Travel

ILHC is thrilled to offer a wonderful service: our own ILHC NYC Concierge, Jessica Miltenberger.

Leaning into her incredible knowledge of the city she loves and calls home, Jessica will be providing guidance and recommendations to our ILHC in-person attendees for… just about anything. Her first priority will be our international guests of course, but should any out-of-towners (or curious in-towners [😉] ) need advice she’s available to assist you as well.

For New York City questions, international travel questions, contact: travel@ilhc.com

The New York City Subway and bus system (referred to as the MTA) run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, maintenance tends to take place on nights and weekends, and not every train runs during those times. Be sure to plan your route in advance, and build in time for unexpected delays.

Tips:

• If you don’t have cellular service, every indoor subway station has free wifi, and you can find free wifi at Link NYC hubs throughout the city.
• Save an offline map in Google Maps or Apple Maps to help you get around even when you don’t have service.
• Google and Apple Maps take planned Subway maintenance into account when recommending a route, and are usually reliable. Take a look at their recommended routes, and consider walking a block or two to another train line if it saves you having to switch trains.
• Look for paper signs posted in the stations or check mta.info to find out about upcoming maintenance that might reroute your train.
• When in doubt, ask someone on the platform—New Yorkers know the system is confusing, and will help you get where you need to go!

Recommended Apps:

• Google Maps
• Apple Maps
• NYC Subway
• Citymapper

There are no transit zones for the MTA (NYC’s subway and bus administration). A flat fee will get you into the subway and as long as you don’t leave the turnstile you can go anywhere in the system for that cost. Learn more at MTA.info

• Riding the subway costs $2.75 for most riders. You can buy a Metrocard at any station for $1 and load up using cash or your credit card. (Video: How to buy a Metrocard)
• The “unlimited” card (7-day) costs $33 is the best option for most visitors staying through Monday or those who plan on seeing a lot of the city.
• You can also tap-to-pay via your credit card (or phone) on the bus or at the turnstile (OMNY). Once you’ve paid for 12 trips or spent $33 using the same device or card, you’ll automatically ride free for the rest of the week – (1) week resets every Monday at 12am (Learn more about fare-capping).
• You pay the fare at turnstiles before you board the train. You don’t have to do anything after.
• MetroCards can also be used with PATH, AirTrain JFK, NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express), Westchester Bee-Line Buses, and the Roosevelt Island Tram.

While many subway stations in popular areas are accessible with elevators, much of the system is accessible only by stairs due to the age of the infrastructure. For information and resources to improve your experience, see the MTA’s Accessibility hub.

Nothing says “New York” like hailing a taxi! If you see a yellow cab (Manhattan) or green cab (other boroughs) with its roof light illuminated, that means it is available. Stand on the street near the curb and keep your arm raised until the cab pulls up to you. You can also book a yellow or green cab using the Curb app.

All NYC taxis are required to have a yellow license plate starting with “T”, and inside they must display their cab number and taxi license. If you forget something in a cab, having the taxi number can help you find it again.

Tips:

Look up where you’re going on a map first, and walk to a street where traffic is going in the direction you want to travel before hailing a cab.

• You’ll have the best luck finding a cab near an intersection, standing somewhere visible — not behind a trash can or lamp post. Avoid standing in bus stops (even if they are empty) or on medians.
• Try to avoid taking a cab to or through crowded areas like Times Square. It’ll be faster and cheaper to have the driver pick you up or drop you off a block or two away and then walk. (New Yorkers love walking!)
• NYC is large and your driver won’t know all the streets, so if you’re going somewhere other than a major landmark, you can ask the driver to enter the address into their GPS. You can also follow along with the route using most rideshare apps and ask questions if the driver starts to take an alternate route.
• All cabs should accept major credit cards as well as cash. It is customary to tip your driver 10-20%.

Rideshare apps are popular in NYC, and many people check more than one to secure the best price before booking. Prices can vary widely based on the time of day and demand. Unlike in many US cities, NYC rideshare drivers must also be licensed taxi drivers.

• Curb (yellow and green taxis, as well as other cars)
• Co-op Ride (driver-owned)
• Lyft
• Uber

All of the apps above have options for booking accessible rides. All licensed cabs allow service animals, but the animal must be wearing a service vest.

Public transportation is available from all three major NYC airports—see details below.

If you would prefer to book a car from the airport to your lodging, you should only book from a licensed taxi stand at the airport or via a rideshare app. Do not accept rides from anyone offering a taxi verbally or with a sign, as they are not guaranteed to be licensed or keep standard pricing. 

Prices from rideshares and taxis might vary based on time of day and traffic patterns. Be sure to allow extra time when traveling to and from the airport in case of unexpected delays due to traffic, construction, or major events.

