Q: How does New York Party Shuttle handle the different Statue of Liberty ferry options?
A: New York Party Shuttle takes its tour groups aboard the free Staten Island Ferry. You will enjoy breath-taking views of the Statue of Liberty from this ferry option as we go right by the Statue of Liberty toward Staten Island. The Staten Island Ferry does not go to Liberty Island, thus there will be no walking around Liberty Island on this tour. When considering that the crown and the torch are closed, combined with the new security procedures, our customers see the benefits of the much quicker Staten Island Ferry option. The total time of this ferry option is only 1 hour compared to the 2.5 hour Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferry. If you would still like to go to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, then we recommend doing so on a different day of your stay in New York City.
Q: Can we climb up inside the Statue of Liberty?
A: Unfortunately, the Statue of Liberty is closed. Both the torch and crown observatories are closed to visitors. There is a small museum in the base of the Statue of Liberty that is open to tourists.
Q: Does it make sense for me to do the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry to Liberty Island on our own?
A: Yes. As it takes a lot of time out of your NYC tour, we do recommend that if you wish to visit Liberty Island that you take that trip either before our sightseeing tour begins at noon or on a separate day. However, remember that you will get breathtaking views of Lady Liberty on your New York Party Shuttle Tour, so you may want to keep in mind that most of our customers do not make a separate trip to Liberty Island.
Q: How does New York Party Shuttle Tours handle the Empire State Building observation attraction?
A: The Empire State Building is breathtaking and some people like to stay a while to capture it all. For this reason, we make this the last stop on our tour so our customers can take as long as they wish at the observation deck. For those that do not wish to visit the Empire State Building at the end of your tour, your tour will end right where it started--in Times Square. If you plan to go up to the observation deck, we suggest you purchase your tickets online here before you arrive so you don't have to wait in line.
Q: Does the New York Party Shuttle stop at every landmark on your itinerary? Do we get out of the shuttle at every attraction?
A: Yes. Traffic permitting, we make a stop at every item listed on the top half of our sightseeing itinerary to provide everyone ample time to walk around and take pictures. The Tour Guide also will get off the shuttle with the group at each stop and provide a historical narrative of the landmark, its architecture, and other tidbits you may have not known about New York and its landmarks. The items on the bottom half of the itinerary will be viewed either from the shuttle or from other nearby attractions. For instance, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge from South Street Seaport and from the Staten Island Ferry.
Q: How much time do you spend at each attraction?
A: As you can expect, some landmarks are more time-consuming than others, such as South Street Seaport and the World Trade Center Memorial. With this in mind, there is no set time for each attraction. Our Tour Guides are trained to watch how the tour group progresses at each landmark and adjust the tour accordingly. Keep in mind, we still have a lot of sightseeing to do in 5 1/2 hours, so we do like to keep the tour group moving.
Q: Why is it called Party Shuttle?
A: Unlike other tour companies and traditional airplanes and trains, we keep our groups smaller and manageable so we can have more interaction with our tour passengers, and so that our customers can have the opportunity to interact with each other. The smaller shuttle creates a more relaxed, informal, and friendly environment for sightseeing in New York City. It's more like a party at a friend's place where you meet new people.
Q: Is the snack at South Street Seaport included in the Tour Price?
A: Food is not included in the tour price. We chose South Street Seaport for a snack break because it has the most available food options in one area. Our tour passengers have told us they love having the options. The stop at South Street Seaport is long enough to give you time to buy your 50% off Broadway tickets and to grab a snack at the food court. And as always, our Tour Guide has something to show you from the Seaport that you will find yourself using up a role of film on. We'd tell you, but you've got to see it.
Our customers relate to each other so well that we've even had strangers take pictures with one another at the end of the tour.
Q: Do you mail me tickets?
A: No. We employ an easy-to-use ticketless reservation system. Your email confirmation is your tour ticket. Thus, there is no reason to deal with the hassles of tickets and mail.
