Another one of those annoying New York questions ...

Last time I was there I had real problems in phoning home ... in fact it drove me to such despair I decided to use the direct dial from the hotel at a cost of $35 for a 5 minute conversation.

Unlike mainland Europe etc, no matter what I did I couldn't seem to just stick some coins in a call box and direct dial to England using the 00 44 etc ....

I kept getting an American operator asking me what 'Carrier' I wanted to use etc, etc ...

Question is simple ... what is the easiest and most straightforward way to call home from NYC? - I want real basic method and really don't care if it is a little more expensive so long as its quick and simple.

 

I know the answer to this one

You buy a phone card from one of the newsstands for about $5. You can then use any public phone (one on the corner of many blocks) to ring the number on the card followed by the international code and number at home. Can't quite remember what the rate per minute is but it is certainly the cheapest way to call home and it works a treat.

 

RE: I know the answer to this one

So I just dial:

1) Card number; followed by
2) 011 (int dialling us) 44 1226 etc etc ?

 

RE: I know the answer to this one

Yes. I've used them on two visits and never had a problem. You'll find that there are loads of different cards from different companies to choose from but I don't think it matters which one you get so choose one with a nice picture on.

 

RE: I know the answer to this one

Just a thought - I have asked the guy on the newsstand to give me one that will phone overseas. Maybe they all do but it's worth saying just to be sure.

 

Cheers for that ...

Didn't want to have to use those hotel phones again!!

 

RE: Cheers for that ...

As said - you go to a news stand, ask for a phone card for phoning UK (in fact when I got one it was the news stand outside my hotel and he said "for UK?" before I did!), I got a $10 one but even though I called home every evening for 5 mins each time over the 5 days I was there I still had well over half the credit left.
Don't forget to pick up a bag of peanut butter M&M's whilst at the news stand!
I usually then used the pay phones in the hotel lobby, was easier to hear the other person than at those open phones in the street.

 

Good advice!

I used these cards too. Bought a $10 card and it lasted all six days I was there, with some left over. If you have gone with an operator you can buy cards from them at the welcome type meeting. We bought a 'Virgin' card and was well worth it. Have a good un!

PS if you have Sky Travel there doing programmes on cities over the next week, according to the listings there were quite a few on NY.

 

RE: I know the answer to this one

It's a card with a section that you reveal by scratching off the surface - like a lottery scratch card.

You phone the telephone number on the card, followed by the number you've revealed and then the number you want to dial

 

Cheers mate ...

I set off tomorrow though ... we're using this one as a mop up to do what we didn't get to do last night. Learn't from mistakes and pre-booked a lot of it.

Got the show sorted and booked a table at Tavern on the Green which should be nice. I might actually get to spend some time in Central Park for a change!

 

RE: Cheers mate ...

Sounds like you have it sorted.
I booked tickets last night for the New York Rangers v New Jersey Devils hockey game, got tickets for U2 the following night (both at Madison Square Garden) and then it's off to Chicago and the NFL game between the Bears and Vikings.
Can't wait - roll on October 11!

Have a good trip and check out The Ginger Man pub.

 

RE: Cheers mate ...

Where's that ... and is there any particular reason that I should check it out? Do you know the owner or owt like that?

 

Quality!

When we went to central park there was some hippy covering the 'Imagine' paving with flowers, we were there ages watching, real class.

Have fun!

 

RE: Cheers mate ...

Don't know the owner or owt. It's just a top notch bar, not your standard Budweiser, Miller etc (though I think they do have that on), they stock a large range of beers from US micro breweries.
It's on 5th and 36th, not too far from Empire State building.
Times Square brewery is good too - they just serve their own beers, only have 5 or 6 but ranges from pilsner to stout.

 

Take your mobile!

job done

 

RE: Take your mobile!

Not much use if it ain't a tri-band, which most includes most phones sold over here.

 

RE: I know the answer to this one

yeah like a top up card for mobiles, and all the instructions are on the card. i got a donald duck one wen i went, but it was from disney land