A bit of a toytown effort really.. and other New York City, NY Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The Aitrain at JFK has finally arrived after years of delay, accidents, leaves on the line, the wrong sort of snow (oh no, hang on a moment I'm thinking about our rail network in England)

The Airtrain at JFK is late however, and only runs around the airport and out to a couple of the Subway lines.

Before it started this year (2004) you could get a free shuttle bus to Howard Beach station, then only pay a couple of Dollars to get to central New York.

The shuttle bus is now discontnued, and a trip on the Airtrain once you leave the main aiprot area will set you back FIVE dollars. This is a very stupid idea - environmentally. It will drive people towards more polluting forms of transport.

I did wonder however, if you could get off at the last parking lot stop and just walk to the station - thus using the Airtrain for free?

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Website: www.airtrainjfk.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The transport route to Philadelphia and Washington DC is a heavily used one.

If you don't want to use the air shuttles and the train seems on the expensive to you (the fast Acela Train is often over $100 one way), then the cheapest way to go is to use one of the independent coach firms.

They may pick up on the street, rather than at a bus station, but we found them efficent, clean and very cheap. The average fare seems to be around $35 return.

Try : www.2000coach.com

or www.washny.com

and for comparison

www.amtrak.com

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: There are many tips written about using the Staten island ferry, and of course there is the option of a 'cruise' right around Manhattan.

Few people fowever realise that there is a whole host of other ferry services available, mainly aimed at commuters (and thus the hours may not suit to well) which may be of interest to tourists.

The Website listed below neatly summarises what is available and provides appropriate links.

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Website: www.panynj.gov

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: It's good to see that JFK airport has been quick to embrace the low cost airlines such as Jet Blue.

Fares don't seem as cheap as this side of the pond with the likes of 'Ryanair' and 'Easyjet', but nonetheless getting to the Big Apple is probably as cheap as it as ever been. A bit more competition wouldn't go amiss however in this sector - and I believe that Richard Branson will be heading your way soon with an American version of his low-cost airline.

I just hope he picks a sensible name, as the Australian division known as "Virgin Blue" causes all sorts of problems for companies 'filter' / nanny systems on the net.

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Website: www.jetblue.com