getting to NYC from Liberty Harbor

[jharvey1025]

My husband and I are planning to stay at Liberty Harbor in the next few months, My question is, is it hard getting into NYC from Jersey city, We are not opposed to taking the metro as we have in the past but if the info I am reading correctly the light rail doesn't accept the metro cards and I really don't want to buy 2 separate cards.

[Rice]

jharvey1025, you mentioned the light rail, which is not the same thing as the PATH train people are talking about. There is a light rail stop very near the RV park, but it goes just a couple of stops to a station where you pick up the PATH train to NYC.

What most people do is walk a little farther north to the PATH station, bypassing light rail entirely. (And FWIW, the light rail doesn't use the NYC metrocard at all.)

Assuming you're willing to walk to the PATH station and are indeed talking about a combination of PATH trains and NYC buses/subways, you didn't say what your objection was to buying separate cards. If it's keeping track of two cards, then Lumpty's point is valid--the metrocard can cover both the PATH and NYC bus/subway systems.

However, if your objection has to do with not being able to use an unlimited-ride metrocard on the PATH train, you can't get around that. The metrocard works on PATH trains only if it has a balance that will cover the pay-per-ride fare on the PATH train.

You can use one metrocard for both if:
(1) you put a balance on it and use it to pay-per-ride on both the PATH trains and the NYC system, or
(2) you buy an unlimited NYC system pass and add a balance to it to cover the PATH trains.

You CANNOT buy an unlimited multi-day metrocard and expect it to work on the PATH trains.

[Lumpty]

Actually, an MTA Metrocard will work on PATH just fine. I live in NJ and need to frequently attend meetings in NYC, and depending on where I need to be will take PATH and or the NYC Subway, paying for both off the same Metrocard that lives in my wallet.

[1775]

The PATH train from NJ is a subway, but a different system from NYC's MTA subway, but when you get off the PATH you will be right there at the NYC subway. Just buy a card for each and make it easy. There are special cards with unlimited trips for a several days that will save money if you plan to travel around NYC. Regardless, everything is so expensive in Manhattan the PATH and Subway will be the least of your expenses. Don't even think about driving over in an RV unless you want to have nightmares for many years to come! 😉 We live near NYC and I do not bring my car into Manhattan. New speed limit with many tickets being given. No place to park without paying more than you can imagine. Not to mention double parked trucks on one way streets.

[NCWriter]

It is very easy and Liberty Harbor provides a lot of info at check-in. Just buy a ticket for the fare you need at a machine at the Path station. The ferry is quite pleasant but check times since it doesn't run throughout mid-day IIRC - leaves Wall Street area to return starting about 4 p.m. (And doesn't operate on weekends.)

Path station is close, just a short walk, to the campground and ferry dock is adjacent to Campground. Be sure you get on the correct ferry - not all go to Liberty Harbor. Check the schedule sheet the office will give you for particulars.

[travelbayshore1]

When we stayed at Liberty Harbor in 2012, we took the short walk to the PATH and boarded for our trip into NYC; we also took the Liberty Harbor Passenger Ferry over. We just waited til after the morning commuters had headed over before we took our turn. Both were easy and readily accessible. Have fun!!

[yrusoslo]

RV forget about it!!!! Toad parking is hard to find and expensive.Take the public transportion, in the long run it's worth it.If you what to go some where public trans. does go, you 'll have to take your chances. I'm orginally from Manhattan