Parking in the city for the day, any tips? — Page 2

If you go to the Port Authority website, www.panynj.gov, and then go to the PABT (Port Authority Bus Terminal) they list all of the 800 billion bus companies that serve the terminal. But what about going to a NJ Transit stop in NJ, and taking an NJ transit train in from there?

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That sounds about right, Jaystarr. That's moving at a fairly brisk pace, too.

It is possible to go quicker, but I don't recommend it. One night, my bus was stuck in traffic, and it pulled in to the Port Authority at 7:57. I somehow, by the grace of God, managed to be in my seat at the Broadhurst by 8:04, just as the overture for Les Miz was starting.

You could also take the subway from Port Authority to 50th street, and only walk 4 blocks.

wonderfulwizard, are you coming from Philly or the Philly area? because Greyhound has discounted fares on their website, and should have buses that leave fairly late.

as a general rule, if you're coming to Port Authority from places south of New York, you probably won't have to worry as much about traffic, because the buses go through the Lincoln Tunnel and right into Port Authority. Anyone coming from north of the City...you should plan on adding almost an hour to travel time. when I come home from Boston on the bus, it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to get through city traffic.


ETA: there are some Park & Ride stations on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, too. I know there's definitely one at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, at least. from there you could take the Light Rail to either Exchange Place or Newport Mall and take the PATH to either WTC [and then the subway uptown] or 33rd street. the Light Rail's something like $1.80 and the PATH is $1.50 [and you can use a Metro Card on the PATH, too]

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Updated On: 2/7/08 at 11:56 PM

gives, I'd be coming in from around Philly.

I'm looking in to getting a bus from NJ. I just want to make sure that the bus leaves late enough so I can stagedoor without worrying about missing my bus.

Thanks everyone!

ETA: I checked the Greyhound website, and I can't get a round trip for the same day, it seems. And the earliest bus leaves at 6:00 AM, so I think I'll check the port authority website.

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Updated On: 2/8/08 at 12:04 AM

Sorry- I have one more question.

I was looking at NJ Transit, which seems to be the best option, but would I be able to get tickets day of? Or is that not possible?

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The parking garage at the Skyline Hotel at 50th and 10th is open to the public and VERY cheap. Also very safe.

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I agree that Public Transportation is the best way to go, on a Saturday especially. (Sundays are much easier to drive and park because all the meters are free on Sundays). However, if you must drive on a Saturday (which I have done also), I find parking on the west side is best, anywhere in the 40s or 50s, but head west ... toward 9th, 10th, 11th Avenues. But make sure you read the signs... they can be very confusing ...

Muni parking is good too ... some of the Muni spots are good for up to 6 hours (i think it costs $1.00 for every hour), so if you're seeing a matinee and evening, you could time it so that you put enough money in to cover the time of your matinee plus a little extra, then go back to your car and get a new muni ticket for time you need for the evening performance. Some muni spots are free after 6PM, so again be sure to read the signs. And bring lots of quarters. The machines only take quarters (unless you have a pre-paid muni card, which is the best thing to do if you park in the city a lot). I think you can look online to find out where the Muni spots are, and what the hours are (some are good for 2 hours, some up to 6 ... it all depends)

Hope that helps.

Here's the link:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/municard.shtml

Updated On: 2/8/08 at 05:19 PM