NYC Metro Pass

Hi,

I am staying in Upper East Side NY for 7 days and am planing on going all over NYC. I wanted to know if I should buy a Metro Pass for the week, or do I just pay the $2 when I need to use the bus. I wanted to know how much of the bus do I expect to use and why not Cabs.

I don%26#39;t want to end up buying the bus pass and then use cabs because the bus is slow.

Also, what are my options to go to 85th St from JFK on a Sat morning at 8 a.m.

thx

NYC Metro Pass

If you%26#39;re going for 7 days then I%26#39;d have thought that a MetroCard is a no brainer. $24 for unlimited travel on the subway, buses and even the Roosevelt Island tram.

For travel from JFK, check out http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsfram.htm for all your options

NYC Metro Pass

I would encourage you to try the subway. It%26#39;s the same cost as the bus ($2 per ride, or use one of the unlimited cards). Both buses and cabs get stuck in the same horrible traffic--I try to avoid them both (especially because I find cabs expensive).

If you haven%26#39;t been to NYC before, please know that subway is quite easy once you get the hang of it (read some posters%26#39; trip reports for encouragement--everyone manages to get where they%26#39;re going!).

There are 2 kinds of metrocards. There%26#39;s the 7 day pass for $24 which gives you unlimited rides on both buses AND subways and a ';pay as you go'; metrocard which allows you to put any amount of money onto a card. $10 gets you 6 rides instead of 5 so you get a free ride for every $10. Here%26#39;s more info

www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/compare.htm

I think the issue is which you should buy, not if, because you%26#39;ll definitely ride a bus or subway some time. You need either exact coin change or a card for that.

Buses are slow but you%26#39;re on vacation I assume and not in a rush and you will see more than if you%26#39;re underground. Cabs are certainly an option and I guess relative to other cities, they%26#39;re cheap in NYC. But why spend $6-7 when you could ride for $2. Cabs make more sense if there are several of you. I wouldn%26#39;t use a cab to get all the way downtown to the ferries or Wall St. etc. The subway is much better for that. In good weather, you could walk from east 85th to midtown if you wanted to.

Your options from JFK to 85th are taxi for a flat fare of $45 plus tip and toll (around $60-65 total). A car service would cost about the same.

You could take the AirTrain/subway but it would involve changing subways and probably climbing stairs with your luggage. That would cost $7/person ($5 for the AirTRain and $2 for the subway).

There are shuttle buses that go into Manhattan for $15/person. You could do that and go to Grand Central Station (42 st %26amp; Park) and take a taxi from there for about $6-7.

This lays it out with links

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsfram.htm

You don%26#39;t mention where on east 85th st you%26#39;re staying but I should mention there%26#39;s a subway station at 86 st %26amp; Lexington that services the 4,5,6 train going north to south. 86th st is also a big crosstown street with a bus that will take you through the park and over to the westside. Here;s a subway map

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Metro Pass - no doubt. And do use the subways - convenient, efficient and reliable.

NYWhiz offers some solid advice. For specific train info use the mta.ny link.

Happy travels.

I would definitely go for the unlimited Metro Card. Cabs can get very expensive and stuck in traffic (as can the bus). Subway is the fastest way to get around.

The bus *is* slow as it makes a stop evey 2 blocks or so. There are people who do not like the subway. Like my gf. She hates taking the subway, especially during the summer time when the platform can be sweltering. The taxis are not very expensive, especially for 2+ passengers and for shorter trips. It is a personal decision. For the long North to South trips. Like say 85th to Chinatown, the subway I think is best, especially during the day with all the traffic. If you or your destination are not near a subway stop, then a taxi will be faster. You do get to see more in a taxi - the ride will probably cost $20.

Taxi Fares

Cabs are cash only and it%26#39;s a good idea to have small bills because the cabbies can%26#39;t usually break anything higher than $20. While cabs are relatively expensive for a single person, they can actually be a bargain with 3 or more riders. The rates for taxicabs are as follows:

Initial fare.............$2.00

Each 1/5 mile (4 blocks).$0.30

Each 1 minute idle.......$0.20

Night surcharge..........$0.50 (after 8pm until 6am)

Additional riders........FREE

(that is from the NY Taxi website - there are a few taxis which will take credit card, but you can%26#39;t count on it.)

Travel to JFK... you can take the subway, bus, or taxi.

Thanks everyone for all the information. I think I will purchase the Metro Pass and thanks again.

do you just buy the metro pass from any station or is there anywhere else you can but them from

I purchased mine from a kiosk located in each subway station.