NYC Limo services
 

I will need to get from Manhattan to JFK on a Sunday morning and was considering using a Limo service. A few of the services (Boston Coach, Gotham Limo) charge $99 for the trip; many other limo companies charge about half that--$46-$53. (Taxis seem to charge a flat rate of $35.)

So, what's to explain the disparity between the expensive limo services and the cheap ones?

Note: Price is of some consideration to me, but reliability and comfort are even more important.

[Obligatory FF data: Boston Coach, for one, does, or at least used to, offer FF miles.]

It's your choice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Please note that just taking a subway train will cost you $1.50 each way pp!

Some possibly useful links:

http://www.nyairportservice.com/

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM

http://www.limos.com/

http://www.citidex.com/20.htm#C4492

Taxi's typically cost you about $40-45.

The Carey Bus to Grand Central and/or Port Authority Bus Terminal costs about $15, and yet there are other options that will get you to a drop at various notable hotels and/or other places for approximately $15 or so (tip for the driver NOT included).

Some use an Olympia bus and even report they like it! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Allstate, Carmel and Tel Aviv are among the must recommended and also maligned car/limo services mentioned on FT in the past!

FWIW, Boston Coach has a rep as being very high cost.

Personally, I'd just grab a cab when I arrived! Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

IMHO, unless you work for (or are a client of) Fidelity, Boston Coach isn't a viable alternative.

My firm uses Concord, which I have found to be very reliable and the cars in pretty good shape overall (although I recently did an airport trip in a TownCar which had 342,000 miles on it - I was amazed at this - as well as half expecting a wheel to fly off on the BQE).

Taxis FROM Manhattan to JFK run on the meter (the flat rate only applies for cabs TO Manhattan from JFK). Meter rate would depend on where you are and what the traffic is, but is generally in that range.
Chances are you'd get a newer, cleaner, fully stocked bar limo from one of the upscale companies, and they may be more reliable, though that's not a certainty. Sunday morning, though, is usually not a problem with any of them, barring weather.

The difference between cabs and limos is that they have different licenses and rules. There is a fixed number of medalions (licenses) for cabs. Not sure if the number of limos is regulated, but by law they are not allowed to pick up fares from the street--only by appointment.

There was a discount outfit that was reliable although their demeanor and cars were a little worn--Carmel--666-6666 in NYC. I used them and they were reliable. Not much more than a cab. Sometimes its nice to have the peace of mind of a car.

Also, a limo is nice when going to Newark because sometimes you have to pay extra since the NY cabbie can't pick up a fare in NJ since he doesn't have a NJ license.

I've had very, very, very bad experience with Carmel-- when things get hairy (weather, etc.) they won't show up-- and be very rude about it-- in my experience.

Tel-Aviv, OTOH, phone 777-7777, I've had much better experience with.

Never use Carmel, they have stood me up several times and are always late. Tel Aviv is only a little better. The rule of thumb with these car services is, the more you pay, the more reliable they are.



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I have heard very bad reports form friends and acquantances on tel aviv and carmel, esp if it is bad weather. The price dfferential seems ot do with reliability and shape of the car - some are cars I would not want to take a long ride in!


On a Sunday morning it should be easier to get a cab than at other times.

We usually stay at the W court or the W Tuscany when in NY and the car servce they use is I think $65 and is excellent. If I knew the name I would tell you but you could call them and find out - the drivers have always been prompt, courteous and in immaculate Town Cars.

I have never had a problem, but you are correct that in a pinch like bad weather it is worth the premium to pay for reliablity.

Carmel and Tel Aviv are probably the cheapest, not necc. the best.

I have had bad experiences with nearly all of the above services. I have been using a smaller one for the last year or two called Allen (212-228-1111). They were late only one time of about 30, and the cars are always in good shape. Same fares as the majors ($45-ish to JFK). My only complaint is that the telephone reservation staff can be a bit surly, but the drivers were always pleasant.

As for the others, Allstate's cars were practically duct-taped together. Carmel was habitually late, and Tel-Aviv had some of the problems of each of the other two. (If I had to choose among them, my vote goes to Tel-Aviv.)

I've found one sedan service (LGA to Midtown) that charges $40. If they're available when I need them, it sounds like that may be the best deal going. Anyone know of any better?

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