Visiting NYC - Transport Questions

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 12:30am

Why not just do public transportation? It's way cheaper and can be faster depending on when you're going and to which theater. But yeah, if you really want to do cab... you should have no problem at all. What "horror stories"?

[Anakela]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 12:44am

That hotel is right off of pretty much every train, I second the why not just do public transportation question.

Otherwise, how to cab like a New Yorker: get into the cab first, *then* tell the driver where you're going. But for a location that close to the bridge you shouldn't run into a problem.

[IronMan]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 12:45am

Unless the cab has its "OFF-DUTY" light lit, then do the following:

-Hail the cab
-Get inside and sit down
-Tell them where you're going

That's it. If they refuse, get their license # and name and report them.

If the "OFF-DUTY" light IS lit, that means that they are headed back to their garage and CAN ask you where you are going, and have the choice whether to take you or not.

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 4:45am

VERY hard to get cabs, at least after Saturday matinees. I'm often trying to get one then in the Theater District to go back to Penn Station with luggage/shopping bags (I often come up on a Thursday and return on Saturday evenings). In the infinite wisdom of the cab system, 5 p.m. is a major shift change, so they're either full or refuse to stop. It's become a comedy routine for me: I try for about 20 minutes and then end up walking with all of my bags to the train. (Walking is easier most of the time than negotiating all the subway stair and turnstiles with my stuff.)

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 5:05am

You can get the A train from the Brooklyn Marriot and take it to 42nd Street (and 8th Ave), or the C to 50th (and 8th Ave). Depending on traffic sometimes the subway is not only cheaper but faster!
Cab fare will run you about $21 plus tip one way. Cabs are easily gotten heading into Manhattan from that area. Word of advice, DO NOT tell the cab driver where you are going before you get in the cab when coming back to the hotel. Enter the cab THEN tell him (or in rare occasions,her).

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 6:16am

It can be hard to get a cab as many theaters get out around the same time. You will have better luck, too if you try to hail a cab on an avenue instead of the street right outside the theater.

However, if you are going to brave public transportation -- which is pretty damn good in NYC -- try getting the ap HOP STOP. It makes using the subway easy peasy.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 8:11am

After a show lets out, go to major hotel in TS like the Marriot Marquis and you can get a cab hailed for you. They don't ask you if you are actually staying at the hotel. I have done it several times and got a cab quick. Just handed the the guy who got me the cab a couple of dollars.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 8:16am

First, I am quite sure the Brooklyn Marriot can "hail" a cab for you. Second, see below from your hotel to Marriot Marquis in theatre district. When you get in the cab, tell cab driver the destination and how you want him to get you there if you are concerned. This gives the impression that you know where you are going and he will not be able to take you on a longer route that will increase the taxi fare.



1. Start out going north on Adams St/Brooklyn Bridge Blvd toward Johnson St/Tech Pl.

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.5 mi
2.
Adams St/Brooklyn Bridge Blvd becomes Brooklyn Bridge.

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 1.1 mi
3. Take the FDR Drive/Pearl St ramp.

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.10 mi
4. Keep right to take the F. D. R. Drive North ramp.
0.1 mi
5. Merge onto FDR Dr N.

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 3.7 mi
6. Take the E 42 St exit, EXIT 9.

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.4 mi
7. Turn slight right onto E 42nd St.

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.9 mi
8. Turn right onto 6th Ave/Avenue of the Americas.
6th Ave is 0.1 miles past 5th Ave
Starbucks Coffee is on the right
If you reach Broadway you've gone about 0.1 miles too far

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.2 mi
9. Turn left onto W 45th St.
W 45th St is just past W 44th St
Wells Fargo Of New York is on the corner
If you reach W 46th St you've gone a little too far

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.2 mi
10. Turn left onto 7th Ave.
Starbucks Coffee is on the corner
If you reach 8th Ave you've gone about 0.1 miles too far

Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step 0.03 mi
11.
1535 BROADWAY.
If you are on Broadway and reach W 44th St you've gone a little too far


Updated On: 6/15/13 at 08:16 AM

[siny]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 10:49am

I work next door to the hotel and see tons of cabs going back and forth, so I don't think you'll have any problem getting one.
If you have time, don't miss Brooklyn Bridge Park (within walking distance). Best view of Manhattan from anywhere in the city.
And I know that you said you already have tickets, but TKTS booth is a few steps from the hotel and they have no lines.
Also, while I would not advise you to take trains at night, for going to Manhattan during the day there are several subway stops literally steps away from the hotel and they take you right to Times Square.



