best way to new york from ewr and new york holiday

Hi there

Im off to ewr for 2 weeks on monday vs001! im booked into the newark airport hilton, managed to get it for £50 a night! also get a Cherveloet Trailblazer on rental so am looking for the best tips on how to drive into new york city and parking tips etc?

Also its my 1st time in NYC so any ideas or general tips on what to do where to go will be apprecited greatly!

Looking forward to all your tips and help !

Thanks

Rups:D

[Nottingham Nick]

Rups

Not wanting to make this first reply a negative one, but why the hell do you want to drive into NYC?? [8D]:D

New Jersey Transit offers a multitude of ways to get from NJ to NYC - either by bus, light rail, or trains. I have stayed Jersey side of the river a few times and found them to be excellent. The logistics of moving the amount of people they shift into NYC in the morning and then back again in the evening is mind blowing [8D].

I have never tried to park in NYC so others may be able to offer advice there.

As far as what to do when you are there... everything you have seen on TV :D Empire State Building, Staten Island Ferry, Chinatown, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Central Park etc. etc. etc. All the touristy things are great.

Have a great trip.


Nick

Well it depends where you want to go really, because you basically have a choice of 3 Hudson river crossings which will all get into different parts of NYC. The Holland Tunnel will bring you into downtown Manhattan, The Lincoln Tunnel will bring you into midtown, and the George Washington Bridge will bring you into uptown. Basically, the two tunnels are the easiest to get to from EWR, as route 78 goes directly to the Holland, and fairly directly to the Lincoln. It's only getting back which can get tricky.

Rups

Am in agreement with Nick here, why on earth drive? It's expensive to park and parking is very difficult to find if you arrive after rush hour, the traffic is a nightmare, the car becomes a noose around your neck and you can't have a cocktail (most importantly ).

Do you intend to drive in and out in the same day? If so why not take the train in and out, it's incredibly easy and can deposit you at Penn and right in the middle. Then return later in the day and pick up the car for a much less stressful day. If you plan to be more than a day in New York then I'm even more certain you shouldn't pick up a car until you're done with the city.

Oh, and listen to the Virgin New York podcast for tips. What kinda things are you keen to see?

S

i would have been driving in and out the same day!

is there parking available at penn station?
how easy is it to get around all the major tourist attractions using public transport from peen station and using what mode?
sorry if these questions sound stupid im a complete novice to NYC!

and also how much does the train cost roughly?

Im looking to do all the sights like statue of liberty empire state building, all the big department stores etc etc

[Nottingham Nick]

Rups

If you follow the NJ Transit link in my first reply, there is a great 'trip planner' facility that will answer all of your questions.

Once you are in NYC, then the Subway is the way to get around (though I find walking is also great!! This website is one of the many that explains how to get about on the subway.

Have a great trip. If you are planning doing any shopping, I would also suggest the Jersey side is better for this The Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall is very close to the airport, and is a great place to pick up bargains.

Nick

NJ transit is a very good train service, I ride it occasionally when I want to go into NYC since my town has a station in it. Just one note though in case you didn't notice it, both Newark and New York City have a Penn Station. No one knows why, they just do, so make sure you go to the right one!

P.S. take a look on the map and look for Berkeley Heights, cause that's where I live!

Don't drive in Manhattan use taxi use the subway it will cost less than parking and car hire. if you need a car to get out of mahhattan hire only for the time use need it it return to depo rather than parking and choose a hire company with a depot close to one of the afore mentioned tunnels or bridges so avoiding driving in Manhatten.

Hiring a car in Manhatten will cost less than at the airport. Our Chevrolet Blazer was £200 cheaper for the week as we picked up from West 40th St rather than JFK. With the money saved you can book a Limo or Sedan to get from EWR to Manhatten.

From Newark Penn Station, the cheapest way to get into Manhattan is by PATH, only $1.50 for the 30 min ride with trains mostly every 15 mins. Change at Journal Square if you're going mid-town. It's so cheap and easy. And besides, you know petrol is more expensive now over there

The Strawb

You could always take the train from EWR to Newark Penn Station and avoid nearly all the driving from that segment as well.