Nyc

[findmewdw]

We will be visiting NYC in a few weeks and this will be our first trip. We are flying into LaGuardia airport and staying at the Milford Plaza near Times Square. We will arrive around 11AM. Trip Advisor says the least expensive way to get from the airport to the hotel is by the bus and suggests getting the MetroCard in advance. The hotel mentioned shuttle van service that is shared with others or taxi. We are a family of four with DD 18 and DS 15. How would you recommend getting to the hotel? We will each have a suitcase and probably a back pack. Trying to lug suitcases around is always fun. We live in a rural area and aren't use to traveling cities using subways, etc, other than vacation to DC.

Also, has anyone stayed here? I've read most of the threads on NYC, but haven't seen this hotel. I know they have been renovating and the reviews are so so on trip advisor.

 

[ashley0139]

Honestly, with four of you and that much luggage, I would say just hop in a cab. It'll cost you about $30 plus tip. Trying to navigate the bus/subway with all that stuff when you're not familiar with the system is just going to be overwhelming. Plus it'll be up and down stairs and trying to cram into a bus.

 

[lila]

Agree, taxi is the way to go for you

 

[kacaju]

agree take a cab

 

[Sagginit]

take a cab, its worth the money in this case. two things to note. 1) the dollar they add at the end is tax, not a tip 2) the suggested rate given when paying by card is something ridiculous like 30%, so calculate the tip you want to pay on your own if using a card.

you won't need a metrocard until you get there and go on the subway. they are sold in the station before you get to a train and chances are, you will only use the trains and won't need a bus almost your whole trip.

 

[mrsaunders]

Agree, cab is way easier. You can even pay by credit card right on the screen in the back of the taxi.

 

[NYCDiane]

Unless you're lucky enough to get a mini-van cab at LGA, you're going to be mighty uncomfortable in a regular cab with 4 people (and who knows if all your stuff will fit in the trunk!)!! Also, it may be a bit more than $30.

If there is a shuttle bus available from LGA to the Milford Plaza, I would take that. It's free (you only have to tip the driver) and it gets you directly to the hotel quickly.

Metro Card... how long are you staying? If you're planning on going all over Manhattan, you should probably each get a weekly MetroCard (a lot cheaper than doing pay-per ride). Your MetroCard will be good on both subway and regular buses (NOT on exress buses). A 7 day metro card is $30 plus a $1 fee for a new card.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'd take a taxi also, for four people it's not much less (if at all) to take the van. We fit four in a taxi, just one person sits in the front passenger seat.

 

[NYCDiane]

I'd take a taxi also, for four people it's not much less (if at all) to take the van. We fit four in a taxi, just one person sits in the front passenger seat.

I believe the shuttle van is provided by the hotel and it's free. The OP should look into that. I know that all the hotels have their own shuttles to/from the airports.

Also, the OP asked about the Milford. I worked there many years ago. It was very nice at that time. Then it became a dumpy place. Now they've renovated it and it's nice again.

 

[NYCDiane]

Oh my goodness.... I just checked the hotel's website and got this info regarding transportation:

The shuttle is NOT free. It's $22 per person and you can book tix through the hotel's website. It always used to be free for all the hotels!!!!

The taxi would be between $40-$50 from LGA to the hotel.

I honestly think I would prefer the shuttle over the taxi even though it's more expensive. I can't imagine being crunched up in the back of a smelly NYC taxi (possibly w/o air conditioning) for a ride of at least 30-45 minutes. I'm gagging just thinking about it. I'm in NYC and I NEVER use taxis. They just gross me out. I prefer walking or taking the bus.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If the driver doesn't have the a/c running you may ask them to turn it on.

 

[ashley0139]

Oh my goodness.... I just checked the hotel's website and got this info regarding transportation:

The shuttle is NOT free. It's $22 per person and you can book tix through the hotel's website. It always used to be free for all the hotels!!!!

The taxi would be between $40-$50 from LGA to the hotel.

