Few questions about New York

[y2viks]

I'm off to New York on Thursday and just wanted to know if anyone can answer some questions for me.

1 - When i get to JFK, i need to get to Grand Central Station. From what i've gathered i need to take the Air Bus there. is that correct?

2 - Money - will i be able to use my HSBC switch card out there like i can here? Or will i at least be able to get money out at their cash points? Is it just better to convert all my spending money here first?

3 - If anyone has been to Jean George Nougatine, can you tell me if jeans and a t-shirt is ok for there, or does it mean something a bit more formal? They say business casual which i think would mean jeans and a shirt maybe?

4 - Will it be a problem if I take my laptop with me? if not, is the best place to put it in my hand luggage?

5 - If i get any electrical stuff from there, will I have to pay any import tax or any other sort of fee to bring it back?

Thanks a million

 

[pingwing]

New York is an awesome place! I went last year for christmas with my mum and sister

1. I went in via newark, but my mum and sister came in through JFK, there's this shuttle bus style thing that brings you into the city (wasnt really listening to the details though) but its pretty easy to spot at the airport as there's always lots of people using it.

2. Switch and Maestro and EU only and just dont work out there (i tried and failed), visa debit works fine though (as a credit/debit card). Your cash cards will work fine in atms though, HSBC operate in the USA (i used one of their chash points there and in Berlin) but there's always a handling charge. Best to ask HSBC and get most the money before you go. Oh yeah and if your staying in a hotel you'll probably have to put down some sort of deposit on the room, if you dont have a credit card then you'll have to hand over a bit of cash which they will give you back at the end of your stay (or something like that). Pretty standard practice i think, but it caught me by supprise as i didnt have a credit card on me and had to fork over some of my dollars to save my bacon

3. Dunno, gotten away with jeans everywhere though

4. Laptops are fine, just make sure you have a plug adapter and that the power brick can take 120v instead of 230v. Hang luggage is better but if your hold luggage is fairly full then its fine in there too.

5. Urm in theory import tax does apply when you come back through customs i think.... But chances are if you dont look too suspect no one notices (i cane through belfast int for comedy factor and no one was stopped). I think if you show your passport you can get out of sales tax too over there (VAT) but i couldnt be bothered as i ended ip with a few cds and a camera.

Enjoy though!

 

[Freefaller]

1) There's an airport shuttle for $25 or a taxi will take you into Manhattan for $45 excluding tolls. There are buses too but I couldn't tell you about those.

2) ATMs will work fine, but probably worth taking out $100 or so you have money to get you around on the 1st day. Visa cards work everywhere in NY. Some banks need notification that you are going abroad else they may block you.

3) Smart casual does NOT mean jeans - you'll have to wear trousers and a shirt. However most places in NY casual wear is fine. However, if you're going to more prestigious places it's always good to make a bit of an effort (Which it is for people who are not used to dressing smartly.).

4) Take your laptop with you as hand luggage, just beware though some flight operators only allow 1 item of hand luggage, so be sure that you check first. Also ensure that you have a switch mode power supply (i.e. will work from 110v-230v). Also make sure you have an adaptor for the US as they use different mains.

5) Technically you'd have to, but more often than not you can get away with it. I've bought countless amounts of gadgets back with me from the states. Try and open the packaging, and keep it in 2 different places if it concerns you that much. If you really want to be a good citizen then feel free to declare it and pay the tax.


Have fun. NY is one of the best cities in the world IMO - it's brilliant.

 

[y2viks]

Thanks for the replies guys

Just to clarify, but HSBC Maestro card will be fine for use with their cash points?

 

[pingwing]

No worries! (freefaller with some better advice there)

Basically yes it'll work fine, my ulster bank maestro card worked fine for cash withdrawals as did my nationwide cash card

 

[Rotty]

1 air bus and E train, $7 , 1 hour total

3 we are off to JG main restaurant and intend Jacket, jeans are not business casual , Trousers and Shirt minimum

5 they clamp down on NY flights this time of year but you now have £300 anyway, electricals are not cheap enough to make it worth risking