JFK to Port Authority
Oct 20th, 2011, 08:47 PM
#1
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JFK to Port Authority
So glad I found this forum - learning a lot! Thanks in advance for any help with my question below.
We are scheduled to land at JFK at 1:40pm on Tuesday Nov 22nd and have tickets to Radio City Christmas Spectacular 5pm show!
We've already paid for an nonrefundable Super Shuttle, but I'm very nervous we won't make it to our hotel and then to Radio City.
What is the best (fastest, affordable) way to get from JFK to our hotel which is across from Port Authority (Sheraton Four Point - 326 West 40th Street) .
We can't risk 2 hours in the Super Shuttle waiting in traffic and stopping at several hotels!!
Is there a public transportation option from JKF to Port Authority?
Thanks for any help!
We are scheduled to land at JFK at 1:40pm on Tuesday Nov 22nd and have tickets to Radio City Christmas Spectacular 5pm show!
We've already paid for an nonrefundable Super Shuttle, but I'm very nervous we won't make it to our hotel and then to Radio City.
What is the best (fastest, affordable) way to get from JFK to our hotel which is across from Port Authority (Sheraton Four Point - 326 West 40th Street) .
We can't risk 2 hours in the Super Shuttle waiting in traffic and stopping at several hotels!!
Is there a public transportation option from JKF to Port Authority?
Thanks for any help!
Oct 20th, 2011, 10:29 PM
#2
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If you use Google map and enter JFK Airport and your destination, you can choose public transportation as an option. According to Google map, the trip takes 52 minutes, using Air Train and the LIRR.
Oct 21st, 2011, 04:52 AM
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Quickest would be Airtrain to Jamaica. At Jamaica transfer to the Long Island Railroad which goes to Penn station (33 st & 7th ave.) At Penn station you can either take the subway 1 stop to Port Authority or a taxi. But I'd say you're timing is tight. There is an Express bus from the airport to Port Authority, but I don't know how reliable it is these days and traffic delays could hold you up. http://www.nyairportservice.com/
Oct 21st, 2011, 04:57 AM
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Here's a little more detail from the JFK website.
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-airtrain.html
You take the AirTrain towards Jamaica right from your arrival terminal. There are 3 train routes. One runs clockwise and services all terminals. Two run counter clockwise, one of which is for Howard Beach, the other for Jamaica. Sign boards and verbal announcements tell you which train is arriving at the station.
Once you arrive at Jamaica Station you will connect to the Long Island RR (LIRR), to NY Penn Station.
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-airtrain.html
You take the AirTrain towards Jamaica right from your arrival terminal. There are 3 train routes. One runs clockwise and services all terminals. Two run counter clockwise, one of which is for Howard Beach, the other for Jamaica. Sign boards and verbal announcements tell you which train is arriving at the station.
Once you arrive at Jamaica Station you will connect to the Long Island RR (LIRR), to NY Penn Station.
Oct 21st, 2011, 05:14 AM
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The Airtrain and LIRR will definitely save you time over SuperShuttle, and that's what I'd recommend as well. It's going to be faster for you if you don't check bags, but even if you do, I suspect you'll make it into Manhattan (possibly even to your hotel) by 3:30.
The only question for you is how you will get to your actual hotel from Penn Station, which is on 34th Street. It's 8 blocks to the Port Authority (about a 12-minute walk in that busy part of Manhattan with luggage). If you feel comfortable doing that, you can probably walk. Most hotels in that area aren't more than a 15-minute walk from Penn Station, but the sidewalks are really crowded. You could also take a taxi, or just take the subway one stop. Your choice.
The only question for you is how you will get to your actual hotel from Penn Station, which is on 34th Street. It's 8 blocks to the Port Authority (about a 12-minute walk in that busy part of Manhattan with luggage). If you feel comfortable doing that, you can probably walk. Most hotels in that area aren't more than a 15-minute walk from Penn Station, but the sidewalks are really crowded. You could also take a taxi, or just take the subway one stop. Your choice.
Oct 21st, 2011, 05:43 AM
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Thank you everyone!! This makes me feel so much better!
Super Shuttle will keep my money, but not rob me of my time!
We know it's going to be a tight timeline to get from JFK to Hotel to Radio City - but we are just taking this as our first adventure in NYC!!!
We are doing carry on only so we don't have to wait at baggage and can exit the plane and GO! It will be like a challenge on The Amazing Race!!
THANKS for the links and all the info - I've looked at the maps and I'm going to print them off and add to my trip info packet so we will have them handy. I also did googlemaps to get the trip time.
So...here's our plan:
- Exit Plane at JFK
- Board AirTrain - Jamaica Station Route - (14 minutes)
- Arrive at Jamaica Station
- Board Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station (18 minutes)
- Arrive at Penn Station
-- option 1 Take Subway 1 to Port Authority
-- option 2 Take Taxi directly to hotel
-- option 3 walk to hotel
Now I'm trying to figure out what will be the
I'm thinking we need to buy a MetroCard right away - how much should we put on it?
Thanks again everyone! I really appreciate all your help.
Super Shuttle will keep my money, but not rob me of my time!
We know it's going to be a tight timeline to get from JFK to Hotel to Radio City - but we are just taking this as our first adventure in NYC!!!
We are doing carry on only so we don't have to wait at baggage and can exit the plane and GO! It will be like a challenge on The Amazing Race!!
