NYC / Quick Question

[Ksyrup]

Believe it or not, but I've never been to New York City. However, I will likely be going at the beginning of March . I'm looking at the cost of airfare, and I have no idea which airport would be the best to fly into. I'll be staying at the Hilton NY on Avenue of the Americas. The Hilton website says that Newark Airport is 13 miles away, LaGuardia 18, and JFK 25. I was thinking LGA would be my best bet, but thought I'd ask people who would actually know - like some of you.

What's my best bet for ease (relatively speaking) of travel, etc.?

[Alan T]

If you are taking public transportation, its fairly easy to get from either LGA or JFK to Ave of the Americas. Newark is more of a pain in my opinion, however I know people who swear by Newark airport. (I personally hate the place)

[st.cronin]

I rank them:

LaGuardia
Newark

big drop

JFK

Things may have changed, though, I haven't been there in some years.

[Ksyrup]

I assume I'll just cab it to the hotel. The function I'm attending is at the hotel I'm staying at, so if I go anywhere, it will be by foot or cab or subway.

[st.cronin]

If you're taking a cab, you probably want Newark.

[Toddzilla]

Bring a gas mask

[Ksyrup]

I'm planning to bring a gas mask, 3 midgets, and a meatball hoagie.

[Lathum]

I would suggest newark if you are traveling by cab

[KevinNU7]

Check with your hotel to see if if they offer shuttle service to a particular airport

[John Galt]

By cab, it really doesn't matter, IMO. From Newark, you can get screwed in the tunnel by traffic. You end up paying more cab fare too because you have to pay return fare to the city when headed to the airport. JFK is a $45 one-way cab fee (I think that is the set rate now), so even though it is a little further, it won't cost too much more than LGA. None of the airport options is ideal in NYC, so I'd just go by whichever you find the best deal. Though, I'm used to the NY cabbie experience, so for me a cab ride is relaxing. I recognize that is not the case for everyone. I often choose JFK simply because I love flying JetBlue and it primarily goes to JFK.

[John Galt]

Check with your hotel to see if if they offer shuttle service to a particular airport

Highly unlikely. I would put the odds at near zero.

[Ksyrup]

I feel the need....the need for the NY cabbie experience.

Actually, that's just what I'm used to using when I go on business trips, unless I rent a car for some reason.

[John Galt]

I feel the need....the need for the NY cabbie experience.

Actually, that's just what I'm used to using when I go on business trips, unless I rent a car for some reason.

I have travelled to many cities and have been in many cabs. IMHO, no one else (who is sane) drives like a NY cabbie. The airport trips aren't as "exciting" as when you are in the city, but the high risk of death and/or dismemberment is probably the same.

[st.cronin]

To be a taxi driver in NYC, you need to have the reflexes of a fighter pilot, and to have totally memorized the street map, including all construction sites, one way roads, congestion points, etc.

[Alan T]

By cab, it really doesn't matter, IMO. From Newark, you can get screwed in the tunnel by traffic. You end up paying more cab fare too because you have to pay return fare to the city when headed to the airport. JFK is a $45 one-way cab fee (I think that is the set rate now), so even though it is a little further, it won't cost too much more than LGA. None of the airport options is ideal in NYC, so I'd just go by whichever you find the best deal. Though, I'm used to the NY cabbie experience, so for me a cab ride is relaxing. I recognize that is not the case for everyone. I often choose JFK simply because I love flying JetBlue and it primarily goes to JFK.

I absolutely despise traveling from newark to Nyc from the airport with luggage. Like I said before, I have friends who swear by Newark and think its the best for most cases.. I just have had nothing but bad experiences getting in and out of there.

I tend to use LGA for most everything myself and don't usually have too many problems from there.

[Ksyrup]

So I'll spend slightly less on a one-way cab ride to the hotel than I would on a day at Disney World? I bet the cabbie ride is better than Space Mountain. I'm there!

[John Galt]

To be a taxi driver in NYC, you need to have the reflexes of a fighter pilot, and to have totally memorized the street map, including all construction sites, one way roads, congestion points, etc.

Or you can have none of the above. Really, if you are breathing, it will probably do.

Two weeks ago, I left work and hailed a cab at night. I told him where I was going. He pulled out a map to my complete disbelief. I gave him a minute (while we were pretty much just sitting there) and then told him where to go. Places like Union Square (which is no minor location) seemed like foreign lands to him (and that was probably literally true). So, I gave him some general directions and told him we would figure it out as we went along. While he knew absolutely nothing about where anything was in the city, it did not stop him from driving with total disregard for his life or that of any pedestrian. If they teach you one thing in cabbie school, I'm sure it is that there is a bomb on the cab that will explode (ala Speed) if the Cabbie ever follows traffic rules for more than 3 consecutive seconds.

[Toddzilla]

I'm planning to bring a gas mask, 3 midgets, and a meatball hoagie.Is this for some kinda HA Super Bowl party?

[Ksyrup]

Given my timing, more like a March Madness party.

[st.cronin]

Or you can have none of the above. Really, if you are breathing, it will probably do.

Two weeks ago, I left work and hailed a cab at night. I told him where I was going. He pulled out a map to my complete disbelief.

:eek:

Wow, things have changed.

[Fighter of Foo]

I think the PATH trains now run from Newark airport into the city which, if true, would make it just as easy as laguardia to get in and out of.

[molson]

:eek:

Wow, things have changed.

I saw taxi driver in Hoboken (with customer), that was yelling at people on the sidewalk, asking for directions. The passenger miraculously didn't bail out.

[cthomer5000]

I think the PATH trains now run from Newark airport into the city which, if true, would make it just as easy as laguardia to get in and out of.

Not the PATH, but New Jersey Transist runs direct from Newark airport to New York Penn Station. Would arguably be the easiest unless you are bringing 2 big suitcases. So you can spend like 10 bucks or so and probably be in the city just as fast as by cab.

[wade moore]

Not the PATH, but New Jersey Transist runs direct from Newark airport to New York Penn Station. Would arguably be the easiest unless you are bringing 2 big suitcases. So you can spend like 10 bucks or so and probably be in the city just as fast as by cab.

And without wetting your pants?

[cthomer5000]

http://www.njtransit.com/images/pixel_lightGrey.gif
http://www.njtransit.com/images/rg_cn_ac_rail_AirTrain3.jpg
How to Ride
Arriving Flights Into Newark Liberty International Airport

Connecting Service</SPAN>
When you fly into the airport, after claiming your baggage, you can board AirTrain to connect with NJ TRANSIT train service to New York City, or to points in New Jersey. Check a NJ TRANSIT train departure monitor in any of the airport terminals (A, B or C) to determine which train to take to your destination or to make appropriate connections.
You can purchase a ticket from one of the ticket vending machines (TVMs) at the Newark International Airport Station. TVMs accept credit cards, debit cards or U.S. currency only.

And for further reference:

$14 ticket one way from EWR (Newark) to New York Penn Station
28 minute ride

So then you're in Penn where you can either catch a cab directly outside or jump right on a couple of major subway lines.

Pretty damn easy.

[Glengoyne]

For my first trip into New York, I was attending an even at the trade center. I told our admin assistant that I didn't care which airport I flew into. THAT was a mistake, as I flew into JFK. My plane arrived at something like 10PM, and I had to wait an excruciatingly long time for a grey line shuttle. By the time I got into Manhattan, it was pushing midnight, and I had no clue how to go about finding a place to eat. It was very annoying to go to the top of the tower, and see Newark, what seemed to be, just a stone's throw away.


Enjoy yourself, it is a great city.