Getting around in New York City
Cities tend to fall into two categories; those you cannot navigate without a car and those that require you to put one foot in front of the other and explore. New York City is a bit of an anomaly in the way that a healthy combination of both is the best way of truly getting around.
Expats will find that Manhattan, the largest of New York City’s five boroughs, is certainly foot friendly; and even if you do need to zip zap from point A to point B there’s plenty of public transport to scoot you there in a jiffy.
Though it’s possible to live in the outer boroughs of Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx void vehicle, the travel time can become tiring and many would rather brave the traffic for the spontaneity that an automobile allows. Do note, that finding ON-street parking is a nightmare and the expensive nature of OFF-street parking can be even more treacherous.
Laid out as a series of neighbourhood villages all spilling into each other, it is possible to discover most of Manhattan on foot. As long as your internal compass is switched on and you know which way is north, you can aimlessly wander the grid system in effect above 14th street – avenues in Manhattan run up and down, and streets in Manhattan run across.
Below 14th street, the grid disappears and winding side streets can often leave you lost amidst a wealth of cafés, restaurants, bars and boutiques – all the better to explore.
When your aching feet beg for a few minutes’ rest, your next option is to hop on the subway.
The NY subway operates around the clock. For a very reasonable price – a mere $2.25 – you can ride to/from anywhere on or off the island.
If making a regular journey it's best to consider the package options available. A weekly unlimited travel card will cost you $27, while a monthly card is $89.
Failing that, you can buy a $10 card or a $20 card for multi journeys.
Metro cards are also accepted on buses. Public transport is safe in current metropolis terms, but, the real price you pay is in learning how to navigate the system.
Expats new to the city should definitely invest in a good map.
The fabled NYC yellow taxi cabs are one of the many little pleasures of New York City life. The famous icons are always omnipresent and ready to whisk you off through the avenues and streets to deliver you just in time for your next appointment; without the stress of an around town subway ride.
They operate on a running metre per mile and can be the most efficient and the most reasonable option when travelling in groups, but expensive if going it alone.
A few taxi tips:
If public transport doesn’t pique your interest, it is possible to own a car in Manhattan. However, it is vital that interested expats be aware of the finer details surrounding automobile ownership in the big city.
If these lesser evils aren’t anything exceptional to what you may already be used to, then the rest is surely a case of “sat nav” all the way. This may help you plan your first few journeys:
Penn Station and Grand Central Station are the two major rail hubs in the city. Both offer expats a number of routes to get in and out of the city to/from proximal destinations as well as those much farther away.
Trains from Penn Station will take you beach bound to Long Island, including The Hamptons. They’ll also take you north to Boston or even Canada, and South to DC, Philadelphia and greater Pennsylvania.
From Grand Central you can head anywhere upstate.
Living in a city surrounded by water you just have to hop on a boat from time to time. The Staten Island Ferry is a free commuter service that runs from South Ferry and is also used by tourists.
New York is serviced by three airports. John F Kennedy International Airport in Queens, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and LaGuardia Airport also in Queens which services domestic flights only. Public Transport options are as follows:
Expats will find that Manhattan, the largest of New York City’s five boroughs, is certainly foot friendly; and even if you do need to zip zap from point A to point B there’s plenty of public transport to scoot you there in a jiffy.
Though it’s possible to live in the outer boroughs of Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx void vehicle, the travel time can become tiring and many would rather brave the traffic for the spontaneity that an automobile allows. Do note, that finding ON-street parking is a nightmare and the expensive nature of OFF-street parking can be even more treacherous.
Getting around Manhattan on foot
Laid out as a series of neighbourhood villages all spilling into each other, it is possible to discover most of Manhattan on foot. As long as your internal compass is switched on and you know which way is north, you can aimlessly wander the grid system in effect above 14th street – avenues in Manhattan run up and down, and streets in Manhattan run across.
Below 14th street, the grid disappears and winding side streets can often leave you lost amidst a wealth of cafés, restaurants, bars and boutiques – all the better to explore.
