As exciting as the holidays are, planning and carrying out travel plans in Manhattan can be quite challenging. As millions flock to the city to celebrate - and as millions leave -  strategic planning is essential. Frohttps://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/vehicles/get-a-vehicle-license.pagem optimizing transportation choices to exploring lesser-known routes, these tips will allow you to remain stress-free this Thanksgiving. Well, when it comes to traveling, anyway. We can't control in-laws.

Rush Hour

This may be a given since holidays and traveling always involve planning, however, given the holiday rush, meticulous planning is key. Schedule travel times during off-peak hours and book accommodations well in advance. Traffic is heaviest during weekdays between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. and again between 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. These times include heavy crowds in the subway as well.

Airport

JFK, La Guardia, and Newark are all busy airports where you'll find at least one family Home-Aloning it through the terminals. Make a list of everything you need to pack and properly mark your luggage. As convenient as carry-on luggage is, during packed flights, airlines almost always end up having passengers check their bags at the gate. 

Taxis and Ridesharing

All New York cabs will be marked and registered with the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission - so don't hop into any unmarked vehicles.  Registered drivers must pass a background check and driver safety test before operating a cab in NYC. Although rideshare drivers do not have to be registered with the commission, they are an efficient way to get around. Be sure to make sure the license plate and car model match what's on your app.

The Subway

Some people turn up their noses at the thought of public transportation. Us? We love that it's cheap ($2.90), operates 24/7, and more times than not it's faster than a taxi. There are a couple of good pointers to remember as you ride New York City's subways, like, avoiding empty trains. They are probably empty due to a mess, broken air conditioner, or other problems. Also, know the difference between local and express trains. Local trains are on the outer edges of the station's tracks and make frequent stops. Express trains are on the middle tracks of the station and only stop at popular destinations.

The Grid System

Whether you are a local or a visitor, a good rule of thumb when hailing a cab is to give them the cross streets of where you're going. Giving them a direct address doesn't clarify one end of the street from the other. Additionally, it's helpful to remember that Avenues run north and south while Streets run east to west. While many of us have Google Maps right at our fingertips, it's nice to be able to quickly glance up at a sign and know which direction we are going.

The worst thing about getting around New York City is that it's fast-paced. The best thing? That it's fast-paced. If you miss a stop on the subway, don't fret, simply get off and take the next train going the opposite way. During the holidays, New York City is especially crowded and possessing good traveler's etiquette makes everyone's lives much easier. This includes you, subway seat hogs.

Embrace the festive spirit this holiday by exploring the magic of New York City. Combine your travel with productivity with Broadway Suites' premier shared office spaces. If work has you tied down, well, at least you're only two blocks away from where the biggest parade in America occurs. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most spectacular events New York City has to offer and we're thinking work can wait for this.

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