Pay phones or
public phones can b
e found along most streets in
Manhattan, as well as in cinemas, theaters, hotels, restaurants and subway
stations. The minimum charge is 25 cents and they accept 5, 10, and 25 cent
coins, BUT no pennies (1 cent). For long distance calls, we recommend that
you use calling cards. You can get this type of card at delis, newsstands
and supermarkets. The one with the best values per call is Union NY card.
Useful numbers
Emergency Services - 911*
Outgoing International Code - 011
Directory Assistance - 411
Operator - 0
*For Emergency only; to save a life or to stop a crime.
International calls can be direct-dialed from most phones; dial 011, followed by the country code and then the local number (the front pages of many local telephone directories include a list of overseas country codes). To have an operator assist you, dial "0" and ask for the overseas operator.
There are a few places that offer fax services, Kinkos (www.kinkos.com) has locations throughout the city. Most hotels provide fax facilities.
Manhattan has a
limited number of internet cafes. A popular and convenient location for visitors is the EasyEverything
store
opened 24 hours a day (234 West 42nd Street, a few steps away from the
heart of Times Square). Also check Cyber Cafe (250 West 49th St. between 8th
Ave.& Broadway), Nice Bar/Internet Cafe (82 East 3rd St. between 1st &
2nd Ave.) and Web2zone (52-54 Cooper Square between Astor Pl & 4th Ave).
If you only need to check your email, you can use 30 minutes of free internet at any New York Public Library branch. Visit their site for locations at www.nypl.org.
Every address in the United States belongs to a specific zip-code district, and each zip code has five digits. Some addresses include a second sequence of four numbers following the first five numbers, but although this speeds mail delivery for large organizations, it is not necessary to use it.
Post offices in Manhattan are open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday, and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays. The main Post Office located on 8th Avenue and 32nd Street is opened 24/7. If you wish to purchase stamps and drop the letters or postcards, you can do it using the drop boxes located on almost every street sidewalk. First-class letters (under one ounce) sent within the United States cost 37 cents; postcards are 23 cents. Letters sent airmail to overseas destinations cost 80 cents for one ounce or less.
The local newspapers for New York City are The New York Times, the Daily News, the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal. There are also numerous other publications for local communities throughout the city.