Need help with NY logistics.....

Erin's Mom · 09-15-2007, 12:56 AM

Hello fellow parents,

I'm coming here for help, since I know this is a great place to find it! I do not post very often, but I read quite a bit, and now I need some logistical help for some NY stuff.

My S and I are planning to visit some schools in NY at the end of Sept. What I can't seem to figure out is the best way to get from JFK/Yonkers/Poughkeepsie and then to LaGuardia. Due to my oddball frequent flyer mileage thingies, we have to fly into one airport and out from another. Hey, it's cheaper.

Me, I just want to be able to rent a car. Yes, I'm from California, and we drive everywhere.

I can't seem to find any options better than renting a car from somewhere near LaGuardia airport and returning it at same. I have just not been able to find any sort of viable transportation from JFK to Yonkers that doesn't involve a limo or equivalent. In my mind, a Limo is what you take to the Academy Awards, not a transportation option for plebes.

I'm probably overthinking (or underthinking) all of this, but I'm a bit confused. I've never been to NY, and I realize that the transportation options are going to be different from what I am used to.

I know there are lots of you NY parents onboard here, so I'm hoping you can shed some light on just how do I get myself around? We're not planning on driving in Manhattan, but can I just rent a car and go around elsewhere? Okay, laugh.

citygirlsmom · 09-15-2007, 01:36 AM

well, I am from SF and just went to NY, we took subways, cabs, buses, shuttles and the like, we felt no need for a car

my suggestion is to get a big map, get the schedules of the tours, etc, and work out the logistics and see if there is public transportation between locations

have you called the big car rental places to ask what they suggest....

does the school itself you are looking at have anything on their sites regarding transporation

I am sure they must have some suggestions

For instance, Sarah Lawrence has a page with info on trains from Grand Central, shuttle to JKF< etc, Vassar has the same, may take some coordination and planning and time, but hey, worth looking into

(I just guessed the schools, was I close?)

calmom · 09-15-2007, 02:25 AM

Erin, I'm assuming that you will not be staying in NYC. There's no problem renting a car from either airport --it seems that your problem is only with the return. I'd suggest that you contact the major care rental agencies & simply ask whether it is ok to pick up a car at one airport & return it to the other -- I can't see that it would be any problem, all the agencies have lots at both airports. Keep in mind that LaGuardia & JFK are quite near one another (maybe a 20 minute drive from one to another).

If you are going to Poughkeepsie it does make sense to rent a car -- I'd suggest looking for a reasonably priced hotel in the White Plains area -- that's about an hour's drive from JFK (depending on traffic), and about half an hour from Sarah Lawrence campus, about 90 minutes away from Vassar. It's a nice drive, too.

(I'm sure that you can also do the whole thing by train, but if you aren't going into Manhattan, you may find it more cost effective with a discounted car rental in any case).

Actually, out of curiosity I used the form on the National web site at http://www.nationalcar.com/ and see that you can specify a different pickup and drop off point. The rates they were quoting weren't great, but they weren't any different with a JFK pickup/LGA drop off than with pickup/return at the same airport. So I'd suggest that you just compare quotes you get from the sites of the major rental agencies.

StickerShock · 09-15-2007, 09:06 AM

Calmom is right. A car is best & you can drop it off at a different airport. It's only a problem doing that if you pick up at a busy location & intend to drop off at a remote location. Neither JFK nor Laguardia are remote, so you should be fine. Getting to Yonkers from JFK would be tough without a car. Especially if you are talking weekends with reduced schedules. As far as cost, I think the car will be far cheaper than car service/trains/cab combo in the long run, and your schedule is your own. You may find a way to get public transportation to the college, but then you'll need to get to your next stop, your hotel, restaurants, etc. & a car would be so much more sensible.

An added plus: Some trees are already starting to turn, so the drive should be pleasant.

mattmom · 09-15-2007, 09:28 AM

I agree; a car makes the most sense and gives you the most flexibility. Both Hertz and Avis and I am sure other rental companies let you return the car to a diufferent location than the one you rented at, and given that both JFK and LGA are busy locations it should be no problem at all (perhaps a surcharge but probably a minimal one and worth it for thr convenience.)

LurkNessMonster · 09-15-2007, 10:46 AM

If you don't have your own GPS, I would suggest getting one with your rental. Just be sure to have street addresses for each college to plug into the unit.

