IKAA - International Korean Adoptee Associations
Sat, 04 Feb 2012

Travel Tips

Tips for Traveling to New York City for the IKAA International Mini-Gathering 2009

Transportation
Climate
Visa/Passport
Money
Shopping
Telecommunications/Internet
Emergencies
Electricity
Additional Information

 

TRANSPORTATION

MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) - Buses & Subways
General information, including a map and route guide, can be found at the MTA website: http://mta.info/.

The easiest (and often fastest) way to travel around New York City is by public transportation (buses and subways).

New York City buses and subways run 24 hours a day.

Fares & MetroCard (the MTA transportation card)
- The fare for a bus or subway ride is USD 2. Children under 111.5 cm tall ride free.
- While buses (not subways) accept coins (not bills) as payment for the fare, it is highly suggested that you purchase a MetroCard to get around the city.

MetroCard
- By using a MetroCard, you will have the benefit of one free transfer between two buses or a bus and subway. If you do not leave the subway, you can transfer as many times as you wish without paying again.
- There are two purchase options for MetroCards:
    > Pay-Per-Ride: You can purchase as many rides as you want from USD 4 – USD 80. If you put USD 7 or more on your card, you receive a 15% bonus (for example, a USD 20 purchase gives you USD 23 on your card).
    > Unlimited Ride: 1-Day Fun Pass – USD 7,50; 7-Day – USD 25; 14-Day – USD 47; 30-Day – USD 81. The Unlimited Ride MetroCard allows you access to MTA buses and subways as many times a day as you wish while your card is valid. *Please note that to prevent sharing of cards, you must wait 14-18 minutes between each use.
- MetroCards can be purchased at subway stations, either at the station booth or in vending machines. There is the option to pay by credit card, but it asks for your “Zip Code” so foreign credit cards may not work. Debit cards, either American or foreign should work without a problem. The vending machines also accept cash. If you purchase your MetroCard at a station booth, you MUST pay in cash.

TAXIS
It is also quite easy to get around by taxis, although during rush hours (7:30-9:30, 16:00-19:00) it can be slower than taking the subway because of traffic. Empty taxis have their numbers on the top of the cab illuminated; when the number is not lit, the taxi is occupied.

Fares
$2.50 upon entry
$0.40 for each additional unit

The unit fare is:
- one-fifth of a mile, when the taxicab is traveling at 6 miles an hour or more; or
- 60 seconds when not in motion or traveling at less than 12 miles per hour.

There is a night surcharge of USD .50 after 8:00 PM & before 6:00 AM and a peak hour weekday surcharge of USD 1 Monday - Friday after 4:00 PM & before 8:00 PM.

Tipping your cab driver is customary in NYC, but not mandatory. However, if you got to your destination safe and sound, be kind and give your driver a 10, 15 or 20 percent tip, depending on how good you felt the level of service was.

Most taxis now accept credit/debit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard), although not all of them have installed the system yet. Some taxi drivers still prefer to be paid in cash, but you have the right to pay by credit/debit card if you wish – just remind them of that.


CLIMATE

Spring in New York can be rainy, but last year (April 2008) the weather was beautiful and warm! We are hopeful that the weather will be wonderful and inviting this year as well!

  • Average High: 60°F (16°C)
  • Average Low: 45°F (7°C)

For temperature averages for the month of April, please visit: http://www.accuweather.com. (If you search on your own, the hotel's zip code is 10001.)


VISA/PASSPORT

Check with your local U.S. consulate to find out about visa and passport requirements/restrictions.

VISAS: Most European countries (and now South Korea!) participate in the Visa Waiver Program, so participants will be able to come to the U.S. without having to obtain a tourist visa prior to entry (as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days). For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of State Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html.


MONEY

Exchange rates have fluctuated a lot in the past year, but you can access a handy exchange rate converter at: http://www.xe.com for up-to-date information.  

Traveler’s checks are pretty readily accepted, but you MUST have a government issued ID card with a photo (driver's license, passport, etc...). They can also easily be exchanged at banks, hotels, and the airport (same deal with the ID).

You can withdraw cash from pretty much any ATM (and there are a lot) using your home debit/bank card (a.k.a. check card), as long as it has the Visa®, Mastercard® or Maestro®, etc. . logo. The exchange rate applied to ATM withdrawals is usually good and comparable to that of banks.  However, keep in mind that your bank and/or the ATM from which you withdraw funds might also assess a user fee.

Credit cards are accepted at most stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. - the most common cards being Visa®, MasterCard® and American Express®, but many establishments also accept the Discover Card®. Smaller (and usually cheap) restaurants may or may not accept credit cards. In that case, there will usually be a sign either in the front window or above the cash register when you walk in, informing you that they are a "Cash Only" establishment. Some bars and clubs require a minimum to use a credit card (you can start a tab and pay later).


SHOPPING

Well, it's New York City, what can we say? We have cheap secondhand stores to 5th Avenue shopping (think: Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Christian Dior, etc...) and everything in between. About an hour outside of the city is Woodbury Commons, an outlet mall with 220 stores...

In addition to regular shopping in a store or boutique, we also have sample sales. What is a sample sale, do you ask? Sample sales consist of products that fall into three categories: samples, seconds & overruns. Samples are just that, "samples" of merchandise that are used to sell clothing from a designers line. Seconds are garments with minor imperfections (no damaged items will be sold). Overruns are overproduced styles/colors of current and last season merchandise, as well as cancelled orders from stores like Fred Siegel, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue and Barneys.

Here are some useful websites to get you in the shopping mood (many sites list sales only a week or two in advance, so please keep checking for updates):

Need some shopping inspiration? Check out Shop-A-Matic at New York Magazine! They "window shop so you don't have to" at New York stores and have something for every budget!

 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS/INTERNET

European cell phones should work here without any problem (we have both CDMA and GSM networks), however, if you suspect that you will be using your phone often, you may want to consider getting a prepaid cell phone. Pretty much all of the cell phone companies here (Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Cingular/AT&T, etc...) have pre-paid service.

People here are pretty good about password protecting their wireless routers, so you shouldn't count on "borrowing" someone else's internet. You can also purchase access on an hourly, daily, etc... basis at any Starbucks. The simplest way to get online may be to use one of the Korean Internet cafés (PC 방 [bang] = PC room) in Koreatown (2 blocks from the hotel).


EMERGENCIES

There are 42 hospitals in New York City. If you should have a medical (or any kind of) emergency, dial 911 and an ambulance/police car will come to you.

 
ELECTRICITY

110 Volt. European and Korean appliances require special adaptors to safely convert your 220 Volt appliances for use in the U.S. It is recommended that you purchase a voltage converter before your trip.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Helpful Websites about New York:

Helpful Websites about Korean Cultural Opportunities in NYC:

Helpful Websites about Food & Drinks in NYC:

Helpful Websites about Broadway Musicals:

 

 

info@ikaa.org