Nyc

[NYCDiane]

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

If you're going to be going all over Manhattan, you'll be better off with a 7 day unlimited card. The bus/subway is $2.50 per trip so even if you only take the subway 2x/day, it will cost you $25 each. At least with the 7 day unlimited, you don't have to worry about running out and you can take the bus or subway as much as you need/want to.

 

[NYCDiane]

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

....not if it's broken! If it's a 90* day, of course the driver will have the AC running. If it's not working properly or not working at all, the ride from LGA to the Milford with 4 people plus driver will be mighty uncomfortable!!

 

[Anthony1971]

The taxi Line will ask you were you are going and give you a card to estimate the cost.. do not forget there could be traffic the cost of the toll for the midtown tunnel and a tip. If you are concerned about price call around for a flat rate but you will need to wait for them to pick you up.. make sure ask if it includes the toll or if they take the 59st bridge.. which is also an option for the yellow cab.
however with 4 a yellow cab they will likey put you in 2 cars but in the same respect a limo service will charge you more for a minivan likely in the 60-80 range each way.. again no toll or tip.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I would do a car service, like Dial7. $38 for a luxury sedan.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

....not if it's broken! If it's a 90* day, of course the driver will have the AC running. If it's not working properly or not working at all, the ride from LGA to the Milford with 4 people plus driver will be mighty uncomfortable!!

Actually the drivers often don't run the a/c and put the windows down to save gas. They will usually turn it on when they load passengers, but not always. They will however, always turn it on if you ask them to. If it's not working and a hot day they really shouldn't have the car in service.

I use both 212-666-6666 and 212-777-7777 for car service, the 6s tend to save a couple dollars but the 7s tend to have nicer vehicles (ime).

I don't remember if your kids are young or old, if you want a car seat use Legends - 888-LEGENDS. It's a little bit more, maybe $10 or so, but you have peace of mind.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

The taxi Line will ask you were you are going and give you a card to estimate the cost.. do not forget there could be traffic the cost of the toll for the midtown tunnel and a tip. If you are concerned about price call around for a flat rate but you will need to wait for them to pick you up.. make sure ask if it includes the toll or if they take the 59st bridge.. which is also an option for the yellow cab.
however with 4 a yellow cab they will likey put you in 2 cars but in the same respect a limo service will charge you more for a minivan likely in the 60-80 range each way.. again no toll or tip.

My family takes cabs all the time, we've never once had an issue with getting four people in. They are supposed to take four adults but not five (I think they can get a ticket at that point).

 

[findmewdw]

My family takes cabs all the time, we've never once had an issue with getting four people in. They are supposed to take four adults but not five (I think they can get a ticket at that point).

I'm thinking that maybe if we have four pieces of luggage, it might be a tight fit and that is why it is suggested we may need to take two cabs. I checked out Dial 7 and Carmel and both say that with four pieces of luggage, we would need a minivan. We may be able to condense into 3 suitcases, but if we go with 4, it looks like we will need to bump up. The minivan from the car services would be cheaper than two cabs and cheaper than the shared van.

Thanks everyone for your help. I can navigate Disney well, but this planning is a bit overwhelming to me.

 

[aprilgail2]

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.

.

I agree- I am in cabs all the time in NYC and never had an issue---now buses I would not go on---just not a "bus person"

 

[disykat]

We went for four days and it paid to have the 7 day pass. We took the subway about 15 or 16 times.

We took the bus/subway from LaGuardia and it wasn't a big deal at all. We bought a metro card at the Hudson's by baggage claim and took something like the Qsomething (60?) bus to a subway stop in Queens then into town. (I looked it up on the NYC forums at tripadvisor.) You do have to be able to haul your suitcase up and down some stairs but it wasn't bad.

As others have said, it's probably easiest to take a cab. But if you're as cheap as we are the bus/subway is very doable. We did it because we were getting the metro card anyway so it was "free" but also because we landed at rush hour and figured we wouldn't have to fight traffic.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'm thinking that maybe if we have four pieces of luggage, it might be a tight fit and that is why it is suggested we may need to take two cabs. I checked out Dial 7 and Carmel and both say that with four pieces of luggage, we would need a minivan. We may be able to condense into 3 suitcases, but if we go with 4, it looks like we will need to bump up. The minivan from the car services would be cheaper than two cabs and cheaper than the shared van.

Thanks everyone for your help. I can navigate Disney well, but this planning is a bit overwhelming to me.

Eh, I travel with 4 adults and we each have our own suitcase and also a large purse or backpack and we all get in one cab or one regular car service sedan.

There's a taxi line at the airport, if a smaller sedan pulls up you can step aside until a SUV or minivan comes along. They come one after another, it would likely be an extra couple of minutes or less till you got one.

