Driving to NYC??

[ToyStory3]

We want to go on a NYC cruise this fall. If we go - we are considering driving to NYC as my husband is not a fan of flying at all. We would be leaving from Columbus, OH. I've looked at all of the train routes and there isn't anything reasonable at all. Would take 2 days and would leave at 3 am. Any thoughts on how difficult it would be to drive to NYC and specifically to the Manhattan terminal? Would you be intimidated to do it if you've never driven in NYC before?

Thanks!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Do you use Google maps or Waze? I find they work best for car travel to places like NYC. I just drove there last week, in fact, when we went to the Statue of Liberty and passed the cruise terminal. My advice would be to map it out in real time on a similar traffic day (not sure if you're traveling on a weekday or not). Depending on the route (you'll most likely be on highways and interstates mostly the whole way), it shouldn't be bad until your last 15 or so miles with tunnels, traffic, etc so maybe you could drive those at a low traffic time and shoot to arrive very early in the a.m. Good luck, we, too, would love to cruise out of NY!

 

[bbn1122]

I live in NJ and my husband's law office is in Brooklyn. He drives into Brooklyn and Manhattan every week. And I worked in Manhattan years ago. We are cruising out of NYC again this October and of course we will drive.

You want to take the Lincoln Tunnel into the city. You will hit traffic in NJ on the approach to the tunnel and probably all the way thru the tunnel into the city. Unless you are traveling really early like 4-5am. You will head north, staying left. You will come into the city at about 40th Street near 9th Avenue and you only need to travel to 51st and 12th Avenue. So, you do not do that much driving in the city. You hang a left on 41st to the river 12th Ave (aka Westside Highway). Make a right and head north. Now your GPS may explain it a little differently but that's about it.

NYC the streets are crowded and sometimes narrow. I recently drove thru Washington DC and that was no picnic. And how about the traffic around Altanta. So, go for it! It's an Adventure. Good Luck!

 

[mmouse37]

previous posters gave excellent info. The Passenger ship terminal is on the west side and as mentioned you don't need to do much "in the city" driving. Once through the tunnel and on the West Side Highway you will have the Hudson River on your left side the whole way. You would be on the Western most part of the city. It is a straight run up the West Side Highway.

We live about 25 minutes from the port (with no traffic) but we come over the George Washington Bridge and then south down the West Side Highway to the port.

Just be aware that parking at the port itself (the parking is on the rooftop of the terminal) is $40 per day.

Here is the link to the Manhattan Passenger Ship Terminal.

https://www.nycruise.com/manhattan-terminal/

From Columbus it looks to be about an 8 hour or so drive. Not bad at all. We have driven from NY to WDW many times and that is about 18 plus hours.

You may also want to check out the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor hotel in Weehawken, NJ. It is right across the river from the cruise terminal and they may have a cruise parking deal. Check out if leaving your car there would be worth it or not.

http://www.sheratonlincolnharbor.com/

MJ

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Which terminal? Royal's Anthem departs from Bayonne NJ. Maybe some others too...?

Edited: oops I thought this was in the RC forum.. I'm assuming you want to cruise on Disney Magic...

 

[poison ivy]

This was a thread I started from a NYC Disney Magic cruise last year which may help with photos for driving and parking at the Manhattan Terminal.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/just-back-from-dvc-magic-nyc-cruise-any-questions.3551696/

 

[msmama]

If you look at the past "Cruising form NY" threads, there's a hotel in NJ where you can park your car for the duration of the cruise and they will take you to and from the cruise terminal. That sounds like something that might be ideal for you. You can drive, but won't have to drive into the city if that's intimidating to you.

 

[darnheather]

We are driving up from VA and staying in NJ. The cruise terminal is fairly pricey to park at and dealing with NYC traffic at the end of a long trip is not my idea of fun.

 

[dclpluto]

When I went in 2012 going to the ship was no problem just a short distance from the tunnel. When the cruise was over it took me an hour to drive about 1 mile to get to the tunnel.

 

[bbn1122]

When I went in 2012 going to the ship was no problem just a short distance from the tunnel. When the cruise was over it took me an hour to drive about 1 mile to get to the tunnel.

Oh, I forgot to mention how bad the traffic would be getting out of the city! Welcome to Manhattan!

Going up the west side to a George Washington Bridge to NJ maybe quicker than going out the Lincoln a Tunnel.

