CAR RENTALS
Avis Rent a Car
Ph: 800-331-1212
Hertz Rent a Car
Ph: 800-654-3131
AIRPORT SHUTTLES
Airlink New York
Ph: 877-599-8200. Airlink provides door-to-door airport transportation in comfortable vans. Economical, convenient, reliable and safe. Save $2 off a one-way transfer with our ad in this magazine. Call to reserve today or visit airlinknyc.com.
Super Shuttle
Pick-ups available from anywhere in Manhattan with 24 hrs notice. Ph: 212-BLUE-VAN.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
American Express Travel Services
65 Broadway/ Wall St. & Exchange Pl. Ph: 212-493-6500.
1185 6th Av./ 46th. Ph: 212-398-8585.
Peoples Foreign Exchange
575 5th Av./ 47th. Ph: 212-883-0550
TOURIST INFORMATION
NYC’s Official Visitor Information Center
810 Seventh Ave, at 53rd St. Ph: 212-484-1222. Free NYC brochures, maps & discount coupons, updates on city events, touring advice from multilingual travel counselors, & tickets to top attractions.
Penn Station Information Kiosk
Pennsylvania Station, W. 33rd St. at 7th Ave. Amtrak level. A wide variety of tourism & visitor information for travelers. Pick up the latest CityInfo.
Times Square Information Center
1560 Broadway. 46th/ 47th Sts. Daily 8am to 8pm. Free tourism information from multi-lingual travel counselors, city maps, theater tickets, ATMs, MTA MetroCards, Internet stations, a post office, and handicapped accessible restrooms are just part of what you’ll find at this all-in-one tourism resource. A free walking tour of Times Square departs from here every Friday at 12pm.
Gray Line Visitor Center
777 8th Av., between 47th & 48th Sts. Open daily. The jumping off point for Gray Line’s popular sightseeing tours is also a destination for all manner of tourism information. Talk to their knowledgeable travel counselors about your specific interests and get their recommendations.
TRAVEL MEDICINE
NY Hotel Urgent Medical Services
An alternative to costly emergency room visits, NY Hotel Urgent Medical Services specializes in travel medicine and immunizations, as well as general medical care. House calls available to your hotel or apartment. Take 6 train to 77th St. Dr. Ronald Primas, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.P.M., Medical Director. 952 5th Av., at E. 76th St. Ph: 212-737-1212.
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet access is free at all New York Public Libraries.
FedexKinko's
Multiple locations throughout Manhattan. Ph: 800-254-6567.
WIRELESS INTERNET (WIFI)
Wi-fi hotspots are available at most Starbucks Coffee locations for a subscription or daily rate. Free wi-fi service is available in most NYC public parks.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Tipping
For a sit-down meal in a restaurant with decent service the accepted norm is 15% of the total. A simple way to calculate is to double the tax amount shown on your bill. Outstanding service is rewarded with a 20% tip.
At inexpensive places like coffee shops, tips can be as low as 10%. Many counter-service restaurants will leave a can or jar on the counter saying ‘Tips Appreciated.’ Toss in spare change if you're feeling nice.
Cab drivers are generally tipped about 10% of the total fare.
Those providing personal services also expect tips, including hairdressers, valets, barbers, manicurists and masseurs. Generally 10-15% is acceptable.
Bartenders at bars with no table service also usually get a small tip with each drink you buy.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in New York is now 8.63%, charged on all consumer goods and services. It will be added to the total of your bill.
Safety
Use common sense if you find yourself in a difficult situation. Remember that a police officer is never far away.
Keep your wallet in the front pocket of your trousers or zipped snugly inside your purse.
Smoking
It is now illegal to smoke cigarettes in all NYC restaurants and bars. Smoking is still legal in establishments with designated smoking areas, and across the Hudson River in New Jersey.
AIR TRAVEL
Newark (EWR)
Port Authority at Newark Airport: 973-961-6000. Roughly 16 miles (26 kms) from the city in New Jersey. The ride to Manhattan is 40 to 60 minutes by taxi and costs roughly $50 plus tolls and tip. Shuttle service runs frequently, costs around $13 each way and takes 60 to 90 minutes to reach Manhattan.
La Guardia (LGA)
Airport Information Service at La Guardia: 718-533-3400. It is 8 miles (13 kms) east of the city, in Queens. Taxi fare to midtown is around $25, not including tolls and tip.
Kennedy (JFK)
Airport Information Service at JFK: 718-244-4444. New York's main international airport is about 15 miles (24 kms.) southeast of Manhattan, in Queens. Taxis cost a flat fee of $45, not including tolls and tip.
From The Airports
Public transportation is available from all 3 of New York's airports into Manhattan. Ask for information at the Ground Transportation desk near the baggage claim. Taxi dispatchers will help you locate a licensed taxi. Shuttle services also run frequently.
BUS TRAVEL
Port Authority Bus Terminal
42nd St. at 8th Ave. Handles bus travel to New Jersey and longer distances. Automated bus info line: 212-564-8484, or call your bus line directly. Greyhound: 800-231-2222. Academy: 800-242-1339. New Jersey Transit: 800-772-2222. Subway lines A,C,E.
Vamoose Bus Company
For convenient, daily bus transportation between New York City and Washington DC. Departs from near Penn Station. Enjoy clean, comfortable buses with restrooms on board. Round trip $40, one-way $25. Travel time approximately 4.5 hours. Call to make a reservation: 877-393-2828, or book online at www.vamoosebus.com.
TRAIN TRAVEL
Penn Station
34th St. & 7th Ave. Handles Amtrak Trains (800-872-7245) from Canada, the rest of the US and the Long Island Rail Road (718-217-5477.) Served by subway lines A,C,E,1,2,3 & 9.
Grand Central Terminal
Park Avenue at 42nd St. Handles the Metro North Railroad (212-532-4900) for service to Upstate New York & Connecticut. Subway lines 4,5,6,7, and the S shuttle to Times Square. Houses 90 restaurants & retailers. For more information see the Guide to Grand Central in this magazine.
