qman

I was wondering if anyone knows about the supposed transit line from jfk to mahattan,I think its called airtrain.I looked on the jfk website but couldnt find any info on it.I saw an article a few months ago in the paper and I think it said that the fare was $5 each way.

nytraveler

do a search above on JFK Airtrain and you'll get a bunch of opinions.

Abi

qman,

I took the Aitrain 2 months ago and it was quite convenient. It's $7 each way ($5 for the Airtrain and $2 for the subway). It takes about 40 minutes to get into Manhattan from JFK.

http://www.panynj.gov/airtrain/index.html

ducks53

I too looked into this option. I think it really depends on where in NYC you are going to. You can find info on it by googling "mta." I have read that it is considerably longer than 40 min. You may be better off taking the bus that runs from the terminals to either W34th st or 41st and Park Ave. They have there pros and cons but are good if you have some heavy luggage. I have read that the air train is not a good option if you have heavy luggage inasmuch as you are hauling stuff up and down subway steps or LIRR if you take that route from the airtrain.

qman

thx guys,I would be going to chelsea(8 ave and w 20 st)I was also wondering after the airport if it goes non stop to manhattan?

Abi

Since you are going to Chelsea, take the Airtrain to the Howard Beach Station and transfer to the A subway to get to Manhattan. I wouldn't recommend taking a bus or cab especially during rush hour. It will take over an hour and in most cases close to 1.5 hr. during that time. On the Airtrain website they say it takes 35 minutes to get to Manhattan via Airtrain/subway.

nytraveler

The Air Train does not go to Manhattan at all. It just takes you to the subway or the Long island Railroad. You (and your luggage) must then transfer to either the subway (which makes multiple stops on the way into Manhattan - this is just a regular subway for daily commuters) or the train (which I think makes 2/3 stops on the way to Manhattan - not sure on this part - again used primarily by daily commuters).

missjanna

The bus might be a better option to the A train, or even the NY Airport Service buses or the shuttle. (plus why pay $5 for the Airtrain, only to have to pay for a cab once you get off it, and deal with hauling luggage up and down stairs?)

Also, my boss took the Airtrain about a month ago just from the parking area to the airline terminal and said it took about 25 minutes!! He said it stopped for no reason in between and he almost missed his flight! You have to remember that Airtrain is still in it's early stages, so there are still kinks to work out in the system.

Plus I recall one of the local news stations doing a test from a location in Manhattan, and the person taking the cab to JFK got there faster than the person taking the subway and the Airtrain.

If you consider the NY Airport Service bus, I believe it's about $15 from JFK and will drop you by Penn Station, on 34th and 8th.

If you need any info for the area you will be in, let me know, I work a few blocks from there!