Category: Travel General

Navigating New York

© 2016  Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

It’s been twenty-something years since I first visited New York City.  I remember how scared I was of getting around the city and didn’t quite understand the subway system.  Needless to say, a lot of money was spent on cab rides to and from the airport and around Manhattan.

After being based in the New York for 19 years, finally, I think I can say that I have it all figured out.  Much to my surprise, many do not.  And when I say many, I am really referring to my fellow flight attendants.  Certainly, I do not expect someone to arrive in New York city, if they’ve never been there, and understand all the ins and outs.  What puzzles me is that there are flight attendants that have been based there just as long or longer than me and still do not know how to get from one airport to the other or even just into Manhattan without a cab.

Here are some helpful tips for anyone trying to get from one airport to the other, from the airports to Manhattan or just getting around on the subway.

You booked a crazy itinerary to get a cheap fare.  You are landing in LaGuardia and flying out a few hours later from JFK on an international flight. Getting from LaGuardia Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport can be accomplished in many ways.  

  • Take a cab.  When walking out of baggage claim, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic and the time of day, a yellow cab will cost around $45.00 and take a minimum of 25 minutes.   Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  New York has excellent bus and subway service. Unfortunately, these two airports are not connected by the subway, but you can achieve the same outcome by taking a combination of bus and subway.  From LGA, purchase a Metrocard from a ticket machine (located within the terminals) and add fare.   By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.  If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  Take the Q70 bus (direct service) to Roosevelt Station.  Total travel time is about 8-10 minutes.  You may also take the Q47 bus, but travel time will be longer as it makes more stops. At Roosevelt Station, take the E train to Jamaica Station.  At Jamaica Station, change to the Airtrain ($5 fee required) and disembark at the appropriate terminal for your airline.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare is $14.00 and drop-off will be at the terminal of your choice.
  • ETS Shuttle.  Private service or shuttle service.  Shuttle service is $10 per person between LGA and JFK, booked at the ground transportation desk.  See the agent in the red jacket.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between the two.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a $31-42 fare.
  • All of the above options can be used from when traveling from JFK to LGA.

Flying into LaGuardia or JFk airport, you want to head into Manhattan for a fun weekend. 

  • Take a cab. When walking out of both LGA’s and JFK’s baggage claims, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic, time of day and drop-off point in the city, a yellow cab from LGA to Manhattan will cost anywhere between $36-$44, with minimum ride time averaging around 30 minutes, again, depending on time of day and drop-off point in the city.   A yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan will average $66-$70 depending on traffic, time of day and drop-off point in the city.  Ride time is approximately 45-60 minutes.  Some cab companies may charge a flat rate from JFK-Manhattan of $52 + tolls.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  Traveling from LGA to Manhattan, you can take the M60 bus to Astoria and catch the subway.   The N or the Q subway lines will take you into the city.  You can also take the same M60 bus all the way into Manhattan. You can also take the Q47 or the Q70 Limited (direct service) to Roosevelt station.  At Roosevelt station, you can connect to the E, F, M and R subway lines.   A Metrocard can be purchased in the baggage claim area from one of the ticket machines.  By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.    If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  From JFK to Manhattan, the Airtrain can be taken to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station.  A $5.00 fee is required to exit the Airtrain station.  At Jamaica Station, you can connect to the E train (for western Queens, midtown Manhattan, and connections to the Bronx) and the J and Z trains (for central Queens and Northern Brooklyn).  Total ride time is approximately 60-75 minutes and fare, $2.75.  At the Jamaica Station, you can also access the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Penn Station, fare $10.00 (Peak) and $7.25 (Off-Peak).  Ride time from Jamaica station is approximately 30 minutes. From Howard Beach Station, you can connect to the A train for southern Queens, Brooklyn and lower Manhattan.  Fare $2.75.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30 pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare to Manhattan is $14.00 per person, offering three drop-off points, Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Penn Station.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between either LGA or JFK and Manhattan.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a $40 fare from LGA to Penn Station and a $47-$62 fare from JFK to Penn Station.

You are flying into LaGuardia or JFK airports and need to get to Newark Airport, later in the day.

