Going to attempt to get from JFK via Air Train, purchase a Metro Pass and get into to Manhattan. Never done this before, going to be an experience learning the system. Assuming by day 2, it will be a piece of cake! Any tips or suggestions to make it easy being the first time?

I've read on the JFK site and not being familiar, etc., makes my head spin. Bottom line need to get from the airport to the Upper West Side (75th & Broadway). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks~

I took it the other direction this past spring. All was new to me, too, so I'm familiar with your concerns, the way someone more knowledgeable might not understand. It shouldn't be too hard for you, between signs and friendly strangers. Believe me, New York City has MANY friendly strangers willing to help, even if you just LOOK confused.

Take the Air Train to Penn Station and get your Metro Pass. It looks like #1 line has stops on either side of that intersection, so you'll walk a few blocks either way. #2 and #3 have a stop. I think they're express lines with fewer stops, so keep track of which line you're getting on.

General subway stuff from a newbie for newbies:

- Have a good (small) map showing where subway stops are. We liked the Streetwise Manhattan and Knopf with its fold-out map pages.

- You will likely take one subway to get somewhere and another to go to your next location, since you will likely have walked a distance from that subway.

- Make sure you're going in the right direction (Uptown v. Downtown). That part's easy to figure out once you get oriented. Hubby lost his sense of direction as soon as he was below ground. I noticed that some subway stations allow access to both directions, but most access only Uptown or Downtown.

- The locals know exactly where they're going, it seemed. When they're connecting from one line to another, if you need to look at a map, get off to the side. Their connection time may be limited and you really don't want to block them. In fact, anytime you want to check your map, pull over to the side, by a building or even in line with a trashcan or light pole. I saw many people blocking sidewalks checking maps. Silly. And kinda rude, when all they had to do was move over four feet and they'd be out of the way.

The AIR TRAIN will take you to Howard Beach or Jamaica Subway (METRO)stops ONLY.

1) Take Air Train to Howard Beach for the"A"subway line going to MANHATTAN.

2) Get of at 59th Street and Columbus Circle

3) Follow the signs to the number "1" train uptown and get off at 79th Street.

Air Train is really 2 parts--a monorail connection to subway or train stops, then a subway or Long Island Rail Road train into Manhattan
The subway (not commonly called Metro in NYC like it is in other cities) is cheaper and makes more stops There are several lines you can take to different parts of the city. The LIRR train is faster, more expensive and goes to Penn Station (like Propita mentions)

You can purchase your metro pass at Howard Beach subway

Getting back to the airport; some of the signs will says DOWNTOWN and or BROOKLYN\

There are two (2) A TRAINS; one will travel to LEFFERTS BLVD

the other A" train will travel to FAR ROCAKWAY, this will take you BACK to HOWARD BEACH/JFK (METRO) STOP.

At JFK you will board the AirTrain at your terminal. There are a few different routes. You will have to choose which route by its destination, either Howard Beach or Jamaica Station as mentioned. You will pay for the trip on the AirTrain when you exit. At the same time you will have an opportunity to purchase a MetroCard if needed.

If you choose Howard Beach, you will connect to the subway, the A train, headed to Manhattan. You will ride this subway train all the way to Manhattan. (Part of the way the train is above ground, eventually it is underground.) You will have to change at 59th St/Columbus Circle in Manhattan to an uptown #1 train and get off at 72nd Street. HopStop estimates this trip at 1 hour 26 minutes.

If you choose Jamaica Station, you might connect to the subway, the E train, headed to Manhattan. You will have to change trains at either 42nd Street/Port Authority/Times Square (a block-long walk through an underground tunnel) or at 34th Street (a block-long walk through the LIRR level of Penn Station) to connect to the 1, 2, or 3 train to 72nd Street. HopStop estimates the trip through 42nd St at 1 hour 16 minutes.
OR
If you choose Jamaica Station, you might connect to the Long Island Railroad (must buy an LIRR ticket from a machine--can't use a MetroCard), headed to Manhattan/Penn Station. At Penn Station, you will have to climb stairs to connect to the 1, 2, or 3 train to 72nd Street. This would take at least an hour, perhaps more.

Which route you take depends on how much time you have and how much schlepping/connecting you are willing to do. Taking the A train from Howard Beach will take longer, but I think making the connection to the 1 train at 59th St is easier that dragging your luggage through Penn Station or the Times Square station.

Also be sure to check which subways are running on the particular day you plan to travel. There are often weekend, evening, and construction closures.

Subway construction is done either on weekends - and there will be signs in the stations explaining bus alternative or work around - or night (midnight to 6 am).

How much luggage do you have and are you prepared to schlep it up several flights of stairs, which may be steep and narrow? (hardly any stations have escalators, more have elevators but they are often out of order.).

Have a look at hopstop.com = which will give you all of your options - with timing and costs (including subway, bus, cab, etc) between any two addresses/sites in the city.

Thank you all so very much for all the information, very much appreciated. You make it sound so easy, I know I can do it now.

Again, many, many thanks! NYC, here I come, can't wait!!!

Be forewarned - the subway goes through some tough parts of Brooklyn - so just look like you belong and have your one carry on (ideally) firmly between your legs.

And do not be gawking at a subway map - flashing a big sig -

Fiddely foo. No idea how it jumped. Anywhoo - don't be sitting there - gawking around/reading a subway map - in essence - flashing a big sign: I am not a NYer - but a tourist - if anybody wants to bother me or otherwise try to take advantage of me, or worse yet, mug moi.

Just look as blaze as all the others on the subway - feigning that you are just returning to your place in Manhattan.


The ride is usually quite safe - but again - don't advertise you are "easy pickins".