New York, with its cosmopolitan frenzy, glittering skyscrapers and vibrant culture, is a dream destination for many travellers. However, planning a trip to the Big Apple can be a fascinating but also complex undertaking. In this article, we'll walk you through a series of practical tips to ensure you make the most of your New York experience, avoiding common snags and fully enjoying everything this extraordinary city has to offer.
Necessary documents: Electronic passport, ESTA and health insurance
Before setting off on your New York adventure, it is essential to make sure you have all the necessary documents for your trip. If you are a foreign citizen, it is critical to have a valid passport with an expiration date that extends beyond the duration of your stay in the United States. Some travelers may also require a visa or “substitute” document such as ESTA to enter the United States, depending on their country of origin and length of stay. Finally, another crucial document to consider when traveling to the United States is adequate health insurance. Read our article New York: necessary documents to know more.
It is always advisable to check the specific entry requirements for your country of citizenship before traveling to avoid inconvenience during your trip. Check the site Traveling Safely before leaving, to always be aware of changes regarding entry requirements to the United States.
Internet connection
To always have access to the data connection on your phone, the simplest and most convenient solution is eSim. They are virtual SIMs - you will therefore not need a physical SIM to replace yours - designed for data connection only and therefore do not allow you to make calls. They are not associated with a number so your number will remain, you will simply have an active second data plan and can have access to the internet connection while travelling.
There are platforms that allow you to purchase them online, comfortably from home and before leaving, without having to go to a store. Simply select the destination, the data package and its duration, as well as the date on which you want to activate it. Once you arrive at your destination, simply disconnect the data connection of your SIM and activate that of the eSim.
We have used it Holafly, one of the best known and, in our opinion, most convenient platforms. Read ours article on eSims to know more.
How to get around on the Metro in NY
There New York Metro (MTA) thanks to its widespread and efficient network of tracks that extends along the entire Manhattan area and beyond, it is an absolutely necessary means of transport for anyone who wants to face the visit of the city in a profitable way.
There are 26 lines available and each single line can correspond to an average of 3 trains (marked by numbers and letters) that pass through over 400 stations in more than 240 miles of tracks. To make navigation more intuitive, each line is associated with a specific color, which is used to identify both the subway maps and signs within the stations. The route system covers a specific route through the five major boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
The first fundamental trick for getting around on the subway is how to understand the direction to take. This is not indicated by the two departure and destination terminals but only by two wordings common to all lines: Uptown & Queens (north, direction Central Park) e Downtown & Brooklyn (south, towards Battery Park). Furthermore, although many entrances allow you to access the platforms in both directions, in some cases (explicitly specified by the signs) the entrances are dedicated to only one direction.
Another important precaution is the distinction between LocalTrains they Express Trains that serve the same line. Local Trains are slower vehicles, because they make all the stops on the route; Express Trains are faster, but only make a limited number of stops. Also in this case it is expressly specified on the signs and even by consulting the various stops on Google Maps it is immediate which line to take. Finally, also take into account that, after 10.30pm, the Local Trains no longer run and are replaced by the Express Trains.
Below are the various types of tickets to access the New York Metro:
- Single ride ticket: valid for a ride on the metro or buses. The cost is $3, and must be used within 2 hours. Inside each station, there are vending machines, you can get it there.
- OMNY (One Metro New York): is a contactless payment system, which allows passengers to pay for rides using credit cards, debit cards or compatible mobile devices. Simply hold your card or device close to the OMNY reader in subway stations or on buses to access the service. With this method there are no discounts on the cost of the single journey but you can save by reaching the Fare Cap weekly of approximately 12 trips, subsequent ones are free.
- MetroCard: a rechargeable card that allows you to travel on the subway and buses. It can be topped up at self-service machines located in metro stations or at authorized kiosks throughout the city. There are two types: the Pay-per-Ride MetroCard which allows you to save as every single ride costs money $2.75, instead of $3, and the Unlimited-Ride MetroCard at a fixed price and duration with the possibility of unlimited travel.
How to get from the airport to downtown Manhattan
The city has 3 airports, all reachable by different means.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport is New York's main airport, as well as being one of the busiest in the country, and is located in Queens, near the border with Brooklyn. It is approximately 31.4 km from the center of Manhattan.
- Air train + metro JFK AirTrain to Jamaica and Howard Beach + Subway E to Midtown Manhattan, A to Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. The cost: AirTrain $8.00 (€7.30) + metro $3.00 (€2.75);
- By taxi the fixed rate is $52.00 (€47.70), plus tips and taxes totaling approximately $70.00 (€64.20). The travel time is approximately 45 minutes;
- By bus NYC Express Bus lines (stops at Grand Central, Times Square and Port Authority in Manhattan). The average cost is $6.75 (€6.20).
The Newark-Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, is approximately 28 km from the center of Manhattan.
- In Airtrain + Path AirTrain to the airport train station; Path red line to Downtown. The cost: AirTrain $7.75 (€7.10) + Path $1.75 (€1.50)
- By taxi the average cost varies between $50.00 (€45.90) and $75.00 (€68.80) and the journey time is 35 minutes.
Finally, the smallest, Fiorello LaGuardia Airport, in Queens, where domestic American flights or flights from Canada arrive. It is 15 km from the center of Manhattan.
- By bus M60 line. The cost of the ticket is $2.75 (€2.45);
- By taxi the average cost is $45.00 (€41.30) and the journey time is around 40 minutes.
