New York tips and discussion

[Ware Bears]

As my trip draws ever closer, I'm trying to do some planning. First and forthmost, how much spending money do you guys think is a good amount for five days? We're going to buy our passes before we go so I need money for food/transport/shopping. I like to shop but I'm more Forever 21 than Louis Vuitton! I was thinking £600-£700 (just for me).

If it's any help my DD has just come back from spending 4 nights/5 days in New York. She took $800 with her and even after emptying most of the shops has come back with around $100.

 

[disney_princess_85]

If it's any help my DD has just come back from spending 4 nights/5 days in New York. She took $800 with her and even after emptying most of the shops has come back with around $100.

Thanks Elaine, very helpful! Did your daughter enjoy it?

 

[irisheyes123]

You're probably right Luke. We're only in New York for four nights so we don't want to waste any time. Also, we're off to Orlando in August so we can do all the outlet shopping we want there!



Jersey Gardens looks pretty good but it's a bit far out for us to visit. Thanks for the tip though.

no problem I just said Id give it a mention as its a lot closer than the woodbury common

 

[disney_princess_85]

no problem I just said Id give it a mention as its a lot closer than the woodbury common

How did you get there? Did you hire a car?

 

[irisheyes123]

How did you get there? Did you hire a car?

Yep we hired a car as we were going to washington too but you can get a bus too it I think the number 111 from The Port Authority Bus Terminal I thinks its around $7 return I know from times square it was just under 18 miles away

 

[disney_princess_85]

Yep we hired a car as we were going to washington too but you can get a bus too it I think the number 111 from The Port Authority Bus Terminal I thinks its around $7 return I know from times square it was just under 18 miles away

Thanks for the info! My DBF would love Jersey Gardens, he's a big fan of both Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. I'll see what he thinks.

 

[irisheyes123]

Thanks for the info! My DBF would love Jersey Gardens, he's a big fan of both Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. I'll see what he thinks.

No problem both had great prices when I was there $10-$15 for t shirts jumpers as low as $25 I found the bus time table hope it works http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/t0111.pdf Forgot to mention no sales tax of clothes or shoes in new jersey lol

 

[tennisfan]

I'm considering going here, do you think it's worth it? It's £24 per person for a return trip (Attraction Tickets Direct). Is this how much you paid?

It was about that with my credit card exchange rate. We got loads here, my friend got her Uggs for £80 less then in the UK. I got a pair of Oakleys for £60 which cost £150 in the UK. It was an hour coach ride from the Port Authority but if your only going to NY for the 1st time I would do the sights first. If you go to A&F in the city go to the one near Brooklyn bridge as the one on 5th Ave was always queued out the door night & day

 

[luke]

the one on 5th Ave was always queued out the door night & day

And is the darkest shop I've ever been to! And I'm sure they pump that perfume through the ventilation! You can smell it all the way up 5th!!

Got a nice hoody there tho

 

[disney_princess_85]

No problem both had great prices when I was there $10-$15 for t shirts jumpers as low as $25 I found the bus time table hope it works http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/t0111.pdf Forgot to mention no sales tax of clothes or shoes in new jersey lol

Thanks for the link, that's really helpful.

It was about that with my credit card exchange rate. We got loads here, my friend got her Uggs for £80 less then in the UK. I got a pair of Oakleys for £60 which cost £150 in the UK. It was an hour coach ride from the Port Authority but if your only going to NY for the 1st time I would do the sights first. If you go to A&F in the city go to the one near Brooklyn bridge as the one on 5th Ave was always queued out the door night & day

Sounds like you got some great bargains! Thanks for the tip about A&F, I really don't fancy queuing to get into a shop.

And is the darkest shop I've ever been to! And I'm sure they pump that perfume through the ventilation! You can smell it all the way up 5th!!

Got a nice hoody there tho

It's quite the "hip" shop isn't it?!

Message to mods: I'm going to change the title of this thread as it's turned into a general New York information thread.

 

[luke]

It's quite the "hip" shop isn't it?!

Indeed it is!! One of the only shops I've ever felt old in, hoping they'd turn down the music and turn up the lights

 

[disney_princess_85]

Just an update: we purchased the New York Pass (via Attraction Tickets Direct) last night. It's all starting to feel real now! We went for the 2-day pass and we're planning to visit seven attractions.

Indeed it is!! One of the only shops I've ever felt old in, hoping they'd turn down the music and turn up the lights

Oh dear!

 

[Ware Bears]

Thanks Elaine, very helpful! Did your daughter enjoy it?

Oh yes!! She's already planning her return!

 

[disney_princess_85]

I've just been reading about Super Shuttle, the shuttle service that costs £13 (per person, per journey) from JFK to your hotel. It gets TERRIBLE reviews! Has anyone here used the service? I'm guessing most people get taxis.

Oh yes!! She's already planning her return!

 

[Sarah84]

I've just been reading about Super Shuttle, the shuttle service that costs £13 (per person, per journey) from JFK to your hotel. It gets TERRIBLE reviews! Has anyone here used the service? I'm guessing most people get taxis.

I've used them in other places with no complaints but I've read alot of bad reviews about them in NY so we will be getting a taxi i think

 

[luke]

I've just been reading about Super Shuttle, the shuttle service that costs £13 (per person, per journey) from JFK to your hotel. It gets TERRIBLE reviews! Has anyone here used the service? I'm guessing most people get taxis.

Through Expedia? If so we used it (only JFK - Manhatten - we got a cab on our way back) and it was flawless.

We went to the desk when we arrived and they gave us a recepit with a number on it (think like an old supermarket deli counter). We waited about 20 minutes before our driver arrived and we (along with some others waiting) go on. We were driven round to another terminal where we picked up a few more people then headed off to Manhatten. The journey took about an hour (maybe a bit less) and the driver helped us with our cases at the hotel.

Perfect service!

I guess a lot will depend on both your driver and the other passengers tho

 

[disney_princess_85]

Thanks guys, I'll have a think about it.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I've just thought of something else (!)...

We're flying to New York via Paris. We're going to purchase additional baggage, i.e. another suitcase each. The charge to do this is €50/$50, depending on where you are when you buy it . If we pay the €50 when we leave Manchester (or online beforehand), does it mean we won't have to pay the $50 on the way back, or do we have to pay both ways?

Thanks.

 

[irisheyes123]

I've just thought of something else (!)...

We're flying to New York via Paris. We're going to purchase additional baggage, i.e. another suitcase each. The charge to do this is €50/$50, depending on where you are when you buy it . If we pay the €50 when we leave Manchester (or online beforehand), does it mean we won't have to pay the $50 on the way back, or do we have to pay both ways?

Thanks.

We took 2 extra bags home from our trip paid the $50 per case in NY we just took the extra 2 bags inside our cases over so didn't have to pay going over

 

[disney_princess_85]

We took 2 extra bags home from our trip paid the $50 per case in NY we just took the extra 2 bags inside our cases over so didn't have to pay going over

Thanks.

I wonder how heavy a case in a case would be. Our allowance is only 23kg. I might have to have a weighing session tonight! I'm now thinking that DBF and I will take three cases between us: a case in a case on the way out and another one. We're only going for four nights so I'm sure that will be adequate!