Travel
ILHC Travel Concierge Notes
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 [đ] ) need advice she’s available to assist you as well.
For New York City questions, international travel questions, contact: travel@ilhc.com
Public Transportation
Planning Your Travel
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 donât 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 donât 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 platformâNew Yorkers know the system is confusing, and will help you get where you need to go!
Recommended Apps:
Fare Costs
There are no transit zones for the MTA (NYCâs subway and bus administration). A flat fee will get you into the subway and as long as you donât 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 âunlimitedâ 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 youâve paid for 12 trips or spent $33 using the same device or card, youâll 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 donât 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.
Accessibility
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 MTAâs Accessibility hub.
Taxi Cabs and Ride Sharing
How to Hail a Cab
Nothing says âNew Yorkâ 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 âTâ, 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 youâre 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.
- Youâll have the best luck finding a cab near an intersection, standing somewhere visible â 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. Itâll 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 wonât know all the streets, so if youâre 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
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
Accessibility
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.
Airport Transporation
Public transportation is available from all three major NYC airportsâsee 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.
Liberty International Airport (EWR)
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 â 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 âNewark Penn Stationâ, which is NOT the same as âNew York Penn Stationâ)
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 NYCâs 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 âSubwayâ 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 âNJTâ (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 âNewark Penn Stationâ, which is NOT the same as âNewark Airportâ)
Starting location: New York Penn Station
Ending location: Newark International Airport - You can board any train bound for the airport â 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. Donât 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 âNewark Airportâ stop â donât get off at âNewark Penn Stationâ 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 â follow the signs or ask an Airtrain assistant in red for assistance.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
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 âSBSâ â Special Bus Service â 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.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
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 donât allow you to select a â7-day unlimitedâ 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 âunlimitedâ 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)