New York City Transportation Tips by pchamlis

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: If you're flying into JFK or LaGuardia, and are staying in a midtown hotel, it'll only cost approximately $15 more (versus hailing a taxicab) to have a private limo company picking you up at the airport.

In many cases, your hotel will be happy to make the arrangements. But if not, hit the internet and make the reservations yourself. It's so much more civilized to be met and assisted at the airport than to lug your stuff out to a taxi.

OK, so I'm a little lazy. : )

NOTE...SEE SEPARATE TIP FOR MORE INFO.... Do NOT use "Lincoln Limousine Service".

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Just a note regarding one of the many limousine purveyors in NYC. We used Lincoln Limousine on our latest trip and were disappointed. Their cars are not as meticulously maintained as they suggest, and the drivers have a real communication problem. As an example, consider this...

OUR driver from La Guardia was unfamiliar with Florida, where we live. We mentioned that we lived in Florida and he says "where is Florida? is it warmer there?" Now, his knowledge of Florida wasn't necessary to get us to the hotel, but it points out his lack of awareness.

He also had a problem discerning between the DOUBLETREE hotel and the W (DOUBLE-U) hotel. Arrrgh.

Use someone other than Lincoln.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Super Shuttle does business in many of America's large metropolitan areas, specializing in airport transport.

Providing airport to hotel-door service for one quarter the cost of a cab or limo is Super Shuttle's forte. Doing so in a consistently efficient and pleasant manner may not always be part of the deal. I guess a lot depends on how much you'd like to spend extra money for an airport ride. :)

If you're arriving AT any NYC airport, look for the blue and yellow Super Shuttle vans in the airport shuttle areas of ground transportation. You can usually buy your ticket either from the driver, or from a little stand right at ground transportation. BE SURE to pick the van going to YOUR part of the city.....ie, is your hotel in midtown, downtown, etc. ASK. You can get a reservation for transportation IN ADVANCE by calling 1-212-258-3826 (1-202-BLUEVAN), but it's not necessary....and you'll still be waiting until whatever the van driver has decided is the best communal departure time for you AND THE OTHER passengers. : )

To go TO any airport in NYC, call in advance and get a pickup reservation. LIE to them about when you need to be at the airport. If your flight is at 3:00 pm, say 1:30 pm. Super Shuttle's computers suggest times for pickup that REALLY cut things short. If you're not from NYC, don't always assume the Shuttle guys are going to safely get you to the airport in time if you let THEM pick the appropriate pickup time. And besides, they're consistently 15-30 minutes late on pickups, because they have a nasty habit of promising 6 different parties at 6 different hotels that they'll pick them up at the same time. See the metaphysical problem there??

But, for semi-reliable and cheap airport-NYC-airport transport, Super Shuttle's usually a semi-safe choice. The cost??? Usually about $15 per person one way from JFK or LGA to midtown. Other destinations similar....I'm not sure about Newark airport prices, but it's bound to be less than a cab or limo, if you've got a cheapskate boss. Just kidding, Fred.

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Phone: 1+212-258-3826 (212-BLUEVAN)

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The ubiquitous NYC taxi cab is a huge part of the Big Apple landscape. And, used judiciously, they'll help you get around in town without busting your wallet up. And by judicious use, I mean that you use taxis only for medium distance trips. If you need to go 12-20 blocks and don't have time to walk, hail a cab. For long trips, try to stick with the subway.

And...WALK. It's a great city and I'd suggest walking wherever possible.

To hail a cab, just look for an empty and throw up your hand.

The cost, at regular weekday times, is something like $2.50 hail fee, and then 40 cents a quarter mile or 40 cents a minute stuck in traffic. So, for most short trips, you're talking $5-10, including a tip. Surcharges exist for late nights and early mornings.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The easiest and cheapest way to travel between Manhattan and Staten Island is via that historic Staten Island Ferry. This series of small pedestrian ferries runs throughout the day between Staten Island and Manhattan's South Ferry Terminal(s).

The price? A New York bargain, folks. FREE.
The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and if I remember, the boats depart about every hour. (Maybe a New Yorker will correct that comment, as I am not totally sure on frequency)

A bonus....a great FREE look at the Statue of Liberty occurs on each trip.

Another note....there are several different ferries. If you can manage to ride the "John F. Kennedy", there is no plastic barrier on the outside to obstruct an excellent State of Liberty photograph. : )

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