As first timers to New York City.

What is the preferred and easiest method of getting from either JFK or Newark into the Times Square area.
We are looking at the Sofitel for our hotel stay.

Easiest would be taxis, $45 fixed fare from JFK to midtown, meter fare approx $60 from Newark. Pricey for one person, maybe, but pretty good value if you are a group of three or four.

How many people are in your party?

Sofitel
at 45 West 44th St?

Preferred is up to you.

Easiest is most expensive for just one person, cost efffective for 2-4 people.

If you want to make a trip with the least shlepping of bags, meaning door-to-door service, from either Newark ($60) or JFK ($45), you can hire a car service. From JFK, you can also take a taxi (4 people max) for about the same cost, a set rate of $45 plus toll and tip--a car service will be about the same. From Newark, a taxi costs a good deal more than a car service because it must cross state lines and cannot pick up a return fare.

SuperShuttle and similar shared-van services do not work well in Manhattan. You drive around forever dropping off everyone in the van. AVOID SHARED VANS.

There are express buses to Grand Central Station (42nd St at Park Ave) for $10-$15 per person. You could walk from there to your hotel if you don't mind dragging your luggage through city streets for a few blocks.

Public transit from Newark: airport AirTrain to Newark Airport Train Station; then NJ Transit train to NY Penn Station; then taxi, subway, or walk to your hotel--a bit far for a walk. Cost: about $14 per person.

Public transit from JFK: airport AirTrain to Jamaica Train Station; then Long Island Railroad train to NY Penn Station; then taxi, subway, or walk to your hotel. Costs about $9. (You can also connect to the subway at Jamaica, but you'd have to switch trains to get close to your hotel. Costs $7.25.)

There will only be my wife and I travelling.

We decided on the Sofitel after looking at all the reviews and although it would be nice to stay at a major chain hotel we found them too pricey.
Our other option was the Intercontinental Barclay Hotel as we are Platinum members.

last year me and my wife cought taxi from JFK to times square...fixed $45 with unregistered taxi though...

im going there again this year but this time with a group of 6 and coming from newark airport. any ideas if they have taxi that accomodate 6 people?

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I'm not really sure what this means - it's fixed $45 (plus tip and tolls) for all taxis.

As for Newark, you might need to arrange something with a car service for that many people (and it's a bit more than traveling from JFK -- I'd expect a taxi to be about $60 plus tip and tolls from Newark)

It's pretty foolish to take an unregistered (i.e., illegal) taxi from JFK. These drivers are not licensed or insured, so if something happens, you are not in a good position. Plus, they may be shiftless losers and will steal you blind or overcharge you. For the same price you can take a regular taxi. However this will not accommodate 6 people.

You can sometimes get a van from Dial 7, but it's pretty expensive (much more than the usual $60 fare). It might be cheaper to do 2 cars from EWR. Generally, I find it useful from there to use a car service. You call from baggage claim and the car is there by the time you get your bags and walk out to the curb.

Now, the question of which is "better" is a good one. I generally take a taxi from JFK if it's late or very early. Otherwise, I prefer the Airtrain to Penn Station unless I have loads of luggage. EWR is harder, but I still think the train to NJ transit is a better option unless you have a lot of luggage. I hate getting caught up in the Lincoln Tunnel traffic, and I've just become disenchanted with the Olympia Trails shuttle from EWR. From there, it's either the train or a car service.

Which is best depends on how much luggage you have, how much you mind schlepping it up and downstairs and how much you value money versus convenience.

From JFK to the city a taxi is $45 flat fee plus toll and tip (20% of the fare) for about $60 total. If you prefer you can get a car service (but you MUST arrange this in advance - not take some illegal guy hanging around the airport) and the cost will be similar. Go to Dial 7 or Carmel web site to see if you can find a coupon or a special deal.

A taxi from EWR into the city is about $60 plus toll and tip. for that I would definitely organize a car service in advance for a flat fare (again go to the web sites for coupons).

Both airports have official taxi lines - and you should never use any other taxi- or a car you have not called. At either airport - NEVER get in the car of a person who solicits you. This is illegal and they have been known to hold people's luggage hostage until they receive an outrageous amount of money (I recall one story of Japanese tourists who were charged more than $300 for a $45 ride.)

A Cab is not allowed to take 6 people and the cab is just not that big. You can arrange for a service car/limo for 6 with one of the companies like Dial 7 or at the airport take 2 cabs.

Switching subway trains from Sutphin Ave to the hotel (42nd/Bryant Park) isn't too bad. Ride the E train to one of the following stops with F connection. E/F are either same platform or just cross platform. Or ride to Manhattan, then switch to V, again same platform. No lugging luggage between levels or long walk.