New York, New York — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
The three airports serving New York City (John F Kennedy International, La Guardia and Newark Liberty International Airport) are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (tel: (212) 435 7000; website: www.panynj.gov). Passengers should arrive for international flights at least two-and-a-half hours before departure. Ground transportation information for these airports is available from the port authority (tel: 1 800 247 7433) daily 0800-1800.
John F Kennedy Airport (JFK)
Tel: (718) 244 4444.
Website: www.kennedyairport.com
JFK is situated in Queens, 24km (15 miles) southeast of central Manhattan, and is New York’s busiest airport, with flights to destinations worldwide.
Airport facilities: Facilities include bureau de change, ATMs, Wi-Fi access, bars, restaurants, post offices, shops, duty-free boutiques and major car hire companies, including Avis, Budget and Hertz. Hotel reservations are available in Terminals 1, 4 and 7 by Accommodations Plus, Inc. (tel: 1 800 733 7666; website: www.hotelexpress.com) and in Terminal 3 by Megan Services (tel: 1 800 441 1115). The Air Train runs frequently between terminals and connects JFK with the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and New York City Transit (NYCT) local subways and buses.
Transport to the city: Air Ride (tel: 1 800 247 7433; website: www.panynj.gov) provides information on ground transportation to and from JFK and car park information. The Air Train (see above) also connects with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Jamaica station and with New York City Transit subways (NYCT) to Howard Beach subway station. From Jamaica station, the LIRR (tel: (718) 217 5477; website: www.mta.info/lirr) takes approximately 20 minutes to Manhattan’s Penn Station. The MTA ‘A’ train (tel: (718) 330 1234; website: www.mta.info/nyct) takes approximately 90 minutes to central Manhattan, with many stops along the way. The New York Airport Service (tel: (718) 875 8200; website: www.nyairportservice.com) express bus runs non-stop to the Port Authority Bus Terminal or Grand Central Station. Buses depart JFK every 15 to 30 minutes, daily 0615-2310 (journey time - 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic). The Super Shuttle Manhattan (tel: (212) 258 3826; website: www.supershuttle.com), available 24 hours a day, is a shared door-to-door minibus service that travels anywhere in Manhattan. Taxis to Manhattan are a flat rate US$45, plus tolls and tips.
La Guardia Airport (LGA)
Tel: (718) 533 3400.
Website: www.laguardiaairport.com
La Guardia is located in Queens, 13km (8 miles) east of central Manhattan. The airport handles mostly domestic flights.
Airport facilities: Facilities include ATMs, Wi-Fi access, money exchange, child care, bars, restaurants, shops, duty-free boutiques and car hire from Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National. A free shuttle service transports visitors between terminals.
Transport to the city: Air Ride (tel: 1 800 247 7433; website: www.panynj.gov) provides information on ground transportation and parking. Public transport is available on the MTA (tel: (718) 330 1234) bus M60, which intersects with many subway lines as it crosses to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The bus operates daily 0450-0100 (journey time - approximately 1 hour). An express bus of the New York Airport Service (tel: (718) 875 8200; website: www.nyairportservice.com) travels every 30 minutes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal or Grand Central Station (journey time - 40 to 50 minutes). Super Shuttle Manhattan (tel: (212) 258 3826; website: www.supershuttle.com), available on demand 24 hours a day, is a shared door-to-door minibus service that travels anywhere in Manhattan. Metered taxis to Manhattan cost around US$25-35, plus tolls and tips.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Tel: (973) 961 6000 or 1 800 397 4636.
Website: www.newarkairport.com
Newark Liberty is located in New Jersey, 27km (16 miles) southwest of central Manhattan.
Airport facilities: Facilities include ATMs, currency exchange facilities, Wi-Fi access, duty-free and other shops, restaurants, bars, a nursery and car hire from Avis, Budget and Hertz. Accommodations Plus, Inc. (tel: 1 800 733 7666; website: www.hotelexpress.com) has red phones within the facility for hotel reservations.
