Flights to NYC in October from the UK - buy now or wait?

Hi,

We are looking to fly to NYC in October of this year. Prices for flights are quite expensive for this trip - if we book now.

Hotels are already reserved, but we%26#39;re just wondering if it would be better to wait a while to buy the flights in case they come down.

Local travel agents have told us to buy now as if we leave it, it will be more expensive, but I think that there must be some deals available later on in the year for flights in October?

Is there anyone on this forum that flew to NYC last year around October - when did you book, and how much were your flights?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks.

Flights to NYC in October from the UK - buy now or wait?

I would predict they will become more expensive. We book a fair amount of flights from the UK to Baltimore and so far they all seem to get dearer as you get nearer to the date. Oct is definately not the cheapest time, I have recently compared flights for the halfterm week with flights in December and the ones in December are way cheaper!

October is a v popular time to visit New York, not too hot or cold, again another reason I think they will not come down.

You can leave it til later if you don%26#39;t mind taking the risk, but I wouldn%26#39;t, depends how important your trip is.

I have noticed the hotels in NYC October are fairly pricey too!

Flights to NYC in October from the UK - buy now or wait?

Hi

If your planning to go during UK half term, I would recommend to book now rather than later. I booked my flights for March at the beginning of January with Virgin and ever since then the flight price has always been more expensive, haven%26#39;t seen it get cheaper. Also does your trip include a Sunday night stay in New York? The lowest fare most airlines offer required you to stay a Sunday night to get the best rate, you may find that your fare may come down by at least gbp 100 per person if you include a Sunday night stay, ours did.

Hope you find a good deal. C

Hi,I got bargain flights flying to New york on Good Friday booked last October,I have kept an eye on prices and they only ever go up.Have a look on Kellkoo price comparison web site they give you best the prices .Hope this helps.

i have booked a flight with united airlines flying xmas eve for 325.00 pounds which was much cheaper than the other airlines for flying on this day. however, it was this price because i included hotel booking as part of package through united vacations, if i was doing the same flight without hotel the cost was in the region of 500.00.

as an alternative operator try bon voyage(www.bon-voyage.com) or travel city( not ure of their web address but you will find ads in weekend newspapers. they are well known for good deals to florida but also do new york.

good luck

i agree with the others....book now. we%26#39;re going at the end of the month and I booked our flights back in october. I keep checking to see the price of them and they%26#39;ve went up by around 锟斤拷300 each!!!

It would be a good idea to book now as the October period goes falls in another shoulder period for airlines. Most of the %26#39;deals%26#39; you see state flights in the %26#39;low season%26#39; of Nov to December. This year I think the Xmas December cout off is around 14th Dec.

Thats when prices shoot up for the pre Xmas flights.

A tip if your travelling around Xmas. Book early for a xmas day flight and the norm is to transfer you back to a flight on xmas eve but you get the advantage of paying a much lower price.

Also check the airlines direct, don%26#39;t just rely on the likes of Expedia and Travelocity.

Enjoy.

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Taxis On Public Holidays?

I was just wondering how taxis charge on public holidays? Taxis over here tend to charge double fare on days like Christmas Day and I was wondering if it is the same in NY?

Im trying to plan a Christmas lunch and if it will be double fare I may re think going to the river cafe.

Thanks

Emma

sorry if this is a silly question!

Taxis On Public Holidays?

No extra charge on holidays, Emma, just that there might be a fewer number of them from which to choose.

Weather in New York

I am planning to go to New York at the end of November and was wanting to find out what the weather is usually like that time of year. Should I expect snow?!

Weather in New York

I think you should expect snow.

More details about New York Weather can be found at

uk.weather.com/weather/local/USNY0996鈥?/a>

Weather in New York

Feel free to expect anything you choose. Our weather does not care. You can get snow or brilliant, sun-filled days end of November. More likely to see snow in January through March.

Arriving in NY

Folks,

what can I expect when we touchdown at JFK? I%26#39;ve never flown to the USA before so don%26#39;t quite know what to expect...

Will there be loads of forms to fill in when we arrive or anything like that? Is there anything I can do that will speed up the process from leaving the plane to jumping in a taxi? Also, what is the airport security like - can I expect to have my hand luggage searched or is it still just totally random?

I think we%26#39;ve been concentrating too much on what we%26#39;ll do when we get there rather than actually getting there - it was only last night I thought I%26#39;d better check that my passport was still valid for another year!

Thanks in advance....

