Hey, any and all of you fabulous New York people, I have a question. How much time and/or hassle would it be for me to fly into Islip and take the train into the city?
I used to live upstate and took the metro-north commuter train into the city. Its almost always ontime, quick, fairly cheep, and a chance for a nice nap.
Amtrak is far more expensive but equally nice.
The only issue is time. The trip takes time (since its from suffolk that might be a couple hours since it will probably be making local stops) and you'd have to make the schedule which might be erratic.
I'd just check the schedules and see how it works.
If you don't want to fly into JFK or La Guardia I'd check Newark as well.
I've flown into JFK before and out of La Guardia (weird circumstances...they ended up having to put me on another flight, so I got a free car from JFK to La Guardia--talked to a nice old man named Ahmed who gave me his entire family history while playing demolition derby. Joy.). I don't mind either one of them, really, but Southwest is offering super cheap fares into Islip. I just wanted to know if it would be worth the $200 or so bucks I'd save to go through the extra trouble. Thanks for the info! : )
Oh it isn't a problem at all. My brother's gf flies in from Ohio to Islip all the time. I believe you can catch the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) into the city, which is far easier/cheaper than taking a cab from either JFK or LG (and fucking Newark---cabrides are a fortune).
Let me know if you need other info. I can ask my bro.
LIRR is exactly what I was thinking of doing! It doesn't look that bad and would take me right in. I just wasn't sure how long it would take, so I could plan on reasonable arrival/departure times. Me and my best friend valuigi from across the sea are planning on a rendezvous sometime in mid-January. I'll actually get to wear winter clothes!! Yay!! Will you be there then, Joi?
I may be here in Jan and would LOVE to meet up with you! But I may be doing a west coast reading tour in either Jan or Feb...however I'm still planning on coming down to Tx in November!
The book!! Have I said yet how fabulously proud I am of you!!? I have been reading your adventures in publishing with glee! And bragging to everyone I know about you! Hopefully, it will work out for Jan. You probably already have all your plans made, but you just let me know, Joi, if you feel like flopping in my spare bedroom out in the middle of nowhere for a night. I would be so tickled to have you come visit. : )
i'm a little negative on Islip if your intent is going to the city. i've *attempted* to fly in and out of Islip one time (used Islip because i was staying with my girlfriend at the time who lived on LI) but the airport was closed due to rain on both occassions (Rain?? In New York in summer??? No wonder they wern't prepared!) but was diverted to Newark on the arrivng segment and La Guadia in the departing one. They put me on a bus both ways. It was horrid. The bus rides themselves took forever and i certainly wouldn't do them intentionally, which would be the case if i was using Islip and only going to NYC. The LIRR doesn't have a station in the airport. You have to take a bus to the neareset staion which I believe is 10 mintues away. My advice is... you deserve better.
In terms of cabs from Newark/JFK/LaGuadia, you don't need to take cabs. There are special airport busses that go non-stop to either Grand Central, Penn Station (whcih is where most LIRR trians go) or the Port Authority. i've taken them from both Newark and JFK. i recall the price being $15 each way. They might not be as simple as a cab, but i still see it as alot easier than doing than the Islip option.
This is what I was afraid of. I just didn't want to have the hassle of chasing planes, trains, and automobiles just to save a bit of money. I'll figure it out. I have a ticket on Delta to use up as well, so I may just end up flying into JFK or whereever it is that they go to. Regardless of how, I'm going though! Hey, which reminds me...are possibly thinking about attending SXSW this year? Maybe?
Is airfare the major factor? Your travel dates are rather far off and i'm sure published fares will change in the next couple of months. Also, have you tried places like Hotwire? Sometimes you can score there.
Consider the pure evilness of all the NYC airports (Newark, JFK and LaGuardia) your Islip plan isn't very far fetched and isn't any more awful than sitting in traffic waiting to get to Manhattan from JFK.
It seems doable, but I think it will cost you an extra hour, and then you'll either get off in Jamaica Queens and take the subway into the city (with bags), or end up at Penn Station. How much time will you have to waste fussing around with LIRR train schedules? I'm a little wary about Islip, because a cursory look at the Islip train schedule suggests one or two transfers may be needed to get into Manhattan. That means airplant, to taxi, to train station, change to another train station, then cab or subway to hotel. (five modes of travel) I've got some calls in to people who know for sure.
