PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO NYC
Exclusive Hotel Discounts
SURTEX, along with its official housing partner EventSphere, offers discounted hotel rates during the show.
Benefits of booking within the official housing block include:
- Discounted Rates for guests
- Exclusive promotions and perks
- Discounted rates on upgrades
- Reservation relocation protection
Beware of Housing Poachers!
EventSphere is the only official housing provider of SURTEX. We do not endorse booking hotel reservations through any source other than EventSphere, our official housing partner. Other third-party companies may contact you in an effort to get you to book through them. Often, they will misrepresent themselves as the official housing provider. Should you book a room through any other company, we will not be able to protect you from a non-refundable deposit or lack of reservation completely. Should you be contacted by someone other than EventSphere, please let us know by emailing [email protected].
Getting Around
New York City is served by six area airports. Of these, three are major hubs: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are both in Queens, while Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in neighboring New Jersey. Other metropolitanarea airports include Stewart International Airport (SWF), Westchester County Airport (HPN) and MacArthur Airport (ISP). The City’s three major airports provide easy access to the City via taxis, buses, vans, subways, trains and private limo and car services.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Jamaica, Queens | jfkairport.com | +1.718.244.4444
JFK is 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It handles the most international traffic of any airport in the United States. More than 70 airlines serve its six passenger terminals.
Getting to Manhattan from JFK
- Taxi: the flat-rate fare is $52 (excluding surcharges, tolls and gratuity); 50–60 minutes to/from Midtown. +1.212.NYC.TAXI (692.8294)
- Subway: $10.50 ($7.75 for AirTrain JFK and $2.75 for subway); 60–75 minutes to Midtown Manhattan on the A subway line at the Howard Beach–JFK Airport station, or the E, J, Z subway lines and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train at the Sutphin Blvd./Archer Ave. station.
- Train: $7.75 AirTrain JFK connects to LIRR Jamaica Station, $10.75 peak/$7.75 off-peak train to Penn Station (NOTE: $5.75–6.50 surcharge for tickets purchased on board train). On Saturday and Sunday, the CityTicket fare to Penn Station is $4.50. The trip to Penn Station is 20 minutes (not including AirTrain ride).
- Public bus: $2.75 (with free transfer to subway line into Manhattan); 60–75 minutes to Midtown. The Q3 bus at JFK connects to the F subway line, the B15 connects to the 3 line, and the Q10 bus connects to the E and F lines.
- Private bus, van companies and limo car services are also available. Check at the Port Authority Welcome Center on the Arrivals Level of each terminal.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Flushing, Queens | laguardiaairport.com | +1.718.533.3400
LaGuardia is on the northern shore of Queens and is the closest airport to Midtown Manhattan at about eight miles away. It handles domestic and international air traffic. Its four passenger terminals serve nine airlines.
Getting to Manhattan from LaGuardia
- Taxi: Metered fare is approximately $30–38 (excluding surcharges, tolls and gratuity); 30 minutes to/from Midtown. +1.212.NYC.TAXI (692.8294).
- Public bus: fare is $2.75 for the Select Bus Service M60 between LaGuardia and Manhattan’s Upper West Side (106th Street and Broadway), with stops at all major Manhattan subway lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, D); 45–60 minutes. The express Q70 bus goes to the 82nd St./Jackson Heights subway station (for the 7 subway line) and the Jackson Heights/Roosevelt Ave. subway station (for 7, E, F, M or R lines); add 15–20 minutes for the subway ride.
- Private bus, van companies and limo car services are also available. Check at the Port Authority Welcome Center on the Arrivals Level of each terminal.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark | newarkairport.com | +1.888.EWR.INFO (397.4636)
Newark Liberty is served by more than 30 international and domestic carriers. The airport is across the Hudson River from New York City, 16 miles and 45–60 minutes from Midtown Manhattan.
Getting to Manhattan from Newark Liberty:
- Taxi: Service to Midtown is permitted only via New Jersey–regulated taxis. Metered fares range $60–70 (excluding surcharges, tolls and gratuity). Seniors (ages 62 and older) receive a 10% discount. Newark Taxi Division, +1.973.733.8912; Elizabeth Taxi Commission, +1.908.820.4000, ext. 4178. NOTE: When traveling to Newark Liberty from Midtown, taxi service is via NYC’s regulated taxis. Metered fares range $70–85 (excluding surcharges, tolls and gratuity). +1.212.NYC.TAXI (692.8294).
