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Midas Hotels: New York: Extensive Visitor Information for New York
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New York New York. The Big Apple. The Empire State. The city that never sleeps. No matter what you call it - it's New York - and it's one hell of a city! Not a bad deal for a handful of beads a few hundred years ago. Millions and possibly billions of words have been written about it, thousands and possibly millions of films and pictures have featured it, but no one - and no description or film - can even start to capture this incredible, wonderful, seething mass of humanity that is New York City - unless they spend some time in it. In a way it seems preordained that this, probably the greatest city on earth was the scene of one of the greatest single atrocities by man against man on earth.
New York post 9/11 - dazed, battered, bruised and deeply, terribly hurting. Today it is still the same city - but has rallied and moved on, with both it's people and the city absorbing 9/11 into its unique culture and history, drawing enormous spiritual strength from it with a never ever to be forgotten legacy. The city is once again the powerhouse that it always was, but now with a new purpose and destiny that is totally unique. Over 1.2 million visitors from the UK visited New York in 2007 to see first hand what this amazing, big, buzzing, mind boggling, "king of cities" has - charm, wit, culture, the arts, shopping, and whatever choice of capitalist inspired excess can be found on earth, along with great lashings of - well - WOW!! Eight million people living on top of each other is nothing new to Londoners but nobody in the world does it as well as the special people that are New Yorkers. But - don't take our word for it - take a bite and see for yourself. We at Midas Hotels have got a a deal for everyone - no matter your budget. So get on your bike - Now!
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* Click on Blue Information Icon below to go to specific Information Section
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Airports/Airlines/Airport Lounges
Airport Transfers: Taxis: Bus: Shuttle Bus
Airline Carry on Baggage in USA
Banks/ATM's
Begging/Buskers ('Panhandling') Subway & Streets
Bargaining & Discount Stores
Business Hours
Bicycles & Bicycle Tours
Broadway Shows in New York
Off Broadway Shows in New York
Cinema (Movies)
Climate
Currency & Exchange Rate: US $ - £UK Pound
Credit Cards
Communications: Telephones (Landline)
Communications: Telephones (Your UK Mobile)
Communications: email / Internet / Web
Communications: Mail
Cars: Hiring & Driving Rental Cars in New York
Cars: Roads, Driving, Parking
Customs Allowance from UK for USA
Midas New York Customer Comments
Dining in New York: Food & Restaurants
Disabled Travellers Access
Drugs (iIlegal variety)
Electricity
Festivals & Concerts
Health and Hospitals (Medical facilities-Visitors)
Health and Hospitals (Medical Insurance)
Language (Local Slang)
Manners/Customs (Locals)
Media: TV, Newspapers, Radio
New York Neighborhoods
New York Night Clubs & Bars
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Parks & Gardens: Central Park
Parades: Famous Parades: St Patricks Day, Macey's
Personal Safety
Public Holidays
Sex and The City! (..The Tour!)
Sightseeing: Art Galleries & Museums
Sightseeing: Famous Landmarks; Empire State
Building, Chrysler Building, Rockerfeller Centre,
Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Grand Central
Station, Wall Street, St Patrick's Cathedral
Sightseeing: Famous Show Venues: Radio City Music
Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre, Metropolitan
Opera House, Madison Square Garden
September 11 - Ground Zero
Shopping in New York: General
Shopping in New York: The New York Pass
Shopping in New York: Famous Shops: Saks 5th Ave,
Maceys, FAO Schwartz, Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co:
Sports in New York: Baseball, Basketball, Football,
Ice Hockey, Tennis, Boxing, New York Marathon
Taxis in New York
Travel Insurance
Tours: New York Must See/Do: Statue of Liberty,
City Helicopter Tour, Ground Zero, Sex & City, More:
Tipping
Time Difference
Transport:(Public) Subway, Bus, Taxis, Limos, Walk
Passport/Visa: New ESTA & e-passport Rules
Visas & Passport: American Embassy in London
Visas & Passport: British Consulate in New York
Vaccinations & Health Requirements for Visitors
ZOOM MAP: MANHATTAN - NEW YORK CITY
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** Please note that we take NO responsibility for the content of external web sites that we link to for informational purposes **
Taxis in New York
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Taxis (Cabs) have a love hate relationship with New Yorkers. They are everywhere (approximately 10,000 cabs are on the road in central New York!) and they are quick and great value transport around Manhattan especially in areas not served so well by the subway system. The bad new is that they actually make up most of the cars in the frequent traffic jams that dog central New York especially in peak times. Hailing a cab. - Not much to it, just stick out your arm and pretend you're the Statue of Liberty. Oh - and having the ability to stick your fingers in your mouth and emit a a piercing whistle works wonders as well! Once the cab driver 'clocks you' (see you!), make sure you get to it first before all the other potential users (especially if its raining or rush hour) - a sharp umbrella can work wonders (!?) Like London, If the number on the roof of the taxi is lit, it is available. Yellow Medallion cabs are the only cabs authorised to pick up fares. Avoid *"gypsy" cabs at all costs. These are regular cars that will take you from place to place; they usually cost more than cabs and aren't as well regulated (or as safe). *Much like Mini Cabs in London. Cabs are cash only and it's essential that you always carry a number of small bills as the cab drivers can't (or wont) break anything higher than a $20 bill. Taxi cabs are required to take you to your destination inside the metropolitan area. Record the ID number from any cabs that you have any problems with and report them to the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)
