I'll be traveling from VA to NYC, should I....?

Question

drive into the city to my hotel or stop at Newark or Hobokin sp? and take the rail in? My hotel is near central park.

Answer 1

I would take the train from DC to NYC. Driving in NYC is pretty bad, and even if your hotel has parking, it will cost plenty. At some of the attractions you might want to see, parking simply isn't available at any price--there's nothing more frustrating than seeing your destination but being literally unable to find a place to leave your car. It's easier to get around NYC on foot, by subway, or taxi.

Answer 2

Check with JetBlue...I usually take that when I go to visit my mother in Henrico County.  It's usually cheaper if you book far enough in advance and MUCH faster than Amtrak and flies direct from Richmond International to JFK. (There may be flights into Newark, I'm not sure). This way you avoid the h**l that is DC traffic on your end (been there, done that) and the h**l that is Manhattan traffic on our end.

Parking is going to be impossible for free in Manhattan and expensive if you use garages, not to mention the price of gas, and the time it takes to drive there and back.

If you go to JFK, you can take the free airport tram to Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica and get the E train to 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue (Citicorp Building).  Depending on where near Central Park your hotel is, you might be able to walk from there if it's on the East side. If it's farther up or downtown than 53rd Street, you can transfer to the number 6 train which runs along Lexington Avenue - two blocks away from 5th Avenue which runs along Central Park on the East side.

If it's on the West side, you can take the Howard Beach tram and get the A Train to various cross streets on Central Park West.

Answer 3

If you can find secure long term parking it is a good idea to leave your car outside town.  If you are interested in mostly Manhattan destinations your car would be of little use anyway as most places don't have parking available at any price and serious money if they do.  New York also has an excellent public transportation system that is open 24/7.  

Answer 4

Personally, I would take either the train or bus from DC to NYC.  It's just convenient and so much easier.  The train is the best, but more expensive.  There are cheap buses on www.gotobus.com.  I usually go with Eastern Travel or Tony Coach.  If you get them round trip it's about 35 bucks for the whole thing.  It will take you close to Penn Station, and then you could either subway or cab it from there to Central Park.

If you really want to drive...on a weekend, I would probably drive into the city, because although traffic is terrible, if you drive around long enough, you could find a spot in which you won't have to move your car for the weekend.  During the week, definitely do not drive into the city, unless you want to pay your hotel mad cash to valet, or a lot of money for a garage.

Answer 5

come to boston way better than ny we win at sports btw new york giants play in new jersey so don't count it GO SOX!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

find out if your hotel has parking (it will probably be valet) and what the cost is.

If you do drive in, avoid peak commuter times,and do not expect to drive to attractions as you won't be able to park nearby (although a late-night drive around Manhattan can be quite cool).

Getting from NJ to CP by rail, with luggage, is doable, but can be a headache in its own right.