- Train: AirTrain Newark is free between EWR terminals. Purchase a flat-rate $15.25 ticket for a connection on an NJ Transit into New York’s Penn Station. Note: Retain your receipt to show to conductors on each train connection.
- Private bus, van companies and limo car services are also available. Check at the Port Authority Welcome Center on the Arrivals Level of each terminal.
Other Ways to Get Here
In addition to nearby airports, New York City is easily accessible via an extensive network of bridges, tunnels, ferries, trains, light rail, buses, heliports and even cruise ports. Driving to the City is an option, but you certainly won’t need a car to get around.
Getting Around New York City
The best way to get around NYC is through a combination of walking and the City’s inexpensive and energy-efficient 24/7 mass transit system. NYC’s subways and buses are operated by the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority). They provide a fun way to extend sightseeing—and it gets you where you need to go. Other interborough connections include a recently expanded ferry system and even an aerial tramway.
Getting an MTA MetroCard is your first step to navigating the City by subway or bus. You can purchase a MetroCard at any subway station from multilingual machines (which accept cash and credit and debit cards) or booth attendants. You may also use exact change (no dollar bills) to ride any city bus.
Riders have three options for fare payment: a single-ride ticket, a pay-per-ride MetroCard or an unlimited-ride MetroCard. There is a $1 fee to purchase a MetroCard, so be sure to retain it—and check the expiration date on the back of the card (the MTA will issue a new MetroCard for no charge if your card has expired or is damaged). A single-ride ticket costs $3, is sold only at vending machines and must be used within two hours of purchase. With a pay-perride MetroCard, the base fare for a subway or bus ride is $2.75; minimum purchase is $5.50, maximum is $80. An unlimited MetroCard enables users to ride all subways and buses as often as they like and costs $33 for seven days or $127 for 30 days. Additional discounts are available for seniors age 65+ and disabled riders. For a map of New York City’s subway and bus system, click here.
Now through 2023, the City is rolling out a new contactless fare payment system, OMNY (One Metro New York), which will eventually combine fare payments and ticketing across subways, buses, paratransit and commuter rail. OMNY readers are now available at all subway turnstiles and on all buses; simply tap your contactless card or smart device and watch the screen for confirmation to proceed. During the OMNY rollout, you can still use MetroCard, eTix and other existing fare payment options. Learn more.
NYC Taxis
The City’s fleet of taxicabs is regulated by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC). Taxicabs operate 24 hours, provide door-to-door service and accept cash or credit cards. The City’s famous yellow fleet is primarily seen throughout Midtown but can be hailed for trips to other boroughs and even to other states. NYC’s apple-green Boro Taxis can pick up passengers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens (excluding the airports) and Staten Island, plus northern Manhattan (north of West 110th Street and East 96th Street); they are not authorized to pick up any trips elsewhere in Manhattan. To hail a taxi, stand at the curb and look for a yellow cab with an illuminated white number on top. Off-duty cabs display the illuminated words “Off Duty” on the same sign. Board and exit the cab curbside. For yellow or green taxis, there is a minimum meter fare of $3, and prices increase based on the distance and duration of the trip (assume prices are higher during peak rush-hour traffic). Surcharges apply to the meter price. Drivers appreciate a 15–20 percent gratuity at the end of a trip. Bridge and tunnel tolls are not included in the taxi’s metered fare. For further details, visit nyc.gov/taxi or call +1.212.NEW.YORK (639.9675) from outside the City or 311 when in town.
Weather
New York City weather can vary from day to day, and even morning to afternoon, but a guide to the seasons can help you plan your wardrobe. Spring (March–May) in New York City brings light winds and rain, with the season’s temperatures ranging from cool to very warm. Summer (June–August) is characterized by bright, sunny, hot days and later sunsets, sometimes accompanied by cool breezes in areas near the water. The fall season (September–November) is cool and crisp, so it’s wise to wear layers. The winter months (December–February) are cold and snowy with less daylight, though the weather is often clear.
