I have to take public transport to NYU and then going back to the airport from the Thomson60 in SoHo. Could anyone advise me on whether JFK or LGA is the more public transport friendly airport? I could also fly into one and out of the other. tia!

JFK You take the Airtran to the E subway line and get off at the West 4th Sreet stop for NYU. I assume most of the campus you ant to see is around Washington Square Park.

If Newark is an option, you can also use the C/E to get to Penn Station. The C/E is the closest subway station to 60 Thompson. You can take NJ transit to Newark Airport via the airtrain.

If it has to be LGA or JFK, then definitely JFK if public transportation is a must. I usually take the A train, not the E, but either one will get you to West Fourth which is quite close to NYU.

You must take the E train from Sutphin BLvd or Jamaica Station when you alit from the Airtrain, the A train is not an option from JFK.

Actually, you are wrong - the A train totally is an option. I take it everytime I come back from JFK. Just get off airtrain at Howard Beach Station instead of Jamaica. I find that it is faster than the E train.

http://www.panynj.gov/Airtrain/

Thanks so much everyone for being so helpful. I'll fly into JFK and I can fly out of Newark if you think that's easier from the SoHo area.

It sounds like there are a couple of transfers involved for both trips? I'll try not to bring too much luggage with me...

I just HAVE to ask, WHY do you have to use public transportation when you're staying at such an expensive hotel? A taxi to JFk is a fixed price of $45 plus toll and tip and a taxi to LGA is even less.

Btw, the name of the hotel is 60 Thompson not the other way around.

I stand corrected. I never even thought of going through Howard Beach.

Hmm, a $45 cab ride isn't too bad if it's fixed and saves me some time. And it's even cheaper to LGA from SoHo -- how much cheaper? Maybe I should fly out of LGA if I cab from the hotel to the airport?

I'm a single teacher and while my flight and accommodations are covered, airport transportation isn't. I take public transport everyday so I pretty much take it for granted. Rooms are going for 250/night at this hotel in late May, and based on reviews, the hotel itself seems to be getting a little worn.

thanks very much for the cab info!

O.K -- I'm taking public transport from JFK to NYU dorms and a cab from SoHo to LGA. ($35?)

I've sent my flight info to purchasing -- thanks again for all the help.

If you are going to LaGuardia from SoHo tell the cab driver to take the Williamsburg bridge. There's no fee to go over the bridge and the taxi should cost you around $30 with tip. maybe a little more depending on traffic.

Airtrain $5 and the subway $2 for a total of $7 for a one way trip.

The NYC subway system is extremely safe.

I'm lost. NYU dorms? Why? What public transportation? $250 for 60 Thompson? How??? Are you sure you have the correct hotel? Have a look at the subway map to acclimate yourself.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

hopstop.com is a website for directions.

It matters quite a bit which dorm you are going to. They range all the way from Union Square to Washington Square all the way down to Water Street near the South Street Seaport. This is a big thing to clarify, or else we could be sending you to the wrong place.

They are even putting students in rental apartments in Stuyvesant Town.

thanks for all the help -- I found out the dorm I have to go to is Hayden Hayden Hall located at 33 Washington Square West.

So from JFK: Airtran to E subway and get off at West 4th St -- is that right? How many blocks do I walk to the dorms?

I'm flying out of LGA and thinking of grabbing a cab from Thompson 60. Thanks again.

No, from JFK take the AirTrain to Howard Beach and from there get the A train and get out at West 4th st. You could also take the AirTrain to Jamaica and get the Long Island Railroad train to Penn station and from there take the A,C or E downtown to West 4th. A lot depends on how much luggage you have and what time you're arriving. Taking the subway in rush hour and/or with a lot of luggage is not pleasant. The LIRR option is a bit more expensive but can be faster and a lot more comfortable.

If you go to hopstop.com it will give you exact directions and a map.

I think for the dorm location in the Village, the A train will be faster than the E train. Hopstop.com agrees.

As far as taking the LIRR, it seems counterintuitive to make MORE connections to have an more comfortable time on the LIRR.

Whether or not there are stairs, connecting

JFK > Airtrain (Howard Beach) > A train > Hayden Hall

seems less painful than

JFK > Airtrain (Jamaica) > LIRR > some other form of transportation > Hayden Hall

You remember that scene from the 1st Raiders of the Lost Ark movie? Some Egyptian warrior/asassin comes at Harrison Ford waving his sword all over the place. Harrison whips out his pistol and poom! shoots him. In other words, stop waving your sword around w/ subways, busses, air trains etc etc. Whip out your "pistol" and take a cab. Simplify your life.