Getting Around New York City
During my trip in New York City last weekend with friends, while it is certainly true that we used a few cabs to save time, by and large we did the frugal thing and tried to combine as much walking and subway usage as possible.
Easy Tip: Walk
I think this is perhaps one of the best pieces of advice I have when it comes to New York City — walk as much as you can! It is true that the subway can get you almost anywhere pretty quickly, and it is also true that there are going to be cases where walking is simply impossible. That being said, especially in Midtown and near Times Square, there is simply so much to see, you are going to miss out by taking the subway. Not only is it good exercise, but you get a much better feel for the city.
So before you take the subway or hail a cab, take a moment and consider whether you can walk it. If you think you might be able to, go for it! You’ll see more of the city, and you’ll likely be surprised at how quickly you can walk around.
The Subway: Pay-As-You Go or Unlimited 7-Day?
My riends were each in New York for somewhere between three to four full days, and one source of discussion was whether it was a better idea to buy an unlimited seven-day subway pass, or a pay-as-you-go card. The Subway costs a flat $2 each time you enter, while the unlimited seven-day pass is $25. I somewhat stubbornly insisted that it was a better idea for me to go with the pay-as-you-go option.
I think in hindsight, I was wrong. Even though I was only there for three days, I think I probably used the subway more than twelve times, in which case it would have been a better idea to buy the unlimited pass. If you consider that on a tourist trip to New York you are likely to use the subway at least four times a day, then a three day trip brings you awfully close to making the unlimited pass a better deal.
Finally, even outside of the money aspect, I hadn’t factored in the annoyance factor of the pay-as-you-go card with regards to keeping track of how much was on my card and having to take the time to reload it. Furthermore, the unlimited pass gives you the freedom to jump on any subway or local bus without worrying about spending $2. If you’re visiting New York as a tourist, there are certainly lots of things you will want to see, so I think its worth it to get the unlimited pass just to have plenty of flexibility.
Public Transit Directions Using HopStop
I’ll be honest, New York’s Subway system intimidated me the first time I used it — it is great once you get familiar with how it operates, but especially compared to other public transit systems around the United States and around the world, it definitely can be confusing for tourists. While all of the subway stations have maps that can help you figure out where you are going, I highly suggest that you find directions beforehand.
A website that I have found tremendously useful for public transit directions is HopStop.com, which can provide great public transportation directions in not only Manhattan, but also Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, and more. Simply enter a start point and a destination, and it will provide the best way to get there using public transportation, including helpful subway line and direction information. I printed up a bunch of directions before the weekend, but even more helpful is the fact that the website has a great mobile interface, too, so if you are lucky enough to have an Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, or similar web-enabled phone, you can pull up directions on the go.
Getting to and from the NYC airports
Frankly, none of the New York airports are really that convenient to get to from Manhattan, and so you should definitely allow plenty of time to get to or from any of the three airports — LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark.
I have some experience with the New York airports, but I am certainly no expert. Hands down, the best guide out there on transportation between Manhattan and the NYC airports is maintained over at the FlyerTalk Wiki. This incredibly helpful guide lists all of the ways you can get to or from LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark, and gives you the information you need to strike the right balance between time and speed in getting to the airport. If you are flying in or out of a NYC airport, and are at all unfamiliar with the area, I highly recommend you keep a copy on you — with the crazy air system in NYC, you never know when you might end up flying out of or in to a different airport.
Enjoy New York
One last comment — enjoy New York City! It really is a fun place to visit, and with some smart choices it can be done very frugally.
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I think the best thing you can do to make the Subway more manageable is buy one of those little plastic cards you can stick in your wallet with the routes on it. All you really need is Manhattan and you get an idea of where the different color lines are. Eventually it becomes second nature. I haven’t lived there in years and I can still picture it.
jim — An excellent tip, as I was thinking once I got there that something like that would be helpful. I imagine you could probably print your own miniature subway map online. And while i haven’t lived in New York City, I definitely got the feeling that it doesn’t take long for the subway system to become second nature. I just wish it were more friendly to visitors, because it really can be a great tool when sightseeing in New York.
Ah, hopstop. That website is a staple for anyone living in or visiting the city. It’s amazingly accurate when it comes to estimating your travel time.
As for airport transportation, a good cheap alternative to JFK is the AirTrain @ $5 a pop. Super Shuttle is another good alternative - I think they run only to LaGuardia and JFK and, if I remember correctly, cost around $25.
Hope you enjoyed the city!
Lauren — Hopstop really is amazing, and I have found it helpful for other cities, too. I have always been surprised that Google Maps has not been more proactive in this regard.
Nice tips on the airport transportation — I’ve done the AirTrain to JFK, and can’t really imagine what it must have been like before they built it.
@ Richard - That’s really true about Google maps not being more proactive in that area. You’d think they’d really be on top of it. Although, with their awesome satellite maps and street views, I doubt they’re really missing out on a lot.