7 Tips for REBarcamp & Inman Connect Travelers

Traveling to New York is not for the faint of heart, and might be frustrating to the n00b traveler attending REbarcamp New York and Inman Global Connect. So before you go, we threw together a few things you should be planning for before you leave that may save you a little time, money and agony.

Cab Fare

Cab fare from JFK International to New York Marriott Marquis Times Square will cost you roughly $52 one way as there is no Marriott shuttle.

According to nyccabfare.com

Estimated cost:
That cab ride would cost about $45.00. That is roughly $52 with a 15% tip. It is about 18.2 miles. There is a $45.00 flat fare for trips from JFK Airport to Manhattan.

Weather

According to forecast.weather.gov
You can expect winter weather with an average high temperature in the 30s with snow and wintery mix in the forecast through Friday- lows will be in the 20s with variable winds.

Food

According to About.com Average meals can be as low as $5 if you’re into fast food, but you can expect the average to be $10 and above at grills and bistros around the city. About.com has a nice set of lists that include fine dinning.

Travel Delays

With the wintery mix expected in New York, you’ll need to track travel delays coming home. We suggest that you save Flightstats.com into your phone or laptop now. We also advise not trusting on time flights and saving the airlines number into your phone in advance of travel.

Baggage Delays

Many skycaps around the country are requiring payment of $15.00 per bag or more, however, cash is not always accepted. Expect to break out the plastic to cover additional fees as you travel. We advise avoiding checked baggage if at all possible by traveling with one bag (22 inch or less) that can be stowed to save on time and frustration- don’t forget that most major airlines allow you to check in and print boarding passes online before leaving for the airport.

Sorry, We Don’t Make Change…

If you plan to hit the nightlife, you can expect to pay a cover at most all venues, plan ahead by having cash on hand in several denominations as to avoid over paying for entry, however, carrying large amounts of cash is not advised– ATM machines are everywhere.

In Case You’re Looking for Starbucks

I found a cool list of Starbucks everywhere, so in case you end up everywhere, your fix is close at hand, otherwise you should find Starbucks coffee brewed inside the Marriott.