departing from JFK
 

I have a mid-week 10am flight out of JFK. Traveling from hotel in Danbury, CT. Debating whether to stay overnight in Danbury or move to hotel near JFK??

Danbury is about 70 miles from JFK and that should take about 1:15 to 1:30 drive time (assuming no traffic delays). Depending on whether or not you are flying domestic or internationally, whether or not you have check-in and printed your boarding pass "on-line" or if you have to do that at the airport and/or if you have to check luggage luggage you should plan on arriving at the airport anywhere from at least 1:00 to 2:00 prior to scheduled departure.

So, if you are going on a weekend (no traffic) you'll need to leave Danbury sometime between 6:00AM and 6:30AM. If you are traveling on a week day that timing will put you smack dab in the middle of rush hour traffic commuting into NYC so you may want to leave 15 to 30 minutes earlier.

If you stay at a hotel near the airport, you could probably plan on leaving the hotel between 8:00AM and 8:30AM and be sitting at your departure gate with plenty of time to spare.

So, weigh the cost and convenience of the hotel vs. getting up early and driving to the airport.

For me it's a no-brainer. Whenever I have a morning flight from a major airport like JFK or in a major city like NYC I ALWAYS stay at the airport the night before no matter how much the hotel costs. The way I look at it, my time is valuable and it's always "worth it" not to waste time.

I live in the Hudson valley, about the same distance from JFK as Danbury - slightly longer drive but the same route I684 onwards. I'd never stay at a hotel near JFK over staying at home. Your case is different, since you're staying in a hotel.

It takes me about 2hrs door to gate for mid morning flights, including parking, AirTrain, and security. (usually AA T8). For a 10am flight I'd leave home around 6:30, and normally have plenty of time to spare.

From Danbury there are 3 potential traffic bottlenecks areas.

1. Whitestone Bridge
2. I678 (Van Wyck) at Grand Central Pkwy/Jackie Robinson Pkwy area, and
3. Van Wyck approaching JFK.

If you left Danbury at 6am you'd be approaching JFK airport by 7:30, even considering those bottlenecks.

If you do consider going to an airport area hotel the night before, don't go too early, as you'll hit the same bottlenecks around evening rush hour.

No need to be on the road at 5:30am for a 70mi drive.

I used to live near Danbury and the two hour time is closer especially at rush hour. And then add time if it is a rental or being put in long term parking.

Is it aninternational flight? What time have they told you to check in.

A couple of months ago a colleague missed a flight to LAX and he arrived at the airport almost 2 hours in advance - with no luggage. The security line was a disaster - and the jetway at the end of the finger. by the time he got there they had called him a no show (printed boarding pass at home) and given away his seat. (He IS a slow walker.)

I'm on a 10am week-day domestic flight. I checked out budget hotels near JFK and was concerned about safety in that area. JFK hotels are more than double the cost of what I'm paying in Danbury. Any reasonably priced, clean & safe hotels near JFK you recommend?

I think the prices you are seeing are as resonable as it gets. I wouldn;t do Priceline since some of the hotels are, frankly, aewul. And all are at the side of majjor hjighways with no access to services outside the hotel unless you have a car.

And note that one of the areas that may be included is Jamaica. I would NOT stay there - for any reason - since some parts are very high crime.

When we overnight at JFK we stay at the Sheraton. Comfortable rooms and they have a shuttle bus that will take you to the airport. It's not cheap, though.

Regardless, I would not chance trying to drive to JFK on a weekday morning from Danbury if you are not familiar with the route. There's a lot of traffic, and it can be confusing. Definitely go the night before.

Thanks for all the great advice! :)