I've been avoiding using this airport for the past 7 years, but this May I've book a flight to Germany. There's no easy way to get there for a 6:15pm flight.

Taking public transportation is out of the question with all the transfers I'll have to make and the time it will take. I don't want the hassle because I'm going on vacation.

Limo service is around $160 each way + tolls + tip. A little pricy.

Driving & parking is an option, but the last time I did, it took me about 1 hour getting from the parking lot to the terminal and almost missed the closing time to catch the flight. What's the cost for covered parking for 12 days?

Rental car -- one way there costs about $60 + gas + tolls. The return will cost about $120 + gas + tolls.

Short of bribing one of your friends to take you there, are there any other options?

Did I mention how much I detest flying in/out of JFK?

Well on the positive side, transportation around JFK has improved greatly since they opened up the AirTrain a few years ago.

JFK Long term parking (uncovered) cost $15/day, and the AirTrain runs every 4-5min and will take you the terminals in about 10min. QED.

Some people like Avistar offsite parking
http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpavistarjfk.htm - same $15/day w/ coupon. Don't know if they have any covered spots. Likely to cost you more. Short term garages right at the terminals may be covered as well and are $30/d.

panynj.gov

For 12days, I would rent a car and search around for a better rate on the return than your $120. The same train as long term parking takes you to rental cars (5min ride). Even easier than long term parking.

The new international terminal (Term 1 (Lufthansa) is quite nice, as is the brand new AA terminal 9, so JFK isn't the same old beast it was 7 yrs ago, excluding the Jamaica bay location which is far from anywhere execept S. Queens.

Bribe a friend, that's probably the best way to do the trip.

What a smaller bribe for a friend to take you to Newark airport and taking public transportation from there?

From Newark I would have to take 3 forms of transportation to get to JFK. With luggage, time, and hassle, I don't think it would be worth it. If I were to consider doing this, what time would you expect having to be at Newark for the long trek.

Sorry about the Newark thing then - for some reason I thought I remember reading here about some easy way to get under the river to JFK - I must be mistaken. (Yet another reason I am glad I no longer live in NYC area)

There's a shuttle bus that goes directly from EWR to JFK. You can get the info on the EWR web site. I think it runs every 30 minutes or so - your only risk is a really bad accident or? that would seriously delay the shuttle.

Budman,

The Princeton Airporter shuttles to EWR continue to JFK... not exactly ideal, but probably the cheapest option.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Oops, forgot the URL:

www.goairporter.com

Hope this helps,
Andre

On this site
http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/connfram.HTM
it claims the Princeton Airporter charges $24/person b/w EWR and JFK. It also says, a flat rate taxi fare (from EWR to JFK) of $60 plus tolls. Those are the 2 options I'd consider depending on how many of you there are and how far from EWR you are.

I'm sure you could find better car rental prices if you spent some time. Don't you have any car rental places near you so you could avoid going to Newark. Might be cheaper to rent from non airport location(s).

Was there no flight out of EWR or was the price of ticket out of JFK that great you're jumping thru hoops to get to this airport

Can't count how many times I've gotten great prices for flights out of EWR and refuse to take them. It's just too inconvenient from the Upper East Side where it takes only 30-minutes to JRK. Though the limo cost is about the same, the time isn't.

I would suggest you get to EWR and take the shuttle bus or taxi. The price noted above is a good one for the ride. At least, if in a taxi, should there is traffic/accident problems they can take the streets.

But then, what are friends for? To do favors. Ask and buy them a great thank you gift. And, be sure they're at the airport to pick you up.

What about a sleep/park/fly hotel at the airport ? Perhaps one with a spa
so you could relax untul you shuttle to the airport in the afternoon.
All $$ and hassles considered it might be worth it. (We have the same problems
getting to SFO at this (or any!)time of the day.)
This option has proved worthwhile
even if we have to hang out for a few hours. Just a thought.

R5

I don't get it R5.

How does park/sleep/fly help reduce the cost for Budman to catch a 6pm (dinner time) flight out of JFK? Not to mention that there's barely a hotel in the JFK area - dumpy old Ramada is top of the line.

If you can find a good deal then rental car seems like the fastest way to me. Bus from EWR would be the cheapest (aside from NJ Transit to NY Subway to Jamaica)

sandi, if I could have flown out of EWR, I certainly would have.

I checked with all rental car agencies, and Hertz is the only one that will do the one-way rental from where I live. This way seems like the least of all evils, considering time/hassles.

Glad to hear that transportation in/around JFK has gotten better in the past 7 years. We're flying AA.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Well Robbie, he would stay at the hotel the night BEFORE his flight.

He's considering spending $320 plus on a limo, or $200 plus taxes and tolls on one way rental cars, or 12 days of covered parking, let's say for $17 a day off site (I'm bettin' it's more, but I can get that rate near SFO)
that would be $204 plus tax. He stated he doesn't want the hassle of public transport, soooooooooo if he's going to spend around $200 anyway, why not stay at a hotel that offers parking ?

Yes,
I did state he would have the day to entertain himself. Let's see... sleep late?
room service breakfast ? take a swim ?
do a spa thing ? have a late long lunch ? We have done this when flying out of SFO because we can spend about the same amount of money to rent
cars one way, take a limo, or park covered. It's a no brainer to want to start your vacation hassle free, not worrying about accidents/traffic jams en route, trying to find a parking spot. For a 6PM Flight when we would he have to leave South Jersey-2PM ? earlier if he wanted to avoid
commute traffic ? I don't know I'd rather be hanging by the pool or getting a massage. So, yeah, I 'm not at all aware of the state of hotels
near JFK, yet it's definely doable here. Since we've been so pleased with the relaxing outcome when we've done this, I thought I'd just offer the idea.

R5

Well, rental car was the least painful. Hertz one way to JFK was $51.00, and Avis one way back home was $102.00 (including taxes & fees). Of course, I have to pay gas & tolls. Comes out cheaper than driving/parking, and I didn't want to leave my car in the outside parking lot.