KobomvelikbomJanko
May 2019
Despite some negative reviews and very aggressive marketing we bought 5-day Sightseeing Passes to stay flexible about attractions and to save $$$. My fears regarding Grey Line Bus Tours came true: besides they are infrequent (30 minutes; the competitors like Big Bus Tour run more frequently) for a real hop-on hop-off experience, we were told to get off the Downtown bus at Battery Park and to wait for another one on the other side of the street. Not just I, but several passengers were confused when this bus turned to the Manhattan Bridge – it was the Brooklyn Tour bus. On the Uptown bus, the sound system was not functional and the poor guide had to put all his efforts to his throat that we could hear his explanations.
If you want to devote enough time to the offered attractions, you have to take into account that you can't visit more than 3 attractions per day, including the restaurants (Buca di Beppo, Planet Hollywood, Buffalo Wild Wings).
Go Airlink Shuttle back to the airport was included in our Passes, however I had to dial the given number one day before departure – the call to arrange it took 21 minutes. The departure from Manhattan to JFK was 5 hours before our flight, so we ended up in a special line on JFK, waiting for check-in to be opened. I would definitely recommend Long Island Railroad for a time-efficient journey from Manhattan to JFK.