Transport

It is very easy to move around Manhattan because the city is marked out in squares. North-South is denoted by number streets (except in Lower Manhattan where it can be a bit confusing), each being preceded by W for the West and E for the East. West to East is denoted by avenues such as Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, 7th Avenue.

Public Transports

The subway and bus of New York are managed by the same company, the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority), and uses the same tokens and magnetic cards. They transport every day about 3.6 million passengers and operate 24 hours a day, everyday. http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us, where you will find cards, rates …

The Subway of New York is the simplest and the most economic means. It is fast and practical, not always very clean but nevertheless reliable. It works 24 hours on 24, but certain lines have more limited schedules. Stations have generally the names of the streets and are indicated either by a green ball ( ticket offices are then opened 24 hours on 24), or a red ball ( restricted opening). Ask for a map at any ticket window to familiarize yourself with the transportation system.

The price is $2 whatever the distance, and the payment is made in the form of tokens or through the swipe of a magnetic card (which can be bought as per ride or daily/monthly passes). Consult the site http://www.subwaynavigator.com to determine your journey route.

The bus in New York is pleasant but a little complicated to use. For transfers in buses, ask for a transfer ticket to the driver when you enter the the first bus (valid for two hours) or it will be recorded automatically on your magnetic swipe card. You can ask for a bus map at any subway station.

Airports

1. John F. Kennedy Airport
   Tel. ( 718) 244 4444
   The airport is connected with the city by the subway every 5 minutes. It is the most economical way to get into the city. Take the shuttle until Howard Beach. Price: $1.50. Otherwise, you can take the shuttle which will be about 50 - 60 minutes to the centre of Manhattan. It leaves from (and joins) Grand Central Station and Port Authority Bus Terminal.
   Tel : ( 718 ) 632 0500. A taxi will cost about $35.
2. Newark
   Tél. (201) 961 6000
   The shuttle goes to New York in 60 minutes. It leaves from ( and joins ) Port Authority Bus Terminal every 15 - 20 minutes. Price : $10. Tel. (718) 632 0500 3 )
3. La Guardia
   Tél. (718) 533 3400
   The shuttle leaves from and joins Grand Central Station et Port Authority Bus Terminal. Tel : (718) 632 0500. A taxi will cost about $25.

• A.A.A.(American Automobile Association), Tel. (212) 586 1166 Lincoln Center, 1881 Broadway (62nd Street).
• D.M.V. (Deparment of Motor Vehicles) Tel. (212) 645 5550. 155 Worth Street, New York.

It is necessary to have an US drivers license. Contact the local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) to schedule a test time. The DMV will also register your card and issue you license plates.

In order to find the DMV the closest to your place, call the ( 800 ) 777-0133 or consult the following Internet site: www.dmv.ca.gov. Or consult, in " White Pages " of your phone book.

In order to acquire a vehicle, two options: the purchase or the rent - lease (the formula which avoids a capital outlay, but more expensive with interest rates higher than for a loan in the purchase).

For the new cars, shop around as various dealers will give you different prices and deals. The dealer takes charge of the registration of the car (the license plate belongs to the buyer). During the acquisition, "the bill of sale" will be put back to you by the salesman. You will have to go to " Motor Vehicle Department " to register the vehicle and to obtain " Title ", document proving that you are the owner.

If you buy a second-hand vehicle, note that the registration which is supplied by the garage is valid only thirty days during which the owner should register the car with the DMV. The values of cars of different makes, model and years can be found in the " Blue Book ". If the purchase of your vehicle it is done with a private person, have someone witness the sale and the invoice which indicates the the brand and the model of the vehicle, the colour, the year, and that the car has no lien holders.

In every case it will be necessary to insure the car. The department of state imposes a minimum of $15 000 coverage a person, $30 000 accidentally for the physical injury and of $5 000 for damage to property (there are however variations according to States). Contracts " policy automobile " have a minimal duration of six months.

The rules of conduct: American drive on the right side. The limitation varies generally 55 to 65 miles an hour according to States. It is 25 or 35 miles an hour in city. Attention: the speed is extremely controlled, even in the countryside.

Contact the DMV to get the latest handbook on driving. It contains the basic rules and regulations that all drivers must know.

Taxis

Medallion Taxis (tel: +1 212 692 8294) are the yellow cabs famously associated with New York City (regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission). To hail a taxi, simply raise your arm to an available car (when their numbers are illuminated atop the car).

Please, do not forget to take your ticket at the end of the journey; it can turn out useful in case of loss inside the taxi.