Approximate guide to fares for New York Taxis (as at Jan 2008) Initial fare (Meter start fee) $2.50 Each 1/5 mile (4 blocks) $0.40 Each 1 minute idle $0.40 Peak surcharge $1.00 (after 4pm until 8pm Mon-Fri) Night surcharge .$0.50 (after 8pm until 6am) Tolls...................$extra Additional riders FREE
Pay only what's on the meter, plus a 15-20 percent gratuity (tip). There are additional charges if going outside the metropolitan city area and to New Jersey. Passengers are required to pay one way. If you are going to airports, there are set fees plus additional toll fee and tip. Officially, taxicabs can take on only four riders, 3 in the back seat and 1 person in the front seat. Occasionally, the wider cabs 'might' take 5 people, but this is actually illegal and they will ask the 5th rider to stay low in the seat to avoid being seen. The famous large old slab sided "Checker" cabs are now pretty much a relic of the past, although you might still see some in the city at limousine service rates.
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Travel Insurance
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We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance when you book your trip. By taking insurance out early you protect yourself against most change/cancellation charges, baggage loss and most importantly and unforeseen medical costs in the USA/New York. The US is infamous for it's high charges for medical attention and most doctors and hospitals will not even look at you without seeing your insurance policy first. There are many insurance companies, however, we recommend in particular this insurance option:
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Tours: New York Must See/Do: Statue of Liberty, City Helicopter Tour and Ground Zero More:
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New York is a GREAT city to grab a couple of tours while you are there. The Big Apple caters for every type of tour and most are well worth the time and cost involved. Even if you only have a limited amount of time the 'must do' tours we recommend are to take in a city helicopter tour and a ferry tour out to the Statue of Liberty. Both tours are great and although touristy they are iconic and well worth the time. Ground Zero - the site of the September 11th attack on the Twin Towers is not so much a tour but a very sobering pilgrimage to what is simply now regarded as one of the major defining events in the history of the world, with the historic consequences still to play out for a very very long time. We have selected Viatour as our chosen partner for tours in New York and you can book in advance here:
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Tipping
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Tipping is a way of life in the US with basic hourly rates in the service industry being rather low. As a rule of thumb, we suggest you tip around 15-20%, however, only tip if you believe that you have had good service - however it can be a veritable minefield so we suggest you swot up on the latest protocol on tipping in the USA and in particular New York by visiting this web site on tipping!
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Time Difference: UK V New York (East Coast USA Time Zone)
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New York City and State are located in the EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) zone which is 4 or 5 hours behind the UK (GMT) depending upon the time of year and 3 hours behind the US West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco). DST (US Daylight Saving Time) started on Sunday, 9 March and will end on Sunday, 2 November 2008 (varies from year to year). Remember the old saying "Spring forward … Fall back" and you will know if you need to add or subtract an hour! Here is a neat time clock for New York!
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Transport: (Public) Subway, Bus, Taxis, Limos, Walking
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Walking (Best option for visitors - healthy, scenic and fastest option - especially in traffic jams!) New York is a walking City. It is often faster to walk than taking a cab as the footpaths are wide and it is easy to find your way around with the famous New York grid street system. Taxi Cab (Great for visitors - inexpensive and fast - especially for moving 2-4 people around) Taking a cab (see our section on Taxi/Cabs above) is also a good option unless the roads are jammed at peak hour. Limousines (Limos) Taking a limo transfer either to or from the airport to your hotel in Manhattan is a good value luxury option to taking a taxi cab, as in many cases it can be the same or slightly cheaper than a cab especially if you have 4 or more in your party. Approximate costs for transfers to or from New York Airports would be: ($9.00 Parking does not apply for pick-ups in NYC to drop off at NYC airports.)