Newark Airport is located in the neighboring state of New Jersey and is a common destination for international flights. It is geographically a similar distance from Manhattan as other NYC Airports, and takes around the same amount of time to reach.

From the airport:

• Take the free Airtrain from the airport terminal to the RailLink station. Airtrains run between all terminals, but you may need to switch Airtrains depending on your arrival terminal — follow the signs or ask an Airtrain assistant in red for assistance.
• To exit the RailLink Station, you will need to scan your NJ Transit ticket. A ticket can be purchased in the station from one of the kiosks, but it is faster and easier to buy in advance using the NJT App (Video: How to use the NJT App). 
  (There is no discount for buying a roundtrip ticket)
• Be sure you select the correct stations (there is also a “Newark Penn Station”, which is NOT the same as “New York Penn Station”)
  Starting location: Newark International Airport
  Ending location: New York Penn Station
• If you buy on the app, activate your ticket and then tap the QR code to make it bigger. Scan the QR code on your app or paper ticket to access the RailLink station. Keep your app open and your ticket handy. Trains to NYC’s Penn Station board on Track A and Track 1 (the first platform).
• During your ride, your conductor will ask to see your ticket. If showing the app, make sure the flashing colors are visible on your activated ticket.
• New York Penn Station is the last stop on your train. (Do not exist early at Newark Penn Station.) You can connect to the NYC Subway and bus system from Penn Station, just follow the signs for “Subway” or ask someone in the station for assistance.

To the airport:

• All trains to Newark leave from Penn Station, which is accessible via subway and bus. Follow the signs for “NJT” (New Jersey Transit).
• A ticket can be purchased in the station from one of the kiosks (make sure the kimachineosk says NJT), but it is faster and easier to buy in advance using the NJT App (Video: How to use the NJT App). 
  (There is no discount for buying a roundtrip ticket.)
• Be sure you select the correct stations (there is also a “Newark Penn Station”, which is NOT the same as “Newark Airport”)
  Starting location: New York Penn Station
  Ending location: Newark International Airport
• You can board any train bound for the airport — look on the arrivals boards throughout the NJT waiting area for any train with the airplane icon beside it (example). Depending on the time of day, there may be many people waiting for your train. Once the track number appears, you should go to that track to board the train. Don’t be surprised if a lot of people rush to that track number along with you!
• If you buy on the app, activate your ticket before boarding. During your ride, your conductor will ask to see your ticket. If showing the app, make sure the flashing colors are visible on your activated ticket. Keep your app open and your ticket handy. 
• Listen for the “Newark Airport” stop — don’t get off at “Newark Penn Station” by accident. Your conductor and your fellow passengers can help make sure you get off at the correct stop.
• Exit the train and enter the RailLink station, where you will need to scan the QR code from your app or paper ticket to access the free Airtrain. Airtrains run to all terminals, but you may need to switch Airtrains depending on your destination terminal — follow the signs or ask an Airtrain assistant in red for assistance.

To and from the airport:

There is no subway service directly to LaGuardia, however a number of buses connect different Subway lines to the airport.

If your route-planning app tells you to take a bus marked “SBS” — Special Bus Service — such as the Q70-SBS, you must pay for this type of bus using a Metrocard, credit or debit card at the self-service kiosks at the bus stop BEFORE boarding. You will not be able to swipe your Metrocard or tap OMNY once you get on the bus. The fare is included in an unlimited Metrocard, and is the same cost as a regular bus ride ($2.75). Once you purchase your ticket and have the paper slip, you can board the bus from either door, no need to show the driver your ticket. If an MTA official boards and requests your ticket and you do not have one, you will be ticketed and fined.

From the airport:

Take the Airtrain to the Howard Beach Station to board the A train, or the Jamaica Station for J, Z, and E trains. (Edison Hotel guests should look for the Manhattan-bound E train.)

You will need to purchase a Metrocard ($1) and load at least $8 onto the card to exit the station. Metrocard kiosks at the airport don’t allow you to select a “7-day unlimited” option, because the $8 Airtrain fee is separate from other Subway cards. If you want to buy an unlimited Metrocard, you will still need to add $8 to you Metrocard to get out of the station. The kiosks in the Subway station should then allow you to add an “unlimited” option. (Video: How to buy a Metrocard)

To the airport:

If your route-planning app tells you to take the A train to JFK, please note before boarding that there are two A train destinations in Queens: Howard Beach and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd. Only a Howard Beach-bound A train will connect to the Airtrain.

You will need to load $8 onto your Metrocard to board the Airtrain, which is a separate fee from the Subway system. (Video: How to buy a Metrocard)