City of New York : New York City Transportation Information

New York City is the one of the city which has well-organized and systematic public transportation system which allow travelers without renting car. I will introduce those transportation system in the city here.

1. JFK Airport to Manhattan
2. La Guardia Airport to Manhattan
3. New Ark Airport to Manhattan
4. Bridges and Tunnels
5. New York Taxi
6. New York Subway
7. New York Bus
8. New York Rail Road

Grand Central Terminal

Penn Station

Metro North Line

Long Island Rail Road

PATH Train

NJ Transit

Amtrak

9. New York Water Transportation

JFK to Manhattan

by Taxi

~~$35~~ $45 (from 2004) flat-fee (non-metered) plus bridge and tunnel tolls and gratuity; 30-60 minutes to midtown Manhattan. 212/NYC-TAXI (212/692-8294)
One fare covers all passengers. Accept taxi ride offers only from uniformed airport agents and only in yellow medallion taxis. Do not accept rides from people who approach you in the airport if you have not booked a private car service in advance. Tipping is not mandatory, but 15%-20% gratuity is expected.

by AirTrain

$5 (children under 5 free); 60-90 minutes to midtown Manhattan
A trip from JFK to Jamaica or Howard Beach will average about 12 minutes. Plus 60-75 minutes for the subway to midtown Manhattan. Free for inside Airport Terminals. You can transit to LIRR at Jamaica Station (StationD) and Howard Bench (Station A) to MTA Subway. Station C is the federal circle. Terminal 1 -> Teminal 2/3 -> Terminal 4 -> Terminal 5/6 -> Terminal 7 -> Terminal 8/9 -> Station C -> Station D or Station B -> Station A.

Quoted from the web site of "The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey"

[Air Train Subway]

Quoted from the web site of "MTA"

by Subway
$2; 60-75 minutes to midtown Manhattan from A subway line at Howard Beach station, or E, J, Z subway lines at Jamaica station. A line goes into Downtown, under Fulton, Church Street and goes up under 8th Avenue. E line from Queens to 53rd Street (Midtown) and goes down under 8th Avenue. If you take bus to go to Jamaica 179th Street, you can transit to F line. F line into 63rd Street and down under 6th Avenu (Avenue of Americas). J and Z passes Willamsburg bridge and goes into Downtown and destination is Wall Street. So, if your destination is Downtown, A, Z are easier and earlier, E, F to Midtown.

by Public Bus
$2 (free transfer from subway); 60-75 minutes to midtown Manhattan 718/330-1234; non-English 718/330-4847; Green Bus Lines 718/995-4700
Public bus transportation is offered by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) along with Green Bus Lines. Green Bus Lines runs the Q10 bus between JFK and Manhattan. In front of each terminal at the airport, look for the bus stop marked "Green Line Q-10." Buses run approximately every 20-25 minutes, 24 hours a day. Take the bus to the last stop: Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike. Directly in front of this stop is the connection to the E (Eighth Avenue) and F (Sixth Avenue) subway lines into midtown Manhattan.

by Shuttle Bus
Gray Line/Express Shuttle USA
$13- $19 one-way to midtown; 45-60 minutes to midtown Manhattan 212/315-3006, 800/451-0455
From the airports: No previous reservations required although you may book in advance. Exit baggage claim area and go to the Ground Transportation desk and see the representative from Gray Line/Express Shuttle. The representative will arrange for your transportation from the airport to midtown; the bus stops at all major hotels between 23rd and 63rd streets. Waiting time at the airport for the shuttle is approximately 20 minutes. From midtown: Hourly pick-up service available from major hotels between 23rd and 63rd streets in Manhattan. You will need to make reservations 24 hours in advance either by phone or via the Internet.

SuperShuttle

$15-$20 one-way fare; 45-60 minutes to midtown Manhattan 212/209-7000, 800/258-3826. Door-to-door airport transfers. From airports: Go to Ground Transportation desk; use SuperShuttle courtesy phone to connect to dispatcher who will arrange for your pick up directly outside the terminal. From midtown/hotel: Reservations required 24-hours in advance of pick up.