  • Take a cab. When walking out of both LGA’s and JFK’s baggage claims, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic and time of day, a yellow cab from LGA to EWR will cost anywhere between $94-$126, with minimum ride time averaging around one hour, again.  A yellow cab from JFK to EWR will average $122-$132 depending on traffic.  Ride time is approximately 60-75 minutes.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  From LGA, take the M60 bus to Astoria and catch the subway.   The N or the Q subway lines will take you into the city, switching at Times Square to the 1, 2 or 3 lines in the direction of Downtown.  One stop and you will be at Penn Station.  You can also take the same M60 bus all the way into Manhattan.  At 125 St – Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Av), connect to the 2 or 3 lines to Penn Station or at 125 St – St Nicholas Av/ Frederick Douglass Blvd, take the A or the C line to Penn Station.  You can also take the Q47 or the Q70 Limited (direct service) from LGA to Roosevelt station.  At Roosevelt station, you can connect to the E subway line to Penn Station.  From LGA, purchase a Metrocard from a ticket machine (located within the terminals) and add fare.   By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.  If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  Once at Penn Station, follow the signs to Jersey Transit trains.  Purchase a ticket and watch the boards to see which track your train is departing on.  Be sure to disembark at Newark International Airport and not Newark Penn Station. Fares are $13.00 and travel time is approximately 27-30 minutes.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare to Newark is $27.00 per person from both JFK and LGA and requires a bus transfer.  Travel time between JFK and EWR is two hours and travel time between LGA and EWR is one and a half hours.
  • ETS Shuttle.  Private service or shuttle service.  Shuttle service is $31 per person between LGA and JFK, booked at the ground transportation desk.  See the agent in the red jacket.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between either LGA or JFK and Newark International Airport.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a fare of $104-$129 from LGA to EWR and a fare of $115-$143 from JFK to EWR.

You are staying in Manhattan near Grand Central Station and want to see the Brooklyn Bridge.  How do you get there?

  • Hail a cab.  Cabs are everywhere in New York City.  When hailing a cab, watch for cars in which the light is not illuminated.  When the light is illuminated, the cab is occupied.  Walk to the edge of the curb or near the street and wave to cab…you can even whistle while waving!  Give the cab driver your destination name or address.  The meter will begin with the initial fare of $2.50 and the final fare will also contain taxes.  Expect fare to be about $20 + tip.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Take the Subway.  Fare, $2.75 metrocard or $3.00 one-time ride.  The subway is very easy to navigate and extremely safe.  Board the subway at the nearest station, Grand Central.  Check your subway map and look at the line which will take you to the Brooklyn Bridge.  In this case, it will be the 4, 5 or 6 (Green) lines.  How do you know which way to go?  Easy.  Look at the end of that subway line for the final station.  You will either follow signs for the lines to the station or in most cases, in Manhattan, it will say either Uptown or Downtown.  Since you are traveling down to the south of Manhattan, you will take the line in the direction of Downtown.  Watch the stations as you pass by or watch the electronic map displayed in your subway car so that you are aware of when to disembark.  If unsure, ask a local. Never have I had someone not assist me willingly. Additionally, carry a subway map with you or download a New York Subway map on to your phone.

You’ve walked on the Brooklyn Bridge and now and want to travel from Brooklyn Bridge to the Times Square to buy try your luck at the TKTS booth for a half-price ticket for a Broadway musical.

  • Hail a cab.  Cabs are everywhere in New York City.  When hailing a cab, watch for cars in which the light is not illuminated.  When the light is illuminated, the cab is occupied.  Walk to the edge of the curb or near the street and wave to cab…you can even whistle while waving!  Give the cab driver your destination name or address.  The meter will begin with the initial fare of $2.50 and will also contain taxes.  Expect fare to be about $22 + tip.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Take the Subway.  Fare, $2.75 metrocard or $3.00 one-time ride. First, take a look at your subway map and see what line the Times Square is on…7 (Purple).  First look for a place where the line you are one might intersect which one of those lines. Since they do intersect, take the 4, 5 or 6 (Green) Uptown until you are back at Grand Central.  Exit the train and follow signs to the 7 line to 34th Street (last stop in the direction you are going).  Watch the stations as you pass by or watch the electronic map displayed in your subway car so that you are aware of when to disembark or refer to the NYC Subway map app on your phone.

 

Helpful NYC Travel Links:

 

 

 

Who’s Packing?

Does anyone really like to pack?

You would think that after all these years of weekly travel for work and vacations; I should say that I love to pack? Truth is, I don’t.
Well…sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. It really depends on what kind of trip it is.

I don’t mind packing for work when it’s a three day trip. Three day trips have a 24 hour layover, so a couple of outfits do the trick (an extra in case a volcano decides to explode again). And, I don’t mind when it’s a summer destination because summer destinations require clothes that are lighter and take up less space. Let’s face it…you can squeeze in about 6 pair of sandals in the space that a pair of boots takes up.

Now, four day and five day trips for work, take a bit of planning. And, it’s those winter trips with the sweaters and boots and longer trips that require a lot more effort and a bit of strategy.

Personal vacation trips, both summer and winter, require a lot of thought as well because generally, you are going for fun, want to bring things that you really look good in (thinking about those vacation photos) and you are probably going for a longer period of time.

Two days from now, I am leaving for Thailand and Cambodia. I will be gone for 13 nights. What shall I bring?

I have a confession…

I started packing about a month ago. Actually, I probably started packing in my head long before that.
We will be traveling in Thailand and then on to Cambodia on three regional Asian carriers. The planes tend to be smaller so there are a few travel restrictions on the size and weight of carryon luggage.

