23kg luggage allowance for 4 night trip for me and one dc - do I need one or two suitcases?

[newyorknewyorkforevernewyork]

I bought one large suitcase but I am thinking whether I need two?

It will hopefilly be a long haul flight over christmas - dc is 6.

One pair of trainers and one pair of crocs for each of us

Joggers and jeans each
Underwear
A couple of jumpers each
Maybe a spare coat

Would you think I should take two suitcases, and have to potentially lug them both about NYC

Or will one suffice?

Tia x

I would be wary of saying you don’t feel the cold. It can get much colder there than anywhere in the UK and also you could have snow. Check the weather a few days before including the ‘feels like’ temperature because the windchill can be significant and plan accordingly. Layers are your friends as anywhere indoors will be warm. You will likely need boots. You don’t need crocs unless you’re thinking for the hotel spa.

I disagree with the hand luggage only advice when travelling with young kids. One massive bag on wheels is easiest to move through the airport vs. multiple carry on suitcases and backpacks especially if DC is sleepy coming off the plane and wants carrying. Do be careful with that size and weigh it to make sure it’s not overweight because if you get tempted to start adding multiple outfit options it could easily get to 30kg in full. In your carry ons just have essentials for the flight and a just in case change of clothes for everyone.

NYC is EXPENSIVE. You won’t save money buying stuff there. Bring toiletries from home and then dump if you don’t want to bring them home. Also, who wants to schlep round Target straight after a long flight with a 6YO because you need a shower but didn’t bring any shampoo or deodorant?! No thanks. And because it’s expensive I’d limit the shopping to stuff that’s either a unique experience or you can’t get at home e.g. American Girl store, 1000 ibuprofen, crest white strips etc.

I always get an Uber rather than a taxi from the airport in NY. You can get them with car seats too.

And yes to taxi from the airport. $70 is not steep. It’s going to be $20 for a train ticket so you’re saving money getting a taxi.

edited to make clear - $20 each

NYC is really expensive!

it’s not a direct ride on the train to Grand central. You would need to go to Jamaica station and then get onto a Long Island Railroad train.

I would still therefore take a yellow cab. By the time you arrive at ground transportation anyway another two hours may have passed.

Use one of those fillable travel pillows for underwear and socks, plus pj’s.

OP.

you catch the Air Train within the airport to the subway station called Jamaica.
You can then join the subway network catching the LIRR line to Grand Central. Google suggests it’s a 15 minute journey from Jamaica station to GC.

On shopping, remember there is a sales tax to add to shelf prices. It used to be 8% in NY state, but check before you go.

There are steps at JFK as you access the first bit of public transport away from the airport, but I think there's a lift too.

Grand Central was a TREK from the platform to the street but accessible.

And Public transport was a fraction of the cost AND TIME compared to a taxi, right to the centre of Manhattan

20$ each?!?! Even though dd is a child??

Omg 😄😄😄😄

Please tell me how you did this. I just can’t rewear some items without a wash. How do you pack?

Thank you this is helpful xx

20$ each for the subway has thrown me, a similar journey would be £8 on the tube! With dd going free

JFK is under massive reconstruction at the moment and the Uber/ Lyft pick up points have been moved away from the terminals for most of the day so you have to get a shuttle so sticktick with an official yellow cab for a fixed price. Just remember that this fixed price does not include tolls and tip.

New York in December is freezing. 🥶 I’ve literally never been so cold in my life. I don’t think it got much above freezing any day that I was there. Give me summer in New York any day 😆
One suitcase is sufficient, especially if you’re using the subway, which will no doubt be busy, and possibly trundling through the streets to your hotel. I also agree with pp that everything, food, toiletries, the lot, is extortionate.

Thank you for this helpful response @Bitzee ❤️

Ive checked and its saying uber is over $100, which was what I expected tbh. I'm beginning to see just how expensive NYC is, the cost of the subway is insane

Agree with traipsing dd around target for shower gel 😄😄 - although I am looking forward to visiting a target 😍

My thinking exactly with one suitcase, plus an extra bag should we need it, that can sit on the suitcase on the way back and serve as dd's hand luggage

Then hopefully an uber back from our local tube station to the front door, as I wouldnt want to walk knowing me 🤭

Okay will pack layers - i love the cold me, but dont want hypothermia xx

Tolls? Tips? For a taxi??

