We are flying through JFK airport tomorrow, Saturday, for an international flight. We arrive at JFK at 2:15 and boarding for our international flight begins at 8 p.m. for our 8:45 p.m. flight.

Does this allow us enough time to go into Manhattan and see the 9/11 site? I have little experience with travel in NYC. If so, what route should we take and how long should we allow? We're traveling with an 11 year old.

Thanks so much.

International Flights require check in 3 hours in advance. ARe you on a through ticket? If not you may be required to claim your luggage and recheck it. Also, if not on a through ticket you will have to go through security again. 2:15 is the time the plane's wheels are scheduled to touch the ground. You won't be in the terminal at that time. Depending upon whether or not you are on a through ticket you may only have a little less than 3 hours in the terminal. EVEN if you had 6.5 hours you do NOT have time to go to Manhattan. The "9/11 site" looks like the constuction site it is!

We are on a through ticket and our luggage will be checked through. We already have our boarding passes, checked in on line. If we don't have time, then we won't go, but if we do the Staten Island Ferry ride would thrill our granddaughter!

Is this possible? Subway #1 to South Ferry??

According to hopstop, the trip from JFK to South Ferry by subway takes a little more than an hour. That's 2-1/4 hours round trip, excluding wait time, plus the time on the ferry round-trip (a little under an hour, excluding waiting time), plus getting back to the airport 1-2 hours before your flight. Go for it if you're inclined to take that kind of chance. Personally, I wouldn't.

Thanks very much for your help. You've convinced me not to make the trip. Guess we'll try and find some way to spend our time at JFK.

Any bars showing the Madrid vs. Barcelona football game tomorrow afternoon?

I think you have plenty of time.

A 2:15 arrival is NOT wheels down time - it's scheduled arrival at the gate.

Since there are 3 of you, I recommend you take a taxi into Manhattan. Here's the way I see it, with plenty of margin.

2:15 arrival
2:30 off the plane
2:40 into a taxi to the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge
3:15 arrive @ Brooklyn Bridge
grab a bite of Brooklyn Pizza or a snack, walk across the bridge to Manhattan. Or taxi from Brooklyn to WTC site.
4:30 arrive Manhattan,
5:00 get to WTC/9-11 site
7:00 get a taxi back to airport
7:45 arrive at airport
8:00 pass through security

If you don't want to get back to the airport at 7:45 then trim some of your touring time. Saturday there won't be rush hour traffic to deal with.

Or, alternatively,

From JFK take a taxi to Staten Island Ferry, on SI.

Ride the ferry across the harbor to Manhattan. Visit lower Manhattan.

Walk to or across the Brooklyn Bridge, then taxi back to JFK. Then you'd pass by the Statue of Liberty, approach lower Manhattan by boat, see WTC site, and have plenty of time to get back to airport.

Thanks J62 for your help. I appreciate it.

You need to consider a couple of things:

1) what time you flight actually arrives and you get out of the treminal
2) time back to the airport (might be 45 minutes - might be 1.5 hours - depending on traffic, construction and accidents)
3) time to get through security - this may be quick - or it may take forever - I've had it take almost an hour - then you need to allow at least 15 minutes to walk to your gate - and arrival at the gate by 8 pm for your flight. (I would want to be heading back to the airport by 5:30 to 6 pm to play it safe.)

As fir the WTC site - it is a construction zone - and I don;t think worth a visit without a tour by a knowledgeable guide.