On the other hand, air traffic in general has gotten so bad in NYC over the past year, that you will need to budget an extra hour just for delays no matter where you land. For all I know, a small airport might be better. Last year we couldn't get a flight at Laguardia to arrive on time. Perhaps the recession (yikes) will help out with this one.
If you're going to be short on time I think I'd recommend flying to Laguardia and taking the bus to Grand Central/ Penn Station, or Battery Park City. The bus really is quick and easy, and reasonable. A cab from Laguardia will cost about $30.
You can find Islip down near the Atlantic Ocean right beside all the ferries to Fire Island. I think it is about a 1 hr drive from Islip to Grand Central with no traffic.
Well, gee, nobody here knows anything about flying to Islip. The consensus is that travel is NYC is a bitch, and if you get caught in weather or bad air traffic you are screwed. My husband says Islip will work and the train transfers will probably be right across the platform. The idea is to budget as much time as possible, no matter how you go, because in January, weather delays are a potential problem.
I guess I didn't help, but I did provide lots of confusing detail, and that's what the Internet is all about.
By the way, if you do decide to cab in from Laguardia, I believe a private car costs roughly the same as a cab. Some tel numbers I remember are: (212) 777 7777 or (212) 666 6666 (if devil worship doesn't worry you, and why should it?). Make your car reservations early, and then call from the plane to confirm arrival times. If these tel numbers are no good, let me know and I'll check the phone book.
Have you booked a room? My favorite semi-budget hotel is the Grammarcy Park Inn, (but don't eat there) and then there are also some services where you can rent somebody's apartment for the weekend. I've heard nice things about a boutique hotel called the Giraffe, too. January sales should be excellent this year, although last year, the economy was so bad the best sales took place before Christmas. Even the hotel rates should probably be coming down.
Let me know if you need any more info, always happy to provide.
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Amtrak is far more expensive but equally nice.
The only issue is time. The trip takes time (since its from suffolk that might be a couple hours since it will probably be making local stops) and you'd have to make the schedule which might be erratic.
I'd just check the schedules and see how it works.
If you don't want to fly into JFK or La Guardia I'd check Newark as well.
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Let me know if you need other info. I can ask my bro.
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The LIRR doesn't have a station in the airport. You have to take a bus to the neareset staion which I believe is 10 mintues away. My advice is... you deserve better.
In terms of cabs from Newark/JFK/LaGuadia, you don't need to take cabs. There are special airport busses that go non-stop to either Grand Central, Penn Station (whcih is where most LIRR trians go) or the Port Authority. i've taken them from both Newark and JFK. i recall the price being $15 each way. They might not be as simple as a cab, but i still see it as alot easier than doing than the Islip option.
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On the other hand, air traffic in general has gotten so bad in NYC over the past year, that you will need to budget an extra hour just for delays no matter where you land. For all I know, a small airport might be better. Last year we couldn't get a flight at Laguardia to arrive on time. Perhaps the recession (yikes) will help out with this one.
If you're going to be short on time I think I'd recommend flying to Laguardia and taking the bus to Grand Central/ Penn Station, or Battery Park City. The bus really is quick and easy, and reasonable. A cab from Laguardia will cost about $30.
Here is a Map of LIRR railroad system at
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr/html/lirrmap.htm.
You can find Islip down near the Atlantic Ocean right beside all the ferries to Fire Island. I think it is about a 1 hr drive from Islip to Grand Central with no traffic.
Here is the LIRR schedule from Islip to NY for weekdays at http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr/html/ttn/islip.htm.
I've got some calls in, I'll let you know what the consensus is.
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I guess I didn't help, but I did provide lots of confusing detail, and that's what the Internet is all about.
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if devil worship doesn't worry you
Have you booked a room? My favorite semi-budget hotel is the Grammarcy Park Inn, (but don't eat there) and then there are also some services where you can rent somebody's apartment for the weekend. I've heard nice things about a boutique hotel called the Giraffe, too. January sales should be excellent this year, although last year, the economy was so bad the best sales took place before Christmas. Even the hotel rates should probably be coming down.
Let me know if you need any more info, always happy to provide.
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