Hi

My husband & I will be arriving at JFK and staying at the Ramada New Yorker on 8th Ave. Is it cheaper to get a taxi or book a shuttle bus for a return journey? Can you book a shuttle bus in advance?
Thanks

Cathy

The bus can be be cheaper, however the taxi is more convenient. You can book a shuttle in advance. The following weblink has information on transportation to/from JFK.



http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsmain.htm

Taxi fare from JFK to Manhattan is fixed at $35. Tip and toll ($4) is extra. Total cost will be between $39 and $45 depending on size of the tip. For cost of the bus go to www.panynj.gov. Taxi is the most convenient and fastest way to go.

The absolute cheapest way is to take the free bus to the subway and then take the subway.

FYI, train will take you close to 1 1/2 hours (or more).

Taxi fare is fixed from JFK to Manhattan, but will be on the meter from Manhattan to JFK. The return trip will be slightly more than the $35 fixed rate.

Problem with the shuttle is that with so many terminals at JFK, pick-up is a pain as you have to wait for the shuttle, as well as stop at all the other terminals.

Take a cab for the convenience, if budget is an issue, take the subway. I'm not a fan of the shuttles due to the reasons mentioned above.

Actually since you are at the Ramada, and you are looking for inexpensive transportation, I would take the train.

The shuttle bus is free and takes you to the subway, and you take the A train to 34th St and quite honestly it can take about the same amout of time, when there is alot of traffic.

The A train will drop you off right across the street from your hotel and for $2.00 per person it's the best deal in town.

YOu will have to navigate some stairs, but a wheeled bag should be able to help.

Have a GREAT time while you are here.

CathyY

You can call a car service that will pick up at hotel and drop you at you terminal of departure. They have flat fees of about $35-$37 plus toll and tip.

You can contact either Tel Aviv Car Service at
www.telavivlimo.com
or
Carmel Car Service at
www.carmellimo.com

Don't knock yourself out with buses, trains, transfers, stairs, etc. - call one of the car services.

Using a car service from JFK to Manhattan will cost at least $35 plus tip and toll. There may also be a waiting and/or parking charge if you want to be met at lugguge retrieval. To avoid additional charges you will be told when making the reservation to call the car servioce as soon as you have your luggage and the car will meet you in front of the tertminal. That is the rub - the car may show up in a few minutes or it can take untold minutes for a car to show. Depends on which driver at the airport is available. Take the taxi - wait for a taxi is hardly ever more than a few minutes.,

I pressume you'll be taking a taxi from JFK to your hotel.

The info that Rob indicates in his post is if you called for a car service to pick you up at JFK to go to NYC.

It doesn't pay, when a regular taxi from JFI costs a flat $35 plus toll and tip (whereas car service costs a f ew dololars more) - all you have to do is wait on the taxi line and get the next one that pulls up to you. There is a dispatcher at the Taxi Line so no one is fighting over the taxis.

www.supershuttle.com The blue van company.

Check them out...very reliable and inexpensive, clean and air-conditioned. And you can pre-book.

Who wants to schlep on to a subway after coming off a plane. You'll be exhausted, ride in style.