Transport to the city: Air Ride (tel: 1 800 247 7433, website: www.panynj.gov) is an information provider for ground transportation and parking. The NJ Transit Airtrain service (tel: 1 800 772 2222; website: www.njtransit.com) connects Newark Airport to Penn Station in Manhattan via New Jersey Transit. Trains run weekdays from 0500-0200 and weekends from 0600-0200 (journey time - 26 to 38 minutes). Coach USA (tel: (908) 354 3330 or 1 877 863 9275; website: www.coachusa.com/olympia) offers bus services to Penn Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station and several Midtown hotels. Buses run every 15-30 minutes daily 0400-0100 (journey time - 30-60 minutes). Taxis to Manhattan cost approximately US$45-US$75, plus tolls and tip.
Approximate flight times to New York: From London is 7 hours and 45 minutes; from Los Angeles is 6 hours; from Toronto is 1 hour and 40 minutes; and from Sydney is 22 hours.
Getting There By Road
US freeways and interstates are recognizable by numbers: odd numbers go north-south and even numbers run east-west over their whole length, although at any single, localized point this may seem different. Driving is on the right and the speed limit is 48kph (30mph) in the city and 105kph (65mph) on freeways. The minimum driving age is 16 years. An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required and a full national driving license is accepted. All travelers are strongly advised to acquire supplementary insurance. A yellow ‘non-resident, interstate liability insurance card', which acts as evidence of financial responsibility, is available through motor insurance agents. The American Automobile Association - AAA (tel: (212) 468 2600; www.aaa.com) provides information and roadside assistance to members.
Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357).
Routes to the city
Travel to Manhattan from New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington DC is across the George Washington Bridge or through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Brooklyn with Staten Island. Queensborough Bridge links Manhattan and Queens. The Triborough Bridge leads to upstate New York, while the New England Thruway and Bruckner Expressway lead to New England.
Driving times to the city
From Philadelphia - 2 hours; Boston - 4 hours; Washington DC - 5 hours.
Coach services
The Port Authority Bus Terminal, 628 Eighth Avenue at 40th Street (tel: (212) 564 8484; www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/bus/html/pa.html), handles long-distance and regional buses, as well as buses to the airports. Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates bus services that link New York City to points throughout North America.
Getting There By Rail
New York is well connected by rail.
Rail Services
New York City has two main stations. Grand Central Station, 42nd Street, Park Avenue, is the terminus for Metro-North Railroad, with services to upstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Pennsylvania Station, referred to as Penn Station, 34th Street, Sixth Avenue, serves Amtrak and the Long Island Railroad. Penn Station and Grand Central Station both have ATMs, bars, cafes, waiting rooms, shops and taxi ranks. Grand Central Station is a model of regeneration and the city's most impressive transport hub. Penn Station, on the other hand, is institutional, without many comfortable waiting areas.
Rail travel tends to be expensive, although a number of rail passes are available to overseas visitors. There is no central rail information number and all enquires should be directed to the relevant provider or Amtrak.
Rail Operators
New York City's rail services are primarily operated by Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com), with services to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami and Los Angeles. Trains also go to Toronto and Montreal in Canada.
Connections
From Philadelphia - 1 hour 30 minutes; from Washington DC - 3 hours; Boston - 3 hours 40 minutes.
Getting Around in New York, New York
Public Transport
Public transport is run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), New York City Transit (tel: (718) 330 1234; www.mta.info). The 24 hour subway is fast and cheap, although it is still best avoided late at night. The network serves over 400 stations. Staten Island is served by the MTA Staten Island Railway (tel: (718) 966 7478/SIRT: www.mta.info). Travelers use a MetroCard available at station kiosks and newsagents. Bus services are extensive and 24 hour, with stops every few blocks. Fares are paid with a MetroCard or exact change.
Taxis
Taxis are hailed on the curb. A 10-15% tip is expected, and there are various surcharges. Private car services can be called directly for fixed rate fares.
Driving in the City
Driving in Manhattan is not recommended to visitors. The traffic is horrendous and combined with impatient drivers, exorbitant parking fees, and elusive street parking, and you rapidly get the picture.
Car Hire
Drivers must be at least 25 years old. Recommended car hire companies include include Alamo (tel: 1 800 462 5266; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: 1 800 331 1212; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 3665; www.dollar.com) and Enterprise (tel: 1 800 261 7331); www.enterprise.com).
Bicycle Hire
There are almost 200km (124 miles) of bike lanes in New York. Bite of the Apple Tours/Rentals, 203 West 58th Street (tel: (212) 541 8759: www.centralparkbiketour.com), offers bicycle hire.