Arriving in NY

You will be given forms to complete on the plane. If you have these and your passport ready for immigration that%26#39;s all the speeding up you yourself can do.

I myself have never had my hand luggage searched either on departure from the UK (just the normal scanner thing) or entry into the US.

Arriving in NY

Hi, just to confirm. You will receive 1 visa waiver form per passenger and 1 customs form per party (same surname party)on the plane, you fill these out before landing (you will need your passport number, flight number and accommodation details so make sure you have them to hand). They are now fingerprinting you on these new scanning machines on arrival in the US, I travelled last Sept and again in January, I was fingerprinted in January but neither time was I photographed although I saw this happening to alot of other people so be prepared. I have found the luggage searching is more frequent in the US than the UK, (not hand luggage but hold luggage-suitcases). On my visit in January 1 of the suitcases in our party was opened on the way out by US security (they broke the lock!), on the way back they advised us if they wanted the case open so we could supply the padlock key if required - moral of the tale - dont lock your cases! This may sound silly but make sure you smile and are courteous to the immigration officers, some people get fed up with the waiting around and take out their frustration on the officials - be warned, this does not go down well!. All in all, we would rather have the extra security than not. Timewise, I have found some airports take longer to clear than others but have found JFK to be average, approx 60-90 mins to clear customs and immigration. Hope this helps.

Agree with what Coxy said - The visa waiver form that I filled in on the plane, I filled in wrong, put my date of birth in the wrong set of boxes, and you cant cross out. Asked the airhostess for another one and they had no more, so I was panicing a bit before we got to immigration. ANyway some guy came up and down the lines asking if forms were needed, so I got another one there (panic over). I got seperated from hubby while I was filling mine in, they opened more desks and he was ushered through. THe guy wouldnt let him wait at the other side of the desk for me he had to move behind a roped area so I couldnt see him, panic sets in again. ANyway when I got to the desk, got fingerprinted and photographed, the immigration official told me ';Dont worry, your husband is waiting just round the corner, he couldnt stay here'; and he was there, so my panic was for nothing the Immigration chap told hubby he would tell me where he was and he did, so I was most impressed. Sailed through customs and no luggage opened. Just be polite and do as you are asked.

Beauty and the Beast

Can you advise me on the best way to get discount tickets for March 28,29 or 30. Broadwaybox.com, playbill.com, theatermania.com all have codes that expire March 20. Should I just chance it and go to TKTS in Seaport area or is there any other way that I haven%26#39;t heard of yet? Thanks.

Beauty and the Beast

Have you tried to buy tickets using the codes that expire? Sometimes they%26#39;ll still work. If not, I found this other website online. I know nothing about it but you could try. If that doesn%26#39;t do it, unfortunately maybe because that%26#39;s Easter week, there may be no discounts available (supply and demand). You could try the TKTS booth. Look on tdf.org and see if it%26#39;s been available recently.

Beauty and the Beast

Oh my gosh..I didn%26#39;t even realize we were getting there Easter evening...boy, I%26#39;m with it, huh? I did call ticketmaster because of using broadwaybox.com and tried to give them the expired code, but the guy said he showed no valid codes. So, I guess I will just stand in line and hope for the best. I can get tickets for $100 a piece, but I just can%26#39;t handle that much. Thanks.

I agree $100 is too much for Beauty. Does it have to be that show? If you aren%26#39;t coming with kids, I strongly urge you to pick something else, preferably with a discount.

I am coming with my husband and my 16 year old daughter. Beauty and the Beast has so many sweet memories when my daughter was little...she watched that video so many times, I%26#39;m surprised it survived! We just thought it would be a sweet reminder of past times. Plus, we love the movie! Do you have suggestions of a play that a 16 yr old would enjoy? Rent, Hairspray, Stomp? It can be broadway or off broadway..we really don%26#39;t know the difference anyway.

Any of the ones you mentioned would be good. But my first choice would be FIDDLER ON THE ROOF! Famous music, great story and Harvey Fierstein will be taking over as Tevye (the lead) if he hasn%26#39;t already. Second choice would be Mama Mia.

You and your daughter should go to a matinee of Steel Magnolias. It%26#39;s just opening, about southern women (did you see the movie with Julia Roberts?) It%26#39;s got a great cast including Delta Burke. Discounts on playbill.com

Thanks...I%26#39;ll talk with her later about options.

Yes, I did see the movie...it was really good. I like Delta Burke too. Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate that! :)

I would hold off a week or so and see if you find discount codes for ';Beauty and the Beast.'; I%26#39;m typically quite cynical about ';family'; shows, but I%26#39;ve seen ';Beauty'; many, many times over the years, and it%26#39;s lots of fun. Even if you see another show, you should still see Beauty as well!

