New York Travel Guide
Famous for its soaring skyscrapers, creative cuisine and standout shows, New York is a revolving door of cutting-edge culture, buzzing with activity and brimming with possibilities.
When is the best time to visit New York?
If you’re hoping for temperate weather, spring (April/May) or autumn (September/October) are your best bets. Winter attracts large crowds as the city buzzes with festive spirit but remember to wrap up warm as temperatures can often drop below freezing. The summer period may be a little quieter, as New Yorkers head away from the city for breaks and weekends. Whatever the season, prepare yourself for the often-fickle weather, which can range from the bitterly cold and windy in winter to hot and sometimes very humid in summer.
Travelling to New York
If you’re travelling internationally, planes fly to John F Kennedy Airport in Queens, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and La Guardia is a popular destination for mostly domestic travellers.
Use the AirTrain at JFK airport to get to Jamaica Station, where you can change to the LIRR and get to Brooklyn or Manhattan in 20 minutes. If you arrive at Newark, you can use the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast NJ TRANSIT trainlines to reach central Manhattan, arriving at New York Penn Station within half an hour. The LaGuardia Link Q70-SBS bus takes you to Queens, or the M60-SBS can be caught to Manhattan. With designated pick-up locations for taxis, it is also simple enough to get a lift into Manhattan.
Getting around New York
Public Transport in New York
MetroCards offer 7-days or 30-days of unlimited travel and are available at subway station booths and vending machines. You can also use contactless cards and devices at the turnstiles before you get on the train.
Bikes in New York
CitiBikes are growing in popularity as a method of exploring the city, with thousands available at designated stations. You can pay for a single ride, a day, or even a month at a time, and can access direct and often cycle-friendly routes across the island.
Cabs in New York
It wouldn’t be New York if we didn’t mention the iconic yellow taxi service. An easier option for shorter stays, particularly in Manhattan, they can be hailed on the street as and when you need a ride. Online and reservable options like Uber are also available.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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