One Way - -La Guardia Airport to or from NYC Luxury Town car sedan: $50 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 6 Passenger Stretch Limo: $95 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 7 Passenger SUV: $95+ 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 10-11 Passenger Vans: $95 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll Add $25 extra for 8 or 10 passenger Limo.
Kennedy Airport - JFK Airport Limos to or from NYC Luxury Town car sedans: $65 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 6 Passenger Stretch Limousine: $110 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 7 Passenger SUV: $110 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 10-11 Passenger Vans: $120+20% gratuity plus parking and toll Please add $25 extra for 8 or 10 passenger Limo.
Newark Airport Limos to New York City Luxury Town car sedans: $75 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 6 Passenger Stretch Limousine service: $110 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 7 Passenger SUV: $110 + 20% gratuity plus parking and toll 10-11 Passenger Vans: $120+20% gratuity plus parking and toll The above New York Stretch Limousine price is for a 6 passenger. Please add $25 extra for 8 or 10 passenger Limo.
Subway (Recommended for visitors in daytime and if you take the time to work out the system) The New York Subway is a very changed and much much safer and modern system than years past. Overall the MTA New York City Transit system is one of the most extensive and complex public transportation systems in the world, with 24/7 bus and subway services throughout the five boroughs, moving more than six million people a day for around $2.00 a trip. The primary method of fare payment is the Metrocard. Tokens are also available, and cost $2.00 each. Metrocards can be bought on a pay-per-ride basis ($2.00 per ride) or an unlimited ride basis. With pay-per-ride, you get 11 rides for the price of ten. Kids under 44" tall (112 cm) ride for free and senior citizens and disabled people travel at a reduced fare. I Subway Map I New York Subway Authority I Busses (Not recommended for visitors as the main form of transport but worth using if you are going crosstown) The New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) operates the world's largest fleet of buses (4,373 public buses!) carrying more than 666 million people a year. The bus system is excellent and primarily services routes not served by the subway system (crosstown - east to west routes) and outlying areas. Busses however can be very frustrating to ride on as they *stop every 2 blocks but its a good way to get a scenic tour of the city for 2 dollars.(*actually - if you are used to London busses this is twice as fast!) MTA buses also serve as the main mode of transportation for kids travelling to school so from 8 (ish) am -9am and between 2-3pm you can expect a LOT of young kids on busses. For buses in and out of the city here is a guide to routes and fares I MTA Bus web site Fares: The exact fare of $2.00 is required, payable using either coins or a subway token. Transfers to connecting buses are free, and are usually time stamped to the closest hour. Mag-stripe MetroCards are also available the same as subway use, and children under 44" tall are free and seniors and disabled people travel at reduced rate. Accessibility All MTA buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, which allow wheelchair users to board through the rear door. These "kneeling buses" also facilitate boarding for mobility impaired passengers including elderly people, and people with crutches or canes. Ferries (Click here for a list of Ferry and Cruise Companies) Ellis Island/Liberty Island Ferry Round trip fare, which includes admission to both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, $3 for children 3-17 years old, and free to children 3 and under. Adult Groups (25 or more adults) pay $7 per person. Staten Island Ferry The Staten Island Ferry is the main mode of transportation between the boroughs of Staten Island and Manhattan. During the 25 minute ride, you pass Governor's Island & the Statue of Liberty. At June 2008 the ferry is now FREE. The New York Waterway NY Waterway operates ferries from New York to Tarrytown, Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City, Long Island Queens, and the Liberty Science Center. They also offer sightseeing cruises. Cruises Circle Line offers mini-cruises from two locations in Manhattan. For more information, call (212) 563-3200 or visit the Circle Line web site.
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Visas & Passport Control for USA
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THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFORMATION 1. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) As the US and UK currently have a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for UK visitors to the USA no visa is required to travel to the US for tourists. However to be elegible for the VWP you must have a Machine Readable Passport (MRP). A British passport is machine-readable when there are two lines of letters, numbers and chevrons (">>>>") printed at the bottom of the personal information page (page with photograph and personal details). The text will be on a white strip on older machine-readable passports and directly on the pink page of newer passports. If there are no lines of text, the passport is not machine-readable. All VWP travellers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present a machine-readable passport. In addition, depending on when VWP travelers' passports were issued, other passport requirements apply:
(A) In order for your child to travel on the Visa Waiver Programme your child will require his or her own separate machine readable or e-passport (biometric passport).
