Any suggestions on an efficient/timely and not too expensive method of transportation from JFK to E. 49th Street between Lexington and 3rd (or thereabouts)? I will have carry-on luggage only so can haul it on and off different conveyances. Arriving JFK 3:30 PM.

This comes up here all the time! use the search box and type in JFK and you'll see lots of opinions.

Efficient/timely and not too expensive are mutually exclusive.

Efficient is taxi or car service, door to door, about $60 all in.

Middle price is airport bus to Grand central area and then walk/taxi to 49th. Maybe about $14-20

Similar price, less walking and carrying luggage is the Supershuttle, which I, like most people here, hate (takes too long)

Cheaper, and cheaper still are Airtrain from airport to either LIRR or subway, and switching to another subway(s), and then walking a little.
$7-12

so, which are most important--time, money, convenience?

With your small luggage, you might try the AirTrain to Jamaica Station and connect to the E train to 53rd St (at Third Ave). Then a 4-block walk. It might take 60-90 minutes and will cost $7.

Thanks! All good suggestions. I like the AirTran suggestion best.

We are doing the Air Train/ E train option in early November with light luggage.

I'm using the LIRR option from Penn Station to Jamaica and Airtrain to JFK because it's not only about half the time but also the LIRR option on weekends is only $3, vs $2 for the subway. But I'm flying on a Sunday, maybe you aren't...

As janie said, this topic comes up here a lot. Here's a link to a recent thread where I put in a lot of info about the transfer from AirTrain to subway or LIRR (scroll down towards the bottom of the thread):
JFK to Midtown at 4pm
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35051099

BTW, the subway station ellenem mentioned where you want to exit is called Lexington Avenue and is the first stop in Manhattan on the E and V trains. The station is on 53rd Street; exiting at the front of the train will put you at Lex, and the back at 3rd Ave (though the escalator for that end is actually a bit closer to the middle of the platform); all exits are in or adjacent to the Citicorp Center. To get to 49th Street, walk in the same direction as traffic on Lex, or against traffic on 3rd. Do check the service advisories for the E train on mta.info before you go - especially if your travel is on a weekend, when the MTA does a lot of its construction work.

Hope this helps!