Manhattan Island

Getting Around New York City

The Subway is the way to go http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm it costs $US2 per trip, if you need to change from 1 line to another it is for the same $2 as long as you don't leave the station. The Trains are numbered ie:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or letters A, B, C, M etc and are referred to as "the 6" for example. For example the 1,2 and 3 run on the same line but don't all stop at all stops. It is worth having a look around this site, have a look at the safety rules. I found the subway very safe at all times of day or night. The longest I ever had to wait was a couple of minutes, the trains are very regular.

Be ready to get on as they do not wait around.

It is worth buying a metro card, you can load it up so that you don't have to find cash each time you want to ride. There are machines at all stations to pay for travel, they are easy to use and accept $US notes as well as credit/debit cards.

There are also Buses http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf I never found the need to use them as I could get every where I wanted to go on the subway, which I figured was faster (no traffic).

It is a huge city, and walking can be tiring, but I have found great sights just wandering around, it is also a great way to soak up the atmosphere.

You need to be aware of what is happening around you, don't wander around in a daze, but I always felt safe walking in the main areas of New York, stay on lit streets where people are, try to look like you are confident and belong, so that you don't look like a good target.

Most hotels have copies available of weekly http://www.cityguideny.com/ , grab one as they are great, the have subway and bus maps as well as maps to work out where you are, as well as locations of lots of places of interest, and what is on.

Getting from the Airport to the City

There are many ways to get to Downtown Manhattan from whichever airport you land at, the easiest and cheapest way I found was in a shared shuttle van, there are many companies, I used Blue Van www.supershuttle.com , it is reccomended that you book ahead to be sure, but you don't have to. The great thing about the shared shuttle is that they will take you directly to your hotel door, they service the entire island of Manhattan and it costs under $US20 per person (fixed fare). Follow the signs at the airports for "Shuttle Vans".

There are also shuttle buses, but they only drop at a couple of locations in Manhattan and then you have to find your own way to where you are staying www.nyairportservice.com , it is worth paying the couple of extra dollars to get delivered to your door.

There are of course Yellow Cabs, they cost $US30, plus toll fees. http://www.ny.com/transportation/taxis/

TIPS: Tips are expected by all methods of transport, most of the people working these type of service jobs are paid minimum wage $US5.15 per hour, and can only survive because of the tips, the expectation seems to be about 15%.

Why

I thought I would create a Blog for Aussies travelling to New York, I went twice this year (my first trip's O/S) and there were some things that could have made my trip easier if I had known, so I thought I would share.

First of all, New York is an amazing place, I fell in love with the city immediatly, and could not get enough of it. I have to admit up front that I don't have much time for museums, I missed out on the culture gene I think, and there are an amazing number of museums in New York, but there is also spectacular architecture and much much more.

New York is also a great place just to wander, people watch and participate at whatever level you like.

You Gotta Love New York