How do you get from Manhattan to JFK on the subway? I was able to find out you can get FROM JFK to the city by taking the long term parking shuttle to the Howard Beach station and taking the A train. But the NYC subway map says Howard Beach station is Northbound only. What does that mean? I have a friend meeting me at JFK and he needs to get there from the city (no luggage). Thanks

isabel,
I'm sure your friend will know but here's the info. - right off the MTA site:

"Take the A to the free airport shuttle bus and get to JFK Airport in about 70 minutes from lower Manhattan. A service to the airport operates every 10 to 15 minutes during rush hours and every 20 minutes at other times.

Be sure to take the A that is marked Far Rockaway or Rockaway Park, not Lefferts Blvd. Get off at the Howard Beach/JFK Airport station."
hth

Isabel,

Look at the following websites for transportation options from JFK into Manhattan.

Have a great time in The City.




http://www.panynj.gov/aviation.html

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/subway/index.html

So in other words, when all is said and done, it makes a lot more sense for two people to take a taxi from midtown to JFK then the subway, etc. Right??? A few dollars is not the point.

Well, I'd say it makes a lot more sense to use another form of transportation; if you're intent on not spending any more than you must, a shuttle runs around $13 per person from Grand Central or Port Authority, less than a cab for just two people.

Well thanks for your responses guys but I still don't have the answer I really need. I have been on the MTA site which is where I got the information in my original post. My question is why the Howard Beach station says "northbound only" on the map. In other words, can you get off there and if you can why does it say northbound only?

From the various web sites and guide books they all talk about getting TO the city from the airport, not how to get back to it and that's what's making me nervous. I am flying into JFK from London and my friend, who is spending the weekend with his girlfriend in NJ needs to get there to meet me so we can drive to New England together. My car will be in long term parking. I don't want to tell him to take the subway and then find out for some reason you can't get off at that stop. He won't have luggage and time isn't an issue so other forms of transpportation are not necessary. I'm actually origianlly from New York but I've never had to take the subway to the airport. I was just hoping someone out there had first hand experience. Thanks

isabel,
Seeing as I've taken the "train to the plane" and could not fathom what you were referring to about "Northbound only", I decided to go to the MTA site.

Both the map and station info. clearly refer to "Northbound" in the context of wheelchair access, i.e. available on the N'bound platform only. Has nothing to do with trains not stopping going southbound.

In light of the above, PLEASE make sure that your friend follows signs on the train that indicate "A" Far Rockaway or Rockaway Park, NOT Lefferts Blvd. If he's confused, tell him to ask the conductor - who will be stationed in the middle of the train and pokes his/her head out before closing the doors. If memory serves, there are signs on the platform to indicate which train to take.
hth,