Holiday in New York 2008

[Meerkat]

I'm planning a two week holiday in New York either later in 2008 or Summer 2009.

The idea is that i stay in New York, and use it as a base to visit various other cities in north east america such as Boston and Philadelphia, and a few places in New England.

I've been looking on the internet, but the cheapest deal i can find is £2500 - around $5000 for flights and hotel. Its a bit expensive and i was hoping for something a bit cheaper, so i thought the best thing for me to do is to ask the locals for some advice. Is it realistic to stay in New York, or would it be better for me to book a hotel somewhere just outside? Then again if i do that it may make travel in the area more complicated.

I've also been trying to find out information about rail travel in that part of the US, as i was thinking i would be able to get around quite easily, but so far without much luck, anyone able to provide me with a useful link?.

[ManhattanKnight]

. . . anyone able to provide me with a useful link?.

http://amtrak.com

Amtrak is the only long-distance (as distinguished from commuter) passenger rail system in the US. The one part of the country where its service is pretty good is the "Northeast Corridor," connecting Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC and Boston.

[pricedout]

Hi. My recommendations would really depend on whether you're travelling later 2008 or summer 2009, and what level of comfort is necessary. Remember that there are a few one-way/round-trip flights in this area that are very cheap. You may want to take the shuttle, for example, to Boston or D.C. and then rent a car from there.

The website TripAdvisor is very comprehensive and has candid reviews by users (warning, users seem to be more into value than luxury, not necessarily a bad thing, but it can skew ratings upwards for less expensive hotels). You can also put in your dates and it will comparison shop among the major search sites for you. ALWAYS then check the hotel's own site, if available, because I've been finding cheaper prices directly from hotels recently.

[Meerkat]

and then rent a car from there.


I've considered renting a car, i may do it actually. How much does car rental cost in the US? I know petrol is quite cheap. Do i have to get some sort of permit to drive in the US bearing in mind i'm used to driving on the left - probably a stupid question but i've no idea. If not the Amtrak system looks pretty good as it more or less covers the area i'd like to explore, thanks for the link.

[investordude]

If you want a cheap way to travel to Philly/DC/Boston, just take a bus (Greyhound or Chinatown bus). Be warned - the Chinatown bus don't always have working bathrooms. Greyhound service is pretty bad but the bathroom will work. Amtrak isn't particularly cheap, but its the fastest/most comfortable way to visit the North eastern cities. If you're travelling further than Boston or Washington, you should fly.

If you're looking to save money, the hotels by the Newark Airport are usually cheap but difficult to get to. Otherwise, you can book in advance and stay at the airports near JFK, which are certainly not as hard to get to but are inconvenient if you're partying late at night. Or you could stay at outer borough bed and breadfasts, which will be dumpy but cheaper.

[lofter1]

If you're considering staying at a distance from where you want to spend the bulk of your time (i.e.: hotels near any of the airports) you should consider the time & cost of transportation to / from the hotel(s). Subway service after 11PM is intermittent and your travel time (if the subway will get you where you need to go) can be 3x what it is during hours between 7A - 11P. Standing on a platform waiting for a train at 2A can be a drag. Taxis aren't cheap.

Bottom line: What you save on a hotel room by choosing not to stay in Manhattan (or close by) might get eaten up by transportation costs.

[Meerkat]

Well, i've been invited to Los Angeles next year to visit a friend and also see some relatives, so i may be in NY for 2009 rather than next year. I have a bit longer to plan things, so i may spend a couple of nights in Boston, a few in NYC and a couple in Washington where i also have some relatives.

Thanks for the advice anyway.

[ablarc]

...so i may be in NY for 2009 rather than next year. I have a bit longer to plan things, so i may spend a couple of nights in Boston, a few in NYC and a couple in Washington
All good places. A sound plan.

Day trips from New York by train: New Haven and Princeton (if university towns interest you).

By car: the Hudson Valley, Taconic Parkway, Connecticut around Litchfield, the Berkshires (Massachusetts) and the Catskills. Also Bucks County (Pennsylvania).

[ablarc]

A well-regarded cheap hotel in Manhattan, fairly close to Penn Station, Greenwich Village, the High Line, Meatpacking District and Midtown: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d80083-Reviews-Chelsea_Lodge-New_York_City_New_York.html

[lofter1]

Any one know about this HOTEL on 39th / Third (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d93489-Reviews-Murray_Hill_East_Suites-New_York_City_New_York.html)?