Train from JFK to Manhattan
 

Can I get a train from JFK to Manahattan, Hampton Inn(851 Eight Ave New York New York) and is it worth it or is a taxi a better way?

Mr. Pickle and I just did this a couple of weeks ago. You take the Airtrain from JFK to Jamaica Station, and then the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station. It's pretty easy and fairly inexpensive.

Lee Ann

And you easily walk to your hotel as uptown/downtown blocks are not that big.

Besides the LIRR you can take the "E" train once you get off the Airtrain. You can get off at the 50 st stop and will be a block from your hotel.

Penn Station is at 33rd Street and you would have to walk through Times Square with luggage. It can be very crowded depending on time on day. It is an 18 block walk.

In this case the E train, while slower, is a better alternative. It lets you off at 8th Ave, just a couple of blocks from your hotel. It's easy, and the E train runs very regularly. You can easily avoid an expensive taxi ride. The whole thing will take about an hour or less and cost $7.50. If you want an umlimited Metrocard, buy it at the Airtrain station. The Airtrain costs $5.

very easy ride. Good instructions above....

I figured they could take a taxi from Penn Station, but it's good to know that the E train is a better option. I'll file that in my brain somewhere for a future visit!

Lee Ann

You don;t mention how much luggage you have and how willing you are to schlep it. At the airport end there are elevators or escalators. At the NYC subway end you may have to haul your luggage up a couple of steep, narrow flights of stairs.

Also - this is not a "airport train". No place for luggage and by the time you get to Manhattan the cars will be fairly crowded - or sardine packed depending on time of day

As opposed to the LIRR, where you hope you find an escalator in your direction at the platform? Then dragging it up to the street level and hope the cab line is not too long?

That Penn Station?

Penn Station does have an escalator, from track to main level and then from the main levels up to the street. Yes, there may be a line for the taxi - but often not so bad on 8th ave - heading uptown - and can be useful for people with a LOT of luggage.

I just hate Penn Station and try to avoid it whenever possible. There is not one feature that aids a traveler. It is highly congested, dirty, frenetic with poor signage and worse places even to get a snack. There is always a mad dash for the train at the last minute. Some platforms have elevators, some not. Sometimes the escalators are traveling in the wrong direction. It has all the charm of the Port Authority but with masses of people instead of hordes.

<<I just hate Penn Station and try to avoid it whenever possible. There is not one feature that aids a traveler. It is highly congested, dirty, frenetic with poor signage and worse places even to get a snack. There is always a mad dash for the train at the last minute. Some platforms have elevators, some not. Sometimes the escalators are traveling in the wrong direction. It has all the charm of the Port Authority but with masses of people instead of hordes.>>

Unfortunately, IDH has actually listed Penn Station's best features. Tragic - it's the equivalent "welcome" that you get from arriving in CDG airport in Paris.

That said, there are a ton of cabs circling Penn Station like sharks . . .

"At the NYC subway end you may have to haul your luggage up a couple of steep, narrow flights of stairs."

I think someone isn't reading. The 50th street downtown station of the E line (where you'll get off) has escalators right up to the street. Couldn't be easier. Although admittedly if you return that way to JFK, you'll have to carry your luggage down stairs (2 flights, in fact) to the E line heading towards Jamaica.

I think people get a little carried away about the luggage thing on the subway too. Admittedly if you're traveling with a couple steamer trunks then the subway is not for you. Is that really the case here? But there is nothing wrong with getting on a subway with a full sized regular suitcase. And that's no different than a local hauling home shopping backs or a microwave.

Well - I'm a local and there is no way I would haul a microwave onto a subway. Or shopping bags at rush hour. (Although I once did see a guy with a full size stuffed moose head try to get on a train - but the conductor held the train until he gave up and got the head off - since it was taking the room of about 4 people,)

It's very efficient and not too unpleasant (except June through Sept) but there is no way I would take anything larger than a tote bag on it at any time.

And I have been riding it for long enough to know how often elevators and escalators can be out of order.

The escalator at the 51st and Lex is my favorite - like climbing Mount Everest.

Well then, that must answer it. If YOU wouldn't do it, then no one would. LOL

Get over it. Tourists (and locals) DO carry suitcases aboard trains all the time, trust me.

Usually the longest cab line for Penn is on 7th Ave. I like to go 31 st to see if there any cabs there and if not, walk to 8th Ave. The worst times, of course, are rush hour and after an event at Madison Square Garden. This problem is cubed if the weather is bad.

I just read 600,000 commuters pass pass through Penn each week day. In 10 years they will start building a new Penn Station. So if you have a five year old, he or she will be able to use it some time near their retirement.