I honestly think I would prefer the shuttle over the taxi even though it's more expensive. I can't imagine being crunched up in the back of a smelly NYC taxi (possibly w/o air conditioning) for a ride of at least 30-45 minutes. I'm gagging just thinking about it. I'm in NYC and I NEVER use taxis. They just gross me out. I prefer walking or taking the bus.

Um, I've taken a taxi from midtown to Laguardia several times and it has never been more than $40 (it is from JFK) OR a 45 minute ride. Usually around $30 and 20 minutes.

I agree with you, though. I hate taxis.

 

[gower525]

My family of 5 needed to get from the airport to the Radio City Suites last summer. We waited in a taxi line at the airport. When it was our turn, they told us we must divide into 2 cabs. They wouldn't let us wait on a van. It ended up costing us $100 (my cab charged me almost $60 and DH's charged $40) - I guess I should've argued, but we were pretty overwhelmed at the time.

 

[UncannySquirrel]

I can't imagine being crunched up in the back of a smelly NYC taxi (possibly w/o air conditioning) for a ride of at least 30-45 minutes. I'm gagging just thinking about it. I'm in NYC and I NEVER use taxis. They just gross me out. I prefer walking or taking the bus.

Not sure when the last time you used a NYC taxi, but the ones I've been in haven't smelled or that gross even the late night ones in the bar areas. Unless I've been very lucky with cabs or you've been unlucky.

But back to the OP, the price of taxi or shuttle are good just to transport your luggage better. SUbways get cramped enough without them and most New Yorkers will give you an attitude about it. Also it might make you a target to theives.

 

[findmewdw]

Oh my goodness.... I just checked the hotel's website and got this info regarding transportation:

The shuttle is NOT free. It's $22 per person and you can book tix through the hotel's website. It always used to be free for all the hotels!!!!

The taxi would be between $40-$50 from LGA to the hotel.

I honestly think I would prefer the shuttle over the taxi even though it's more expensive. I can't imagine being crunched up in the back of a smelly NYC taxi (possibly w/o air conditioning) for a ride of at least 30-45 minutes. I'm gagging just thinking about it. I'm in NYC and I NEVER use taxis. They just gross me out. I prefer walking or taking the bus.

Yes, the hotel told me that they did not provide a shuttle. I was hoping they did. They did send me information about a shared van service from the airport that I can purchase. Not sure if I'd want to sit through many stops, however, as others may be getting off at their stops before us, however. Not sure if this is the shuttle that is on their website. I will have to check that out.

 

[findmewdw]

Also, the OP asked about the Milford. I worked there many years ago. It was very nice at that time. Then it became a dumpy place. Now they've renovated it and it's nice again.

I'm really hoping it is nice again We won't be in our hotel much, and we are pretty laid back. As long as it is clean and bed bug free, I'm okay. We thought the location looked good and a friend of mine had stayed there a couple years ago. Thanks for your response!

 

[findmewdw]

Metro Card... how long are you staying? If you're planning on going all over Manhattan, you should probably each get a weekly MetroCard (a lot cheaper than doing pay-per ride). Your MetroCard will be good on both subway and regular buses (NOT on exress buses). A 7 day metro card is $30 plus a $1 fee for a new card.

We will be staying five full days. Would it be cheaper to purchase a 7 day metro card?

 

[findmewdw]

If the driver doesn't have the a/c running you may ask them to turn it on.

OMG I can't imagine a July day without a/c. Never thought they may not have it running. Thanks, I will definitely ask!

 

[momof3ds]

I can't recommend one but google for a car service to get you from lga to your hotel. Check reviews and get a few different estimates.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Have you considered a car service? We used Carmel Limo service. http://www.carmellimo.com/ My husband uses it when he travels on business, and we just used it two weeks ago for a family trip. It also comes recommended on Trip Advisor. I think we paid $30, not including tip. This was also from La Guardia.

I disagree about the cabs being hot and smelly. They were always clean and cool when I was there. And that was during 90 degree heat.