As a New Yorker, I figured that I might as well help the masses out there. Here are some tips that you should know and follow. Click the Read More link to find out more.

Hotel & Travel Information

Information on hotels can be found here.

Directions: Can be found at the above link as well. Read below for more information.

By Subway – Take the A, C or E lines to 42nd Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal or 34th Street – Penn Station. (The A is an express line but will stop at both stops. The C and E lines are the local. The C train does NOT run on weekends – take the E train instead.)

By Bus – The M34 runs from East to West on 34th Street. It stops on 11th Avenue outside the Javits Center and at Pennsylvania Station. The M42 runs East to West on 42nd Street. It stops outside the Javits Center, Port Authority, and Grand Central Station.

Transportation

Let’s face it. New York isn’t as advanced as Japan when it comes down to certain things. However, we are getting there. Here are some things that you should be a note of.

Traveling Abroad – If you are traveling abroad and you do not know your way around New York, please arrange for getting a rental car or having family or a friend pick you up. Don’t take any rides from strangers and the local taxis are a bit expensive. (Especially if you are going to any of the other boroughs) If you want to drag it out, you can take the AirTran available at the airport to either Howard Beach-JFK or Sutphin Blvd-Archver Av-JFK stations and transfer to the subway. Please make sure you know your way around.

Getting Around – There are several options that you can use to travel around NYC. You can have your friends/family drive you around, rent a rental card, or take public transportation. I’ll leave the former two for you to arrange.

Public transportation provided by the MTA (the subways / buses) cost $2.25 per trip. You can transfer to another local bus line or subway (local bus > local bus or local bus > subway) or vice versa for free. (Within 2 hours of the start of the trip) You can purchase unlimited ride Metrocards that are good for unlimited rides for one person only.

While traveling on the bus, you can request the nearest stop by pushing the “Tape” mounted on windows, pulling the cord that run along the windows or pushing the Stop indicator button. (All three vary by bus model) If in doubt of where you’re going, ask the bus driver.

While traveling on the subway, know what line you need to go on, where its going, and what stop you are getting off. Be mindful that several trains run along the same direction but some make express stops. You can purchase Metrocards within the station. There is a fare booth with a manager that will be happy to answer your questions and give you a free subway map. Schedules can be found here. Remember that reduced service comes during the late nights and weekends. If you are traveling a far distance, make sure to leave early to get more frequent service. No matter where you are in the station, stick together (if in groups), stay in populated areas and don’t travel in empty cars. The conductor of the train (in which you can ask questions, etc.) is in the middle of the train. (4th or 5th car) The train operator is in the first car. On the platform, stay in marked areas of waiting, and don’t flash anything of value. When the train is approaching, stand back from the platform edge. Trains can run up to 65 MPH into any given station. While on the train, listen for any announcements for station stops and any service diversions.

There aren’t many diversions on weekdays. However, on weekends, that’s a different story. There aren’t any diversions affecting the A or E lines. They may affect other buses or lines that you need to get to the center. Check for that info here. If anything serious is scheduled, it is posted here.

Behavior & Security – New York has also been home to its events that call for extra tight security. Please remember that no weapons (including firearms) are allowed into public areas. Like the NYAF staff suggested, do not bring any weapons that can be easily be mistaken for the real thing. If you bring actual weapons, let’s see this: Your life in America won’t be pleasant. Any large packages can be searched by the police and undercover agents. Kindly comply with their requests and do not give them a hard time.

On the note of security, do not act foolishly in the center. If it draws suspicious and unnecessary attention, you can and will be fined, arrested and/or jailed. Be civilized for the 3 days that you are here and remember that you are representing whichever country that you come from. If you need emergency services, the number to call is 9-1-1.

That’s mostly about it. Enjoy your stays at NYAF and expect some sort of after convention coverage.

Related posts:

1. NYAF: Part 2 – Guests
2. New York Anime Festival: September 25-27 [Part 1 - Events]
3. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza Preview

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