffic the entire trip.
Getting Around Town
By Car:
Even for seasoned drivers navigating the greater New York City area is at times frustrating and utterly difficult. Best to search out a parking spot, which also takes some effort, unless your hotel offers a lot, and opt for alternative forms of transport. The ubiquitous yellow cabs (http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/tlc ) make getting around the city a breeze.
Cabs can be hailed just about anywhere, but preferably at intersections. Other licensed private car and limo companies can be called for pick up and are often comparable in rates to the standard taxis. You may have to rely on these in the outer boroughs because taxis are usually scarce there.
Public Transport:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (http://www.mta.info/), is the umbrella organization for the city's multiple forms of transport ranging from subways and buses to an extensive system of commuter trains. Initially daunting, the world’s largest subway system has a reputation for being sluggish and dangerous, but over the past decade it has been cleaned up a bit and is a reliable means to get around. Some 24 routes (lettered and numbered) web across the five boroughs.
Bus service is also widespread, although by no means as quick for longer cross-town journeys, and most routes operate 24 hours daily. Bus fare is $2. MetroCards also work on buses.
Numerous commuter trains including the Long Island Railroad (718 217 5477/ http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr ) and PATH (800 234 7284/ http://www.panynj.gov ) converge on Grand Central and Penn Station daily, connecting the city with the sprawling burbs.
By Ferry:
Various companies offer cross-river and cross-harbor water taxi and ferry service. Fares vary by service. A Staten Island Ferry crossing offers unparalleled views of the city. |
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NY_ROADTRIPS
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