New York City/New Jersey trip questions

[The Fake Cheap]

Going to New York City (New Jersey really) to see a New York Jets game in the near future.  We are going to be staying near Meadowlands Stadium.  We are likely to arrive late in the evening on Saturday, maybe 9:00ish, we are driving (it's a long drive).  My questions for anyone familiar with the area are: 

Is public transportation available to get to the Times Sqare area at this time of night from the Meadowlands area?  If so, is this relatively safe, or do we only have a 50/50 chance of reaching Manhatten with all our cash?  Same question for the trip back at 1:00am.

Something else I'm wondering is if we end up staying near Times Square (seems unlikely at this point, but I still want to ask) and we need to drive from there to the Meadowlands Stadium area around 12:00 on Sunday (game day) is this going to take 3 hours (or more) due to traffic? 

For a bit of context, it is four guys all in our 30's on this trip, and it will be everyone's first time in the NYC area.  None of us have a lot of big city experience, we have all visited big cities before, but none of us has ever lived in a large city of say 500K+ population.

Also, just to mention I have read the other thread that someone else had posted asking questions about their pending first time NYC trip.   I did pick up a few tips from that.

Thanks in advance.

[palebluedot]

Here is a handy guide from NJ Transit on traveling from/to NY from the Meadowlands area: http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/MeadowlandsGuide.pdf

Public transportation service is limited from the Meadowlands area unless it is an event day I believe.

[travelawyer]

Would you consider staying in Manhattan (not Times Square)--maybe an Airbnb--and then taking public transport to the game on game day?

[LZZ]

If you stay in the Secaucus area you will be better connected to Manhattan (buses or trains) and will be able to utilize game day public transportation to the game.  Depending on where you stay the motel/extended stay will advertise the fact that they are either close to a bus stop or they have a shuttle service going to Secaucus train station.   

[Philbert]

I'm from New Jersey, and I have ridden the NJ Transit many times at night. I've taken busses into and out of the Port Authority in NY at all hours. I've never had a problem. The busses are clean, the seats are comfy, and the Port Authority is very safe. Lots of police around. I can't speak to your second questions because I've never been crazy enough to drive in NYC :) 

And even though we're all Mustachians here and rarely go shopping, I thought you should know that there's no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey. So if you do feel like buying something while there, you'll save money and avoid taxes. (Note: I don't know if there are extra taxes if you buy a hat or sweater at the Jets stadium.)

[LZZ]

I'm from New Jersey, and I have ridden the NJ Transit many times at night. I've taken busses into and out of the Port Authority in NY at all hours. I've never had a problem. The busses are clean, the seats are comfy, and the Port Authority is very safe. Lots of police around. I can't speak to your second questions because I've never been crazy enough to drive in NYC :) 

And even though we're all Mustachians here and rarely go shopping, I thought you should know that there's no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey. So if you do feel like buying something while there, you'll save money and avoid taxes. (Note: I don't know if there are extra taxes if you buy a hat or sweater at the Jets stadium.)

Philbert - there is no sales tax in NYC either for clothing items (including shoes - but not accessories like scarves) less than $110

[The Fake Cheap]

Would you consider staying in Manhattan (not Times Square)--maybe an Airbnb--and then taking public transport to the game on game day?

I would, but this will not be possible because 2 of the guys I'm going with will be tailgating pregame, so that means our car will need to go to the stadium no matter where we stay.   I have looked at some AirBnB places within walking distance of Times Square, and they are pricey.  One of the guys really wants to get to Times Square...for me it's a "meh", thus the focus on the TImes Square area.

[The Fake Cheap]

Here is a handy guide from NJ Transit on traveling from/to NY from the Meadowlands area: http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/MeadowlandsGuide.pdf

Public transportation service is limited from the Meadowlands area unless it is an event day I believe.

That is a very useful link.  Thank you thestoicstudent.