When your aching feet beg for a few minutes’ rest, your next option is to hop on the subway.
Getting around New York City on the MTA Subway
The NY subway operates around the clock. For a very reasonable price – a mere $2.25 – you can ride to/from anywhere on or off the island.
If making a regular journey it's best to consider the package options available. A weekly unlimited travel card will cost you $27, while a monthly card is $89.
Failing that, you can buy a $10 card or a $20 card for multi journeys.
Metro cards are also accepted on buses. Public transport is safe in current metropolis terms, but, the real price you pay is in learning how to navigate the system.
Expats new to the city should definitely invest in a good map.
Getting around New York City in a taxi
The fabled NYC yellow taxi cabs are one of the many little pleasures of New York City life. The famous icons are always omnipresent and ready to whisk you off through the avenues and streets to deliver you just in time for your next appointment; without the stress of an around town subway ride.
They operate on a running metre per mile and can be the most efficient and the most reasonable option when travelling in groups, but expensive if going it alone.
A few taxi tips:
- Always belt up – you don’t want to experience “taxi cab face”
- Make sure they reset the meter when you get in.
- Let them know if you have a route preference (most drivers are from outside the US and may not know the neighbourhood as well as you do)
- Remember to tip, or at least round up to the nearest dollar.
- Airport rides - from all New York airports there is a fixed rate for yellow taxi rides into Manhattan. The fixed rate does not include tolls or tips. (suggested tip – 15-20%)
Getting around Manhattan by Car
If public transport doesn’t pique your interest, it is possible to own a car in Manhattan. However, it is vital that interested expats be aware of the finer details surrounding automobile ownership in the big city.
- Do not park next to a fire hydrant. You will be penalised, towed, fined, and will become far too well acquainted with the traffic police and car pound for your own liking.
- After 6 months of living in the city you will need to apply for a NY state driving license.
- A parking fine can cost from $65 to $180. Worse still, if your car is impounded you will need to pay $185 to have it released plus whatever other fees they may want to include in the fine.
- Parking in the city involves renting a space in a garage and many garages have waiting lists and are seriously expensive. As a city resident you will get a discount of 8% off the parking tax if you supply the relevant information to the department of finance.
- Street parking outside rush hour is usually on meters which take quarters and night time parking is usually, but not always, free.
If these lesser evils aren’t anything exceptional to what you may already be used to, then the rest is surely a case of “sat nav” all the way. This may help you plan your first few journeys:
- Manhattan is bracketed by 2 major highways: the FDR on the East and the West Side Highway on the West
- The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel runs from South tip of Manhattan to Brooklyn
- The Queens tunnel is accessible from three4th St on the FDR
- 59th St Queensborough bridge gets you onto Long Island City
- At Canal St the Holland Tunnel (crazy traffic) delivers you to New Jersey
- Head up the West Side Highway and take the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson and connect with the Pallisades Parkway to get upstate.
Getting around New York City by Train
Penn Station and Grand Central Station are the two major rail hubs in the city. Both offer expats a number of routes to get in and out of the city to/from proximal destinations as well as those much farther away.
Trains from Penn Station will take you beach bound to Long Island, including The Hamptons. They’ll also take you north to Boston or even Canada, and South to DC, Philadelphia and greater Pennsylvania.
From Grand Central you can head anywhere upstate.
Getting around New York City by Boat
Living in a city surrounded by water you just have to hop on a boat from time to time. The Staten Island Ferry is a free commuter service that runs from South Ferry and is also used by tourists.
Airports in New York City
New York is serviced by three airports. John F Kennedy International Airport in Queens, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and LaGuardia Airport also in Queens which services domestic flights only. Public Transport options are as follows:
- To JFK – via the A line to Howard Beach then transfer to the Air Train
- To Newark – via train from Penn station then transfer to the Airtrain
- To LaGuardia – Bus from Grand Central from 125 Park Av (between 40th & 41st St.) or, the 1,2 or three train to 116th St and the M60 bus to LaGuardia