Time Zone
New York City is in the Eastern Time Zone. Eastern Standard Time is Greenwich Mean Time minus five hours, and Eastern Daylight Time, from March through November, is Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours. Check here for the current date and time in NYC.
International Visitors
If you’re visiting New York City from outside the United States, you may need a visa to enter the country. For details, visit the US State Department’s visa information website.
Tipping Guidelines
- Hotel doorman: $1 for hailing a cab
- Porters and bellhops: $1–2 per bag
- Housekeeping: As much as $5 per day
- Waitstaff and bartenders: 15–20 percent of total bill
- Taxi drivers: 15–20 percent of total fare
- Tips for other service personnel, such as theater ushers, tour guides and coat-check staff, are always appreciated.
Special-Service Needs
New York City is committed to ensuring accessibility for everyone with special needs, and has equipped all buses with lifts for those in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty climbing stairs. In addition, many subway stations include elevators, ramps, visual display signs, accessible public telephones and tactile and audio features on vending machines. Subways also have automated voices indicating stops, and all buses and select subway stations are wheelchair accessible. Many street-hail taxicabs accommodate wheelchairs. To request a wheelchair accessible taxi, call the accessible dispatch center at +1.646.599.9999; book online; or download the free mobile app “Accessible Dispatch NYC” at the Apple or Android store. Passengers with disabilities are eligible for reduced fares on most mass-transit trips. For more information about NYC accessibility, call +1.212.NEW.YORK (639.9675) from outside the City or 311 while in town; contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (+1.212.788.2830, TTY: +1.212.504.4115, nyc.gov/mopd); or visit NYC & Company’s accessibility section.
Things to Do
Something exciting happens every day (and every minute) in New York City. On NYCgo.com, you’ll find some of the best ways your attendees can experience the five boroughs’ energy when they’re in town. New attractions and restaurants, top sports and nightlife events, the hottest shops and seasonal guides—they’ve got everything you need to make the most of this moment in the world’s greatest city.
Additional Fun Activities
Even when business is your primary reason for travel to New York City, it’s impossible not to get caught up in its energy and excitement. New York City’s five boroughs are home to cultural and historic treasures, lush green spaces, renowned museums and more.
Manhattan
Manhattan features world-famous attractions at every turn: it’s possible to visit Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center all in one afternoon. Flagship stores like Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s Herald Square and Saks Fifth Avenue have an almost magnetic appeal for the millions of shoppers who descend on the City each year, while beloved eateries like Katz’s Deli and Tavern on the Green serve up a side of history. Of course, there are also the bright lights of Broadway in Times Square’s Theatre District—not to mention Off-Broadway playhouses where you can catch the latest comedies, dramas, musicals and some avant-garde fare. (Here’s where you can find the latest NYC theater news and special offers.)
Staten Island
Staten Island is a free 30-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan’s Whitehall Terminal. Highlights for visitors include the National Lighthouse Museum, whose nautical artifacts and exhibits are drawn from the island’s history; the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the minor-league Staten Island Yankees baseball team; and the beautifully restored St. George Theatre, which debuted in 1929 as a vaudeville house.
The Bronx
The Bronx, the City’s northernmost borough, is the birthplace of hip-hop and home to the legendary Yankee Stadium, where your attendees can enjoy a baseball game—and, even during the off-season, stadium tours and special events at NYY Steak. Other borough favorites include the Bronx Zoo; the sprawling 250-acre New York Botanical Garden; and Wave Hill, a 28-acre public garden and cultural center.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s rich cultural history shines through classic brownstone architecture and landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Coney Island. The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) features award-winning performances and film screenings, while Barclays Center hosts Nets and New York Liberty basketball and concerts by major touring artists.
Queens
Foodies who want to savor delicious, authentic cuisines from every region in the world should head to the Astoria, Flushing or Jackson Heights neighborhoods in Queens. Besides its gastronomical riches, the borough has no shortage of notable sights. The Unisphere, a stainless steel sculpture of the globe, 120 feet in diameter, stands in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, an 897-acre greenspace created for the 1964–1965 World’s Fair. Here your attendees will find familyfriendly attractions like the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum and the Queens Zoo.