Airports

There are three airports surrounding New York City: JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR).

Depending on your travel variables (time, day of week, airline, etc.), it may be cheaper to fly into one more than the others.

However, transportation from each of them has it's own set of perks, so we've broken it down for your consideration below.

Legend (left to right):

Green = Newark Airport (in NJ); Light Blue = Penn Station; Purple = Grand Central; Orange Diamond = Wedding Venue;

Yellow Star = Our Apt (in Brooklyn), Red = LaGuardia Airport (Queens); Blue = JFK Airport (Queens)

Trains

There are 2 main train stations in New York: Grand Central Terminal, and Penn Station

Depending on where you're coming from and what train line you take will likely determine which train station you'll end up at.

LEGEND (LEFT TO RIGHT):

Green = Newark Airport (in NJ); Light Blue = Penn Station; Purple = Grand Central; Orange Diamond = Wedding Venue;

Yellow Star = Our Apt (in Brooklyn), Red = LaGuardia Airport (Queens); Blue = JFK Airport (Queens)

Reserving a block of hotel rooms didn't offer considerable savings and just wasn't a dynamic option.

Below are several suggestions on where to stay. We've tried to list hotel options at different price points and different locations to accommodate everyone's budget and interests.

AirBNB, HomeAway, and VRBO are sites where you can rent someone's apartment and are also excellent options.

Feel free to explore for more options on your own, and reach out to us if you have any questions!

Things to consider when booking your stay: what part of New York do you want to see the most of? Do you prefer a quiet area or somewhere in the middle of all the commotion?  How close are you to the subway? How close are you to the sights or activities that are *MUST DO's* on your trip?

Driving around New York can be challenging. Traffic can be unpredictable, street parking is hard to find, and parking garages can be expensive and nowhere near your destination. So how do you get from Times Square to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to Grand Central?

The Trifecta: Subway, Uber (or Taxis), and your own Two Feet

The Plan: Ideally, you should make one. Make a list of the top things you want to do/see in the city and then pull out a map to see where they are. Consider planning your sightseeing in clusters, to minimize travel time and doubling back. It'll save you a ton of time and energy.

subway

Great if: You're up for a little exploring. You like using maps. You're not in a big rush. You have energy to spare. You're willing to stop and ask for directions.

Not the best choice when: You're claustrophobic. You're in a hurry but are unfamiliar with the subway system. You're limited in how far you can walk, climb stairs, or stand for periods of time.

How it works: This video is the  most comprehensive Subway explanation I've found.

Cost: Each subway ride is $2.75, unless you get an "unlimited" pass. if you anticipate using the subway a lot, this pass could save you a little money.

Note: Not all destinations are near a subway station, and more specifically, they may not be by a station that is going where you want to go. Expect to occasionally need to walk a bit to get from your location to the appropriate train.

Pro Tip: Even though each subway station and car has a map in it, we recommend you download a NYC subway app like this one. It can help you get from place to place, shows you the closest subway entrance to you, and you can access the subway map without needing wifi (not all stations have service).

Uber & Taxis

Great if: You're limited in how far you can walk, climb stairs, or stand. You are in a hurry and unsure of how to get there via subway. You are exhausted, tipsy, or completely lost.

Not the best choice when: You're on a budget and have to go far. 

How it works: Joanna Goddard at Cup of Jo has a great taxi How-To. For Uber, we recommend downloading the app ahead of time (you need to connect a credit card to your account). Yellow and Green cabs have an app too (Way2Go and Arro) that you can check out, but we haven't used them yet.

Cost: You can get a fare quote for Uber on their app before requesting a ride. Taxi's don't have surge pricing, you can probably get a quote using their apps.

Note: During times of high demand (rush hour, when its pouring rain out, etc) Uber will have surge pricing, meaning that you'll pay more per ride than usual. The app will alert you to this before you commit to requesting a car - but if the surge is sky high, a taxi might be best.

Pro Tip: Shift change for cabs is at 4pm, making it notoriously hard to find one willing to pick you up around that magic hour. You can try Uber as an alternative, but keep in mind they may have surge pricing at that time.

walking about

Great if: You're up for a little exercise and exploration. You're not in a big rush. You're on a budget. You want to see the city up close!

Not the best choice when: You're in a hurry. You're exhausted. You've been shopping and have a super heavy bag/purse/haul. You're not sure where you are but the neighborhood does not look good.

How it works: You have your phone to google directions, a good sense of N/S/E/W, and a comfy pair of shoes on.

Cost: Free! Unless you need to figure in the cost of bandaids and a trip to your chiropractor (wink, wink).

Note: Despite what every Sex and the City episode led you to believe, most New Yorkers aren't skittering around on sky-high Manolos. Wear comfy shoes, sandals, or sneakers. Save the heels for when you're getting a cab to go directly to your fancy dinner.

Pro Tip: Check the weather. Dress in layers. The weather in NY can vary wildly from morning to midday to evening - dress in layers so you'll always be comfy. Speaking of comfy, you're packing comfortable (read: flat and cushiony) shoes, right?