In the past, we have used Carmel car service for our transfers to/from airports (EWR or JFK) We have read so many complaints of late about their service we are wondering if we should just hop a cab on arrival at JFK and order a cab on departure. Any suggestions of recommended car/limousine services and rates based on personal experience in the last 3 months will be greatly appreciated. Are the cab rates a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan and are there any toll charges that need to be addressed either way? This seems to be an issue coming into Manhattan from JFK with Carmel Car Service so I'm just wondering?

There is a flat rate between JFK and Manhattan (both ways). But tolls must be added. See this link. http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/pas...cab_rate.shtml

Flat rate + tolls + tip nets out to about $60 - $70 from JFK to Manhattan.

In my experience it's easier to simply get in the taxi queue and hop in the car vs trying to meet up with a specific black towncar.

I have used Carmel Limo Service for years including a few months ago and have never had any problems at all.

Take a taxi.

Have no idea where you are seeing all of these complaints. We use Carmel or Dial 7 often and have very rarely had any problem - certainly they are cleaner and more pleasant than the average cab. And the cost isn't any higher than a cab - esp if you use the coupon on their website.

That said - we take a cab FROM JFK to the city - since it;s easier than finding the right driver. But ALWAYS take a car service to any airport.

The cab fare from JFK to Manhattan is a flat $52 plus bridge or tunnel toll and 20% tip. (This is the usual tip - I would give more if the driver is hauling a lot of luggage around for you - esp into apt houses - which they sometimes do for us.)

Air train at JFK to Jamaica Station-$5

LIRR to Penn Station-- $6 or $7 depending on peak/off-peak time.

Red Line Downtown Line 1 from Penn Station to Canal/Varick Street--$2.50


Thin

If there are two of you and you can easily handle your own luggage using the method above will cost $29 versus about $70 for cab plus toll and tip. For 3 people it's $43.50 and for 4 people it's $58.

How much luggage do you each have and can you easily handle it up an down a couple of flights of stairs (subways to street)?

Another cheap option that would take about an hour and 20 minutes:

AirTrain at JFK to Howard Beach - $5 pp
A train from Howard Beach to Canal Street - $2.50 pp
Walk 3 minutes to the hotel

OR

Another cheap option:
AirTrain at JFK to Jamiaca Station - $5 pp
E train from Howard Beach to Canal Street - $2.50 pp
Walk 3 minutes to the hotel

Verify which train (A or E) is running best during your stay.