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La Guardia Airport to Manhattan

by Taxi
About 30 minutes from the airport to Manhattan Island with about $16-$26 of the fare. Only the Yellow Cab is the official taxi service. Maximum 4 persons are avairable with each taxi.

by Subway & Bus
Q47 from Marine Air Terminal and Q33 from the other terminals to Jackson Heights station. Then take 7/E/F/V/R Line to Midtown. M60 Bus to 125th Street in Herlem then take 1/9/2/3/4/5/6/A/C/B/D Line. The fare is $2.00 each for bus and subway. It will take 40-60 minutes to Manhattan and the frequency is 10-20minutes with 24hours operation.
[Laguardia Airport]

by Airport Service
New York Airport Service (718-875-8200) is avairable from each terminal with $12.00 (one way) and $21.00 (round trip) of fare. The destination is Grand Central Station and Penn Station with about 30-40minutes drive and 20-30 minutes of frequency. From those terminals, the shuttle bus is avairable to the major hotels with $2.00 of fare.

by Shuttle Service
There are the counter desk near buggage claim for SuperShuttle or Airlink shuttle service which are avairable with $15.00 (one way) and $29.00 (round trip) of fare. Any places in Manhattan can be the destination with 45 to 60 minutes drive.

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Newark Airport to Manhattan

by Taxi
About 40 to 100 minutes from the airport to Manhattan Island with about $50-$70 of the fare. Only the Yellow Cab is the official taxi service. Maximum 4 persons are avairable with each taxi.

by Public Transportation
Air Train (without fare) is connecting to the station of PATH Train, Amtrak and NJ Transit. The fare varies with each Train, Amtrak ($13.15), PATH Train ($8.3) and NJ Transit ($11.55). The destination in Manhattan for Amtrak and NJ Transit is Penn Station and for PATH train, the 34th Street at the 6th Avenue. Most frequent service is PATH train. The rapid service is NJ Transit.
[Newark Airport]

by Airport Service
New York Airport Service (718-875-8200) is avairable from each terminal with $12.00 (one way) and $20.00 (round trip) of fare. The destination is Grand Central Station, Penn Station, Port Authority Bus terminal, Chinatown and Wall Street with about 45-70minutes drive and 20-30 minutes of frequency. From those terminals, the shuttle bus is avairable to the major hotels with $2.00 of fare.

by Shuttle Service
There are the counter desk near buggage claim for SuperShuttle or Airlink shuttle service which are avairable with $17.00 (one way) and $33.00 (round trip) of fare. Any places in Manhattan can be the destination with 45 to 60 minutes drive. The Airporter is avairable for the transit to JFK and to the New Jersey.

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Bridges and Tunnels

The Lincoln Tunnel
The Lincoln Tunnel provides a means of transportation from mid-town Manhattan to New Jersey underneath the Hudson River.

Tolls
It's doesn't cost anything to drive through the tunnel from New York to New Jersey, but everyone must pay $6.00 to return to Manhattan.

The Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburgh Bridge (a.k.a The Delancy St. Bridge) connects Brooklyn with the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It is reachable via the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway on the Brooklyn side and from Delancy St. on the Manhattan side.

Tolls
There is no toll to cross this bridge.

The Holland Tunnel Crossing
You can enter the Holland Tunnel just above Canal street on the west side of Manhattan Island, and it brings you to the eastern edge of New Jersey.

Tolls
To get to New Jersey, you don't have to pay any tolls, but there is a $6.00 toll when you return back to the City through the Holland Tunnel.

Williamsburg Bridge	Lincoln Tunnel	Manhattan Bridge
George Washington Bridge	Queensborough Bridge	Brooklyn Bridge

The Manhattan Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge is 6855 feet long, connecting western Brooklyn with southeastern Manhattan. It is often used as an alternate to the Brooklyn Bridge, since the two are so close in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Construction began on October 1, 1901, and the bridge was open to traffic on December 31, 1909.

Tolls
There is no toll in either direction on the Manhattan Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is 6016 feet long, spanning the East river and allowing transportation from Manhattan Island to the Western Shore of Brooklyn. Construction began on January 3, 1870, and the bridge was open to traffic on May 24, 1883.

Tolls
There is no toll in either direction on the Brooklyn Bridge.

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New York Taxi (Yellow Cab)

Taxis are more important in New York City than in any other city in the country. They provide customized transportation without automobile ownership.

The 12,053 yellow medallion taxicabs are the only vehicles allowed in New York City to pick up passengers hailing on the street or at taxi stands.

