Get ready for a commuter apocalypse

I was about to ping you to this thread to inquire of your experiences. I’ve been to NYC a handful of times this year, usually to Penn Station and then subway to Brooklyn, or LIRR inbound. No real problems. Once the outbound F from Manhattan was delayed, so it was Uber to Brooklyn during rush hour. Took no more than an hour. So far I have enjoyed travel there, though the learning curve is a shade steep.

It's actually pretty easy to move around the city once you get to know it. Unfortunately it is not always easy for the tourist or infrequent visitor. As you state, the learning curve is steep.

The subway system is especially intimidating to the tourist, with all the numbers and letters of the trains. Key thing to know is that UPTOWN means north and eventually to Bronx or Queens and DOWNTOWN means south and eventually to Brooklyn. If the station entrance says UPTOWN and you want to go downtown, then you need to cross the street. If not specified, then you likely are at a station that accesses both directions.

Then remember that express trains run through the middle. The outside trains (against the wall) are typical local (stopping at each stop).

Download a free app such as "iTrans NYC". You simply type a destination and it will tell you what trains to take and walking directions to the nearest station. Works for buses too.

I always Uber to the airports when in Manhattan. But when at an airport, I always take a taxi as the airports make it very difficult for Uber drivers to hook up with you. At the airports, avoid the "gypsy" cabs at all costs. If it's not a bright yellow NYC taxi, don't get in!

Commuter rails are much nicer - LIRR out of Penn (for Long Island) or Metro North out of Grand Central (for Connecticut and Westchester NY). Sorry NJ commuters, you guys have it the worst. Almost all the horror stories I hear are from the NJ commuters.

You can still take a beer on the commuter rails for the ride home but you have to buy it at a store as they no longer sell alcohol track side like they used to.

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