You may get to Manhattan by car, taxi, subway, bus and train.
In Manhattan, "uptown" is northbound, "downtown" is
southbound, and "crosstown" means traveling to the east or west.
Here are some suggestions for travel:
CAR
Local parking is available, on-street or in parking lots or garages
(expensive). The on-street parking may be free (with day and time
restrictions shown on a nearby sign), at parking meters, or in areas where
you must pay in advance at a nearby unit on a pole. (The printed coupon
must be displayed on your dashboard.)
TAXI
A taxi with a light on the roof may be hailed at any time. There are some taxi stands.
You may give specific directions to the taxi driver.
For more information about using taxis: http://www.ny.com/transportation/taxis/
SUBWAY
Subways are noisy, and some stations are dirty. The new subway cars
built by Kawasaki and Bombardier are quieter, and have better air
conditioning. In addition, their audible and visual information
systems are better. Note that some subway
stations are for travel in only one direction, such as "uptown"
or "downtown" only.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides subway maps and
schedules at: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/subway/
Note that subway tokens are no longer accepted at turnstiles; you must use
a MetroCard, which is available using cash or a credit card from a machine
in each subway station. Fare is $2. Information is stored on a
magnetic stripe. If you change from subway to bus within an hour,
the card allows a free transfer. A $1 fare is available to seniors,
but you must present a Medicare card to the booth attendant, or apply in
advance for a special reduced fare card - http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/fare/rfapply.htm.
When using the MetroCard at a turnstile, the magnetic stripe should be
down, and facing you, before "swiping" horizontally through the
card reader. If the card is not initially accepted, and the
turnstile will not permit you to pass, change the speed
at which you "swipe" the card. It's an acquired skill.
BUS
Except during the rush hour, the buses are quite comfortable.
The MTA bus system uses the same MetroCard as the subway, but the card is
inserted with the magnetic stripe to the right, facing you, and inserted
downward. Cards are NOT available on the bus; you must get one at a
subway station or other vendor. The bus driver, however, will also
accept exact coins (no bills or pennies), when dropped into the glass box.
The MTA provides maps and schedules for all their routes: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/bus/
TRAIN
The MTA's Long Island Railroad, Amtrak trains from upstate New York, and
New Jersey Transit trains terminate at Pennsylvania Station. From Penn Station, take a taxi, the
Eighth Avenue subway (the "A", "C" or
"E" train), or the Seventh Avenue subway (the "1",
"2", "3" or "9" train). The
MTA provides schedules and fares: http://lirr42.mta.info/index.asp
Amtrak trains from New England, and MTA's
Metro North trains terminate at Grand Central
Terminal. From Grand Central, take a taxi or the
Lexington Avenue subway (the "4", "5" or
"6" train).
PATH trains are available from New
Jersey.
