World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Public transport in New York is run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), New York City Transit (tel: (718) 330 1234; website www.mta.nyc.ny.us). Services are cheaper and more efficient than the number of private companies also operating in the city.

New York’s subway is fast, air conditioned, cheap and much safer than it used to be, although it is still best avoided late at night (after 2300). The vast network of 24 routes, identified by letters or by numbers, serves almost 500 stations throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Staten Island is served by the small-scale MTA Staten Island Railway (tel: (718) 966 SIRT or 966 7478), operating 24 hours a day. Although central Manhattan stations are typically passable, platforms are not always comfortable in terms of temperature or condition. Entrance is gained from a subway MetroCard or token (although tokens are not accepted at all entrances), for a flat fare of US$2, available at subway stations and newsagents. Services operate 24 hours; on average, subway trains run every 2 to 5 minutes during rush hour (every 10 to 15 minutes during off-peak times and every 20 minutes daily 0000–0500).

Bus services are extensive and bus stops are located on street corners approximately every two or three blocks. Bus fare costs US$2, paid with a MetroCard, subway token or exact change. If you buy the ticket aboard the bus, you will get a transfer that cannot be used on the subway without paying an additional charge. Buses operate 24 hours daily.

There are three kinds of MetroCard passes. Unlimited Ride MetroCards, costing US$21 or US$70, are valid for seven or 30 days respectively and expire at midnight on the final day of validity. The one-day unlimited-ride Fun Pass costs US$7 and is valid until 0300 the following day. Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards offer 12 rides for the price of ten and are available in US$10 or US$20 increments – free transfers to connecting bus or subway routes is included if used within two hours. All passes are available for purchase at subway stations and newsagents.

Taxis
A trip to New York is not complete without a ride in one of the city’s famous yellow cabs. Taxis are governed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (tel: (212) NYC TAXI or 692 8294 or 676 1000; website: www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/tlc) and are hailed on the curb, preferably at intersections. Drivers are required to take passengers to any destination within the five boroughs of New York City or Nassau County, Westchester County and Newark Airport. Passengers should provide drivers with the street address and with the nearest cross streets of their destination (for example: ‘Fifth Avenue, between 22nd Street and 23rd Street’). Fare begins at US$2.50 plus US$1 extra for each additional person, then increases 40 cents, every fifth of a mile or 90 seconds of waiting time, plus tolls (if any) and a 10–15% tip. There is a US$0.50 surcharge for trips between 2000 and 0600. In the event that there is a problem with the ride, passengers should note the driver’s six-digit license number (located on the roof of the taxi, on the exterior of both passenger doors, on the dashboard and printed on the receipt) and report it to the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

Private car services, unlike taxis, can be called directly and offer point-to-point pre-arranged transport for a fixed rate throughout the five boroughs and beyond. The cost is comparable to that of a metered taxi trip and may be confirmed before pickup. Car services are particularly handy in the outer boroughs, where taxi service is unavailable for trips into Manhattan, or when pre-arranged transport is needed. There are numerous car service companies and hotel concierges can recommend a reliable one.

Limousines
Limousines can be hired from numerous companies throughout the city, including Affordable New York Limousine (tel: (888) 888 6569 or (516) 897 7605; website: www.affordablenewyorklimousine.com), Chris Limousines (tel: (718) 356 3232 or (800) 542 1584; website: www.chrislimousines.com), and Executive Town Car (tel: (516) 538 8551 or (800) 716 2799; website: www.exectownlimo.com). Hourly rates start from around US$70 plus 20% gratuity.

Driving in the City
Driving in Manhattan is not recommended to visitors. The traffic is horrendous and the quintessential New York City experience is to be stuck in traffic. Add to that the impatient drivers and exorbitant parking fees – approximately US$30 per day. Street parking is elusive. The business and entertainment areas get particularly congested and the fast pace can prove intimidating for tourists. In the unfortunate event of having a car in New York, visitors might want to inquire with their hotel about reasonable local parking and plan to use public transport instead of driving. Drivers should avoid parking on the street, as there are restrictive rules, rampant ticketing and a danger of theft.

Car Hire
A valid national driving licence is required for driving in New York, although an International Driving Permit is required by some car hire firms. Minimum third-party insurance is required and drivers must be at least 25 years old. Branches are located throughout the five boroughs.

Major providers include Alamo (tel: (800) 327 9633; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (800) 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (800) 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel: (800) 261 7731; website: www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: (800) 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com) and National (tel: (800) 227 7368; website: www.nationalcar.com). Prices start from about US$53 a day and US$252 per week plus tax for standard hire car.

Bicycle Hire
Many New Yorkers brave the traffic on bicycles, however, this is not recommended to visitors. Nevertheless, there are 40km (25 miles) of bike paths around the city, where no motorised vehicles are allowed. Cycling around one of New York’s parks is also a safe and pleasant option. Central Park Bicycle Tours/Rentals (tel: (212) 541 8759; website: www.centralparkbiketour.com) offers individual bicycle hire for US$35 a day, as well as a leisurely two-hour guided bike tour of Central Park, costing US$35 (summer only), including bicycle hire. Much like a walking tour service provider, Bike the Big Apple (tel: (201) 837 1133; website: www.toursbybike.com) offers a range of interesting thematic bike tours for short and longer distances. Tour rates start at around US$59, including bike and helmet hire.