I need some help figuring out NYC subway metrocard options. We (family of 4, myself and 3 teenagers) will be in NYC Dec 28- Jan 1. Flying in and out from Newark Liberty…we’re staying on W 30th St between Penn Station & Hudson Yards. We’ll take the PATH from the airport to Penn Station, and then a quick walk (only have hand carry for each of us) to our apartment. We are comfortable navigating subways and metros and like to walk so no real plan to Uber or Taxi. Our plans are flexible, just want to take in as much Holiday sights and activities (Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Decorated Dept Stores, Central Park etc) as we can and also hang around DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge area. Can someone help me understand if we should do the Pay-Per-Ride (since all 4 of us can use one Metrocard) or would each of us getting an Unlimited be better? Is the $13 train cost from Newark to Penn Station covered in the Unlimited?
A Metro card is usable for both Path and NYC subways. However, Path doesn’t accept unlimited. I think you will find that you do more walking than subway riding (with the exception of getting to Brooklyn and coming in from the airport.) Just for convenience you may want to get a couple of the metro cards to share and put money on each of them (you don’t want to be holding up the line at the turnstile every time you get on a subway -probably worth the extra $1 per card).
Oops the first poster was correct - there isn’t a Path station at the airport - only at Newark Penn station. So that trip needs to be NJ Transit (they have an airport station). https://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=AirportConnectionsTo Reading this page, looks like this trip requires an expensive access fee.
I suggest you take a cab or uber to and from the airport to midtown. It will be easier and only a little more expensive once you multiply the NJ Transit fare time 4! (Thinking the $100 cab fare is $25 a person) I am seeing $15.25 as the adult fare for the airport trip - https://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TripPlannerItineraryFrom
I’ve always purchased a 7 day unlimited Metrocard - at $33 it has always paid for itself in days (when you consider you just might hop on a bus and only go 2 or 3 stops). Because it’s good on both subways and buses (not express buses though). It has also provided peace of mind. This way you’re all also not tied at the hip.
You would have to go from the airport to Newark NJ Penn Station via NJ Transit. Then take the Path from Newark to 34th street. I would really rather recommend taking a bus or cab because it will make things easier for everyone.
If you have the time or REALLY don’t want to not pay too much then only would I take NJ Transit/PATH.
I would get a Pay per Ride. The unlimited is really only worth if you’re staying for at least 5 days and will use the Subway a lot. Also it seems like you’ll be in Midtown for the most part. You can walk to those places (even tho it will be a lot of walking).
Every time you use the metrocard on the subway, it shows you how much money is left. And there are a zillion vending machines to add money, payable by credit card. For 4 of you you could put $50 on it and then see how it goes.
Also remember that if you use the card to take a bus, you get a free bus ride on another bus line OR a free subway ride within 2 hours of the first time you swipe. Also works when going from subway to bus.
Adding to what @oldmom4896 said, free transfer within 2 hours only works for one person on a metro card I happen to live in an area in which using the free transfer is very common, so I warn my visitors to get separate cards. However, that’s unusual.
A taxi could make sense for Newark / 4 people. But… one good thing about trains (and I assume true here) is that the times are fairly predictable. With taxi, you have to worry about getting stuck in traffic.
NJ Transit is the way to go unless you are arriving late when there may be up to 45 min interval between trains. You will have to take the monorail (Airtrain) from the terminal to the NJ Transit station. There is a NJ Transit App that everyone in your party should download to buy tickets - it displays a ticket on the screen. There are ticket vending machines at the station too.
Late at night they may stop the Airtrain and replace it with a bus that is a real inconvenience.
If you are arriving late then you can use Uber - probably $100.
The PATH extension to the airport is in the planning stages - maybe will be ready for your next trip to NYC.
As others have said:
–PATH does not go to EWR.
–Take NJ Transit (it’s a commuter railroad) from EWR to Penn Station New York. Make sure you get a ticket to Penn Station NEW YORK, not Penn Station NEWARK (crazy, right?)
–Each person in your party should have his/her own MetroCard. My recommendation would depend on how many full days you are going to be there. Are you arriving in the morning and leaving at night? If so, you’ll be there five full days and should each get a 7-day unlimited MetroCard for $34 each ($33 plus $1 for the card). If you’re there less than five full days, I’d recommend that you each get a pay-per-ride card. Put $28.50 each on your cards. That will be enough for ten rides apiece plus the $1 card fee.
-Please don’t get one card for all of you. You’ll drive the natives crazy.
Although I am a native who could become crazy with card-sharers, I have done this (one card for 3 or 4 people) with visitors and it’s worked fine. They swipe just as fast. It’s a good option at the end of your trip, for example, if you just want to reload one card.
But I would recommend that you get your own cards. For that period of time, you don’t want to HAVE TO stay together. Someone wants to head back to the hotel sooner, someone wants to go back to a store, etc.
I almost always use NJT to get to and from the airport. Even with a group, it’ll probably cost less than a cab because of tolls and surcharges. You are on the right track with this approach. Quick tip: it’ll be cold while you wait for your train, so make sure you can get to/put on your warm clothes (if you are coming from a warm place.)