I have an overnight stopover at JFK--arrive at 7:30 pm leave in the morning. With clearing customs, not really time to do anything. Any hotel suggestions near the airport? Looking for a non-dismal budget hotel.

I've never taken a subway from JFK into town. How long does it take? I don't want to spend the money for a cab or car service for an overnight stay. If it doesn't take too long on the subway, does anyone know a decent budget hotel near a convenient subway line?

Even as I type this, I realize I'll probably be staying near the airport

Sorry, but I can't think of a convenient budget hotel on the subway lines from JFK. The subway trip takes about 60 to 90 minutes depending on where you are going and costs $2 at all times. The Airtrain takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on connections and costs $10 each way off-peak.

I'd recommend you use Priceline if you can to stay in a higher-end hotel at the airport. The budget hotels aren't very good, nor are the higher-end hotels.

All of the budget hotels near JFK are dismal and not really budget i.e. under $125 - just not as expensive as the decent ones. The priceline suggestion may work for you.

Thanks for your help. I will try priceline.

The trouble with using PL at JFK is that you're likely as not to get a real dog. I'd recommend the Courtyard by Marriott - newish, very comfortable, convenient to the airport, not overpriced.

Bid 3* JFK and you should get the Doubletree. Only the DT and the Crowne Plaza has been used, according to biddingfortravel, and all recent bids are the DT. Most get it for around $80.

So, go read the reviews on Tripadvisor and check the rates for the Courtyard and others. Then decide if you want to try the DT for ~$80.

Thanks for the tips on priceline. I will try for Doubletree.
nmsky

Don't know if I'm coming to this thread too late, but I recently stayed at Fairfield Inn by Marriott at JFK for $139/$159 per night. The hotel was fine (comfy beds, nice breakfast, business center w/ internet, helpful staff, etc.), but the area had very little to offer although I hadn't much choice with being stranded due to the winter storm.

The hotel shuttle will take you to Station C at JFK and from there you can take Air Tran and then the E train into the city for a total of $7. The same in reverse for returning.

I agree that most of the hotels by JFK are going to be a bit dismal and not very "budget."

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm flying on a frequent flyer ticket so my options have been limited. Fortunately I was able to get better routing so I won't have that JFK stopover. By the way,the AA Advantage (frequent flyer) Desk staff was superb. I called a number of times to see if anything better had opened up. They really worked to find better routes, and finally it paid off. So I won't have to spend the last night of my vacation at a dismal JFK hotel, after all.

Thanks again, everyone.

Good news!