TRAVEL
AIR TRANSPORTATION
New York City is served by three airports:
(JFK) John F. Kennedy International Airport
On Jamaica Bay in the southeastern section of Queens County, New York City, the airport is 15 miles by highway from midtown Manhattan. For flight information, directions and the airport terminal map, see the official JFK website.
(LGA) La Guardia Airport
Located in the Borough of Queens, New York City, the airport is eight miles from Midtown Manhattan. For flight information, directions and the airport terminal map, see the official LGA website.
(EWR) Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty is located in New Jersey, about 16 miles from midtown Manhattan. For flight information, directions and the airport terminal map, see the official EWR website.
Helpful Hint: Some travel agencies and online search engines allow users to search all three of these airports for flights simultaneously by using the code (NYC).
TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT
This section will outline how to use various forms of transportation to get from the airport to midtown Manhattan:
Privately Operated Bus
Each airport terminal has a green Ground Transportation Desk, where visitors can make or confirm a reservation for a New York Airport Service or a Newark Liberty Airport Service bus to take them directly to Grand Central Terminal in midtown Manhattan (which connects you to the 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains). The costs are as follows: JFK $15 (one way), LGA $12 (one way), and EWR $15 (one way).Taxi
Unofficial Taxis: Inside of the luggage collection area, you will probably be asked if you need a taxi by a "taxi driver." Simply say, "No, thanks." These taxis are not certified by the state of New York; they are usually without insurance (in the case of a crash), their cars are not regulated or inspected, and they tend to overcharge. We do not recommend accepting a ride from these taxis.
Official Taxis: Outside of the luggage collection area, there is a line for yellow-taxis. These taxis have been approved by the state of New York. Most taxis only accept cash. At the front of the taxi line, an attendant will ask where you are going, simply say, "Manhattan." Once inside the taxi, the taxi driver will ask you more specifically where you are going; try to be as specific as possible with the cross-streets where your accommodations are located.
Public Transportation
(JFK) A light-rail system connects all JFK Airport terminals to Subway Public Transportation connections in Queens: the A Subway Line (Howard Beach Station) and the Jamaica transportation center (E, J & Z Subway Lines), buses and Long Island Rail Road trains. The light rail system costs $5 and the subway pass for one ride costs $2.25.
(LGA) The easiest route is the M60 bus which picks riders up at the airport and follows a route from east to west along 125th Street in Manhattan. Riders need $2.25 *in change* to get onto the bus and *should ask for a free transfer.* The bus driver will then provide a transfer card that can be used to get onto the subway. (You can get off at Lexington Avenue to take the 4, 5, or 6 train; get off at Lenox Avenue to take the 2 or 3 train; get off at St. Nicholas Avenue for the A, B, C, or D train; or get off at Broadway to take the 1 train.)
(EWR) A mono-rail system connects all EWR Airport terminals to a New Jersey Transit station where riders connect to a train to Penn Station. The ride to Penn Station costs $14.
Local Public Transportation
New York City is served by a vast network of subways and bus routes, with approximately seven million daily riders and more than 2 billion riders annually! It offers 24-hour-a-day bus and subway service throughout the system. To get oriented, check out the map of the subway system and the Metropolitan Transit Authority's website, as well as fare information. And if you're not accustomed to using public transportation, be sure to review the "general rider information" section.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We are happy to have you as guests and offer the following suggestions for your housing here in New York City:
Home Visits = Free! We will do our best to match you with a NYC member of the New Sanctuary Movement. To request a host(ess), please immediately forward the following information to Catherine at cstetts@aol.com: name(s) of those in your party, date of arrival and departure (3-4 days), allergies to dogs or cats, can you handle stairs. Note that home stays may involve up to 45-minutes' travel each way in subway and/or bus.
Listed in order of proximity to the Riverside Church:
Landmark Guest Rooms (across the street from the Riverside Church!) www.utsnyc.edu/Page.aspx?pid=520 (212) 280-1313 $135 single, $165 double
West Side Hostel - www.westsideinn.com (212) 866-0061
Small Inn and hostel. Dorms, single & double rooms at $44-$72.
West Side YMCA - www.ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=2499 (212) 875-4100 Rooms are either singles or bunks with bath and lavatory facilities located down the corridor. Gym, coffee shop. $99 and up.
Community Church Guest House - www.ccny.org (Go to “About Us,” then “Guest House”) (212) 683-4988 ext. 17. Private, self-contained apartments for sharing. Very Special Rates for our group.
Seafarer's International House - www.sihnyc.org/newyork-guesthouse.php (212) 677-4800 $84 single, $104-135 double.
RECREATION!
At Riverside, you'll receive a welcome packet featuring some suggestions for your free time in the Big Apple. We will also staff a "concierge table" at the Gathering to help you to make plans and get where you want to go!
***FRIDAY, August 21st = Last Day to Register! - Click Here to Register NOW!***
Questions about the program? Contact National NSM Coordinator Laurie Anderson at laurieanderson@earthlink.net or 816 560 4616.
Questions about New York City? Contact Rachel Soltis at info@newsanctuarynyc.org or 646 395 2925.