[The Fake Cheap]

If you stay in the Secaucus area you will be better connected to Manhattan (buses or trains) and will be able to utilize game day public transportation to the game.  Depending on where you stay the motel/extended stay will advertise the fact that they are either close to a bus stop or they have a shuttle service going to Secaucus train station.   

I will look into this option. Thank you.

[The Fake Cheap]

I'm from New Jersey, and I have ridden the NJ Transit many times at night. I've taken busses into and out of the Port Authority in NY at all hours. I've never had a problem. The busses are clean, the seats are comfy, and the Port Authority is very safe. Lots of police around. I can't speak to your second questions because I've never been crazy enough to drive in NYC :) 

And even though we're all Mustachians here and rarely go shopping, I thought you should know that there's no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey. So if you do feel like buying something while there, you'll save money and avoid taxes. (Note: I don't know if there are extra taxes if you buy a hat or sweater at the Jets stadium.)

Great info, I had no idea about the no tax.  I probably will pick up a few souvenirs since this could very well be the only NFL game I ever get to and my only trip to the NYC area.

[The Fake Cheap]

I'm from New Jersey, and I have ridden the NJ Transit many times at night. I've taken busses into and out of the Port Authority in NY at all hours. I've never had a problem. The busses are clean, the seats are comfy, and the Port Authority is very safe. Lots of police around. I can't speak to your second questions because I've never been crazy enough to drive in NYC :) 

And even though we're all Mustachians here and rarely go shopping, I thought you should know that there's no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey. So if you do feel like buying something while there, you'll save money and avoid taxes. (Note: I don't know if there are extra taxes if you buy a hat or sweater at the Jets stadium.)

 What about a cab from the Meadowlands area into Manhattan?  Would this be insanely expensive and time consuming late Saturday evening, like 10:00pm?

[Philbert]

Philbert - there is no sales tax in NYC either for clothing items (including shoes - but not accessories like scarves) less than $110

LZZ - You just rocked my world. I did not know this!

 What about a cab from the Meadowlands area into Manhattan?  Would this be insanely expensive and time consuming late Saturday evening, like 10:00pm?

The traffic won't be bad at that hour. It should take you about a half-hour or less to get into the city, depending where in Manhattan you're going. An Uber will be cheaper than a cab, and you can split the cost amongst your friends presumably.

[JLee]

I am typically leaving Manhattan via Port Authority (bus) or Penn (train) at ~1am nearly every Friday night. It's never felt unsafe.

I'm from New Jersey, and I have ridden the NJ Transit many times at night. I've taken busses into and out of the Port Authority in NY at all hours. I've never had a problem. The busses are clean, the seats are comfy, and the Port Authority is very safe. Lots of police around. I can't speak to your second questions because I've never been crazy enough to drive in NYC :) 

And even though we're all Mustachians here and rarely go shopping, I thought you should know that there's no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey. So if you do feel like buying something while there, you'll save money and avoid taxes. (Note: I don't know if there are extra taxes if you buy a hat or sweater at the Jets stadium.)

 What about a cab from the Meadowlands area into Manhattan?  Would this be insanely expensive and time consuming late Saturday evening, like 10:00pm?

I would take a cab/Uber/Lyft to Secaucus Junction and then take the ($4.25/person) train into Penn Station. Alternatively, drive to Secaucus Junction and pay for parking there.  If you have enough people, it may be cheaper to split a ride into the city (train tickets add up fast). I do have to say though, if you've never been to NYC it's pretty cool to walk out of Penn Station into the middle of Manhattan.

Google's transit times are useful, but keep in mind that times can vary (i.e. if it says a subway will be there at 1:00am, it may or may not be) so don't cut anything too close.  I've had to figure out an alternate bus out of Manhattan when my subway was late arriving, then people were holding the doors and I missed the last bus home by ~8 minutes.  Fortunately, there are lots of other buses so I was able to get close enough and take an Uber the rest of the way home.