BS: Best NYC Airport?

Subject: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:00 PM

On October 7 I have to fly to New York City and return on October 10. Having only been there once before and then coming in by train, I'm not familiar with the airports.

What's the best airport to fly into? The meeting is at 79 Fifth Avenue and I'll be staying at 204 West 23rd Street.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:27 PM

Depends from where you are coming.   If it is a shorter flight LaGuardia is perfect.   Overseas and/or coastal I would opt for Newark in NJ ---the transits are not bad.

Bill hahn

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:29 PM

I'll probably be coming from Salt Lake City -- flying from Pocatello is too, too costly.

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:37 PM

Probably no direct flights so best bet is LaG. So close to NYC. Why not try the web sites for tickets and find the best price---transit from any one is no big problem---LaG. is, however, the closest to the city. And public transportation is more accesible there than at the others.

Bill H

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Amos
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:48 PM

La Guardia is probably a slightly more comfortable arrival than JFK, but they ar eboth an hour or so from Manhattan where you are going. Ask around for ground transport to Manhattan. You may be able to get a bus to the Port Authority terminal, or even a cab right to your stopover ont he West side.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:52 PM

La Guardia is probably best. Cab will be expensive but bus/subway commute is a nightmare. You can share a cab into Manhattan for a fixed rate. DO NOT TAKE A GYPSY CAB. Go to the Taxi stand and get one there. PM InObu. He is in the area and can always suggest a night of music.
Have fun
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: jimmyt
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 07:59 PM

Depends on the price Rap. LaGuardia is most convenient Newark is a bit nicer but ground transpost is more expensive and time consuming

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 10:43 PM

The jitney bus cost $10 to Midtown last time I took it from LaGuardia. PM me and let's see what we can scare up.

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 11:16 PM

You can take a city bus from La Guardia over to one of two different train lines, and take the train (subway) to your stop. Buy a Metrocard from one of the folks selling stuff (newspapers, etc.) at La Guardia for the number of days you'll be there, and you're set. There is also a train/bus combo to Kennedy. Personally, I fly into La Guardia and take the M-60 (a Manhattan bus that swings through Queens and La Guardia) over to the N train at Astoria Blvd. and 30th St. It's several miles, but still in Queens. The train is elevated there. The Metro card works in the buses and the trains. The ones we used on the last trip were for up to 7 days, unlimited use, and cost about $21. That's a good savings if you ride the train a lot when visiting. I think they also have three day cards.

Numbers on streets don't correspond to the cross streets, but according to Map Quest you're staying on West 23rd St at approximately Seventh Avenue. I stay in NYC with a friend who lives at Seventh Avenue and 14th St, so at 42nd St (Times Square) would change from the N to a local train on the 1/2/3 track. There's a stop at 23rd. There are other trains that have stops at 23rd on different avenues, and if you don't mind walking a few blocks, I like waliking from near Union Square, or Sixth Avenue or even Eighth Avenue. Depends on how much luggage and the size of the musical instruments you're carrying if you want to get more adventurous also.

You'll find all of the maps and information at the MTA site. The RTF versions of the maps are marvelous, but they do take a while to download, even on DSL. When you get there ask for maps at any train stations where you see clerks.

I saw an absolutely marvelous air fare last week--$129 round trip from Dallas to NYC, on Northwest Airlines. Regular departures, no wierd days to travel. If I could have thought of an excuse to go, I would have.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 11:23 PM

I should have said that the address numbers (such as 204 West 23rd) don't correspond to cross streets.

Train and bus fare is $2 a ride now. To go on the bus to the train to Manhattan is $4. It's an easy trip. But if you're nervous about it, there is a bus that goes straight from the airport to downtown Manhattan, runs about $15 now. You still have to get down to where you're staying from there.

Have fun! I'll send a PM--I have a friend who uses his apartment as a Bed and Breakfast and is a professional tour guide if you have time to go out to Ellis Island, etc.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Amos
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 01:03 AM

Hey -- enjoy that Big Apple, dude!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: KateG
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 10:00 AM

Definately Newark or LaGuardia. JFK is the pits. Newark has good busses from the terminals into the City, so you don't have to worry about changing trains etc. If my memory serves me, they have ones that go to both midtown (Port Authority Bus terminal) and lower Manhattan (formerly the WTC, who knows now).

Metrocards are a very good thing, and the subways and busses are easy to use. Quick orienting tip: even numbered streets run east, odd ones run west. Avenues: even go north, odd go south. There are exceptions, but its a good rule of thumb to help you get oriented when you emerge from the subway.

Have fun in the big Apple!

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 11:02 AM

I have a good sense of direction, but some of those subway exits turn enough that it isn't clear what direction you're facing when you reach the street. I've had difficulties getting oriented ever since the twin towers went away, and if the Empire State or Chrysler Building aren't in view. Remembering that the avenue numbers are small in the east and big in the west means you have a few block hike to retrace your steps if you're going in the wrong direction on a two-way cross street.

I've resolved to carry a small compass when I'm there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 03:39 PM

Newark is actually closer to Manhattan than either of the airports in the city, so anyone who plans to rent a car at the airport is better off flying into Newark and then driving through the Holland Tunnel (for downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn), Lincoln Tunnel (midtown) or GW Bridge (uptown). For your destination, the Holland would probably be the way to go.

If you're taking public transportation, though, LaGuardia is your best bet because you can get straight into the NYC public transit system, which is quicker and cheaper than the busses and trains from Newark into the city.

A bus from Newark Airport to Newark Penn Station (railroad depot) would allow you to enter the city by either of two different rail systems, NJTransit to Penn Station (34th St.) via the old Pennsy railroad, or another route that we used to call "the Tubes" or the "Hudson Tubes" whose new name I can't recall.

Avoid JFK if at all possible -- *unless* you can catch a super-cheap flight on JetBlue. Their fares are so low (and service is so good) that it's worth it to put up with the extra distance, traffic, etc., involved with patronizing New York's least convenient airport. Only problem with JetBlue is that they serve only a few cities outside NYC, and provide only one or two flights a day in each direction per city. Check out jetblue.com, or click this link to their website's page showing routes and cities:

http://www.jetblue.com/travelinfo/routemap.html

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Padre
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 04:32 PM

There are no good New York airports.

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 04:40 PM

Amen Padre. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: Best NYC Airport?
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 05:05 PM

Why would you want to drive into New York City anyway? There is no place to park, and driving is hell.

SRS