TAXI RATES:

~~$2.00~~ $2.50 just for getting in
~~$.30~~ $.40 for each ~~1/4~~ 1/5 mile
~~$.30~~ $.40 for each 30 120 seconds stopped in traffic (less than 6 miles)
$.50 additional night charge (after 8:00 PM & before 6:00 AM)
Peak hour Weekday Surcharge of $1.00 Monday - Friday after 4:00 PM & before 8:00 PM

Plus, tip in the range of 15-20 percent.

In the back of every cab there is a list of riders' rights, which includes "the right to a receipt," "the right to be taken to any destination in the metropolitan area," etc.

You also have the right to a seat belt. It would be wise to buckle up, as taxis move fast and allow little margin for error.

Taxi drivers sometimes try to rip you off by taking a longer route than is necessary, but if they think you know what you're talking about, they won't mess with you.

Know where you're going and try to mention that you'd like to go via a certain street.

For many years there have been various proposals to reduce the level of taxicab cruising by establishing conveniently located taxi stands at points where the concentration of potential passengers warrants it.

Hailing a Cab
The act of flagging down a cab is called "hailing"; there's not much to it, just stick out your arm and pretend you're the Statue of Libery. When the numbers on the roof of the cab are lit, it is available. Yellow Medallion cabs are the only ones authorized to pick up hails. Avoid "gypsy" cabs at all costs. These are regular cars that will take you from place to place; they usually cost more than cabs and aren't as well regulated (or as safe).

Taxi cabs are required to take you to your destination inside the metropolitan area. Record the ID number from any cabs that you have problems with and report them to the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

Officially, taxicabs can take on only four riders -- 3 in the backseat, 1 in the front seat. Occasionally, the wider cabs will be willing to take 5 people, but they will usually ask the fifth person to duck down below the sight of the authorities. The famous large "Checker" cabs are pretty much a relic of the past, although you can still see some servicing the town at limousine service rates.

Taxi and Limousine Commission
To file a complaint or report lost property, call the TLC at the following number: (212) 692-8294.

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New York Subway

Subway is the most fast and inexpensive way to get around the city. Operated by the MTA New York City Transit it serves 3.5 million people each day. Metrocard and free subway maps can be picked up at any one of the 469 stations located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan from a clerk. Free subway and bus maps are also available at the same locations. Token system was alredy terminated its history. The fair can also be paid by a Metro Card. These cards can be purchased at the stations as well as most grocery stores, check cashing places and pharmacies.

*From Mar., 2005, the fee for 1 week and 1 month path from $21 to $24 and $70 to $76.

MTA Subway Detail Information | MTA Route Map

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New York Bus

New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA)

The New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) operates the world's largest fleet of buses -- 4,373 public buses -- serving over 666 million people per year. The bus system services routes not served by the subway system such as crosstown (East-West) routes and outlying areas.
In general, buses stop every 2 blocks making them agonizingly slow, but for those who have the time to spend it can also double as a scenic tour of the city. MTA buses also serve as the main mode of transportation for K-12 students travelling to and from school. From 8-9am and 2-3pm, expect heavy amounts of school children/teens in certain areas.

Fares & MetroCard
The fare for a subway or local bus ride is $2. The fare for an express bus ride is $4. If you qualify for Reduced Fare, you can travel for half fare. Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free when accompanied by a fare paying adult.

Where the Bus Stops
Bus stops are located at street corners and have a tall, round sign with a bus emblem and route number. Some stops have bus shelters. Most stops also include a "Guide-A-Ride," which is a rectangular box attached to the bus sign pole that displays a route map and bus schedule.

Boarding the Bus
As the bus pulls up to the stop, be sure to read the destination sign on the front to check that the bus will take you where you want to go. Stay on the curb until your bus stops and the doors open. Some buses "kneel," or tilt down toward the curb, so that you can board more easily. You can pay your fare with MetroCard, a token (until December 31, 2003) or exact change. The farebox is directly in front of you as you board.

Getting off the Bus
Buses stop about every two or three blocks. Buses marked "Limited" make fewer stops. Push one of the tape strips located between the windows to signal the driver to stop. Try to stay in your seat until the bus stops, Please exit at the rear door to keep out of the way of people trying to board the bus. Once the bus has stopped, you'll see a green light over the rear door to indicate that it can be opened. In some buses, these doors swing open automatically if you press the yellow tape strip on the doors.

