Planning my trip to New York

I hear you can get bottled water at the Duane Reade.

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Haha thanks ififloat. I'll keep that in mind DofB but remember we're talking about poor college kids here, I'll have to do the math and figure out what the best way to go is.

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Updated On: 4/5/04 at 06:34 AM

You might want to do some research using the Lonely Planet guide. Lonely Planet is targeted toward young people who want to travel cheaply. Their website is www.lonelyplanet.com. You can also get their New York City guide book from bookstores or amazon.com.

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i have no idea on hostels vs. hotels. but get yourself a metrocard, it's a value. how long are you going to be in town for? if you're in for the weekend, just get like a $10 or $15 dollar card, but if you're going to be in for four days or more and plan to travel a lot by subway or bus, get yourself a one week unlimited card for $21. you can use it as much as you like, but the catch is that once you use it, it's dead for 18 minutes (to avoid one person buying a card and allowing all of nyc to ride for free).

check jetblue and airtran for cheap flights, i regularly can get airtran round trips from laguardia to ohio for $108 + taxes and airport fees (and that's a non-stop flight too). airtran has always been quite prompt and usually gets me to my destination ahead of time. weird, i know. the only reason i advocate trying to find a cheap flight is that greyhound will be at least an 18 hour ride guaranteed and likely longer from indiana. it may be cheaper, but it will cut into your actual time spent in the city of you're on a schedule.

you might want to check outer borough hotels as well. i believe there's a day's inn and an econo-lodge in sunnyside. while you wouldn't be in manhattan, you'd be 20 minutes away by subway. just be careful if you look at outer boroughs not to put yourselves somewhere that's innaccesible by public transportation because cabs will eat your money faster than ms. pacman going after the ghosties.

ok, that's my insight for the morning...must get coffee.

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Look into Radio City Apartments (radiocityapartments.com). I've stayed there a few times in a studio for less than $100 with a discount through my American Express Gold Card and using a coupon from the Paint the Town site. They also have 1 and 2 bedroom apartments> With a kitchenette, you can save money on food. It's conveniently located near Times Square at 49th near 7th. TKTS booth is nearby for cheap tickets. Use free computers at the Times Square Visitors Center across the street from TKTS.