 

[Tikitoi]

We are driving up from VA and staying in NJ. The cruise terminal is fairly pricey to park at and dealing with NYC traffic at the end of a long trip is not my idea of fun.

So where do you park in NJ while on your Cruise?

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You can definitely do it. I lived in the New Jersey area for a long time and made many trips out to Columbus and beyond. The trip is easy until you get to that last 15 miles. And even that doesn't have to be bad.

My suggestion to you, regarding the traffic at the end is two-fold. Leave plenty of extra time. Maybe plan to stay in a NJ hotel the night before so you won't be rushing to make it on the day of. Unexpected things can happen on any trip, but if you have plenty of extra time, they don't have to be frustrating.

Also, some of the local drivers are FLAT OUT CRAZY. But that doesn't have to be a problem either. Just LET THEM GO. They will cut you off, and then two seconds later, they will be gone. Just keep your steady pace; try not to over-react to their craziness.

Have a great trip.

 

[darnheather]

So where do you park in NJ while on your Cruise?

We are staying in a hotel the one night. They have a stay and cruise package that includes parking and a shuttle to the cruise. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a night to take the kids into the city, but so far my anxiety wins out.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We are staying in a hotel the one night. They have a stay and cruise package that includes parking and a shuttle to the cruise. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a night to take the kids into the city, but so far my anxiety wins out.

Of course, you should do as you feel most comfortable, but if you are staying in an NJ hotel anyway, I can tell you that taking the PATH train from NJ into NYC is very easy and safe (In my experience). I went to college in Newark and made that trip many times. More recently, my sister and her family (with two tween girls) stayed in a NJ hotel for a week and went into NYC every day on the train. They had a great time. There is much to see and the Subway is very convenient. NYC is definitely a city where you don't need a car. In fact, given the costs of parking, having a car is a disadvantage. So perhaps if you look into it a bit more, you can assuage your anxiety and have a good time. Consider it an excursion on your cruise. Surely NYC is as safe or safer than some of the islands you may be going to.

 

[darnheather]

Of course, you should do as you feel most comfortable, but if you are staying in an NJ hotel anyway, I can tell you that taking the PATH train from NJ into NYC is very easy and safe (In my experience). I went to college in Newark and made that trip many times. More recently, my sister and her family (with two tween girls) stayed in a NJ hotel for a week and went into NYC every day on the train. They had a great time. There is much to see and the Subway is very convenient. NYC is definitely a city where you don't need a car. In fact, given the costs of parking, having a car is a disadvantage. So perhaps if you look into it a bit more, you can assuage your anxiety and have a good time. Consider it an excursion on your cruise. Surely NYC is as safe or safer than some of the islands you may be going to.

Thank you. I also have to balance missing another day of work, money, etc. But it is good to know that it is easy and safe.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Thank you. I also have to balance missing another day of work, money, etc. But it is good to know that it is easy and safe.

Absolutely. Whatever works best for your family. Have a great trip in any case!

 

[Tikitoi]

We are staying in a hotel the one night. They have a stay and cruise package that includes parking and a shuttle to the cruise. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a night to take the kids into the city, but so far my anxiety wins out.

That sounds like a good plan. I'd go for the extra night to go into the city...

 

[twoglasslippers]

We are staying in a hotel the one night. They have a stay and cruise package that includes parking and a shuttle to the cruise. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a night to take the kids into the city, but so far my anxiety wins out.

Do you mind to share the name of the hotel? We are going on the Oct. 6th sailing and I haven't been able to find a hotel including a shuttle. We normally take the subway everywhere we can in NYC, but my FIL who uses a mobility scooter will be with us so I'm not sure how practical that would be for him.

 

[darnheather]

Do you mind to share the name of the hotel? We are going on the Oct. 6th sailing and I haven't been able to find a hotel including a shuttle. We normally take the subway everywhere we can in NYC, but my FIL who uses a mobility scooter will be with us so I'm not sure how practical that would be for him.

No problem. I haven't stayed here but this hotel came highly recommended. I'd call to make sure they can handle the scooter. Have a wonderful cruise I was originally booked on that cruise.

Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park Hotel, NJ

 

[twoglasslippers]

No problem. I haven't stayed here but this hotel came highly recommended. I'd call to make sure they can handle the scooter. Have a wonderful cruise I was originally booked on that cruise.

Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park Hotel, NJ

Thank you so much!