 

[NYCDiane]

I agree- I am in cabs all the time in NYC and never had an issue---now buses I would not go on---just not a "bus person"

It's absurd to take cabs all the time. The expense is just not worth it. I take the bus and they're always clean and the a/c is always on and get me where I need to go.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Cabs take 4 people (certain ones can take 5). Suitcases and large items can go in the trunk. If for some reason four people can't fit in the back seat, one adult can sit in the front with the driver.

As for cab cleanliness, it's a crapshoot. I've been in relatively clean cabs, and then in disgusting, dirty ones. I think part of it has to do with how old the cab is though.

Edited to add: I take the subway most of the time when I'm in the city. I'll take a cab if I am pressed for time and depending on the time of day or night. Sometimes a cab gets me where I need to be faster than waiting for a subway, especially when you have to make line changes.

The only time I take a bus is if I am with someone who prefers taking them. Nothing wrong with the buses, I'm just not a bus person either.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

It's absurd to take cabs all the time. The expense is just not worth it. I take the bus and they're always clean and the a/c is always on and get me where I need to go.

We don't have a car so feel our monthly travel expenses are quite low, and take cabs if/when it makes our lives easier.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Cabs are almost never faster than a bus or subway, unless you are crossing the park.

 

[findmewdw]

Eh, I travel with 4 adults and we each have our own suitcase and also a large purse or backpack and we all get in one cab or one regular car service sedan.

There's a taxi line at the airport, if a smaller sedan pulls up you can step aside until a SUV or minivan comes along. They come one after another, it would likely be an extra couple of minutes or less till you got one.

OK, glad to hear that four adults and four suitcases with backpack or purses can fit in a regular car. Not sure why people say that I may need two cabs then? We are not large people, so I do think three could easily fit in the back and one in front. The hotel mentioned to only take yellow taxis only, so are you saying that there are yellow taxis that are minivans or SUVs? I don't want to get in one that iturns out to be more expensive. I've read others have had problems with crazy fares.
We have decided to get the week long metropass, too. I think it will save us money. Another poster mentioned taking suitcases on subway. My DH said he did not want to do that since we would be pretty overwhelmed, but thanks for your comment. We are excited and I will probably be posting more questions. Thanks again everyone!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Cabs are almost never faster than a bus or subway, unless you are crossing the park.

For me it's not about speed necessarily, it's about going door to door and not having to take the stroller, diaper bag, toddler, and whatever else up and down subway stairs or deal with getting on and off the bus if it's crowded.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

OK, glad to hear that four adults and four suitcases with backpack or purses can fit in a regular car. Not sure why people say that I may need two cabs then? We are not large people, so I do think three could easily fit in the back and one in front. The hotel mentioned to only take yellow taxis only, so are you saying that there are yellow taxis that are minivans or SUVs? I don't want to get in one that iturns out to be more expensive. I've read others have had problems with crazy fares.
We have decided to get the week long metropass, too. I think it will save us money. Another poster mentioned taking suitcases on subway. My DH said he did not want to do that since we would be pretty overwhelmed, but thanks for your comment. We are excited and I will probably be posting more questions. Thanks again everyone!

Hmm, I was just typing a reply, it said it was posting before I did anything and it's not showing up. Oh well.

If you get on the taxi line after you exit the airport you should only be put in a yellow NYC taxi. These can be sedans, SUVs (not jumbo ones), or minivans (some are wheelchair accessible). I prefer the SUVs and will sometimes wait to get one. Taxis hold up to four adults, and the trunk obviously as much as will fit it in. If the sedan is too small, wait for an SUV to pull up.

If someone approaches you when you are leaving the airport asking if you need a taxi, tell them no thank you and find the line. They are not supposed to do that and are often the ones that try to charge the crazy fares. They can be pushy, just be firm when you say no and they will move onto someone else.

If you call and book a car service they will tell you the price ahead of time.

The metrocard is an excellent idea, you can hop and off with no worries on both the buses and subways.

 

[shamrock30]

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.

I haven't stayed there, but I recently saw some discussion about it on one of the travel boards I go to. Unfortunately, consensus was that the rooms still weren't very nice.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

It's a central location with good transportation options, you'll be out all day long sightseeing, if you got a good price I'd keep it. It's only for sleeping.

 

[emma'smom]

The bus she is talking about is the M116. It goes from LGA to 116th and B-Way--through Queens! It's actually a nice way to see a bit of Queens and it comes right down 125th street in Manhattan, so you can see a bit of Harlem. However, it's a city bus used by lots of people going about their daily lives--so it stops every few streets all the way through it's route. Lots of luggage will be in the way on the bus.....but you should be able to get seats since the route begins at LGA--so that should be good. From 116th you'll have to hop the 2/3 subway to 42nd street or grab a cab down to the hotel.


So...in this case, I don't think the bus will be faster. Grab a cab at the airport---and just plan on consolidating your luggage or bringing stuff you can pile on your laps.

Cabs are almost never faster than a bus or subway, unless you are crossing the park.