andyrenee

Hey, please help. I will probably post this in the Air travel forum too just in case this is the wrong spot for this.

My husband and I have a 5:30 PM flight with Aer Ligus out of JFK airport later this month. We are coming from Virginia on the Amtrack and will arrive at 2:00 am at Penn Station.

I have flown international at JFK many times and think that of we arrive around 1:30-2 we have plenty of time to check luggage. I planned to sit in the Amtrack lounge at Penn for about 4-5 hours and then use the Amtrack luggage storage facility to hold our luggage so we could have a breakfast and run an errand in Herald Sqaure. If we make it back to Penn Station by 12:30 does that leave us enough time to make the trip to JFK on either the E train or the LIRR?
Also we will leave VA on Sunday at 5:30 pm, if we arrive at the airport around 1:30-2 will we have enough time to avail ourselves of the T-5 Lounge and have a quick shower? I realize it's around $25-$30 which is worth it to me to not have to arrive in Europe on Tuesday covered in Sunday's grime.
I'm am incredibly patient travler who has spent many a long wait/layover/night in airports and train stations but if you all think that it makes more sense to arrive on Saturday to New York and spend one night in a hotel I would consider it. If we do book a hotel should we book one close to the airport and take the train into Herald Sqaure for the Sunday morning errand?

Thanks for any and all info!

IMDonehere

Maybe someone can tell you if they clear out Penn Station when the trains are not running.

If you decide to book a room, I would do it in Manhattan, not near the airport. It is just more convenient. And whatever you do do not book at Hotel Pennsylvania across the street from Penn Station.

The E-train is cheaper but the LIRR is more comfortable. 12:30 should be more than enough time for either mode.

DebitNM

We did this mid-town to JFK 3 weeks ago. We left our hotel on W. 28th and 6th at 1 pm. We walked to Penn Station and took the LIRR. It was Sunday and we got cheap fare, so it was only a bit more than taking the E train {have done that before, train was more comfortable}. We had plenty of time to get to our gate, for 5:20 pm departure, and had time for drink too.

andyrenee

When I went to Montreal there was an overnight layover in Penn Station because our train didn't leave for another 6 hours or so. I was basing my ability to stay in the Antrack lounge on this experience. If things have changed yes, someone please let me know.

DebitNM

Penn Station is open 24/7

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten..._Page&code=NYP

DebitNM

http://www.goingnomadic.com/sleeping...tation-review/

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/newyork_rs.htm

janisj

By the time you get to Ireland you will have been up for the best part of two full days (about 33 hours before boarding the plane plus the flight time and formalities when you land) This is close to insanity IMO.

Train in a day early and get a room.

IMDonehere

I agree, Penn Station is just this side of a third world terminal. But you will have the National Guard looking after you.

DebitNM

Read the links I provided; paints a realistic, not so pretty picture of an overnight at Penn Station.

IMDonehere

They are finally building a new Penn Station that will be named after the erudite but often drunk NY Senator Pat Moynihan. He was a shoe shine boy there during the Depression It will sround and under the post office building across the street on 8th Avenue. The building was originally designed by the famed firm of McKim, Mead and White.

andyrenee

Thanks, everyone!!! I will consider everything you guys said.
I saw the articles and of course we will sleep on the train and plane. I've spent nights in Penn Sation before so I'm not intimidated by it.
I was more thinking of sitting in the lounge for about 5 hours in the early morning hours before we headed out to grab a bite to eat. I will price the cost of hotel for the night in midtown, that will be the deciding factor.

However my timing seems fine? Also has anyone had any experience with the lounge in T-5?
Thanks again!

doug_stallings

It may be difficult to find a hotel much under $200 for a Saturday night. I guess it depends on when you're going.