Hi! We are en-route to Italy for our 25th anniversary and have a layover at JFK. We touch down at 6 am and leave for Italy at 6 pm so backing up, we need to be back at JFK (American Airlines) by 4 pm (I think). We definitely want to visit the World Trade Center Memorial but we are unfamiliar with this area of town and would love ideas for how else we can spend the rest of our day with a plan to get us back to JFK by 4 pm at the latest. We were thinking of taking an UBER into Manhattan but open to a taxi.. Looking forward to your feedback!

I apologize, I misstated the name of the memorial, I should have said 9/11 Memorial.

I have no clue how much Uber will cost but a cab will cost $70 one way with tip and toll.

If you do decide to see the 9/11 Memorial should get tickets in advance.

I assume you will not be carrying luggage.

You should be back three hours ahead of your flight, not two, even imho if your bags are checked through.

There are two places you can visit. The 911 Museum is very comprehensive and takes about 3 hours to tour. You need to get timed tickets in advance or risk having to wait on a very long line to get in. There is also the 911 Memorial which takes 30 to 60 minutes to visit and is open - so no tickets are needed.

In the same area you can ascend to the top of One World Observatory to see much of the city, harbor and into NJ.

All are in the same area and these, including a nice lunch, will easily take up the time that you have (really only 6.5/7 hours once you arrive from JFK about 7:30 am and before you need to leave to go back to the airport at around 2/2:30 pm).

You will need to find a place to check your carry-ons since for security reasons items larger than a handbag are not allowed in thee places. You can google the museum to find if small bags can be checked there.

The reason to be at the airport well in advance of departure is so you can check in, get boarding pass, check passport, and check your bags. If all of those are already done then there is no need to be at the airport 3hrs or even 2hrs in advance.

There are also public transport options for JFK. they will be much cheaper and you won't risk being stuck in traffic.

http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-g...portation.html

Even if you have your boarding pass and don't need to check bags, you still need to clear passport control and security.

You have the time. Use the train - it is dependable but require a change and probably take an hour. There is no charge but you do need reservations for the memorial.

Wow, thank you everyone! These are great tips. Our only carry on is a backpack and a larger shoulder bag in addition to my cross body bag, no carry on rolling wheel bags. I'm fairly certain our other luggage will be checked through to Milan. I will definitely secure timed museum reservations, now that I know. I like the idea of taking the train or other public transportation to save some coin.

One more question. I am now looking at the AirTrain brochure to take the Howard Beach train. Do we change to the A train and is this a direct line to the 9/11 Memorial? Any specifics will really help. Thanks!

Please do not take this as being snarky, but to get back to JFK, you do the trip in reverse. Take the A back to Howard Beach.

Get off the A train at the Fulton Street stop and you will be right there.

I did not mention at the outset because it will be a long trip through Queens and Brooklyn.

Got it, thank you!

reganfrick - you can also take the AirTrain to the Jamaica station and take then E train (Sutphin Blvd station) to the last stop (World Trade Center).

I should point out that the E train at the Sutphin Blvd station operates more frequently (usually about every 5-8 minutes)than the A train at the Howard Beach station (about 1 train every 14 minutes).

Travel time on either train is about an hour from either the Sutphin Blvd and Howard Beach stations to Lower Manhattan but you have to wait longer for the A train.

(note - I referred to the timetables on the MTA site for both lines to get the timing).

I also think the E train is probably a better choice.

When you get off the Airtrain, each person should purchase a Metrocard for a cost of $14 + $1 for the card, which will give you an 11% bonus and a value of $15.54 (2 Airtrain rides @ $5 each and two subway rides @ $2.75 each for a total of $15.50 with 4 cents left over).

If you want to do something that's not downtown, you might need an additional $2.75 for one additional ride. In that case, buy a $16.50 Metrocard, which will give you enough value for one extra ride.

Yes, the "E" train comes more often than the "A".

I forgot to mention - If you were to take the A train TO JFK then make sure you check the side electronic sign before boarding to make sure that it reads "TO FAR ROCKAWAY". That train stops at Howard Beach. Do not take the train that reads" TO LEFFERTS BLVD".


To add to doug's advice - if you want to go for a $16.50 MetroCard put $14.90 on it. $14.90 + 11% bonus of $1.64 = $16.54 (of course don't forget that you will be charged that extra $.00 for a new card. [The $1.00 charge is a one time charge when you buy a new card - you can refill the MetroCard as often as you want at no extra charge].