JFK to Upper West Side by subway
 

Someone please remind me how, if I start on the JFK airtrain to Jamaica Station, I think I took the E subway from there to connect somehow to a 1,2,3 uptown to 98th and Broadway...thanks

You can take the "A" train to 59th Street in Manhattan and then change for the #1 local uptown.

The Station is 96th and Broadway. North end of the station exits at 96 and south end of the stations exits at 94.

If you took the E train from Jamaica, you most likely got off at 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal and then did one of the following:

1) went upstairs and then down to the uptown platform where you took an A or C train to 59th St-Columbus Circle. There you transferred to the uptown 1 train to 96th St and then walked to 98th St.

2) went upstairs and walked thru the passage to the uptown 1,2 and 3 trains where you then took the 2 or 3 to 96th St and then walked the rest of the way.


For future reference:
You can also take the AirTrain to Howard Beach instead of Jamaica and then take a Manhattan bound A train to 59th St-Columbus Circle where you can transfer to the uptown 1 train to 96th St. {Note this method is not necessarily faster on travel time than the E from Jamaica to 42nd St and transferring to other trains}

There is a free transfer at 42nd Street between the E and 1, but it's a slog. And the transfer at Columbus Circle isn't a breeze either (it's a much longer walk with lots more stairs than you might expect or want), but it's probably your best choice.

The A will take considerably longer and has the same slog at 42nd to transfer to the 1. Not worth it at all.

To be clear - You can take the Air Train to Howard Beach - not Jamaica- and then the "A" to Columbus Circle - no "slog" to transfer to the #1 from there. It's easy. Whether or not it takes longer that way than getting the "E" and transferring to the #1 at 42nd Street, I don't know. However, with luggage, I'd opt for the "A" and less "slogging". Especially if you're jet lagged.

IMHO "slog" depend son how much luggage you have - and if you're expecting to have escalators or elevators available - as at an airport - versus stairs.

Frankly I won;t do the subway with any luggage - although I take it all the time otherwise. I'm of an age when not being pack mule woman is worth the few dollarrs to take a taxi or car service.

Yes but the A takes considerably longer than the E. as in at least 30 minutes. That's why I don't recommend it even though the transfer is easier than from the E.

We ended up with the following: AT to JS to E train to 42nd to 2 uptown - took 1 1/2 hrs saved $55 - thanks to all for options