We're flying to LGA from Milwaukee arriving at 10:30 am then transfer to JFK for an 8:30 pm flight to Manchester, GB. I know it takes about 1 hr to transfer airports and have to check-in 3 hrs before an international flight, sp that leaves us approximately 6 hrs at JFK. Do we still have to time for a short visit to the city or should we just stay at the airport. Any suggestions on what to do at JFK< We have just carry-on luggage. Thanks.

I think the most you have time for is a day room at a JFK Airport Hotel. You can shower, change, sleep, and rest for your upcoming flight.

You could run into Manhattan but you would be playing Beat The Clock all day long and that would suck the life out of me.

Do you want to drag your carry-on luggage with your while you traipse around Manhattan? It's doable, but the cost is having your luggage with you.

Thanks for your suggestions. If we go downtown, we plan to store our luggages. If we decide to stay, are there any airport lounges that we can use ,or pay and use? We are flying Delta airlines, but not first class, though.

Contact the airline to see whether you can pay to use their lounge for the day. I agree with the other posts - it's too risky trying to make your way into the city for those few hours.

Another vote saying it is too risky to go into the city.

Can it be done? Probably... but there is a good chance of running late.

I have been to New York many times and a general rule that I have adopted is anything can happen. There are times when there should be no traffic at all, and the cars don't move. Then there are times when it should be jammed on the roads and there is no delay! I have been there when the whole city lost power a few years back, and I have seen other pretty random things foul up plans.

Play it safe and focus on the flights. I know how great the temptation to make a side trip is because I have been in that spot myself... but the risk is not worth the reward. As someone else mentioned, even if you did make it the enjoyment would be limited because you'd be anxiously watching the clock.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks again for all your replies. We've decided to stay at the airport.
LizQ as you suggested, I called Delta and they have a $25/day pass per person which I think is reasonable. So we'll just stay and rest there.

Here's the problem. There is no place in NYC to store luggage since 9/11. So - you would either have to take the luggage from LGA to JFK to store there, then get into the city, do whatever and come back to JFK.

Or - if you go from LGA right into the city you would have to find a hotel willing to put your luggage into their storage room while you tour - then return to pick it up heading to JFK.

You don;t say what time of year/day of week - but getting to JFK can be VERY time-consuming depending on conditions. (And if you take the AirTrain you don;t want to know about the subway at 5pm - unless it;'s a weekend.)

Also - have you checked the on-time arrival of your flight into LGA - you may not have as much time as you think.

Best guess you drop luggage at a hotel in the city at noon and have to pick it up again around 4pm or so. Is that worth it?

we had the same sort of thing happen a couple of years ago - but less time - more like 4.5 hrs. We checked our luggage through to our next destination and got on a fast bus into the city (we'd seen a flyer in the inflight magazine). It took less than a 1/2 hr to get into the city (non-rush) and we left ourselves at least an hour to get out - we had time to spare. We took our kids to the Broadway area, Toys R Us and even had some lunch. Way better than sitting around the airport.