Visiting New York is never the same; it makes me feel good and full of energy, and even after my 39th stay in town, I haven’t had enough of it. Every time, the idea of moving there grows stronger. This city never sleeps and makes me feel alive.
I have never written about New York, mainly because 37 of my 39 visits have been on business trips. There are plenty of guides on the Big Apple, more or less complete and useful and stimulating, and I’ve always felt that discovering it without reading any of them can be really exciting.
In this post, I won’t suggest where to visit because the options are almost unlimited. If you really want good advice about routes in town, you should follow the dedicated section on my friend Simona Sacri’s blog. She’s the USA-Italian specialist!
I’m going to give you some practical info and tips for arranging your trip, whatever you want to experience in amazing New York.
Getting to New York
The main New York airport is JFK, located in Queens. It is the arrival hub of almost all international flights, including Emirates, so if you can fly with them, do! The value is unbeatable, and the comfort aboard is incredible.
Once past the security controls upon arrival (fingerprints of all fingers of both hands, ID photo, stamp in the passport and baggage claim), you have to head to the second floor to take the convenient AirTrain to Jamaica Station for metro lines E, J and Z or up to Howard Beach Station to the line A. You will pay $ 5 for the Air Train + $ 2.75 for the city ticket, which is charged on the MetroCard, which I will tell you about later.
Another option to get downtown from JFK is the Airporter shuttle, which leaves every half hour between 5:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. from any terminal and connects Penn Station and Grand Central Station in about an hour ($16). To reach Penn Station, you can also take the LIRR, the Long Island Rail Road, to Jamaica Station, which connects the two hubs for $10 and takes just 20 minutes.
Be careful because if you opt for a flight with United Airlines, you will land in Newark, New Jersey. From there, you can take the NJ Transit train to Penn Station ($12.50 in a half-hour) or the Newark Airport Express bus to Grand Central Station and Bryant Park ($16, leaving every half-hour from the various terminals and taking about 45 minutes to downtown).
Of course, you could always take a taxi, but in addition to being subject to traffic conditions, the cost is much higher: it starts from a base of about $ 50 plus the toll charges and the tip.
What to do before flying there
It seems trivial, but you have to start by checking your passport: check it’s electronic if released after October 2006, machine-readable if issued or renewed before October 2005, and with a digital photograph. Also, be sure it doesn’t expire within six months after your return flight.
If everything is in order from this point of view, 72 hours before your departure, enter the ESTA website to fill out the form in all its parts and obtain a two-year travel authorization (or until your passport expires).
If you stay longer than 90 days, first of all, “Lucky you !!!” :-). Now, back to practical details: you must contact the nearest US Consulate to apply for a proper visa.
If you think you might frequently visit New York or other US cities, you can also opt for the Global Entry program. Thanks to the many totems upon arrival, this program allows you to accelerate the security procedures by jumping the queue at the passport control section.
Another detail not to be underestimated when visiting the United States is good travel insurance. Medical facilities there are really excellent but very expensive, so you should subscribe to medical insurance. As an Amex user, I purchased it directly on the American Express website.
Getting around
As always, my dispassionate advice is to walk as much as possible, for hours, to discover the various districts and their peculiarities.
Public transport
New York City, however, is a megalopolis with five districts: the Queens, the charming Bronx, the immense Brooklyn, the beautiful Staten Island, and the most famous island in the world, Manhattan. Even if you limit yourself to the star, Manhattan distances include being unable to travel without public transport at least once or twice daily.
The metro network is widespread, quick, and safe. You only need to pay attention to the trains’ direction once on the platform and express or local, depending on whether they stop anywhere or only in the main stations. Even buses cover the whole town, but depending on the traffic, it can be a waste of time. In both cases, the service is managed by the MTA and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and tickets can be purchased at any station by charging the MetroCard ($ 2.75 per ride, $ 31 for a weekly pass, or $ 116.50 for a month). Public transport is operating seven days a week and 24 hours per day. Disabled people can access it, and it offers discounts for the latter and the unemployed, children, and senior citizens over 65.
A must then is a super picturesque ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram, which connects 59th Street to Roosevelt Island, between Manhattan and Queens.
Ferries
One of the essential elements of New York City is water, and while it is a wonderful experience, taking one or more ferries is inevitable.
Whether you decide to visit Staten Island, Liberty Island, Ellis Island, or take a ride along the Hudson River, you should consult the NY Waterway website for schedules and fares.
The islands themselves are also reachable by the New York Water Taxi, which offers a more tailored service.
For an even more scenic experience, you can also consider a classic sightseeing cruise in New York, which offers a relaxing way to enjoy the skyline from the Hudson and the East River.
In any case, you’ll see that the view from the water is amazing! 🙂
Taxi
Who has never dreamed of hailing a cab like Holly Golightly did? In fact, all you need to do to have one stop is raise your hand when you see one with lit numbers.
There are plenty of New York taxis running 24/7, and they are quite charming. The fare always starts from $2.50 and increases by about $0.50 per minute. In addition to the cost shown on the screen, you must add any toll charges and tip the driver.
All taxis accept credit cards, and the tablet screen in the rear seat allows you to follow the itinerary and fare. If you prefer, you can do some zapping and watch television programs.
Bikes
In addition to several organized bike tours, Citi Bike’s bike-sharing system is super well organized, with thousands of bikes available every few blocks.
To use a bike, insert your credit card into the Citi Bike totem, select a rental period ($9.95 for 24 hours + $101 deposit, unlocked when you return the bike), and start pedalling.
I suggest the free app, which, in addition to the Citi Bike Resort Map, provides excellent advice about routes and city attractions.
Visiting New York
Visiting all the sites and monuments in New York during one single stay is impossible, and the offer is so varied that it is better to select your favourite attractions. I, therefore, recommend the tourist pass “Build your pass” that allows you to visit what you prefer, getting a great discount proportional to the number of selected monuments.
Before you leave, please check out the Time Out New York website; I’m sure you’ll find one or more shows you can’t help but attend! 😉
Tipping
You have to tip in the US, and New York is no exception.
Tipping applies to tourist accommodation facilities, restaurants, bars and, as mentioned before, taxis. Usually, you need to contribute 10-20% of the bill, and in many tourist places, the tip is calculated directly in the bill under the total.
No matter in which season you decide to visit New York and what you choose to do, this city will seduce you, and you will surely fill your days with fantastic sightseeing and activities, and you’ll leave planning your next stay in town. New York is like that … magic.
Have a nice trip to New York!
