Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
New York Subway
Things to Avoid
Unlicensed Cabs
Unregulated cars
whose drivers solicit
passengers at airports or
in front of hotels have no
safety regulations and no
metered limits on what
they can charge you. Be
patient, and stand in line
for a licensed yellow cab
instead. (For tips on taxi
know-how
see p163
.)
sold-out sporting events
or shows, but be aware
of the risk you run;
sometimes the tickets
peddled by scalpers turn
out to be counterfeit, and
you could wind up with
no money and no seat.
booth in the lobby or
sometimes by buying a
phone card (
see p169
).
Hotel Breakfasts
Hotels notoriously
overcharge for their
breakfasts, counting on
the fact that their guests
will find it easier and
pleasanter to stay in. But
you can save more than
half - and often have a
better breakfast - just by
seeking out a coffee
shop down the block.
Three-card
Monte Games
You'll see these card
games on the street,
especially around Broad-
way. Sometimes it seems
as though a player has
won big, but be warned -
the winner is usually an
assistant. You will only
win these games if the
dealer wants you to.
”Going Out of
Business” Signs
The “lost our lease” or
“going out of business”
signs you might see in
shops - particularly along
5th Avenue or on
Broadway - have been
up there for years. The
signs are intended to lure
unwary customers into
stores with, typically,
overpriced electronics.
Luggage Hassles
One tip that might
help you to avoid luggage
hassles: Discourage
break-ins by making it
harder for thieves; use
tape to seal your bags
shut and make any
tampering obvious. You
can also put your travel
itinerary inside any bags,
so that if they go astray,
the airline will be able to
track you down. d
Lost
and Found for bus and
subway services: 212 712
4500
•
Lost and Found for
taxis: 311
Rush Hour
on the Subway
Most workers have no
choice and have to ride
the subway at its busiest
hours. But you do not
need to get caught in
the crush; avoid the
rush hours between 7am
and 9am, and between
4.30pm and 6.30pm,
and you'll have a much
pleasanter ride. (For
information on subway
routes
see p163.
)
Pickpockets
Just as in most large
cities around the world,
New York has its share of
pickpockets hoping to
take advantage of
distracted visitors. Be
especially alert in crowds
and when getting on and
off crowded buses and
subway trains. Even
better, use hidden travel
wallets to keep your
money secure at all
times. Leave your
valuable jewelry at home
or back at the hotel, and
never stop to count your
money on the street.
Jaywalking
It may seem tempt-
ing to save a few minutes
by cutting across traffic
in the middle of the
street rather than cross-
ing at the traffic lights on
the corner, but it could
cost you dearly if a
speeding, inattentive
New York driver comes
along. It is much better
to follow the city slogan,
“Cross at the green,
not in-between.”
Hotel Phone
Charges
Unfortunately there is no
regulation on what hotels
can charge for telephone
calls made by their guests.
Read carefully the card
that explains your hotel's
phone surcharges, since
they can be hefty, even
if you use a credit card.
You can save money by
patronizing the telephone
Ticket Scalpers
You may be more
than happy to pay the
extra price for tickets to
167
