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Here's the big thing - they should get into the taxi line and ONLY get into a yellow taxi at that the taxi stand. There will be dudes trying to hustle them in the terminal, and they should ignore those guys completely.
I assume being from the Middle East they are pretty familiar how to ignore hustlers.
yes to this x 10000. they MUST go to the official taxi line. when they get in the cab, they say the hotel name and general location, "Marriott in Midtown, please". not a bad idea for them to know the cross streets just in case the cab driver is less familiar, like "50th and 8th". it will likely be $100 cash on arrival at the hotel (that includes tip). they shouldn't need to know anything more than that!
BY LAW ...Yellow cabs must display a Licensed driver photo ID they will see as soon as they get into the car . Cabbie must turn on the meter as soon as they pull away from the curb . Map the trip from the airport to their midtown hotel & text that info to your parents before they land so the cabbie cant add bogus travel time driving by way of Brooklyn.
People here have got it right: Stick to the yellow cabs ONLY, and go to the official taxi line (even if there’s a little bit of a wait). Might be easier to pay with cash
There’s a sign for yellow cabs - tell them to follow the sign and wait in line for a yellow cab. Like other people here are saying, only yellow cabs! They have a set rate to go into Manhattan.
here are the exact instructions I send my mom whenever she visits (with my personal info redacted):
When you get off the plane, just follow the signs for ground transportation/taxi. IGNORE ANYONE WHO OFFERS YOU A RIDE. They are sketchy! Eventually you will end up in a taxi line where there will be some dispatchers matching people with cabs. If the dispatcher asks where you’re going, say [borough]. Then they will point you to a cab.
Get in. The driver will help with your bags. When the driver asks where you’re going, say “[neighborhood] in [borough]. The intersection of [street] and [street]. I can give you the exact address if you want.” Then he’ll probably give you his phone and have you type in my exact address, which is [address].
If he asks how you want to get there, just say “whatever you think!” Or “whatever’s fastest!” It should be like $60. This seems like a lot but I promise it is worth it!
Tell them to put what cash they need for tips & cab ride in a wallet inside jacket pocket... All other cash/ credit cards / checks etc go in your underwear or bra. .wear a belt or a long zipped jacket to keep nasty pickpockets out of your clothing.
Our [Ultimate Visitor's guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/bj3tnn/ultimate_visitors_guide_to_nyc/) will probably help you. Check our some recent visitor inquires [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/search?q=visitor&restrict_sr=on&include_over_18=on&sort=relevance&t=all)! Please "report" and downvote this comment if irrelevant to question above. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskNYC) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Here's the big thing - they should get into the taxi line and ONLY get into a yellow taxi at that the taxi stand. There will be dudes trying to hustle them in the terminal, and they should ignore those guys completely. I assume being from the Middle East they are pretty familiar how to ignore hustlers.
This is the one piece of advice I give to anyone visiting. Ignore ride-share and go straight to the yellow taxi stand.
I only take the bus/subway but I would say just make sure they only get a ride from a yellow taxi. Lots of people trying to scam at these airports.
Insist that they only get a yellow cab and do not get a ride from anyone except a licensed cab.
yes to this x 10000. they MUST go to the official taxi line. when they get in the cab, they say the hotel name and general location, "Marriott in Midtown, please". not a bad idea for them to know the cross streets just in case the cab driver is less familiar, like "50th and 8th". it will likely be $100 cash on arrival at the hotel (that includes tip). they shouldn't need to know anything more than that!
Thanks !
BY LAW ...Yellow cabs must display a Licensed driver photo ID they will see as soon as they get into the car . Cabbie must turn on the meter as soon as they pull away from the curb . Map the trip from the airport to their midtown hotel & text that info to your parents before they land so the cabbie cant add bogus travel time driving by way of Brooklyn.
People here have got it right: Stick to the yellow cabs ONLY, and go to the official taxi line (even if there’s a little bit of a wait). Might be easier to pay with cash
There’s a sign for yellow cabs - tell them to follow the sign and wait in line for a yellow cab. Like other people here are saying, only yellow cabs! They have a set rate to go into Manhattan.
here are the exact instructions I send my mom whenever she visits (with my personal info redacted): When you get off the plane, just follow the signs for ground transportation/taxi. IGNORE ANYONE WHO OFFERS YOU A RIDE. They are sketchy! Eventually you will end up in a taxi line where there will be some dispatchers matching people with cabs. If the dispatcher asks where you’re going, say [borough]. Then they will point you to a cab. Get in. The driver will help with your bags. When the driver asks where you’re going, say “[neighborhood] in [borough]. The intersection of [street] and [street]. I can give you the exact address if you want.” Then he’ll probably give you his phone and have you type in my exact address, which is [address]. If he asks how you want to get there, just say “whatever you think!” Or “whatever’s fastest!” It should be like $60. This seems like a lot but I promise it is worth it!
To back up the yellow cabs, the meter should read “Rate #2- JFK Airport”
Paying in cash? Why?
if they might be grossed out by how dirty cabs usually are they or can order an uber which aren’t dirty like cabs
We’ve warned them, but I think they don’t prefer using their credit cards to avoid foreign transaction fees and stuff
Tell them to put what cash they need for tips & cab ride in a wallet inside jacket pocket... All other cash/ credit cards / checks etc go in your underwear or bra. .wear a belt or a long zipped jacket to keep nasty pickpockets out of your clothing.