Families of 5 - how do you catch cabs etc?

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

For all of you families of 5 out there, how do you make this work when you are away? I'm just thinking when you are in NY, you can't just hail a cab to get from one end of town to the other? Do you take 2 cabs and it cost twice as much etc?

And how does it work for tours and things, does someone just sit on their own? I'm just trying to work out how this will work if MIL was to come with us...

 

[Travel Mum]

For all of you families of 5 out there, how do you make this work when you are away? I'm just thinking when you are in NY, you can't just hail a cab to get from one end of town to the other? Do you take 2 cabs and it cost twice as much etc?

And how does it work for tours and things, does someone just sit on their own? I'm just trying to work out how this will work if MIL was to come with us...

That is the hardest thing about travelling with five and I usually have to pre-book all transfers or try to find a taxi van

 

[PrincessInOz]

At the risk of being shouted down, the NY subway is pretty good these days. NY has become quite a safe place to use public transport during business hours. I think the latest we ever used the subway for getting around was about 8 pm at night (but this is in summer and it is still light outside).
And we've also used their public transport buses to get around as well..

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Hmmm public transport. I would need to think about that. DH wouldn't probably be keen to be honest. I actually wouldn't mind giving it a go sometime but yeah, doubt whether DH would.

We could most certainly walk most of it and will definitely have transfers organised from airports etc. but just for those quick trips I was wondering what others did.

 

[queenie82]

I reckon just get 2 cabs if you are just doing the 'get from uptown to downtown' trip.

I mean we already save money by going to say 5th Ave if we want to get to the cnr 5th and 34th and we are up at 92nd. This saves any turns which takes time (and money) So I say just get 2.
The cost of taking 2 cabs given the convenience is worth it for these kinds of quick trips. It is what I would do if we were a 5. (sometimes I felt like it even when we were a 4 )
I would probably split DH with MIL and you and the kids doing this.

In London we used the tube for everything as with Paris with the Metro. But I just think Taxis are really worth it in NYC.

 

[lovintheland]

Ms Shuttergirl, we used town cars which were the same price as taxis but nicer cars and the front of the ones we used had three seats in the front.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

You are probably right Queenie, two cabs is probably just as easy for those quick trips.

Lovintheland - thanks for that.

 

[Kalice]

Hi, We found it quite easy to flag down mini van cabs, also the hotel concierge would request them for us. You'll need two for airport runs though, just to take luggage. On flights, tours etc. my DH volunteer to sit on his own (probably just to escape the kids) Taxi rates from the airport were fixed price, US$45 I think. We found taxis so much more convenient than public transport, especially given the December/January cold snap we experienced. The whole door to door thing is invaluable with kids.

 

[kyl]

I two risk being shouted at saying this....but we fitted four of us in the back and hubby in the front. The taxi drivers over in NY didn't seem to mind. Although our youngest was two at the time. The back seat is quite big, I just sat him on my lap and stapped the belt on both of us. I know in Australia we wouldn't be allowed but not once did anyone say anything and we got quite a few cabs. Its not like you are in them for very long. We did however order a shuttle bus from JFK airport to NYC. Hope that helps.