<p>Im hoping some NYCs can offer advice on two questions. Im traveling to NYC the second week of June on a Friday by Southwest airline, arriving at MacArthur airport on Long Island in mid-afternoon. In looking at the airport web site, directions for getting to Manhattan are a short shuttle service to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Railroad station, and then a 1 ½ hour trip to Penn Station. I can read the words, but would like some advice from people who actually do this: do the trains run on time, are they crowded, doable for the non-experienced traveler, etc. Im willing to trade some inconvenience for a less expensive flight it means an extra night or two stay.</p>
<p>Is there some publication or web site that will list things happening in NYC on a particular day, especially things that might be free or that the average tourist might not discover? I’ll be in NYC for about a week. </p>
<p>It’s a long way, but it is totally doable. A college friend of D did it a while ago, and she had never done this before. She said it was fine. Trains run on time, and you can get the schedule on line by checking LIRR schedule, Ronkonoma line. Then you can check things to do in New York by googling “Things to do in New York,” and lots of sites will come up. Have a good time, and don’t hesitate to ask more questions.</p>
<p>hi there
I live on Long Island and use McArthur/Islip regularly…just came throught there Sat night.
Its a $5 shuttle ride to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station and then a train into Manhattan to Penn Station…probably about $14 or so and yes an hour and a half.If you are staying anywhere NOT in the Penn Station/Times Sq area (where train goes to) you will need to use a subway or taxicab from there.
Trouble with the LIRR is its on a schedule,it doesnt run continously like the subways.Heres the LIRR link <a href=“http://www.lirr.org,it%5B/url%5D”>www.lirr.org,it</a> will have that branch of the LIRR’s schedule for you which you can estimate from your arrival time at the airport plus baggage time (not so bad there its a small airport) plus shuttle commuting time to the station.All in all you’re looking at adding many hours to your trip but its doable.
It just might work in your favor to take a taxi from the airport into Manhattan.It will be a flat rate and theres a taxi stand right outside of baggage claims,especially if you’re travelling with other people.</p>
<p>Check out a Rick Steve’s book if there is one for NYC. For more timely advice, the New York Times has a weekend section every week which can give you a good scoop on what is happening.</p>
<p>Macarthur airport is frequently used by LI residents, but not typically by folks from out of town who wish to visit NYC. I would look at flights in and out of LGA (LaGuardia), JFK, EWR (Newark) and HPN (White Plains) before deciding to fly into Macarthur. All four of the airports that I listed have both decent public transportation (bus to subway, AirTrain to subway, NJ Transit and bus to Metro-North train, respectively), as well as readily available taxi cabs and other private transportation to NYC. Each of these airports is also much closer to NYC than Macarthur Airport. </p>
<p>If you do choose to fly into Macarthur, the LIRR ride will be a relatively long one (and you should look at train schedules before you choose that airport). The LIRR trains run with varying frequency depending on the time of day. If you flight is somehow delayed until after the last LIRR train of the evening, you could be stuck. Once you get into Penn Station (the terminus for LIRR trains), you will need to decide whether to take the subway or find a taxi to your final destination. You will have to carry your baggage up several flights of stairs and through crowds getting around Penn Station. If you choose to take the subway, there will be additional flights of stairs in and out. </p>