Mudder's_Mudder · 09-15-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

JFK/Yonkers/Poughkeepsie and then to LaGuardia

Whoa. Are you sure you want to drive that? If you're not specifically going to visit any schools on the Island, consider White Plains Airport. Check this link for airlines/destinations. http://www.whiteplainsairport.com/pages/airlines.shtml

Love love love that small airport. Car rental is quick and easy, and you can avoid the City altogether.

snowball · 09-15-2007, 02:01 PM

If you want to check car rentals with different companies at once, look here and click on the tab for cars:

http://www.kayak.com/cars
http://www.sidestep.com/

If you go to the individual sites, you can put in a different pick up and drop off location. Many rental companies charge more for a different drop off location, so check to see who has the best deal. I have rented several times where I rent at one location and drop off at another; it is done all the time.

You might also find a much better rate to rent off site if you can get to and from those locations with ease; otherwise you are better off just getting the car at the airport.

BTW, what schools are you visiting and how much time do you have between them?

woody · 09-15-2007, 02:21 PM

There's also a shuttle between JFK and LGA.

mathmom · 09-15-2007, 03:42 PM

I am not normally in favor of limos, but I make an exception for JFK. I loathe driving around Long Island. It's not that outrageously expensive - especially compared to the cost of parking our cars at the airport. Can you rent a car at one airport and return it at the other?

Burb Parent · 09-15-2007, 03:58 PM

I second the suggestion of looking for flights in and out of White Plains airport if that is an option. Stewart airport is close to Vassar, and is another airport to consider. At either of these airports, you will avoid the city traffic.

paying3tuitions · 09-15-2007, 04:13 PM

It's up to you, if you haven't already bought plane tickets yet, but if you choose to name the schools you want to visit, these sharp shooters here on CC will probably help you even more.

I gave up on the frequent flyer miles because i can't get the situation I want. I have no loyalty to any airline or airport, just each trip try to find the cheapest deal. I'll never get that free flight someday, but maybe I make it up by saving $50 this way or that by getting budget flights. Just my philosophy, not everyone agrees.

Have a great trip East!

calmom · 09-15-2007, 04:47 PM

Hey, don't get discouraged by Mudder's_Mudder comment ("are you sure you want to drive that"). Poughkeepsie is a long drive -- it is also a lovely drive. Once you are away from the NYC metropolitan area (and you don't have to go that far to be "away"), you run into some gorgeous scenery -- and for a first time visitor who is from Calif. & used to driving, I think it is worth taking the time to see some of the countryside.

I don't think you really need GPS either -- a good road map should be fine for you. Driving within NYC is insane, but because commuters rely so much on the excellent commuter rail system, you don't really see the level of suburban freeway congestion that Californians get -- so I think you will find the drive to be an easy experience, especially if you are coming from southern Calif. and are a veteran of driving the LA-area freeways.

monydad · 09-15-2007, 04:49 PM

It depends on how comfortable you are driving in unfamiliar areas. It can be more time-efficient, but may interject another level of stress.

We live just outside of NYC and my wife still won't drive in the city.

If you don't want to deal with driving in strange places, I agree with post #2.

Depends on all the particulars of arrival schedule & budget, but one plan is you can take a cab from JFK to Grand Central, then the Harlem line to Bronxville station. Cab from there to Sarah Lawrence. Then take train back & stay in NYC, enjoy the town.

Next day, take the train to Poughkeepsie, visit Vasssar then return.
The next day, NYC school(s).

Then cab to La Guardia.

IF you don't mind driving, one strategy might be: you can rent a car at JFK, drive to Yonkers, visit Sarah Lawrence, stay in White Plains. Then drive to Poughkeepise & back, stay in White Plains again. ( Make sure you have everything Mapquested in advance) .Return your car in White Plains, if feasible. Then take the MTA from White Plains (cab from hotel to station) into NYC to visit the other schools, and a cab from the city to LGA.

And of course there are many other variations.

mathmom · 09-15-2007, 05:30 PM

Both Monydad's choices sound workable, but I think having a car is easier. The drive to Poughkeepsie from Yonkers is easy and pretty. There are okay hotels in other towns in Westchester too, that aren't far from Sarah Lawrence. (New Rochelle and Tarrytown come to mind.) If you have money for a splurge stay at The Castle in Tarrytown. (I worked on the interiors.) I have very fond memories of my Dad telling my mother and me to stay at the best hotel in NYC for a visit to Barnard way back when.