Thanks Bettina...that%26#39;s kind of what I was thinking. I%26#39;ll keep checking back and then if I can%26#39;t find anything, go to TKTS booth. I looked on the website and last week they sold tickets to Beauty and the Beast. I just love the movie we really, really want to see this one the most. Thanks everyone again.

Hunan park, Calle ocho, Isabella's

Looking for opinions on these restaurant choices on the Upper West Side. Planning a weekend there in 2 weeks and these are the restaurants we are thinking about. Also thinking about having lunch at Baldoria%26#39;s before Sat matinee at Hairspray.

Hunan park, Calle ocho, Isabella's

I like Hunan Park. It%26#39;s just a neighborhood place though, so don%26#39;t expect ';fabulous,'; just really good Chinese food. Isabella%26#39;s is a good brunch place. So is Ocean Grill.

Awesome NY food the 1st night

We are arriving into NYC on Sunday evening, March 27th, probably around 7 or 8 pm. Will be staying at the Travel Inn at 515 W 42nd St. Please advise me on a few choices for dinner, at reasonable prices. I%26#39;m looking for the first meal to really show me New York City at it%26#39;s best....whether it be a hot dog or a great sandwich...Thank you.

Awesome NY food the 1st night

Unfortunately, no ';one'; restaurant will show you ';New York at its best';--whatever that means...and NY at its best is DEFINITELY NOT about ';reasonable prices';!!!! Gotham Bar %26amp; Grill in Greenwich Village is a great example of a great NY eatery (about $70 a person); Notaro on Second Ave. bet. 34th and 35th Sts is a great example of a neighborhood Italian restaurant with very modest prices; any Au Bon Pan is a great example of an upscale fast-good-food quick stop sandwich shop (and there are many sprinkled around the city); any of the quaint bistros/cafes in the Chelsea section (8th Avenue from about 17th to 23rd St) are great examples of non-pretentious hip spots to brunch/lunch/or have dinner. Or you could just wander over to Sixth Avenue (formerly ';Avenue of the Americas'; which only a tourist would refer to that way), across from Radio City, around lunchtime, where half a dozen or so carts ply their culinary wares--from Greek to Italian to Kosher to Chinese! (THATs the NY City experience that many workers enjoy daily!) Hope this is all of some help. Would you be able to answer the question easily if I asked the same one about Louisville, say?

Awesome NY food the 1st night

I just posted this in response to a query from someone else staying at the Travel Inn --

Chez Josephine is always recommended here, though I haven%26#39;t been lucky enough to eat there. For a nice casual meal, the West Bank Cafe is good. They%26#39;re both on 42nd St. between 9th-10th Avenues. You%26#39;ll also find the Westway Diner on 9th Ave. and 43rd St. Though you won%26#39;t see it on ';Seinfeld,'; this is the real diner that was the inspiration for the one used as a setting on the show. (The exterior of the show%26#39;s diner set is Tom%26#39;s, on the UWS.) That might be interesting if you%26#39;re a fan of the show.

There are a couple of nice bistros on 43rd St. %26amp; 9th Ave. too. I prefer Le Madeleine (www.lemadeleine.com) but Marseille is also good (www.marseillenyc.com).

For a real ';New York'; experience, I%26#39;d probably recommend Joe Allen%26#39;s on Restaurant Row. www.joeallenrestaurant.com

You%26#39;ll need a reservation though. Typical (though good) American food and very good burgers, this popular theater district restaurant is a hang-out for actors and others involved in theater. And probably the best-known celeb spotting place.

Seems as though I have offended you geohab...not sure why, I guess my wording was what it should be. I have heard so much about New York, I just wanted a restaurant that says, You can only get this in New York...that%26#39;s all. Louisville? It%26#39;s pretty much the same as Indianapolis, St. Louis...in a lot of ways I guess. I thought this forum was to ask New Yorkers about their city.

Bettina_NYC didn%26#39;t seem to have a problem or attitude answering it. Thank you Bettina. Hope I meet New Yorkers nice like you.

I%26#39;m a REALLY big Chez Josephine fan and as I%26#39;ve said on numerous occasions that%26#39;s not because it%26#39;s cuisine is the best money can buy but because of the owner Jean Claude.

