RedIcedTea

I'm arriving in JFK on a Friday afternoon. After clearing immigration, it will be rush hour. I'm planning on taking the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station and then the LIRR to Penn Station. I will have 2 pieces of luggage.

Few questions:

1. Does the LIRR allow luggages on board and is there a place to stow them safely? I will have a 26" high luggage and then a smaller one.

2. From the AirTrain to the LIRR train, is this within the same station?

Thank you.

BigRuss

Yes, the LIRR allows luggage on board. It'd be a useless connection to an airport if it did not.

As to #2:

There is an in-station link to the AirTrain platform — AirTrain travels to the airport from Jamaica every 4 to 10 minutes. The AirTrain ride takes about 10 minutes. The AirTrain JFK is connected to the Railroad's hub by escalators, elevators, people movers and an overhead mezzanine bridge.

http://web.mta.info/mta/airtrain.htm

sf7307

In answer to the second part of your first question, there isn't really a place to store a large bag "safely". If the train is crowded, you'll have to stand with your bag (it's not such a long trip). If it's not crowded, you may be able to keep it close to you. A smaller bag can go in the overhead rack.

nytraveler

At that time the LIRR train is likely to be crowded and you ay or may not get a seat in Jamaica. And you will need to watch or hang onto your luggage - so I agree you will probably end up standing nest to the large one and holding the smaller. You cannot put luggage in the aisles which would easily trip people.

LIRR are regular commuter trains - not airport specials and while there is some room on overhead racks it will not hold such a huge bag.

doug_stallings

From the Airtrain to LIRR, you walk outside the Airtrain station into an open-air but covered walkway. Stairs and escalators lead down to the tracks, and there are elevators, too. You can buy tickets from either a machine on the elevated walkway; you'll find monitors that show the locations of trains. Be sure to buy your LIRR ticket before boarding the train; they are significantly more expensive on the train (at least double).

The trains may be crowded, and you may find it challenging with such a giant suitcase, but lots of people do it. The only other alternative is the E train, which is even more crowded and challenging.

RedIcedTea

Thank you very much for all your help BigRuss, sf7307, nytraveler, Doug_Stallings.

Feel more confident to try this mode of transport than braving rush hour traffic into Manhattan as I'm trying to catch an Amtrak connection.

NeoPatrick

If you find yourself behind a lot of people to get on the train, simply stand aside and wait up close for the next one.

nytraveler

Be aware that in Penn station you will need to take an escalator with your luggage up from the platform to the concourse.

For the Amtrak train you might want to get a Red Cap (no fee but tip nicely) so you can get down to the Amtrak platform early - otherwise you will be rushing with everyone else while hauling your luggage since the trains are announced only about 10 minutes in advance.

The Red Caps know which platform the train will arrive on in advance and can unlock the escalator to take your luggage down on a cart and position you next to a door so you have the best chance to deposit your large bag at the end of the car and find a seat.

sf7307

I heartily concur with the Red Cap advice. I just recommended it to my DS and DDIL last week, and they also though it was brilliant! (About $5.00 per bag is a decent tip).