Travelogger

Oct|13|2006

Getting Around New York City

Posted by Zahir as Americas, Cities, Getaways, Tips, United States

If you go to New York City, you need to know how to get around. There is a reason only about half of all New Yorkers over the age of 16 have a drivers license: driving in New York sucks.

So here’s your strategy: you find every possible free mode of transportation first, and use it. Mine are my feet and the Staten Island Ferry, which deposits you at the tip of Manhattan Island. Simple.

But you’ll probably need to get further up the island than this. So you have two main choices: a taxi or the subway/bus mass transit system.

I suggest the taxi for short trips, and the subway for longer excursions. A cab will charge you $2 as soon as you get inside. After that, it’s $2 for each additional mile, measured in fifths. As you can see, it adds up quickly.

There are a few other options. A water taxi with limited service can take you way up the island with little hassle. Gray Line Tours runs a double-decker bus service that allows you off/on privileges. You can drive yourself, though you should be prepared for minimum parking charges in the area of $20.

But if you ride, you’ll cheat yourself of the main charm of New York: its street-level changing faces. Its delightful people. The storefronts that offer up an immense variety of goods from everywhere in the world.

If you can, walk. As much as possible. You’ll be rewarded for it with a much truer New York experience.

[tags]new york, new york taxis, staten island, gray line tours[/tags]

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