Flying into JFK vs. Newark, worth the airfare difference?
 

Let me say first, I have read through many posts here about these airports, but haven't found the exact answer I need.

3 friends and I are going to a concert at the new Prudential arena in Newark during November. We will probably either stay in Newark, or hopefully book the Hyatt on the Hudson in Jersey City (through hotwire) closer to our trip.

We had planned on flying into Newark, but aifare is rising. We can fly into Newark for around $225/person right now, OR we can fly into JFK for $177/person. I've just been wondering if it would be worthing going the JFK route to save money. We would still have to slit the cost of a cab to get to Jersey City or Newark.

I would love for us to stay in the city, but this is a very budget conscious group, so there is no way we can afford it. We will be in Newark 2 nights anyway for the concert. We will also travel into the city a couple of days. Thanks for any recommendations!

The difference is $48..right NOW..and that could change.

How much will you have to pay to get to Newark?

Don't stay in Elizabeth or Newark.

Jersey City is a much much better option.

Don't be peeny wise, pound foolish. In addition to the cost of transportation from JFK to Newark you have to factor in travel time. Depending on when you will be going to/from the airport it could take you anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to make the trip (longer if you are travelling at rush hour or you happen to run into delays caused by road construction or an accident).

Personally, for a $48 difference I'd fly into EWR.

You will most likely be delayed flying into EWR so book a flight that gets you in earlier than you need to be there. Check www.avoiddelays.com for some guidance.

Definitely fly into Newark. to get from JFK to Newark s extremely time-consuming by public transit - think hours - and requires Air Train and subway or LIRR to Penn Station - then taking bus or Path Of NJ Transit to New Jersey.

To get a car service would eat up any savings in air fare.

I agree with the use EWR advise. Both airports have terrible on time records. Regardless of your decision, plan on being late inbound and outbound. As discussed, if you go JFK, traffic will be slow to stopped at peak hours.

Between your delay in getting to the gate and the hours of traffic you will have to endure to get to Newark, you will be kicking yourself for flying into Kennedy.

OK, thanks so much everyone. I figured it would be better to fly into Newark, but I wanted everyone here to verify that for me. I've been to NYC 3 times, but this will be my first time flying.

Thanks for the link on delayed flights too. We are planning to fly in the day of the concert, so sounds like we should start very early.

I just need to ask.. Are you going to see Bon Jovi??? I was thinking of doing the same trip if you are... all the way from CA!

oppss.. I meant to answer your question. We fly into JFK often and go down south of Newark - due to having JetBlue - and honestly - it can be a NIGHTMARE. It has taken up to 4 hours one way with traffic on any given day. Fly into Newark.

Here is the air traffic controllers advice on flying into EWR:

1. Early morning departures and arrivals are your best bet. The airport starts to get busy really quick, starting at 8:00 a.m. and running until about 10:00 a.m. The arrival delays will start to add up throughout the day and, depending on thunderstorms that may hit, the busiest time of the day starts at 4:00 p.m. The airport will stay busy and highly congested until about 9:00 p.m. on normal days, and until 1:00-2:00 a.m. on the worst days, where weather conditions, both here and in key places affecting air travel elsewhere, are particularly crippling.

2. Best times to arrive at EWR. If you’re flying into Newark, make sure to arrive between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to significantly reduce your chances of being delayed.

3. Tips for flying to other major airports. If you are flying to Atlanta, Charlotte, or Chicago O’Hare, you should put particular importance on leaving early, no later than 10:00 a.m. Those airports are most affected (and are three of the busiest in the country at the moment) by our departure spacing tools regulating the flow of traffic.



That was from www.avoiddelays.com

Whenever we take car service to JFK it's $80 from Hoboken which is another 15 miles from Newark.

Just as a reference...

Take the advice to fly into Newark early in the am i.e. take a red eye. Two weeks ago I took a morning flight out of SFO, which actually arrived on time in the late afternoon/early evening and had to circle for 90 minutes at EWR waiting to land, and then sat for another 45 mins waiting for a gate.

Hey Dawn, yep, we are going to see Bon Jovi! I've done a bit of traveling over the years for this band, always makes a fun trip with friends! Buy some tickets and go. :)