I might be flying into JFK late friday night. I'm thinking about getting a hotel room for the night rather than having to find my way into New Jersey (Mays Landing)late.
But what is the best way and transportation from Manhattan into NJ? Bus, train and how long does it take?

I doubt that NJ Transit or Amtrak trains go there. It is not a stop listed on the njtransit website. A bus would take a couple of hours at least. Maybe 2.5 - 3. If there is one, that is.

I think you're right! And I don't know how "safe" and comfortable I'd feel getting myself with my luggage from JFK to the find the bus at 8pm to sit for another couple of hours to NJ......hmm

Mays Landing is in southern NJ about 15 west of Atlantic City. It's a L-O-N-G way from JFK - I'd estimate 140 to 150 miles. There are no busses that you can take to get there directly from the airport and I doubt there are any direct bus routes from any of the Mid-town bus terminals.

If you wanted to go by bus you'd probably have to first make your way from JFK to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Mid-town than get a bus to Atlantic City where you might be able to get a bus to Mays Landing. this type of trip would probably take you 4 to 5 hours.

You really need to either get a car service (read very expensive) or rent a car at JFK. Go to Mapquest for exact driving instructions but in general from JFK you'll take the Belt Parkway across the Veranzano Narrows Bridge to I-278 across Staten Island to the NJ Turnpike (aka I-95) to Exit 3 where you pick up the Atlantic City Expressway to Mays Landing. Figure 3 hours driving time if there are no traffic jams.

Opps! That should read about 15 miles west of Atlantic City.

Is there any way you could fly into Philadelphia rather than NYC? Mays Landing is in southern NJ, so is much closer to Philly than NY.

You need to rent a car. njtransit.com has a trip planner (and then click itinerary) if you have an exact address, but I think the only way to get there is rent a car and drive yourself or find a car service.

Wow, I didn't realize how far and complicated that is. Jet Blue I guess only fly into NY for some reason and we have points that we can use with them. It doesn't look like I'll be going unfortunately
Thanks for the info!!

Doesn't Jet Blue fly to Newark? Rent a car for the trip down the Garden State - it's probably about a 2 hour drive.

A longer route, but one that avoids renting a car, is to take Amtrak from Newark to Philadelphia then NJ Transit to AC and have someone pick you up at Egg Harbor station.

You could lose all your money in the stock market and end up living in a van by the river... in NJ

Google Maps suggests a sequence of bus connections, starting from Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan.

139 to Lakewood Terminal via Freehold Center (1hr26min)
Then take 559 to Atlantic City (2hr13min)
Then take 553 to US Hwy 40 and Farragut Ave which is a two minute walk to Mays Landing (30min)

I visited a friend in Egg Harbor City (not far from Mays Landing). I recall her family driving some distance toward Philadelphia to pic us up at a direct bus from NY there. If you are visiting someone in Mays Landing, perhaps they can suggest the best way to reach them, which may be less obvious.

Does anyone know the price on taking these buses?

Usually New Jersey Transit web site has all the info.

Mapquest gives the driving distance as about 120 miles. I can't imagine spending over 4 hours on buses (plus connection times, plus getting to Port Authority from the airport) to travel that distance. And I'd expect the cost to be similar to renting a car.

Anonymous,
That's precisely why my friend's family--and probably most other's in the area--are willing to drive a bit further from home to connect with a better bus option.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I will throw it out as an option:

The NY/Philadelphia Bolt Bus now stops at the Cherry Hill Mall (in contrast to Mega Bus, whose "other" Philadelphia stop is at 6th & Market). Cherry Hill is still a 45 minute drive from May's Landing, but this is, at least, an inexpensive and direct option from Penn Station to South Jersey.

Thank you for your help! I have looked into a ticket and will probably be flying into Philly and take the train to Eggs Harbor like you suggested. That sounds like the best way to do this. Thanks for all your help!!!