JFK to Jersey City
 

Hello Fodorites,
Does anyone know the best mode of transport for arriving at JFK and going to Jersey City?
Thanks!

Most convenient would be a private car service or NYC cab. But cab will cost you close to $90-100 after tolls, etc.
Also, it depends on how many people you have in your party because taking the express bus to Manhattan, or subway etc. will charge per person.
I think you're better off calling one of the private livery/limo companies & asking them how much they'll charge. My guess is that it could work out slightly cheaper.

Cheaper option - cab to Manhattan to one of the PATH train stations & then on to Jersey City, if your destination is near a PATH train station.
Even Cheaper Option, taking the Air Link / subway into Manhattan to one of the PATH stations & then taking the PATH.
Note that convenience drops considerably with each cheaper option. So, if you have luggage etc., I'd recommend a car. Travel time will be at least 1 hour & significantly more if the Holland tunnel is jammed or if you take the cheaper options of trains & switching.

I think the best subway/PATH connection is to take AirTrain to Jamaica, then the "E" train to W. 4th St. Walk up 6th Ave about 4 blocks to the PATH station at W. 9th St.

[Yes, 9 - 4 = 4. Go figure. ;) ]

On weekends, you need to switch PATH trains at Hoboken for Jersey City stops.

Or, better and just slightly more expensive. Take AirTrain to Jamaica, then LIRR to New York Penn station. The PATH train terminus is at 33rd St and 6th Ave, just one block east of Penn Station, and I believe connected underground.

Best varies tremendously with

# of people

how much luggage you have

how willing you are to schlep said luggage

how you value money versus convenience

Easiest will be a car service- but it will be over $100.

You can also do all public transit - much cheaper for 1 or even 2 people - but it means 3 trains and dragging your luggage up and down stairs - often in crowded conditions.

Car service.

No way would I want to dick around with luggage and public transportation.

Thanks guys! I should have been more specific. There will be three of us...two teenage boys and myself. We will just have an overnight bag each since my hubby is picking us up in Jersey City the next evening, and we will drive to Philly. We will be going into NYC that first evening (flight arrives around 4:45) and it's possible for us to carry our bags with us...stay in NY for a while and then head to the hotel. We don't mind the train/subway travel to save money. I have taken the sub from JFK into Manhattan before, but I don't know about getting to Jersey City. The PATH is a new one for me.
Also, once we are in Jersey City is it fairly easy to get to and from NYC?
Thanks,
Lesa

Getting to Manhattan from Jersey City isn't much of a problem if you're near the PATH trains. PATH trains are similar to the NY subway and run every few minutes; $1.50 per ride, I believe.
Hence, if your hotel in Jersey City is near the PATH train stations (in Newport, Jersey City or Exchange Place, Grove Street etc.) it'll not be that different from being in one of the other NYC boroughs like Brooklyn.
However, the late night (after 10:00 or 11:00 pm or so)frequency of PATH trains is not great (1 every 20 minutes or so). Although safe, it's frustrating waiting for a train for that long when you're ready to get home.
Safety- Areas like Newport, Exchange Place etc are very safe even at night. But if you're near Grove Street & further out towards Newark, I would not risk the trains late at night. The train itself is very safe,but once you come out of the stations at Grove Street, Newark, it's deserted & somewhat risky.
PATH timetable & maps are at:
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...tml/index.html

I agree with mdn and others on this post about the PATH train. At your arrival time into JFK you will be experiencing "rush hour" so the trains may be crowded. If you have bags to schlepp that could be a problem, not so much getting to Manhattan, but carrying them around the city. I think you may be able to check them at Penn Station which you will arrive into if you take the airtran- LIRR option. I seem to recall a held baggage window on the upper level in the SE corner. Maybe someone can refresh me here. That way you can check your bags for a few hours while you amble around NYC. Then you can reclaim them and head back on the PATH train to JC.
I've done this transfer once or twice, but I usually went straight thru from NYC to JC and not have to schlepp my bag around. Otherwise I would head straight for the Hotel in JC check in and head back out to the "city". You did not say what day of the week you will arrive. But on Friday and Sat nights there are plenty of commuters going in and out of the city at all hours of the night, so it should be relatively safe until the drunks go back home around 1-2 am. Been there done that.

Since there are three of you, I would definitely hire a car service.

If the airtrain is $10 each and subway is $1.50, you are already spending $34. A car service to Penn Station will only cost about $10 more.

The airtrain subway would be faster but horrible during rush hour with traffic. The subways are packed that time of day.

1. AirTrain is $5.

2a. LIRR off-peak is $5 when buy at station of $4.75 on the web.

2b. Subway (like the E train) is $2.

3. PATH is $1.5.

So, the total is like $11.5 if you take AirTrain/LIRR/PATH, or $8.5 if you take AirTrain/subway/PATH.

So it is $25.50 or $34.50 for the airtrain/LIRR/subway and $48 for the car.

$48 to Manhattan right? My train rates is for Jersey City. Let's compare the same thing.

How much is a car service JFK to Jersey City?

rkkan, lss said she wanted to go to Manhattan and hang out for a while and not go straight to Jersey City.

By the way, the left luggage at Penn Station is for Amtrak ticket holders only.

And you must walk on the street the connect between Penn Station and the Path station at 33rd St. (A tunnel once connected Penn Station to the Path/Subway under 32nd St, but was closed at least 20 years ago.)

Not necessarily "want" to go to Manhattan first, but can if it is easier. I am arriving on Tuesday...thanks for the reminder...it will be rush hour, I forgot about that. Also, I am seeing cab fares around 90-100. Is there a car service that is indeed around 48?
I was seeing the rates as mentioned 11.50 to 8.50 per person by taking the airtran, rail/sub/ Path track.
But if there is a car service for 48. that's good. Do you have the name of a company?
Thanks again.

If the car service is to Manhattan rather than Jersey City...perhaps even still car service (48.) + 4.50 for the Path Tickets. Still better than cab fare...am I seeing this right?

lss, the car service is for JFK to Manhattan for $48. From there you could take the path to Jersey City.

Correct.

Thanks guys! Flew into JFK...took a car from Carmel Limo (only 40.00 base rate)...got dropped off at Penn and took the PATH to the hotel. (4.50 total for the PATH for 3)...Great advice...Had a great time in NYC...Thanks for the help!