What is best (convenient and cost) way to get from JFK to Brooklyn Heights? We have 4 people, all adults and will be arriving on a Monday around 2:00 pm. Have read about AirTrain but some seem to discourage use?

AirTrain to Howard Beach, then A train subway to High St/Brooklyn Bridge would get you there for in about 1hr. For 4 people I'd just take a taxi or a arrange car service (Dial 7 or Carmel).

AirTrain + Subway will cost $7.25 each, or $29 for 4. A taxi or car will take you right to your door.

For four people, the Airtrain could actually be more expensive than a taxi. So it's a bad choice for you. Taking the Airtrain + subway is actually silly. It would take well over an hour and is not at all convenient. It's the way to go if you have no other budget option.

So you have exactly two realistic choices. You can arrange for a car service (you make a reservation and then call upon arrival after you pick up your bags, and then meet the car outside) or a regular yellow taxi. The price difference may be a wash, though you could encounter some traffic, so it's nice to have no meter to worry about (hence the car service).

The taxi to downtown Brooklyn will probably between $55 and $60 with tip, assuming that four can use a single taxi. That's what it costs me to get to Park Slope.

hopstop.com and nyccabfare.com will estimate cost of a taxi. There are minivan taxis that will fit 4 people. The unknown is how much luggage you have. A taxi can take as little as 30 mins. while train will take over an hour.

The taxi to most parts of Brooklyn Heights from JFK should actually be under $45 and take around 30 minutes even less time in the early AM. I've taken plenty of taxis to JFK from BK Heights and never paid more than $40 for the trip to JFK.

A car service (e.g. BK Heights car service company) charges around $44 for a private car from JFK. Don't know about the camel and dial 7 that are popular recs on this board.