Updated On: 6/15/13 at 10:49 AM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 11:03am

Also, while I would not advise you to take trains at night,

Please, this is not the 80's. There is nothing wrong with the train at night.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 11:07am

Yeah. I've taken the train by myself from the airport to home at 2 a.m. and I am but a mere petite Asian woman. It's fine.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 11:43am

It's difficult finding cabs after shows, but if you do, it's not at all difficult to get the driver to take you to the Brooklyn Marriott. Still, you can easily take the A,C or E to Jay St. Borough Hall, very close to the hotel or the 2 or 3 to Borough Hall, equally close. It should take about 25 minutes on the train.

I work in that neighborhood and live in Manhattan, it takes me about 15 min. on the F train from 23trd street. And the TKTS booth in Brooklyn, as has been said, is terrific, hardly ever a line; The only thing is you can't get same day matinee tickets, unless that's recently changed. Updated On: 6/15/13 at 11:43 AM

[siny]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 11:49am

"Please, this is not the 80's. There is nothing wrong with the train at night."

I live here and take trains late at night. But I would not advise it to someone who is not familiar with the city or the subway. And it's not so much the trains themselves, but if you exit through the wrong exit, you'll end up blocks from your destination and no idea how to get there. Especialy on the Brooklyn side. Going to Manhattan during the day, otoh, is a piece of cake. And much, much faster since traffic on Brooklyn Bridge is pretty atrocious at times.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 12:35pm

I live in NY take public transport all over the world. I hate being stuck in traffic and feel on the subway that I'm at least moving instead of sitting there. Besides, there is no better way to unobtrusively ogle the good-looking locals than on a subway or bus.

Anyway, one trick I've found useful when taking the subway from my hotel is, once I've entered the station, I turn around and make a note of the sign which indicates the entrance/exit I'm using (for example 'Broadway and 40th Street, SW Corner), so that when you get back at night, you'll know which way to go. Walk briskly like you know where you're going, and you'll be fine.

As for taking the trains at night, unless you're going to the far reaches of the Bronx or Brooklyn, you're hightly unlikely to ride in a completley empty car (and if you see an empty car it usually means the A/C is broken or there is a noxious odor inside, so don't board that car in the first place). Back in the 80's we used to ride in the conductor's car (in the middle of the train) although that may have been more psychological than anything. Bring a book or newspaper to read, ignore everyone, and you'll be mistaken for a New Yorker in no time.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 12:40pm

"ignore everyone"

Honestly, that's the BEST advice for fitting in. Be aware of your surroundings but find a way to just ignore. It's the easiest way of thwarting off unwanted attention by the locals.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 12:49pm

The fun thing about riding the subway after a show is that sometimes you see the actors. Only big name stars get limo service, the rest have to either take cabs or ride the subway. Everybody knows how difficult it is to get a cab after a show, so most actors hit the subway, especially those who are in the chorus and don't have the money for cabs.

So forget the stage door, you can meet actors on the subway where you have 45 minutes of their undivided attention.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 5:32pm

One trick I use to help me orient myself/find my way around when I'm in a strange area is using my smartphone to take pictures of easily-recognizable landmarks on my way, and titling those pictures with basic directions. (Pass the New Amsterdam on the left. Right turn at the billboard with Jane Lynch on it.) I have serious clinical issue with directions and spatial orientation, so while it might look silly and tourist-y to be snapping pictures of random things, it's really helped me get where I need to go without getting lost. I don't know if that trick will help you at all, but I thought it was worth mentioning just in case.

[siny]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 5:37pm

If you do decide to take subway, check this site to see if your line is affected by a weekend work:

http://www.mta.info/weekender.html

[jackieoh]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 9:34pm

I used to live in downtown Manhattan. Just take the train! It takes 20 minutes. Just make sure you're getting on a train headed downtown on the right line. New York has the easiest public transit I've ever had to deal with. I can see how it would be intimidating at first but just take a few minutes to look at the subway map and it becomes a lot less daunting. Taking the train will save you $20 and take less time.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/7/13 at 10:06am

Glad you had a good time and learned that the NYC subways can be better than taxis (sometimes).

You chose your two shows perfectly.

[siny]

Posted: 7/7/13 at 11:23am

I am glad you found your way around on the subway and, yes, Pippin is magical !

[Margo Flax]

Posted: 7/7/13 at 7:04pm

Car service. Only!
Margo!

[Margo Flax]

Posted: 7/8/13 at 9:20am

Never darling!
Margo!

[jnb9872]

Posted: 7/8/13 at 9:29am

Absolutely. Ignore her.