(B) Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 – requires integrated chip with information from the data page (e-Passport).
(C) Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 – requires digital photograph printed on the data page or integrated chip with information from the data page.
(D) Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 – no further requirements.
If you do NOT have a machine readable passport or *e-Passport you MUST EITHER get a new UK e-passport or obtain a US visitor visa which will require you to go make an appointment with the US Embassy for an interview for a US visa. This will involve submitting biometric information such as an iris (eye) scan and fingerprint scan for separate visa for each person travelling. All visa applicants, even babies and children listed in parents passports, are required to pay a MRV application fee of $131.00 USD (approx £68.00) each. Payment is made by credit or debit card at the time of scheduling the visa interview with the Operator Assisted Information Service. More information can be found here at the Visa Section of the US Embassy in London.
The definition of an *e-Passport is that it incorporates data related to an individual's identity with current ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) guidelines for e-Passports to include facial recognition data. The contours of individuals' faces are digitally mapped and stored on the chip so that a comparison of facial data for the bearer of the passport and the facial data of the person to whom the passport was issued can be made. You can readily identify an e-Passport, as it has a unique international symbol on the cover that looks like this:
A Biometric Passport is also called an *e-passport (*electronic passport) because chips are electronic. Biometric passports contain RFID (radio-frequency identification) chips which store biometric and other data, which are retrievable. Biometrics are unique personal features which have been introduced into passports to avoid the scope for identity fraud. (The three most common are face, finger and iris.) The date for the start of UK Biometric passports was July 2006.
2. Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the US has also just announced (June 2008) the implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for VWP eligible countries including the UK. ESTA is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Under the system, passengers will submit the same information that is currently included in the I-94 immigration form that must be filled before entering the US. This must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to departure and include flight number(s) and an address in the USA. Questions must also be answered on contagious diseases, history of arrests and convictions for certain crimes. There is currently no charge for using this ESTA online application.
This will come into effect from 1 August 2008 on a voluntary basis with the applications becoming mandatory from January 12 2009. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and you are encouraged to apply for authorisation as soon as you begin to plan a trip to the United States. Registration will be possible through travel agents, airline websites or through this special ESTA US Government Website.
The rule will only apply to citizens of the 27 visa-waiver programme countries, which includes most of western Europe, in addition to Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore. The US has also signed agreements with eight other countries.
UK Government Passport Office: UK Passport Office for info on passports 24/7 Advice Line: 08705200410 (8p minute) Visa Waiver Program: US Government Information ESTA Website: US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ESTA Registration: Travel Authorisation Registration (effective for travel from Jan 12, 2009) British Embassy: Visa Free travel to the USA United States Visas: US Government Information US Department of State: Visas to Visit USA Wikipedia Definition: Biometric Passports
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Visas & Passport: American Embassy in London
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You should not need to visit the American Embassy in London for your US visit unless you require a business visa or a special visa or you do not have a machine readable or e-passport. If you do have to visit the Embassy be prepared for stringent security precautions and a long long wait, and make sure you have all your paperwork correctly filled out. The address and contact details are: Map: Phone:020 74999000 Address: London W1A 1AE Web site for Embassy: American Embassy in London. Web site for Visa Information Service: Visa Information Service Operator Assisted Visa Information. Callers from within the United Kingdom should dial 09042-450100. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines; some mobile and network providers may charge more. In addition, callers from outside the U.K. and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number. Here's a cool blog of the adventures of an American Mum getting her kids passport from the US Embassy in London complete with a great description of what to expect with all the bureaucracy.
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Visas & Passport: British Consulate in New York
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If you are a British national and you require emergency assistance in New York the British Consulate is open between 9.00am and 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 4.00pm to assist distressed British nationals, including the issue of emergency temporary passports. Please note that the Consular Section cannot answer visa-related inquiries.
Contact telephone number is: 212 745 0200. The Consulate Office address is: 845 Third Avenue (between 51st and 52nd Streets), New York, NY 10022.
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Vaccination & Health Requirements for Visitors
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You do not require any specific vaccinations if travelling from the UK to the USA/New York unless you have previously been in a recognised yellow fever area prior to travelling from the UK to the US. You should check with your doctor for up to date information and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. Also confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for older people. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the web sites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
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