Best transit from JFK to Upper East Side
 

What is the best and/or least expensive way to get from JFK to our daughter's new home in UPper East Side? We will only have our carry ons so luggage is not a big problem.

We will be arriving Thursday evening/Fri morning around 12:30 a.m.

Any ideas would be great(& no, our daughter does not have a car)

Same question as to getting back to JFK Monday afternoon from Upper East Side

Thanks.


Now 2 jjs

There is a fixed price for taxis from JFK to Manhattan. (There is, however, no fixed price from Manhattan to JFK.)

There is also the AirTrain, blue shuttle buses, and buses that you take you to the termianls. But considering the time of day and your knowledge of NYC, I would take a cab. WIth tip and tolls it is approximately $60.

It is actually the same fixed price of $45 now to get to and from JFK.

Since you asked for the truly cheapest way . . .

AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station.

Transfer there to the E train, a subway train on the lower level. There are elevators and escalators to do so.

Take the E train to Manhattan. Get off at the 53rd St/Lexington Ave stop (the first stop actually in Manhattan) and transfer to the 6 train going uptown.

The 6 train will probably take you close to your daughter's place. She can tell you what station is closest.

This trip would probably take 1-1.5 hours and will cost $7 each.

Schlepping on the AirTrain/subway and transferring at 1 am makes no sense (imo). I would take a taxi at that hour or order a car service like dial7.com or carmellimo.com for about the same price. Get door to door service. At that hour, you might ask to be taken over the 59th st. bridge with no toll (vs. triborough) and save $4, but it depends somewhat on where on the UES she is. For 60's/70's it makes sense. For 80's/90's less so.

On Mon. afternoon, you might want to try the subway/Airtrain when it's daylight and you can see what you're doing and how long the trip takes. Don't be tempted by Super Shuttle, the shared van service. It is truly terrible.

Agree that at 1 in the morning I would NOT be trekking all over various trains and subways from the airport. Trains all run less frequently then - and it could easily end up taking the best part of 2 hours.

I usually take a cab into the city - but at that time there may be a wait. Agree to organize a car service (in both directions).

If you go to the web sites they often have coupons for airport trips.

Is William correct that the fixed price taxi now applies both to and from JFK? (Need to know for Thanksgiving trip)

Yes, dmlove, the $45 taxi fare(plus toll and tip) is now both TO and FROM JFK to anywhere in Manhattan. Now if they just did that for LGA...
http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/pas...cab_rate.shtml
"The Taxi & Limousine Commission is conducting a "Flat Fare" program for trips between (to and from) the Borough of Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls. The meter will not be turned on and the night surcharge will not be added.

If passengers request multiple stops, the flat rate of $45.00 will be collected at the first stop in either Manhattan or John F. Kennedy Airport, and the meter will be turned on for the remainder of the trip. The metered fare should be collected at the last stop, from the last passenger."

Thanks I did not notice the chaneg in rules.

Thanks everyone. Will definitely use the flat rate cab when we arrive; may try to be more creative going home Monday afternoon.

My daughter was among the others who replied who knew about the flat rate into the city; but says it is not so getting out. Will see what happens there.

Now 2 jjs

It is definitely so in reverse. That has been in effect since last November. From the link provided by nyer above

Flat Fare from John F. Kennedy Airport:

The Taxi &amp; Limousine Commission is conducting a &quot;Flat Fare&quot; program for trips between <font color="red">(to and from)</font> the Borough of Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls. The meter will not be turned on and the night surcharge will not be added.