Making Connections
If you pay your fare with MetroCard, you may transfer free from bus to subway, subway to bus or bus to bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. Unlimited Ride MetroCard includes all transfers, at no charge. If you pay your fare with coins, you may transfer free between buses with intersecting routes. Ask the bus driver for a transfer when you pay your fare. The transfer is a single-use MetroCard with a black strip along the bottom. When you catch your connecting bus, insert the transfer into the bus farebox -- black stripe to the right side. Transfers are good for two hours from the time you paid your fare.

MTA Bus Route Map

Port Authority Bus Terminal
Approximately three dozen-bus lines operate from this terminal located between Eighth and Ninth Avenues and 40th to 42nd Street, serving approximately 50 million rides a year. Direct service is available to Atlantic City, the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Monmouth Park, Aqueduct and points throughout the United States. The terminal connects with the 42nd Street stations of the IND, IRT and BMT subway systems. Recent renovations along with a police and social service presence have greatly improved he terminal.

The George Washington Bridge Bus Station
This bus station is located at Fort Washington and Broadway between 178th and 179th Street. Two bus lines operate here, primarily for commuters from northern New Jersey and Rockland County, N.Y. The terminal connects with the "A" train at the 175th Street subway station.

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New York Railroad Trains

New York is one of a few cities in the USA that has adequate train service connecting it with surrounding areas. Not only commuter trains but also long distance services operated by narional Amtrak are avairable and the frequency of those commuting trains are so confortable, 24 hours operation is better than that of Tokyo. You need to bring the route map if you are visitor because the route is so complexed for the first time visitors.
You should remind that Penn Station is the terminal for East (Long Island) - West (New Jersey) and long distance terminal and Grand Central for the North (Northern New York States and so on). Also remind that almost all subway lines run North - South, so if you want to go East - West, it would be easier to take MTA Bus services.

Grand Cenral Terminal

E 42nn Street at Park Avenue. The station had been a long distance train terminal for a long time and currently been also as commuter terminal. The station was build around 1860's and rebuilt in ealy 1900's. The reason why this will be the spot for sightseeing is because of its beautiful and traditional style of building. The building was designated as a historical building in 1978 and will be kept.

Subway :S/4/5/6/7 Line 42nd St. Grand Central Station

Penn Station

7th Avenue at 32st Street, The Penn Station (Pennsylvania Station), is located under Madison Square Garden. From the station, AmTrak, Subway, LIRR and NJ TRANSIT are avairable and it means the station is the biggest terminal for the commuters living in the suburban area of Manhattan Island.

Subway :1/2/3/9/A/C/E Line 34 St. Penn-Station

Metro-North Railroad

Metro-North Railroad offers railroad system in the norhern New York Area. Harlem ist the connecting station to Grand Central Station. And The lines are ; Harlem (Wassaic - Harelem), Hudson (Poughkeepsie - Harlem) , Port Jervis (Port Jervis - Suffern) , Pascack Valley (Spring Valley - Pearl Revier), New Heaven (Woodlawn - New Heaven).

The Metro North Railroad connects to many cities and towns in Upstate New York, in southeastern Connecticut and in northern New Jersey. Most of these trains depart from Grand Central Station except for the northern New Jersey trains that terminate at the Hoboken Terminal across the Hudson River.

Metro North Line Route Map

Long Island Railroad (LIRR)

Much of Long Island is accessible via the Long Island Railroad departing from Penn Station. Jamaica is the key terminal station to Long Island and JFK Air Train connection is avairable at Jamaica. The lines are divided into several lines, Port Washington Branch, Hempstead Branch, West Hempstead Branch, City Terminal Zone, Far Rockaway Branch, Oyster Bay Branch, Port Jefferson Branch, Babylon Branch, Long Beach Branch, Ronkonkoma Branch and Montauk Branch.

Long Island Railroad Route Map

PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson)

There are five subway-style PATH stations along Sixth Avenue -- 33rd Street, 23rd Street, 14th Street, 9th Street, and Christopher Street. Trains from all of those points run to terminals in either Hoboken, Jersey City or Newark, New Jersey, or transfers are available to these points. There, they connect with 10 NJ Transit commuter lines that serve New Jersey, as well as Orange and Rockland County, New York.

