NYC Accomodations Help

[Louise-Montreal]

We were thinking of going to NYC between Xmas and New Years. We were looking at staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Secaucus, NJ. How far is it to NYC? Can we take a train into Penn Station? Is there a convenient bus service?

Any and all help in much appreciated!!
Louise

 

[klynn]

We were thinking of going to NYC between Xmas and New Years. We were looking at staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Secaucus, NJ. How far is it to NYC? Can we take a train into Penn Station? Is there a convenient bus service?

Any and all help in much appreciated!!
Louise

Last month when we went, we stayed in Stamford, CT and took the train to Grand Central. We stayed at the Marriott for only $45/night through Priceline.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

I don't know about the public transport from secaucus, if that is the hotel on harmon meadow drive, it's in a complex with a lot of shopping and dining, although mostly big chains like red lobster, chili's and walmart.

I would look at the Sheraton in Weehawken (take a ferry right across the river...located right next to the hotel). Or I'd look in Jersey City to take the path train in.

 

[bigmama67]

Secaucus has great bus service and there is now a train to Penn Station (takes about 20 minutes I think)? There is a huge new station called Secaucus Junction and I would be very surprised if the hotel does not shuttle guests to the station and back. It's quite doable.

As PP said, the area where the hotel is has lots of chain stores and restaurants too. Plenty of food choices. Have fun!

 

[smileycrissy]

Are you going to have a car on this trip? The reason I ask is because you won't be able to connect to the Secaucus train station using the bus that runs in the complex. The bus will bring you towards the Hoboken train station, where you can connect to the PATH train to go into the city.

I'm attaching a link to the bus line I believe you'll have to take from the Hotel to Hoboken. Depending on the time of day, it can be a long ride to Hoboken or vice versa. Keep in mind it'll cost you $2.35 per person each way on the bus. That doesn't include the cost of the light rail (which is roughly $1.75 per person each way).

http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0085.pdf

I'm afraid it might be too big a headache for you to travel via public transportation from that complex. I'm sure just looking at the schedule has you puzzled.

However, if you are driving, you could drive to the Secaucus train station, park the car and take that train into the city.

I used to live in Queens and worked in Secaucus for a few years. I can help you look up and find a good hotel in either location for a good price, if you'd like some assistance. Let me know.

 

[bigmama67]

Wow, Crissy, I have an acquaintance who lives in Queens and works in Hoboken but the commute from Queens to Secaucus must have taken the cake!

What I was saying, though, is maybe the hotel runs a courtesy shuttle to Secaucus Junction. That would take care of it. Also I believe parking at SJ is $10 and the train is frequent and reliable.

 

[smileycrissy]

Wow, Crissy, I have an acquaintance who lives in Queens and works in Hoboken but the commute from Queens to Secaucus must have taken the cake!

What I was saying, though, is maybe the hotel runs a courtesy shuttle to Secaucus Junction. That would take care of it. Also I believe parking at SJ is $10 and the train is frequent and reliable.

Oh yeah, it was crazy doing the commute. I honestly don't know how I did it. Eventually my fiancee and I moved to NJ so I halved my travel time.

That is a good point about the shuttle, I didn't think of that. I hope for the OP they do because that would make traveling easier.

 

[djbleach]

We haved stayed in Secacus NJ visiting NY about six times. Each time we have used Priceline and bid for a 2.5 or 3 star and "won" bids for around $70-75 dollars a night.

Parking has been free at the "free parking" garage 3rd deck across the street. Or the Courtyard had the bottom. There's an Outback right "In/beside" The Courtyard by Marriot.

The area has always seemed safe and the 320 bus takes you right to the PATH station at 42nd street.

Bus fare about $4 bucks for adults, cheaper for kids/seniors one way. Buy Round trip or they may have a monthly pass that might be cheaper.
It's about a 10-15 minute ride into the city if you go in the morning before 10am........If not, It's like any other major city with Rush hour traffic. It could take up to an hour.

If you don't use priceline, just call and see if the Bus stop is close to the hotel. Some hotels in Secaucus are further out than the 320 and I think you have to get a shuttle to the train station..etc. (a friend bid on priceline and didn't bid the correct area and this happend. (So Secacus/North Berken is the area .
I think Secacus is more safe than Jersey City. But I'm not sure..

 

[holden]

Transportation aside, make sure you have a well planned trip for that week (i.e. dinner reservations, etc.). The week b/w Christmas and New Year's is crazy busy in NYC. We went during that week last year and will never do it again. There was a line to get into the American Girl store just to shop! The line went to the end of the block. After about 15 people exited the store, the guard would let more people in. Also, we went to the Museum of Natural History one day and had to leave because we literally could not walk. We arrived at opening and the crowds were managable for about 1.5 hrs. It then became so packed we had trouble moving from exhibit to exhibit. As we left the museum there were police officers outside saying something to the huge crowd trying to enter the museum. I was wondering if they were telling them it was closed due to capcity!

Just plan your trip wisely and know that it will be very crowded.