Editing New York City (section)

== Transportation ==
'''See the [http://en.en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/New_York_(city) New York City Wikivoyage] page for detailed advice about transportation and attractions.'''

=== By Plane ===
There are three major Airports in the NYC area. JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) are both located in Queens.
Newark is located in New Jersey but provides for easy access to the city.

[http://offmanhattan.com/2010/06/21/nyc-airport-transportation/ Off Manhattan's Airport Transportation Guide]

==== JFK ====
The AirTrain costs $5 and runs from JFK and connects to the following subway/train stops
• LIRR trains and E/J/Z subways at Jamaica Station
• The "A" subway line at Howard Beach Station
From these subways and trains most of the 5 boroughs and outlying areas can be reached rather easily.

For trips between (to and from) Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls using Rate Code 2 on the meter. A NY State Tax Surcharge of $.50 will be added to each trip.

If passengers request multiple stops, the flat rate of $45.00 will be collected at the first stop in either Manhattan or JFK International Airport, and the meter will be activated at Rate Code 1 (standard city rate) for the remainder of the trip. The metered fare should be collected at the last stop, from the last passenger.

Trips between JFK International Airport and New York City destinations other than Manhattan will use that standard metered rate.

If you're looking to cab in don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to split a cab with you.
Various Express buses are also running and range from $15 - $25 for a trip to Manhattan.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

==== LaGuardia (LGA) ====
Various buses run between LaGuardia and the 5 boroughs.
The two most popular buses are the M60 and the Q33. The M60 will take you into Manhattan and travels west along 125th Street, making stops at the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines at Lexington Ave; the MetroNorth station at Park Ave; the 2 and the 3 at Lenox Ave; the A, B, C and D at Saint Nicholas Ave; and the 1 at Broadway. The Q33 drops you off in Jackson Heights near different subway stations depending on where you need to get off. Don't hesitate to ask the bus driver where to get off for your particular subway line if you're unsure.

Cab rides to Manhattan and other areas are metered. During non rush hours the typical cab ride into Manhattan will be at least $30. If you want to take a taxi don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to share the cost with you.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

==== Newark (EWR) ====
New Jersey Transit runs their own AirTrain service from Newark to New York Penn Station for around $15. This is usually the fastest method. See http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=AirportConnectionsTo for more information.
Cab rides to Manhattan and other areas are metered. During non rush hours the typical cab ride into Manhattan will be at least $50. If you're looking to take a taxi don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to share the cost with you.

The least expensive way is to take the New Jersey Transit #62 bus ($1.50) in front of the terminals to Newark Penn Station (20 minutes), and then the PATH train ($2) to lower Manhattan (25 minutes). They are both very frequent during the day.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

=== By Bus ===
There are many buses that connect New York with other major cities in the northeast, which are often significantly cheaper and more convenient that Greyhound or even Amtrak. These are the Chinatown buses and will typically run from Chinatown in New York City to the Chinatown area in another city. Often they pick up and drop off passengers on the side of the street, so it is important to know where they are. There are many companies that operate between the major cities, usually running every half hour every day. 

The following are a few of the many companies:

New Century Travel <br />
http://www.2000coach.com/ <br />
Operates between NYC and Philly ($20 RT), Washington ($35 RT) and Richmond ($60 RT)

Fung Wah Bus <br />
https://www.fungwahbus.com/Default.aspx <br />
Operates Between NYC and Boston ($30 RT)

Apex Bus <br />
http://www.apexbus.com/ <br />
Operates between NYC and Philly ($20 RT), Washington ($35 RT), Richmond ($60 RT), Baltimore ($35 RT), Rockville, MD ($45 RT), Norfolk ($60 RT), Albany ($45 RT), Atlanta ($200 RT), Nashville ($70 RT)

Bolt Bus <br />
http://www.boltbus.com/ <br />
Operates between NYC and Boston ($16-20 OW), Philly ($13-$15 OW), Baltimore ($18-$20 OW), Washington ($18-$25 OW). However, if you book far enough in advance you can get a ticket for as little as $1 OW. They also offer wifi on board and power outlets.
  
The best way to find other companies is to google "Chinatown bus New York City'"

=== By Car ===
Goethals Bridge connects New Jersey and Staten Island
Holland Tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan
Lincoln Tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan
George Washington Bridge connects New Jersey and Manhattan
More information can be found at:
http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/

=== By Foot or bicycle ===
The George Washington Bridge lets you walk or ride a bike across it when coming from the mainland (New Jersey). It offers quite a stunning view of the Hudson river and NYC skyline.

=== Mass transit once in the city ===
New York City arguably has the best developed and easiest public transportation system of all major cities in the United States (http://www.mta.info). It is easily navigable, runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is safe. It is an aged system, though, and some subway stations can smell bad and be unbearably hot in the summer, and there is a lot of rat poison applied on a regular basis. But the subway cars are generally clean, climate-controlled and well-maintained. Also, note that you are also subject to random "bag checks" by the police at all times (but I've only seen a couple of instances of this in the last few years). 
As a traveler without a car or bicycle you will heavily rely on NYC's public transportation system and you could wind up taking at least half a dozen rides in the subway/bus on any given day. At $2.25 per ride that can become an expensive proposition. Thus, your best bet is to buy an "Unlimited" Metrocard that provides unlimited rides within on the subway and bus system of NYC (all 5 boroughs) for either 7 days ($29) or 30 days ($104). The 1-day and 14-day unlimited cards have been eliminated. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, the Unlimited ride option is one of the most cost-efficient purchases you can make. To determine if the 7-day card is a good value for you, consider this: if you pay for each ride 13 times, you have already spent more than $29. 
The Metrocards are available at all times from the vending machines in most subway stations. The pay-per-ride Metrocard will give you a 7% bonus for a purchase of $10 or more (e.g., $10 gets you $10.70). When using a Metrocard (but not the white single-fare cards), you may transfer free from local bus-to-subway, subway-to-local bus or local bus-to-local bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. So, you could take the subway uptown and then hop on a bus back downtown for $2.25 if you get on the bus within 2 hours of entering the subway station.
Again, if you're going to spend a lot of time in the city and/or will be making a lot of trips, then you should buy the unlimited ride Metrocard rather than the pay-per-ride Metrocard. 

=== Bicycling within the city ===
New York City has become more bike friendly over the last couple of years with the establishment of bike lanes on various streets and avenues in the City. If you have a bike, ask your host if there is a safe place to store it.

NYC bike trails<br />
http://www.nycbikemaps.com<br />