Presently, I have picked out my clothes and shoes and everything else I feel that I will need and piled it up on the floor of my room. I am currently trying to figure out how to please Air Asia, Nok Air and Cambodia Angkor Air and their very different luggage policies without incurring additional charges.

First, I took a measuring tape and measured my Travelpro bag…the one I use for work that I took last year to Thailand. Hmmm…it’s on the larger side of what it allowed.  So, I headed upstairs and found a slightly smaller suitcase. This one meets the correct dimensions. Could be a contender!

I also have another one that was more of a soft-side duffel style. I thought “Surely, Air Asia cannot find fault with this one! “ Everything is able to fit, but it does not expand in the event that I need it to.  If I do a bit of shopping in Koh Samui and Siem Reap (a given), I could be pushing the envelope.

So now the jury is out…I will let you know Wednesday morning which is the winner!

This is what it’s looking like right now!

image

When packing, I usually roll my clothes and use every bit of space in my suitcase. This summer when we vacationed on a sailboat, I didn’t need very much, so I packed in my large Longchamp bag and my backpack. To protect my clothes from the damp air, I used gallon Ziploc bags, rolled and separated my clothes into them…then I squeezed the air out. This really helped with saving space (and helped with separating dirty clothes) I tried out the gallon bags again for the clothes that I am taking on this trip, but after running into the Ziploc storage travel bag aisle at Walmart, I decided to try the medium travel style ones. My dresses, shirts and shorts went in one. Bathing suits and underwear in another. The jury is still out on this too…I am not sure if this is helping me. I feel like there are little pockets of space not being used in the suitcase. I think I might be making a run to Walmart for a pack of the gallon bags again.

On to my tote… I am thinking seriously of taking my large Longchamp bag again instead of my backpack, this year, since it seemed to work so well on our sailboat adventure. Air Asia will allow a suitcase on board in the dimensions of 22″x14″x9″ and an additional bag, such as a laptop bag or handbag (as long as the handbag is operating as such).  Well, my Longchamp may be on the large side, but I think it will be operating as my handbag!

The one thing I have acquired to help alleviate the space in the Longchamp bag is a Scottevest.
If you have never seen or heard of SCOTTeVEST, check them out at
SCOTTeVest.com.  The one I ordered has 18 pockets…for your sunglasses, kindle, ipad, ipod, passport, water bottle, pen and more.

image

I had seen advertisements for these before and thought, “Wow, if you are wearing your things, then they don’t take up space in your carryon bag!” I can’t wait to utilize all 18 pockets and laugh all the way to my seat!

So, now I think I am down to my Longchamp bag and my smaller rollaboard. That’s for now…we still have a couple of days to go…I am sure I will change my mind 50 times over.

Here’s some other helpful hints that I use when packing:

Try to pack in a color scheme. I like to wear black, so everything will have some black in it and can go with the same black sandals.

If you are lucky enough to wear a bikini, congratulations! They don’t take up much room!  If you wear tankinis, though, pack a couple of tops with one bottom. I am packing three tops and two bottoms. One top goes with the black, one with grey and the other goes with both. That should get me through two weeks. Guys, try for the shorter style trunks that are out now.  They will defnitely help on space.

When packing your suitcase. Unzip the liner in the suitcase. This will help you to utilize every nook and cranny in the bottom of the bag.

Iron your clothes, then roll them carefully. Rolling helps you to fit more clothes in the suitcase and to fit them a little better in the bottom of the suitcase, between the handle supports. When you unroll them, There may be a few hard creases, but nothing that shouldn’t release itself.

If those hard creases don’t release themselves, hang your outfit in the bathroom while you are taking a hot shower or better yet, spray the hard creases with Downy Wrinkle Releaser. Pull the fabric around the crease then shake the garment. Voila! Comes right out!

image

Save space in your 3-1-1 TSA liquids bag.  Buy shampoo and conditioner bars…these are concentrated and do the job of two or three bottles of liquid shampoo. LUSH Cosmetics makes some that lather well and smell great.   They also make small tins to keep your shampoo and conditioner bars in and the best part is that you don’t have to put them into your liquids bag.

When you think you may do a bit of shopping on your trip, pack a foldable duffle. You can find them in lightweight materials and they hardly take up any room in your suitcase. When you need the space, unzip the bag, fill and check it to your final destination.

image

image
If you feel that you may work out or will need athletic shoes for any adventure you may have planned, invest in a pair of the lower profile athletic shoes. You know, the kind that tend to fold flat.

image

I own Asics Gel Sanas but Nike, Addidas and other companies make similar options. I place the soles against the outside wall of the suitcase and then flatten the top and pack against them. They hardly take up any space, yet I’ll be ready to conquer the steps of Angkor Wat!