NY - Newark or JFK
 

Hi,

I'm about to book my flight to New York and in checking with both Aer Lingus and Continental there is a difference of about $100. Aer Lingus to JFK being more expensive.

Can you tell me is there much difference arriving into Newark than JFK? I know it's further out but does it really make a difference? Is it worth the extra $100 to arrive into JFK? There are 4 of us.

Many thanks, Laura

$100 difference each or total between the 4? Also, what's your final destination (meaning NYC, Long Island, other?)

The 2 airports take about an hour to get to Manhattan but from opposite sides. I think there may be more of a difference in the 2 airlines. You might want to read this

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34934652

Hi,

Thanks for the info. We are going to Midtown Manhattan. Looks like Continental will be a better aircraft, so guess we will stick with them.

Laura

Until summer (not sure of date), Continental only operates single-aisle 757s to Ireland. In coach, it's one of the least comfortable way to cross the Atlantic. Aer Lingus will be more comfortable.

Summertime, the earlier 9am DUB-EWR flight is on a 767-200, which is one of the most comfortable. (Same thing for return, the earlier 7:10p is on the 767).

So, depends on when you're going and which flight you chooses. All SNN flights and the later EWR-DUB-SNN-EWR will remain 757.

It's definitely not worth to pay extra money to fly into one airport over the other, but plane type may be.

The advantage with Newark is that public transporation is really easy- there is both a bus and a train, which take about 30 minutes. JFK has the subway/Air Train option, but it takes a while.

We're going in October, but we'll have plenty of luggage - large suitcase each, so I don't think we'll be using bus or train!!

Tarheels - I disgree. JFK's AirTrain/LIRR connection is basically as convenient as EWR's AirTrain/NJTransit connection, but cheaper, to NY Penn.

But with JFK, there are additional choices via the A/E trains to other points in NYC; while from EWR, your choice is NY Penn, or PATH in downtown (and that also requires one more switch).

So, for the train options, I give JFK an edge for most people.

I would rather be run over by the train than use it as transport into Manhattan if I have any sort of luggage whatsoever.

Big, slow, PIA and it always takes me an hour to get from EWR to Penn Station.

Those stupid, narrow, tiny, escalators are a nightmare.

Then you still have to dick around with cabs to get to your hotel unless you are staying at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

Don't even think of schlepping luggage on the subway between 8-9AM and 5PM-7PM.

The biggest insult is the price; $14. If you have more than two people, a cab or car service is cheaper.

Good point- with luggage, and two people, I would take a cab regardless. In which case, either airport is fine!

I do tend to take the bus to EWR, which is very easy and pleasant- Port Authority right to the airport.

I haven't taken the LIRR/Air Train connection to JFK, only the A train- which is cheap, yes, but quite long! (or at least, it felt like it at the time...maybe it was the jet lag!)

Depending on your final destination, Tarheels, the AirTrain/E train subway can be a lot quicker than the A train.

Back to Laura's question, I agree with rkkwan, it depends more on the aircraft you're flying in than the airport. Rkkwan, what's the chance of knowing this far in advance what aircraft each will use?

I'll also suggest you look on mobissimo.com and kayak.com as I see some Aer Lingus prices on arbitrary dates in Oct. that are cheaper than Continental. If you're coming at a school holiday time, check to see what moving your dates 1-2 days forward or back does to prices. ;)

Thanks mclaurie! I'll file that away for future reference. We live in Queens now, so it's a whole different ballgame! :)

McLaurie - CO22/23 EWR-DUB switches over on May 3 eastbound, May 4 westbound from 752 to 762.