Last month was a memorable moment! The first time I flew over the ocean, the first time in the US and the first time in the Big Apple. 6 days, no plan, only a cityguide, an iPhone application and some recommendations. So...I had to figure it out myself sometimes. But that's the fun part!
If you fly to JFK, it is very easy to reach Manhattan. From the airport you can take the AirTrain until Howard Beach station. At the exit - where you can take the subway - you can buy your ticket for using the Airtrain for $5 at the newspaper kiosk. Since I was staying for almost a week, I bought myself a 7-day subway pass for $30. To Manhattan it takes you about 60 minutes. Enough time to try to figure out the map of the city and where my hostel is.
If you don't mind walking, I suggest you walk around the city as much as you can! I did practically everything by foot. I think that is the 'right' way to get to know a city. Or, at least, that is 'my way'. I love 'getting lost' in a city. The city surprises me, shows me his hidden gems and invites me to be part of it. If I were to take the subway all the time, to get from point A to point B very fast...then I would miss out on all the magic.
The subway is a cheap way to get around. It's also very interesting. If you're lucky you can bump into artists playing music and making people dance. No kidding! I've seen it twice!
From my experience the subway is also a pretty safe mode of transportation.
What you should always keep in mind when walking down the stairs to the subway, is the indication "downtown" or "uptown". It's pretty straight-forward: if you go up on the map, you're going "uptown" and vice versa. I had to learn it the hard way...
If you're not willing to pay a lot, but still want to be picked up and dropped off, you can install the UBER application on your smartphone and order a UBER-taxi. You have to register upfront, input your visa or mastercard details and create a profile. In the app, you can see the UBER-taxis driving around on the map and you can choose your cab. You'll know exactly which car (type, licenceplate, driver) will pick you up and in how much time. I've been told that these are cheaper than the usual yellow cabs.
And then you have the typical yellow NY taxis. I had to take one of course, just for the experience!
I always imagined myself to lean over from the sidewalk and shout "TAXI!". You know...just like in Sex and the City :)
On my last night, after a few cocktails with some people I met along the way, I didn't feel like walking 10 blocks to my hostel, so I did it. I lift my finger in the air and even before I could raise my voice to go for the strong yell, one just stopped in front of me. He spoiled my moment :(
Luckily I was too exhausted to care.
Labels: citytrip, New York, transportation, Travel, USA