Passes: which ones to use?
On a trip to New York, the breadth of attractions and activities to do can be overwhelming. Here, more than in other cities, using tourist passes can be really convenient, allowing you to save time and money during your tour of the Big Apple.
The New York Pass – the one we chose – is one of the most complete options available for exploring the city. This pass offers access to over 115 attractions, including the most famous museums, such as the MoMa and the Museum of Natural History, all the observation decks – the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, the One World Observatory and The Edge – the Statue of Liberty, several guided tours and cruises, as well as bicycle rental in Central Park. The price varies depending on the days of validity, from 1 to 10. If you plan to visit many attractions during your stay, the New York Pass can offer excellent value for money.
The New York CityPASS is another popular option at an affordable price. This pass includes access to five of the city's main attractions, 2 fixed and 3 to choose from two options proposed: the Empire State Building, the Natural History Museum as fixed attractions and 3 to choose from the Statue of Liberty, the Circle Line cruise, the Guggenheim Museum, the Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Museum or the Intrepid Museum.
L'Go New York Explorer Pass offers the flexibility to choose a predetermined number – 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 – of attractions from a list of over 95 options that includes all the classics such as museums, the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, the One World Observatory, Edge, the Statue of Liberty and several guided tours and cruises, plus bike rentals in Central Park. At the time of purchase you only choose the number of attractions, not which ones: during the trip by showing the voucher you will only be able to visit the chosen number of attractions.
Luggage storage
Managing your luggage during a trip can become complicated, especially when the city you are visiting is just an intermediate stop on a multi-day trip, if it is a long stopover or when you want to do one last trip between check-out from the hotel and departure. In these situations, the luggage storage service becomes essential.
In New York, there are a variety of options for temporarily leaving your luggage, including hotel services, airport storage, and specialized services in the city.
Before looking for a luggage storage service around the city, you could try contacting the hotel where you are staying directly. Hotels usually offer customers free luggage storage or require payment of a fixed or hourly fee, depending on the hotel's policies.
Airports are often an obvious choice for luggage storage, especially if you have a long layover between your flights. While La Guardia Airport does not offer this service, JFK and, to a more limited extent, Newark, allow passengers to safely store their luggage. Of the two, JFK is better for baggage storage, with facilities available in Terminals 1 and 4. Costs vary depending on bag size and storage time, but are usually between $4 and $18 per day. Some terminals offer 24-hour service, while others have limited hours. Newark also offers baggage storage, although it is more limited than JFK. Reserved for United Airlines passengers, this service is located near Terminal C. Costs vary based on weight and number of bags, but usually range between $5 and $16.
If neither the hotel nor the airport are suitable options for your needs, there are several luggage storage services in the city.
Bounce is a service that has thousands of affiliates all over the world, including mini markets, cafes, hotels and even in New York you will find many locations near you where you can leave your bags. The cost is $6.90 per suitcase, plus $1.65 insurance per suitcase. The service is very simple to use, just log in to the site, select the most convenient location and once you have chosen the number of suitcases, the day and the time, proceed with the payment.
Additionally, there are many left luggage facilities near major tourist attractions and public transportation, such as Penn Station, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park and many others. Costs are generally around $6 per day and opening hours vary from location to location.
Travel Tips
Power sockets and voltage
In New York, power outlets are standardized on the US electrical system, which uses 2-pin Type A or 3-pin Type B outlets. Type A outlets are the most common and have two flat pins, while type B add a third round pin. If you are planning a trip to New York, it is advisable to bring a universal electrical outlet adapter with you so that you can easily use your electronic devices. Universal adapters are larger than plug adapters, but quite compact and there are also versions equipped with USB inputs, which are always needed.
In New York you will also find a different voltage than the Italian one. In fact, in the USA it is equal to 110V, with a frequency of 60Hz, while in Europe 220V alternating current is used, with a frequency of 50Hz. Nowadays, most electronic devices have a power supply that works with a voltage between 110 and 240 V and a frequency of 50/60 Hz. To check that your battery chargers and hairdryers also work in America, just look at the label: if you find the words “input 100V-240V 50/60 Hz” you can be sure that in New York they will work. Also be careful when buying electronic devices, check that they are compatible with a voltage of 230V.
Jet lag
New York is in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) time zone during the winter and in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during the summer, as it observes daylight saving time. That means it has -6 hours of difference with Italy during summer time while -5 hours of difference with during solar time.
Tips
An unwritten law that is followed to the letter in New York (and which represents a real headache for tourists) is to leave a tip after using a service. The practice of tipping in the United States is entrenched as some industries allow workers to be paid less than the minimum wage, relying on tips to earn a living income. Although it may seem unusual for those coming from other countries, not respecting this local practice can be considered a rude and inconsiderate gesture.
In restaurants, common practice is for the tip to be between 15% and 20% of the total, depending on how satisfied you are with the service. This percentage is often listed on receipts.
- In taxis, the default tip is calculated with options of 20%, 25% and 30%, but it is possible to change it or add an extra amount.
- For hotel staff, such as bellhops who help with bags or housekeepers, expect to tip around $2 to $3 per bag and $2 to $5 per day, respectively.
- Tips are also expected for tour guides. If the group is large and the visit is short, a tip of $5 per person is fine. If the group is smaller and the visit lasts several hours, a tip of around $10 per person is more appropriate.
Ultimately, net of taxes and tips, prices may be 15-20% higher than those initially indicated.
Last Updated on 1 September 2024
