My wife and i arrive in JFK this Sat.6p.m. can anyone advise the most economicial transport to our Hotel on 32 nd st.and how long would it take assuming we are ready to move in 1-2 hours. Also is a camcorder safe to carry on my person and can it be used at the major sites notably Ellis Island.Thanks

The most economical requires you to be strong in mind and body. You can take a shuttle from JFK to the subway (A train). It will cost $1.50 per person and you would get off at 34th Street-Penn Station. That will put you on 8th Avenue. Of course, you can transfer to other trains that would put you on a closer avenue to your hotel.

It should take you about an hour on the subway. What is the cross avenue of your hotel?

This website has information on transportation from JFK into Manhattan.


http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsmain.htm

The camcorder will be safe to carry and use in any of the popular tourist destinations in Manhattan and also in less heavily traveled neighborhoods. I wouldn't carry it dangling from your wrist at 2 AM in the morning while walking alone on a deserted side street but that's an unlikely spot to begin with. As usual.... common sense prevails. You'll find all the popular spots in Manhattan to be remarkably safe and well policed.

Thanks for your replies.One Question aside from the hassle of getting a subway into 32 st is the "New York Airport Shuttle" my best option after travelling 6+hours from Ireland.

orourke,
Yes to the shuttle question.

NO the shuttle is NOT your best option. Since there are 2 of you, TAKE A TAXI! It's a flat fare of $35 + toll & tip for both of you with your luggage. You'll get door to door service-no switching, walking, dragging, climbing.

mclaurie,
The shuttle bus gets them to their hotel for $15/person (no tolls, no tip, well maybe a small tip). Cab is $35+toll ($3.50)+tip (~$5 min).

Yes, a cab is faster, but it's not less expensive and both are door to door.

OK mj. The shuttle takes them to their door?? I thought it just dropped off at Grand Central & Port Authority. Do you know the shuttle route (ie would 32 st be at the beginning or end of the drop offs). For about $10 more, I'd go for the convenience of the cab.

mclaurie,
You say po-ta-to, I say po-taa-to. Neither of us knows how orouke says it.

Obviously, he went to the panynj site and probably to the shuttle site. Maybe he values money over time and surely he knows there are cabs, but initially asked for "the most economical transport" and nixed the subway idea - smart move on a Sat. night for out-of-towners.

In any event, if he inquires at the ground transportation desk and doesn't like what he hears about the shuttle bus, the cab line is just a few steps away.

The term SHUTTLE is mixing meanings a bit here. There are private buses, like Carey, that drop you in midtown at a specific location. Then there are shuttles (vans), like SuperShuttle, that take you to your exact destination. Both cost about the same. Choosing which one to use depends on personal preference. On the bus, they must find their way from the bus stop to their hotel (cab? walk?), but the bus follows a regular scheduled route. On the SuperShuttle, they will be dropped at their hotel, but may be delayed at the airport until the van fills or be driven around half of Manhattan dropping off other riders. (And for $10 more, there's the ease of a cab.) Which is preferable? Ask orourke...

Lighten up flopmeister, the original post asked for the most economical method.

Sorry if I sounded too strident mj. I guess from where I sit, if you want most economical the subway is it. Once you start considering the shuttle bus for $30 for 2 people, unless you're staying at the Hyatt right at Grand Central, a cab really makes more sense, particularly after a transatlantic flight

I take the subway home whenever I fly into JFK. Though the shuttle that takes you to the subway can be hellish (sometimes gets REALLY crowded, and makes 10 or more stops sometimes forcing half the bus to unload so that someone can pull their 5 heavy bags off the luggage rack!), the subway ride itself is pleasant. You'll get a seat, and almost 1/2 the ride is overground, so you can get some views of the city. Plus - believe it or not - it is often sometimes faster than taking a cab. Once they open the monorail (in the next year-don't know exactly when), the awful shuttle bus will be history! I can't wait!

mclaurie,
Strident? Not you Besides, you grow up in NY and a funny thing happens to your skin...it gets real thick.

Happy Easter