If there%26#39;s a more gracious, charming, and endearing restauranteur in New York than Jean Claude I haven%26#39;t met him yet

He has that rare ability to make you feel like a dear friend who has dropped in after long years of seperation. When he drops by your table on his nightly mission to charm the world, it is as if you are the only person in the restaurant. Donald Trump could be at the next table and you would still have all of Jean Claude%26#39;s attention.

These snippets came from Menu Pages. I have not purposefully excluded any poor reviews:

Posted by jane lord on 11/23/2004

My first visit to new york

My first visit to new york was made especially fabulous by an evening at Chez Josephine. We only happened upon it because it was just across the street from our hotel but we went for a special birthday meal for my mother. Jean-Claude had greeted us earlier in the evening and although we were tired and dishevelled from our exertions during the day he was so warm and unpretentious he would have seated us immediately. However we returned later having scrubbed up o.k. and his wonderful staff made it a fabulous night to remember with their attentive and humourous service-- just wish the night could have lasted much longer! Merci Pierre and merci Jean-Claude! You are first on my list on my return.

Posted by Greg M. on 09/20/2004

Magnificent evening at Chez Josephine

What an absolutely amazing evening at a wonderful bistro! This was my first visit to Chez Josephine. We arrived almost 45-mins early and were seated immediately by the gregarious Jean Claude. The staff is courteous and attentive. We had been to a 4 p.m. matinee that afternoon and walked into the middle of the evening pre-theatre rush. We let our waiter (Jarry) know we were in no hurry and spent a wonderful, relaxed evening enjoying the food, wine, music (live piano bar) and most of all, the atmosphere! Three hours later as we ordered our coffee and dessert Jean Claude sent over a round of dessert port wine with his compliments! Thank you, Jean Claude, I know there will be many more visits to Chez Josephine in the future!

Posted by Booozoo Miller on 08/31/2004

A must see on Broadway

I have been to Chez Josephine dozens of times and it is always a delight! Jean Claude is the best host in New York City.

Posted by frequent theatergoer on 08/01/2004

Never a disappointment

A charming and friendly host, attentive waitstaff, a varied and interesting menu that isn%26#39;t ';too wayout';, and well prepared food at reasonable prices. What more could you ask for! We return again and again and are never disappointed.

Posted by Marty on 06/08/2004

Fabulous

This is a place you must visit. Jean Claude, the host and son of legendary performer Josephine Baker, makes you feel wonderful. Whenever me and my wife are in the city, our first stop is Chez Josephine. And let me not forget that the food is excellent.

Posted by jessi on 02/02/2004

One of our absolute favorites

Warm, friendly greeting and service. Wonderful piano bar. Excellent food, especially the lobster bisque soup and the desserts! Delightful tributes to Josephine present throughout.

Posted by Anonymous on 01/19/2004

excellent food, excellent value

Visited this small French restaurant with another couple. We all ordered different meals and were all very pleqsed with what we ordered. The prices were very fair. Have recommended this restaurant to other visiting NY City.

I would also consider Balthazar for a late-night, can%26#39;t-miss dining experience. It%26#39;s legendary.

That sounds great Carpenter. Thank you so much!

Sorry you mis-read the tone of my message! I meant all of what I said in a friendly, helpful way....OUCH! Re-reading my message, I see how you could have misinterpreted it to reflect an ';attitude';...I am, of course, humbled and apologetic. I am, as my wife and son will tell you, a REALLY, REALLY nice guy! My reference to Louisville was by way of suggesting that YOU would be as hard-pressed as we are in giving you a simple answer to your apparently simple request to find the ';real'; NYC at its best. From your answer, I guess you would NOT be! Enjoy!

I disagree with geohab....you can experience NYC food at reasonable prices, with a real NYC vibe.

Besides, he lives on Long Island, not NYC (no offense).

And yes, you will meet lots of nice New Yorkers.........you will have a great time.

Thanks for responding geohab...maybe I was asking a lot, but I just want to come back to KY and say, WOW I ate at this place and it was so NEW YORK! I believe you that you are a nice person, otherwise you wouldn%26#39;t have responded! NYCgirl..thanks for your response as well...I am sure there are wonderful people in NYC and I look forward to our trip and meeting them...We are so excited!!

Chez Josephine is an excellent idea with a fun atmosphere. Joe Allen%26#39;s is another great idea for good, reasonably priced American food. Hell%26#39;s Kitchen has very good Mexican. Virgil%26#39;s BBQ has great ribs (although maybe not as good as you%26#39;re used to). 44 southwest is supposed to be good Italian. I haven%26#39;t been.

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