New York City Travel Answers

Hi, when i'm in NYC i take every time a taxi to downtown - i think it's the best way. There is also a bus - but if you are a couple the price is nearly the same than for the taxi. Greetings Karin

Thanks Karen, We will keep your advice in mind.

I think that with coming in with luggage and little sleep and a fuzzy understanding of where you will be going, the taxi or the airport bus is the best way to go. It's a flat rate to midtown, I think it's45 plus tolls. The bus goes straight to midtown, and it even stops at some hotels. The bus is usually15 a person, no tolls, no tip. Check out the website below for more options. panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsmain...

Since you will have a fairly long flight and will have luggage, take a taxi. A taxi from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan is45 fixed fare plus4.50 toll plus tip. Once you are in Manhattan, buy a MetroCard and use the subway and bus.

May is just around the corner, and hotels fill up quickly. While most tourists request midtown, I suggest you consider a residential neighborhood. Much nicer, more interesting shops and restaurants, away from "tourist central." The upper west side is lovely, and is convenient to all public transport. Just 10 minutes to Times Square. Before you book a hotel, make sure you read the reviews on tripadvisor.com. Compare these UWS hotels: Beacon, Lucerne, Excelsior, On the Ave, Belleclaire, Newton. Also compare a couple of highly regarded B&Bs -- Jack & Judy's (www.jacksbandb.com) and Wyman House (www.wymanhouse.com). Budget hotels in midtown include the Belvedere, Radio City Apts, Novotel, Salisbury.

After that long flight, if you do have the energy, you can take the train from JFK to Manhattan. I find it much faster and cheaper than taxis. From your airport terminal, take Airtrain to Jamaica Station. At Jamaica Station, you can take either the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station (costs more, about 20 min), or the NY Subway's E Train (probably about 45 min). It's sort of like the difference between taking the Heathrow Express vs the Underground in London (only not as cushy). Enjoy NYC!

As you are from England like me, i would recommend, www.hotelclub.net You should find some pretty reasonable prices on there for Midtown hotels, but as mentioned above, it's just around the corner so check availability.

you didnt say what kind of physical condition you are in. probably take a cab. you can get a midtown, 4 star hotel on pribeline.com for125. bid125, 4 star and probably midtown west. the only negative is it is non cancellable. we do it all the time in london & NYC. check bidding for travel.com and see what others are paying on priceline. re the subway if you must use it , do it only in daytime. you could make a mistake and wind up in the wrong neighborhood. remember you are tourists. let me know if you need help with priceline

As long as you don't arrive after 10pm, you could get the bus to mid town I can't rember the exact price but it was less that20 return (someone correct me if I'm wrong, please!) this would be an easier alternative to takinb a bus or tax THEN the train. The other thing to consider is that the NYC subway is not the same as London underground and therefore harder to navigate with luggage. Therefore, I'd avoid the train when carrying luggage. On the other hand if you can budget for the45 flat rate then buy all means take a taxi. it seems horrendous for us Britons to consider a taxi from the airport but really when you factor in the exchange rate it's not too bad. if you really wat to go in style think about a Limo, which start from50 for an airport trip, or better yet, save it for the return journey where timing is more important and you might have more to carry. Whichever mode of transport you choose, have a great time. New York is great for any age. As for Midtown hotels, you have the Time quare end (think Picadilly ad exponent it - I kid you not!) or the calmer Grand central end. you might pay more for Grand central, particularly Lexington Avenue but it's a lot more pleasant.

Cheap hotel (for NYC standards) Ramada East Side (Murray Hill Neighborhood)$120 -170 / night.