😄😄

I am allowing myself to get a little excited 😄😄😄

I love the cold omg

But as someone who has barely left london, i am sure that I dont know what i'm talking about on that matter 🙈

@newyorknewyorkforevernewyork don’t underestimate how expensive NYC is.cabs are way cheaper than London and $70 for the cab from the airport and reduced stress will definitely start your holiday on the right foot. There is a very big tipping culture in NYC- and servers get very offended if you don’t tip. Minimum seems to be 20%. And as a pp pointed out, you look at an item for say $50 dollars on the price tags but it isn’t $50 when you get to the till - it is -$50 plus all of the taxes. Food is very expensive- even popping to the local grocery store will make your hair curl for a bit of fruit salad. You will need more $’s than you might think…I don’t want to put you off because it is the most fab city - especially at Xmas but you do need to be realistic about how much goods and services will be - especially during the holiday season.

Have you actually booked a hotel yet?

Everything is booked, i'm just very anxious about it all going wrong so always say 'hopefully' 🙈🙈🙈 xx

I knew about tipping in restaurants but not the cab, omg

Cabs in london are extortionate so by the sounds of it 70$ fixed price is good!

I cant believe the costs of stuff though. There's expensive and then theres new york it seems 😄😄

My plan fingers crossed is for me and dd to survive on fast food, so hopefully we will be okay there - shes not interested in the culinary delights of ny anyway and would be happy with mcdonalds

Would like to visit American girl doll though

https://www.mta.info/guides/airports/jfk/jfk-airport-to-nyc

this may be useful to you.

What time does your flight arrive at JFK?. If you are clearing immigration there you may well be waiting an hour plus in line to be processed. You will have your photograph and fingerprints taken. If your flight lsnds sfter 6pm I would take a yellow cab when you arrive at ground transportation.

Macy’s can sometimes give discounts at the till. Have not used a visitors discount card for some years now. If you do ask for such a card you will need to show a passport (or U.K. photo card driving licence).

Don’t uber. If you are taking a cab get a yellow one at the airport. Those that are saying $70 are forgetting you need to add on tolls and tip. It will be more like $100. However the air train/subway is easy but appreciate you have a little one
who may be tired. Unless your dd is very tall she may well ride for free as it’s based on height.

Have you booked a hotel yet?

NY is expensive. Do you have an Itinery planned?

American Girl shop is an experience just be warned that dolls start around $135, the shop is something else! They have lots of ranges like the historical dolls, girl of the year and truly me (you can choose one that looks like you)

Hand luggage for a dc is difficult though. Dc is 6 and that means adult with do a lot of lugging! My view is take a medium suitcase for both but make sure it’s a spinner and lightweight. Small dc and luggage never works that well so just give dc a rucksack. You should take a rucksack for day use.

American girl place is located at Rockefeller plaza.

The exchange rate is crap so shipping is expensive too! £1 = $2 is long gone sadly! With tax to be added there are no bargains and $135 for a doll is madness.

Goodness me

Weve hopefully got The Rockettes to look forward to, then the sights and also a tour of the christmas lights

Anything else will be a bonus tbh

One of our DC lived and worked in Manhattan for a year. The food doesn't have to be expensive. You used to be able to get a 'dollar slice' which is (unsurprisingly) a slice of pizza for a dollar. Think it's gone up a bit since then, but not much. That'll help keep costs down. Just don't buy food around Times Square as it's really expensive (it's full of tourists but no idea why, there's nothing there worth seeing).

You can also save money by staying slightly out of the centre, again avoiding tourist traps like Times Square.

Ive got the bag for every day use and then the big suitcase

I understand your thinking but I just think it would be physically be easier with the one

And then a spare bag - only if we get extra bits which it sounds like we might not tbh, which i would attach to the top of the suitcase

Ive also got a bum bag for holding cash and phone

Dd's backpack is just for her tablet and headphones and bottle of squash