THANKS for the links and all the info - I've looked at the maps and I'm going to print them off and add to my trip info packet so we will have them handy. I also did googlemaps to get the trip time.
So...here's our plan:
- Exit Plane at JFK
- Board AirTrain - Jamaica Station Route - (14 minutes)
- Arrive at Jamaica Station
- Board Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station (18 minutes)
- Arrive at Penn Station
-- option 1 Take Subway 1 to Port Authority
-- option 2 Take Taxi directly to hotel
-- option 3 walk to hotel
Now I'm trying to figure out what will be the
I'm thinking we need to buy a MetroCard right away - how much should we put on it?
Thanks again everyone! I really appreciate all your help.
Oct 21st, 2011, 07:57 AM
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I wouldn't stress too much. You really do have enough time to do this without rushing.
As for your Metrocard, you don't say how long you're going to be in the city. That will influence how much you put on or whether you buy a one-week unlimited card.
Rule of thumb: You should buy a one-week card if you are in the city for 5 days or more and plan to take 3 or more subway rides per day (or more than 13 separate rides). If you want a regular MetroCard, load it with a basic amount (like $20, which will give you 9 rides with the bonus and a little left over). You can always add more.
As for your Metrocard, you don't say how long you're going to be in the city. That will influence how much you put on or whether you buy a one-week unlimited card.
Rule of thumb: You should buy a one-week card if you are in the city for 5 days or more and plan to take 3 or more subway rides per day (or more than 13 separate rides). If you want a regular MetroCard, load it with a basic amount (like $20, which will give you 9 rides with the bonus and a little left over). You can always add more.
Oct 21st, 2011, 08:23 AM
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All my worry is washed away! THANK YOU all for your help and advice! I'm really excited about the AirTrain and LIRR!
We will be in NYC four days. I haven't been back to NYC in 17 years (I was a nanny in Westchester in the early 90's) and this will be my husbands first time in NYC. I think I will feel comfortable using the subway - I could handle it when I was a naive 20 something! Now that I'm a more cautious 40 year old I hope I don't worry myself out of taking the subway. We can do it! My husband is a big guy, so I will be safe!
I was thinking of getting a regular MetroCard and starting with $20 and add on more if we need it.
One month until we go - so excited!!!
We will be in NYC four days. I haven't been back to NYC in 17 years (I was a nanny in Westchester in the early 90's) and this will be my husbands first time in NYC. I think I will feel comfortable using the subway - I could handle it when I was a naive 20 something! Now that I'm a more cautious 40 year old I hope I don't worry myself out of taking the subway. We can do it! My husband is a big guy, so I will be safe!
I was thinking of getting a regular MetroCard and starting with $20 and add on more if we need it.
One month until we go - so excited!!!
Oct 21st, 2011, 08:33 AM
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The subway ain't what it used to be; you might even decide to ride it for the art in the various stations:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623088372713
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623088372713
Oct 21st, 2011, 04:12 PM
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You will pay $5 for the AirTrain to Jamaica, but you must use a regular pay-as-you-go MetroCard, not an unlimited one. You pay at the Jamaica end. There are machines there and people to help you. The subway fare is $2.25 per ride.
Since you are staying near Port Authority Bus Terminal, you might take the AirTrain to Jamaica and then take the E train (subway) from there, directly to Port Authority. It is a longer actual ride than the LIRR, but the subways may run toward Manhattan more frequently at that hour on a Tuesday afternoon, PLUS the E train stops right at 42nd St/Port Authority--no extra changes.
When you exit the AirTrain at Jamaica, you'll be on a level above the LIRR tracks. Just keep walking straight across the the elevator at the other end. Others (especially airline personnel) will probably be doing the same. Take the elevator down to subway level. You'll use your MetroCard to enter the subway turnstiles here. There are elevators, and stairs down to the subway track. You want a Manhattan-bound E train. At that time of day, the trip should take about 70 minutes from the airport to Port Authority.
Since you are staying near Port Authority Bus Terminal, you might take the AirTrain to Jamaica and then take the E train (subway) from there, directly to Port Authority. It is a longer actual ride than the LIRR, but the subways may run toward Manhattan more frequently at that hour on a Tuesday afternoon, PLUS the E train stops right at 42nd St/Port Authority--no extra changes.
When you exit the AirTrain at Jamaica, you'll be on a level above the LIRR tracks. Just keep walking straight across the the elevator at the other end. Others (especially airline personnel) will probably be doing the same. Take the elevator down to subway level. You'll use your MetroCard to enter the subway turnstiles here. There are elevators, and stairs down to the subway track. You want a Manhattan-bound E train. At that time of day, the trip should take about 70 minutes from the airport to Port Authority.
Oct 21st, 2011, 07:09 PM
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Yes, the actual subway ride is twice as long as the the actual LIRR ride. But when you add in the AriTrain ride and the time to connect to LIRR (at that time of day in that direction there are Manhattan-bound LIRR trains only about every 15 minutes) and then to connect from Penn Station to the Port Authority area by whatever method, the amount of time may not be that different--plus there will have been one less connection. The OP may waste unnecessary time just trying to figure out how to get out of Penn Station. I don't think the OP will save a significant enough amount of time to warrant making the extra connection through busy, confusing Penn Station.
