Thrifty Traveler: Getting around NYC

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Thinking about visiting New York City? The yellow taxi seems almost synonymous with NYC, but this can actually be one of the most expensive ways to get around the city. If you're from an area that has a bad track record with public transportation, you might be skiddish of trying out the subways and buses. I know I was. I didn't want to wait an hour to catch a train or then be stuck on a scary train. However, my perception of public transportation was completely wrong when it came to what was available in New York City. Trains and buses were reliable, on time, and incredibly easy to navigate. There are also some of the nicest people. In our town, there's very little chance someone would move over to allow a stranger to sit next to them on the bus. When we were on the subway, it was so packed, everyone moved over to let us sit and also helped us find our way.

Still not convinced? Let's take a closer look at your travel options.

Taxis

La Guardia - Upper East Side Area
  • Cost: $28.19 (light traffic) - $73.57 (heavy traffic)
  • Travel Time: 30-70 minutes for 8 miles
JFK - Upper East Side Area
  • Cost: $60.35 (light traffic) - $103.70 (heavy traffic)
    • Possibility for Flat Rate charge: $52 + Tip + Tolls + Rush Hour Charges, Etc.
  • Travel Time: 45 minutes- 2 hours (traffic dependent) for 15 miles 
Newark - Upper East Side Area
  • Cost: $62.84 (light traffic) - $101.81 (heavy traffic)
  • Travel Time: ~1-2 Hours for 20 Miles
Upper East Side Area - Times Square
  • Cost: $13.80 (light traffic) - $47.27 (Heavy traffic)
  • Travel Time: ~20-40 minutes for 2.5 miles

Taxi Tips
  • Tolls are paid by passengers and are in addition to meter charges.
  • Many cabs take credit/debit cards
  • Drivers can refuse bills over $20
  • Tips are expected
  • Often times traffic comes to a halt, and it may be faster to walk to your destination than drive. Allow plenty of travel time.
For more information on taxis visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/taxicab_rate.shtml

Bus

La Guardia - Upper East Side Area
  • Cost: $3 for single ride or $2.75 if using metrocard
  • Travel Time: 60 minutes
JFK - Upper East Side Area
Newark - Upper East Side Area
  • In New Jersey, direct bus service not available. Check train times or shuttle costs.
Upper East Side Area - Times Square
  • Cost: $2.75
  • Travel Time: ~54 minutes
Bus Tips
  • Obtain a MetroCard or have exact change to ride.
  • Metrocards can be obtained at subway stations, neighborhood merchants, metrocard vending machines and metro card bus/vans. Find the closest location here or purchase online.
  • SAVE MORE $$$ BY PURCHASING UNLIMITED RIDE CARD FOR 7 ($31) OR 30 DAYS ($116.50)
    • If you ride more than 11 times in a week, this is a great deal!
  • For more on how to ride the bus visit http://web.mta.info/nyct/bus/howto_bus.htm
Useful Sites
Trip Planner - Type in start point and destination. Trip planner will give you the desired route.
Bus Maps
Bus Schedules

Subway/Train

La Guardia - Upper East Side Area
  • Direct train/subway service not available. See Bus Info for details.
JFK - Upper East Side Area
Newark - Upper East Side Area
  • Cost: $18 ($13 from grand central to Newark rail + $5.50 for Air Train)
  • Travel Time: 40 minutes.
Upper East Side Area - Times Square
  • Cost: $2.75
  • Travel Time: 20 minutes
Subway/Train Tips
  • Obtain a MetroCard or purchase individual ride at subway station.
  • Metro cards can be obtained at subway stations, neighborhood merchants, metrocard vending machines and metrocard bus/vans. Find the closest location here.
  • SAVE MORE $$$ BY PURCHASING UNLIMITED RIDE CARD FOR 7 ($31) OR 30 DAYS ($116.50)
    • If you ride more than 11 times in a week, this is a great deal!
Grand Central Station

Art in The Subway

Penn Station

While we were in NYC, we rode the subway everywhere. In fact we got lazy are started taking if to travel a few blocks since the trains came so often and it saved our legs to visit more places. I never felt unsafe while riding and most of the stations were very clean. Plus, a lot of times you can see a show. Musicians and other acts often perform in the subway stations. There are subway maps everywhere and you can even get a Trip Planner app on your phone to help you find your way.


Useful Sites
Trip Planner - Type in start point and destination. Trip planner will give you the desired route.
Subway Maps
Subway Schedules


Taken from MTA Fare Information Site


Biking
Throughout the city there are bike shares and bike rentals.

Citi Bike membership options:
  • Day Pass : $12
  • 3 Day Pass: $24
  • Annual Membership: $14.95/month or $155
With the Day and 3 Day passes, the first 30 minutes of every trip is FREE. If you purchase the annual membership, you get 45 minutes free. If you go over this time, fees begin to accrue at a rate of $4/15 minutes. Bikes can be returned to any docking station. In addition, you can use bikes as often as you like for free as long as you re-dock your bike at least every 30 minutes.


More info on bike rentals/bike shares
https://www.citibikenyc.com/
http://a841-tfpweb.nyc.gov/bikeshare/

Useful Information
Bike Safety
Bike Maps
Bike Station Locations


Car Rentals

**NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MANHATTAN**

We drove through manhattan one time with friends of ours. While it may have been neat to experience the traffic once, it did take FOREVER. We were sorely tempted to walk to the location, but as it was our friend's car, he still had to find parking. Parking is not cheap either. Most lots were around $35/Hr. Yup, you read that right - $35 .

So not only would you be paying for a rental car (typically $85+/day), you'll be spending loads of time waiting in traffic and trying to find parking spots, and finally be paying a huge amount to park the car. I would only consider this option if you are planning on leaving the city (visiting Montauk perhaps?).



Walking
While on the island, you can walk a lot of places, but you better be in shape if you plan on walking everywhere. We did a lot of walking in Central Park and through Times Square, but we were tired every night (and that was still using a lot of subway rides). Luckily, you can take a bus/train to one location and see a lot of attraction which are within walking distance before moving on to another location.

Views in Central Park

Belvedere Castle




Fastest Travel Time: Subway/Train
Cheapest Travel: Bus or Subway (depending on Route)

Traveling outside of New York? See the following sites for more information.
Long Island Rail Road
New Jersey Transit

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