marktynernyc

Just wanted to give a heads up to anybody going to (or coming from) JFK - I just tried the new train to the plane - I'm impressed. Left Penn Station at 6:13 am - went to Jamaica Station - got on the shuttle train and was walking into the Jet Blue Terminal at 6:50 am - all for $7.50. It's fast and easy - no more expensive car services (unless I've had a couple margaitas) and being stuck in traffic.

elaine

HI
which train did you take at Penn Station, the LIRR, or a subway?

111op

It had to be the LIRR, I think -- there's no way that the subway + AirTran would take 37 minutes. I've done the subway + AirTran route twice, and the wait for AirTran was more than ten minutes, if I remember correctly. Perhaps they've managed to fix the glitches.

marktynernyc

Elaine -
I took LIRR. Just got back this evening - did the shuttle to the train again. Took a bit longer because I got on the shuttle that was headed for Howard beach. Also - off peak on LIRR during the week is $4.75 one way. The shuttle train is $5.

111op -
Snycronicity must have been on my side - the shuttle was there as I walked up.

sandi

Well, it's about time they got the AirTran finished, but we're still waiting for it to be continued on to connect LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - now that would be great for everyone.

If you live (or staying at a hotel) near the LIRR (west side Manhattan), with maybe a short subway ride to the LIRR (33 St/7th Ave), have little luggage - this is a great option.

For many other Manhattanites, by the time they get to the LIRR, they could have been at JFK. From the Upper East Side it's only a 25-minute drive to JFK. So its not the money saved, it's the time and convenience that others are looking for.

But at least the powers-to-be have finally gotten around to providing an alternative.

sera

What's it like hauling luggage from the AirTrain and tranferring to the LIRR. I heard there are a lot of stairs.

111op

Can't remember exactly -- but I'm pretty sure that there're elevators in the AirTran terminals.

Still, the connection didn't strike me to be as seamless as a connection would be in Europe. Basically you've to exit the airline terminals to get to the AirTran terminals, whereas there're usually underground connections in Europe from the air terminals that lead directly to the train station.

Still it's not a bad way to get to the airport, and I think that it will get better. When I used it in January and connecting from the E train, I noticed very few signs and it was difficult to figure out where I should be going, but the situation was much improved a month later.

marktynernyc

Cost wise - car service and taxis, one way, to JFK will be going up to $45 next month compared to $7.50 - $9.75 off peak. You go up one flight of stairs from the LIRR - not sure about the subway.
I wish it was seamless also ( and for lcose to $2 billion dollars, it should be) - this typical bubble gum and rubber band approach that seems so endemic in NYC is why NYC will always be a second class world city. Maybe the powers in charge will figure out some type of conection between the 2nd ave subway and a shuttle train to La Gaurdia - but I'll be worm food by then, I'm sure. Still - considering a lot of flights to Europe leave around 6 pm which is rush hour - I'd much rather be gliding along in a shuttle train than sitting in a limo stuck in traffic wondering if I'm going to catch my flight.

elaine

Yes, I'd like to try to spend the extra $40 on a good dinner at my destination.

One more reason to try to pack lightly.

sera

I read recently that the Jamaica station is being renovated to make the transfer more convenient.

sandi

Realize I'm saying this in a whisper - "but never been tied up in traffic going/coming to/from the airport" - I just never plan for rush hours.

And he last thing I even want to consider when I return from a trip, wherever it's from, it going to the train. It's so much easier to walk out the door, hail a taxi and be home in less than an hour.

But I repeat, at least there is another alternative.