I'm travelling to New York on Sunday August 31st. Can anyone recommend the easiest (and cheapeast) way of getting from JFK airport to Manhattan. We're staying on the Upper West Side. Thanks in advance. Andy , England.

Hey Andy! The easiest way is a cab for a $35.00 flat fare. Tolls and tip are not included and it could bring the cost to around $45.00.

Cheapest is the subway, $2.00. You take a free shuttle to the A train. If you're staying on the Upper West Side, take the A train to 59th Street/Columbus Circle and transfer to a 1/9 local train . The 1/9 makes several stops along Broadway. If you're staying closer to Central Park, transfer at 59th Street for the C train. It makes several stops along Central Park West.

But the subway trip into Manhattan from JFK is LONG. (1 1/2 hours isn't out of the question). Plus, schlepping around with bags in the NYC subway isn't fun - it isn't the Washington Metro with modern, escalator-equipped stations.
An alternative is the airport express bus that runs every 20 minutes or so to Grand Central Terminal or Port Authority Bus Terminal. It's $11 or so each way (cheaper if you buy a R/T ticket) and there's a shuttle from Grand Central to the hotels.

Correction on the previous posting: The shuttle from Grand Central goes to Times Square, not "to the hotels." To reach the Upper West Side, you'd have to get a connecting subway at Times Square.

hi.to taxi from lincon center (63rd street) to jfk on saturday,paid 45 us, with toll and tip.
cheers

I agree that the easiest (maybe not cheapest) method is the taxi. The stands are right there as you exit JFK. Hop in, it's 30 or so minutes into the city (depending on traffic), then hope out at the door to your hotel.

I couldn't imagine attempting the subway route unless I had extremely limited luggage that was easily managable by myself.

My favorite way of getting back and forth to JFK is via Super Shuttle. The blue van folks. I believe the JFK - NYC price is approx. $20. And you are delivered door-to-door.

www.supershuttle.com

Howard, I'm not talking about the shuttle subway line from GCT to Times Square. I'm talking about the shuttle bus operated by the Airport Bus company that drops its riders off at their hotels.

The New York Airport Service is indeed a good compromise between cab and subway. They do serve midtown hotels between 31st and 60th Streets, but you transfer from the larger "motorcoach" to smaller shuttles across from Grand Central Terminal. I would walk (if possible) or take a taxi from there, as some of the shuttles stop EVERYWHERE!

1 way fare, cash, is $13 JFK to GCT, PABT, or PennSta, $15 to hotels (above). But Round trip purchased in advance is $22, including hotel shuttle if desired. See

http://www.nyairportservice.com/fares.html

I know this sounds so simple, but I think some people fail to think about the numbers involved. When it is stated that a super shuttle costs $20, it is easy to forget that with two people a taxi will run the same and be far easier and more convenient.

For 1 person I'd use Super Shuttle. For 2 or more I'd take a taxi. I always meet interesting people with Super Shuttle and you get a tour of the city (while they drop others off).

Thanks for all the replies to my questions, I think we'll be taking the cab. It sounds the easiest way to get there. We're getting very excited about our impending visit now!!!