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LIRF transit costs


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#1 KevinKorell

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Posted 18 August 2010 - 02:18 PM

(Costs Page REMOVED.) These are estimates on what it might cost you to travel on the trains indicated on the itinerary. If you will be taking other trips, or your origins or destinations differ, then your costs will vary.

And this is the bad news. If you're going to be doing all of the Friday and Saturday activities, the costs for the subway rides and all of the planned LIRR trips over the two days could be more than 54 bucks . It may be even higher if you consider the costs of transit to get to and from the Fest from your home or hotel.

There was a big question when I was creating this page over a potential through fare going from Long Beach to West Hempstead. Since our latest plan would result in a 64 minute (1 hour 4 mins) transfer at Valley Stream, I opted to continue into Jamaica and transfer there, where we would only have to wait 35 minutes. LIRR does not appear to have a transfer fare via Jamaica when travelling between these two points, hence I am told that there is a good chance we would have to pay the one way off peak fares for Long Beach-Jamaica and Jamaica-West Hempstead. The resulting two fares total $9.75, while the transfer fare via Valley Stream is just $3.25. That understandably may sway some to get off in Valley Stream and wait 64 minutes for us to return, and of course you do have that perogative. Paying triple as much gets you more train riding in and out of Jamaica to fill that time.

Anyhow it took a few days to resolve this. I am aware that it is now too late to get Webtickets, which would save 5% on any of the above fares. My chart still shows the Webticket prices, but at this time it would not be advisable to try and obtain them since the tickets could potentially reach your house after we have taken the trip.

Next, be aware that the ticket vending machines limit how many transactions you can do in a single day with your credit/debit card. Since the plan could require you to make as many as 8 transactions for the subway Metrocard and separate LIRR fares (in a 2-day period), you should keep this in mind. You should consider:
  • Paying cash for some or all transactions
  • Bringing multiple credit/debit cards
  • Buying your tickets in advance over multiple days
Finally, as always bring money for food. We will let nobody starve on these Fests, but it helps to be prepared for either fast food or paying your bill in a sitdown restaurant... and keeping in mind you're paying New York prices.

Edited by KevinKorell, 31 March 2011 - 09:35 PM.


Kevin Korell


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#2 jis

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Posted 18 August 2010 - 05:45 PM

Next, be aware that the ticket vending machines limit how many transactions you can do in a single day with your credit/debit card. Since the plan could require you to make as many as 8 transactions for the subway Metrocard and separate LIRR fares (in a 2-day period), you should keep this in mind. You should consider:

  • Paying cash for some or all transactions
  • Bringing multiple credit/debit cards
  • Buying your tickets in advance over multiple days
Finally, as always bring money for food. We will let nobody starve on these Fests, but it helps to be prepared for either fast food or paying your bill in a sitdown restaurant... and keeping in mind you're paying New York prices.

Seems like cash will be the best approach for this trip.

#3 KevinKorell

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Posted 18 August 2010 - 05:57 PM

And I thought of a 4th bullet for the above list ... one person could buy more than one ticket on his card for others, and then the parties could settle up later. This would also speed up the time it takes our group to do our transactions. The obvious concern here is not to leave anyone stuck at an outer station with no cash and their card not working because they already did 2 other TVM transactions that day.


Kevin Korell


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Lakewood, NJ





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