New York City Travel Forum

Hi to all VTers,

Will be going to New York from San Francisco on 25 June for 5 nights. I have a few questions hope somebody can answer for me.

FREE OR PAY ACCOMMODATION?

I have a remote relative living in Elmhurst Queens. I think it's around 10 mins. walk from Woodhaven Boulevard subway station. I was looking at the subway map and it looks like miles away from Manhattan. I understand that there's a faster train LIRR but not sure how much a one way ticket will cost.

Then I have also booked a room with Larchmont Hotel located in Greenwich Village (near 6th ave - 14th street subway). The room rate is around US$120 per night.

So my question is whether I should choose the free accommodation but may take me ages to Manhattan everyday. Also I am concerned about getting back at night. What time will the last train be??

INTERNAL FLIGHTS FROM SFO TO NYC

I have found 2 cheapest flights currently on offer through Expedia on line. One is with Alaska and the other one is with UA. The fares are similar but they land in different airports. I know that JFK is closer to Queens but which one is more convenient? Alaska lands in Newark.

Would very much appreciate any tips!!

Many thanks
Sybil

It may look very far on the map but to get into midtown Manhattan would definitely be less than an hour, more like 45 minutes. And as far as which airport: if your relative lives in Queens, it's a no-brainer- JFK is much closer than Newark.

I'd take the Larchmont. $120 is a terrific price, too. It's on a very pretty Village street. Obviously you'd save money staying in Queens, but do you want to spend your holiday packed into the train with the rest of the commuters?

Woodhaven Boulevard is a local stop on the Queens Boulevard train, served by the R Broadway local and late at night by the E 8th Avenue train. After two or three stops on the local, you can transfer to an Express train. About 20 minutes to Manhattan (once you get on the train). For what it's worth.

Thanks for all. US$120 for a night is not expensive but I will need to weight it up if something is free and my main concern is transportation and safety.

10028, you mentioned about the commuters. Does the train get very busy?

Woodhaven Blvd subway stop has a huge Queens Shopping Center . If you take the subway to Manhattan, its about 30 minutes to Manhattan. Not bad.

The Queens Express E & F trains are very crowded in rush hour just like Hong Kong. You can take the local R train and it will be less crowded and takes about 10 minutes more to Manhattan. I think you should really ask your relative how far you have to walk to the subway station in order to make a decision.

the R local makes five more stops than the express to Manhattan, all in Queens. Boarding at Woodhaven, only the R stops there during daylight hours.

If you choose to stay in the hotel in Greenwich Village, then Newark airport is closer than JFK. You can connect to the PATH subway train from Newark Airport. The PATH stops at Christopher Street and 9th street in Greenwich Village. $120 per night is a great price for a room in NYC, and Greenwich Village is a fun neighborhood with lots of restaurants, shops, and bars.

From Woodhaven Blvd to Manhattan, it will take half an hour but keep in mind that depending on where you want to go, it will take longer. The trains are completely safe although rather dirty and sometimes smelly. Trains are always running. There are service changes on weekends and late at night so make sure you get a subway map and read the exceptions on the lower right hand corner. Also watch out for posted signs in the stations as there is always some kind of track work going on.

Ultimately I would take the hotel because queens is quite boring, with the exception of Astoria and perhaps Forest Hills. Manhattan is so lively and just more fun!

Thank you all again. I have made up my mind to stay in Lachmont in Greenwich Village cos' it's a nice area and it's busy at night. The last thing I want is worried about safety and spending too much time in travelling.

Met a few people who have been to New York and they told me that the subway is quite quiet at night and I should travel during rush hours only. Also a little bit concerned about 'crazy' people hanging around in the subway. I consider myself a sensible and smart traveller but I do get freaked out by loonie people. What's the chance of them being violent or it's unlikely to happen?

Don't worry, just ignor the weirdos and homeless on the subway train....its part of New York's living style with some crazy people around. I always commute on subways and get very used to them.

Thank you V-Z Pam!

Is it safe to travel on the subway at night? It would be nice to travel to another neighbourhood for dinner rather than hanging around in Greenwich Village every night.

It safe to be in the subway at night within Manhattan. Use common sense & you will be alright. New York Subway is 24 hours & of course I do not recommend you taking it alone after 1 or 2 a.m. . I am also from Hong Kong and I am working in Downtown Manhattan these days near Ground Zero. I have lived in Brooklyn, Queens & Long Island & depend on subways & buses a lot for my commute. You will be fine & always be cautious like in any where.
A few subway lines always have lots of people riding at night, they are like the 4, 5, 7, B, D, E & Q....they can be crowded during rush hours too. I would also suggest you to walk around from Grand Central towards Times Square; its a beautiful vibrant scene out there at night. Its a very easy walk from 34 St Herald Square to Rockafeller Center too.

i'm born and raised in NYC. Just took the subway today to Shea, and the Mets finally won one! somebody above me stated that the subways are "completely safe." This is an exaggeration. Yes, the subway is alot safer than it was 10 years ago, but you still gotta have eyes in the back of your head. You can't afford to be naive. there is no "last train" in NYC, baby; this aint London or San Fran. The trains run all night, albeit on a slower sked. The subways are more dangerous late night than day time or rush hour. You chose right to stay in Manhattan, altho $120/night sounds too good to be true. Newark is the closest airport to Manhattan.