Q: Do you offer private sightseeing tours of New York City?
A: Yes we do. We have an array of private sightseeing tours of New York City including shuttle, van, and walking tours for your to choose from, please click here to learn more: New York City Private Sightseeing Tours.
Q: How do I book my New York Party Shuttle mixed-group tour?
A: Online on our secure server at Buy New York City Tours tickets.
Q: Where do you meet the tour shuttle? Where does the tour start?
A: In Times Square--Meet the Shuttle on the Northwest Corner
of 7th Avenue and 50th Street
New York, NY 10019 Your ticketless email confirmation will have it printed on the bottom so there is no reason to write it down now.
Q: I'm driving a car into New York City. Where should I park near the tour starting point?
A: There are plenty of 24 hour parking locations in Times Square. The key is to pay no more than $30 for 10 hour parking. Most of the major Times Square hotels charge around $45. There are lots of locations that charge $25 for 10 hours in Times Square. One location is Quick Park on 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
Q: What type of vehicles does New York Party Shuttle operate?
A: We normally use 33-passenger and 35-passenger shuttles for our daily mixed group tours. We often use 15-passenger vans for our private tours (see private tours pricing). We do not allow customers to pick and choose their vehicles, however we do allow large same-party groups to stay together on one bus. Depending on demand and/or our service schedule, we reserve the right to substitute a 49-passenger bus with PA system and bathroom on board for our mixed-group tours.
A: Currently, our shuttles are not wheel chair accessible and there is no room for a baby stroller on board. One of the benefits of NYPS is during the longer walks (which there are not many) one can stay on board the shuttle near the landmark without feeling like they have to get out every time.
Q: Where does the tour end?
A: It depends. If you're planning on going to the Empire State Building, your tour will end there to provide you more time at this popular landmark. If you're not going to the Empire State Building your tour will end back in Times Square on 7th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets approximately five and one-half hours after it began.
Q: What is the age limit for kids pricing?
A: Children under 12 can take the Party Shuttle Tour for $55. Infants under 2 years old may ride for free if they ride in their parent's lap during the tour. If you feel you would be more comfortable having a seat for your infant, please purchase a child's ticket.
Q: What additional expenses should we expect?
A: You should plan on paying for food at South Street Seaport. If you wish to visit the observatory at the top of the Empire State Building, the cost is $18. If you plan to go up to the observation deck, we suggest you purchase your tickets online here before you arrive so you don't have to wait in line.
Q: Are tips included?
A: No. We ask that you plan to tip your driver and tour guide. A good rule of thumb is 15%, or $7.50 to $9.00 per person.
Q: Can we bring carry-on bags on board your shuttle?
A: No. We ask that you leave your bags in your hotel room. The only bags that are allowed on board the Party Shutles are small purses. We reserve the right to search any purses you bring on board.
Q: Why should I take a New York Party Shuttle Sightseeing tour?
A: New York Party Shuttle offers sightseeing tours of New York City. Home of New York's Most Comprehensive 5 1/2-Hour Tour, we also offer private sightseeing tours, foreign-language tours, walking tours, and mixed-group sightseeing tours. See all of New York City's landmarks and attractions, including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Memorial Site, Central Park, Wall Street, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and South Street Seaport. Our licensed NYC Tour Guides stay with you throughout the sightseeing tour and get off the shuttle bus with you at each tour stop so you can take pictures and learn more about New York City. We keep our tour groups smaller than our competitors so that you get more individual attention and customer service and end up with a better tour experience. The smaller groups allow the Tour Guide to answer more of your questions and allow you to interact with other tourists to make your tour more fun. Free refreshments on the tour shuttle bus makes for a more enjoyable tour. Our customers rave about our tour of NYC. Find out more about New York City by visiting New York Tourist Advisor Forum. Feel free to post questions there about our tour of New York City or about any topic related to New York City. We also recommend New York City Hotels for your stay on our hotels page.
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