I'm planning a very short trip to NYC in July, and I'm looking for suggestions as to where to leave my car for the day.
Nothing is set in stone, but my current plan is to drive there, arriving mid-morningish somewhere outside the city. I'd like to be able to park my car and take whatever form of public transportation to the Radio City Music Hall area. I'll most likely leave the city sometime that evening, possibly spending the night in a Super 8/Motel 6 type place near where I left my car. I'm trying to keep things as cheap as possible without getting into any sketchy areas.
Suggestions?
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Well, you can leave your car in Hoboken and take the PATH train across to NYC. It doesn't really take that much time at all, but the PATH has fewer trains later on at night and eventually stops. Not sure when, though.
Parking, if I remember, is in the $20-30 range for the day, and there's likely some hotels/motels in the area.
Where are you coming from, anyway?
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Yes - very important to know where you're coming from.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
I'll be coming through PA, but it's not certain whether by I80 or the Turnpike.
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
If you go to Newark airport, daily parking is $20, there's a $45/night Econolodge around the corner, and trains are always running to NYC (about a 15 minute trip).
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
That could work. I'll definitely take a closer look at it. Thanks.
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
I tend to like coming into Staten Island, park there, take the ferry (which is free, parking on site only costs $6) across over to Manhattan, and then just use the subway from there.
[ February 22, 2004, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: Taalcon ]
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Ok, Frisco, can you be more specific about stations and/or stops? I'm looking at the Port Authority website, and not making much sense of it.
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
You'd have to check out NJ Transit for schedule. It goes from the airport to Penn station.
You could park at the Econo Lodge($45/night) for free (or cheap), I assume. There's probably a shuttle to the airport (call to make sure--if not, take a cab). Once you get to the airport, take the AirTrain (goes from parking-all gates-train station) all the way through to the train station. Buy a round-trip to Penn Station for $23. When you get back to the train station, the shuttles will probably have stopped running, so you'll have to take a short cab ride to the Econo Lodge.
A total of about $90.
Or, an alternative to my original suggestion:
Park in Staten Island for $6 (cool, Taal. I wasn't aware of this) and use the money you save on transportation and parking to get a "cheap" room in the city (or, I think there are a couple hotels on SI. Not sure how cheap, though).
You can easily find rooms under $100 (try Jim's Deli) or, if you don't mind a private room in a hostel, under $80 (or as low as $23 for a bed and a shared bathroom--check Jazz Hostels).
Another alternative:
Take a train straight to Penn Station. Sleep on it.
[ February 22, 2004, 10:39 PM: Message edited by: Frisco ]
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
That is helpful. Thanks.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Yes, do consider taking the train straight in. I'm not sure how close you are to an Amtrak line, but taking the train from DC to New York is wonderful.
Just bring some ginger snapes if you get motion sickness. Those trains have really soft suspensions - I feel like I'm in a boat.