PATH Train Route Map

New Jersey Transit

NJ TRANSIT operates the state's commuter rail network. The rail system features 11 lines in three divisions. Customers can transfer between all lines, except Atlantic City Rail Line, at the new Secaucus Junction station. (The Raritan Valley Line requires an additional transfer at Newark Penn Station):

The Hoboken Division (includes the MidTOWN DIRECT service on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines to and from Penn Station New York and lines operating to and from Hoboken Terminal on the Morris & Essex, Main/Bergen, Pascack Valley and Montclair-Boonton lines).

The Newark Division (includes the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, and Raritan Valley lines operating to and from Newark Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal, and Penn Station New York).

The Atlantic City Rail Line (which operates between the seaside resort city, Philadelphia and points in between).

NJ TRANSIT also runs rail service to and from points in New York State on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines under contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. NJ TRANSIT's rail network provides links to the region's other transit systems. Transfers to the state's bus system are possible at many rail stations, while at Penn Station New York, connections are available to Amtrak, the Long Island Railroad, and the New York City subway system. At Trenton, riders can connect to SEPTA and Amtrak.

At NJ TRANSIT's Hoboken Terminal, transfers can be made to PATH trains between Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, and midtown Manhattan; to Manhattan-bound ferry service; and to NJ TRANSIT's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System. At Newark Penn Station, the state's busiest transit hub, connections to Amtrak, PATH and NJ TRANSIT's Newark City Subway are available. PATH can be used to connect with NJ TRANSIT's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System. On South Jersey's Atlantic City Rail Line, connections can be made to Amtrak and SEPTA at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station.

NJ Transit Route Map

Amtrak
Finally, Amtrak offers long-distance train service to cities across the USA and in Canada with a high-speed Metroliner service to Washington DC. Most of the trains depart from Pennsylvania Station.

Trains from New York, Penn Station:
  Acela Express (Boston, MA - Washington, DC)
  Regional (Boston, MA - Washington, DC - Newport News, VA)
  Metroliner (Washington, DC - New York, NY)
  Adirondack (New York, NY - Montreal, Quebec)
  Carolinian and Piedmont (Charlotte, NC or Raleigh, NC - New York, NY)
  Crescent (New York City, NY - Atlanta, GA - New Orleans, LA)
  Empire Service (New York, NY - Niagara Falls, NY)
  Ethan Allen Express (New York, NY - Rutland, VT)
  Keystone (Harrisburg, PA - Philadelphia, PA - New York, NY)
  Lake Shore Limited (Chicago, IL - Boston, MA or New York, NY)
  Maple Leaf (New York, NY - Toronto, Ontario)
  Silver Service/Palmetto (New York, NY - Savannah, GA - Tampa, FL or Miami, FL)
  The Federal (Boston, MA - Washington, DC)
  Three Rivers (New York, NY - Philadelphia, PA - Chicago, IL)
  Vermonter (Washington, DC - New York, NY - St. Albans, VT)
  Cardinal/Hoosier State (New York - Washington, DC - Cincinnati, OH - Chicago)

Amtrak Time Table | Amtrak Route Map

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Water Transportation

Water Taxi
This is the taxi on the water colored with yellow as same as "Yellow Cab" which provide the comuter and mid-day services. The stop is Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn, Pier 11 at Wall St./South Street Seaport, PIER A at Battery Park and North Cove (at World Financial Center) for the comuter service and additionally PIER 62 (W. 22nd St./Chelsea Pier) and PIER 84 (W. 44th St./Circle Line) are serviced for mid-day services.

  Comuter Service: $3.00
  Mid-day Service: $4.00
  One Day Free Path: $15.00

Water Taxi Route Map

NY Waterway
It provides the trnasit between New Jersey and Manhattan. There are two lines for the service. One is from Hudson River 38th St. to Port Imperial and Lincoln Harbor at Weehawken, the other is from World Financial Center to Hoboken, Jersey City and Liberty State Park. The fee is $5 for the formar one and $3 for the latter (but only to Hoboken, you need to confirm accordingly with your destination). From the main terminal inside Manhattan, such as Penn Station, Grand Central Station or 5th Avenue, you can use free shuttle bus to the seaport.

NY Waterway Route Map

Staten Island Ferry
It is the free shuttle service between Manhattan and Staten Island. From Whitehall Terminal at Battery Park to St. George Terminal at Staten Island, it takes about 25 minutes and is the main route of comuting for the people living in this island. It took $0.50 but changed into free from 1997.

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