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New York JFK - Manhattan
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306024
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306024
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Hmm, if that is hard to understand then good luck with understanding New York. 
Yes it is cramped because it is full of information, it could be laid out better but the facts are there.
Manhattan covers a large area, so depends on where you are staying I guess.
Yes it is cramped because it is full of information, it could be laid out better but the facts are there.
Manhattan covers a large area, so depends on where you are staying I guess.
higthomas
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Having just had a quick look at that website I'm not sure if I'd trust it. The information on Heathrow seems incredibly outdated, the tube map they link to http://www.toandfromtheairport.com/Tubemap.jpgis from about 2002, and they still advise getting the crosslink service to Ipswich from Feltham.
185
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Did it 7 days ago.
Airtrain fare additional fee is $5. It picks up at all terminals and runs you to the Howard Beach 'Subway' station. You pay when you get off the Airtrain at Howard Beach.
Subway is currently $2.75, the A train from the Airtrain station is all stops for the first few stops, then goes skip-stop / semi-fast into Manhattan. You can transfer as much as you need to within the single fare.
Journey from JFK to Manhattan-Hells Kitchen (50th St on the C train) took a total of 1 hour 15, this varies by 15 minutes either side.
Airtrain fare additional fee is $5. It picks up at all terminals and runs you to the Howard Beach 'Subway' station. You pay when you get off the Airtrain at Howard Beach.
Subway is currently $2.75, the A train from the Airtrain station is all stops for the first few stops, then goes skip-stop / semi-fast into Manhattan. You can transfer as much as you need to within the single fare.
Journey from JFK to Manhattan-Hells Kitchen (50th St on the C train) took a total of 1 hour 15, this varies by 15 minutes either side.
iphone76
Member
What's your street address in Manhattan? There may be other options. (I worked there for a few months).
iphone76
Member
Cool. In that case, I'd say catch the Airtrain to Jamaica. Then catch the E train (dark blue) to Kew Gardens / Union Turnpike. Get off the train and wait on the same platform for the F train (orange).
That will take you Express right into Manhattan less than a block from your hotel. (57th st station).
Although it is one change, you just wait on the same platform, and it means no walk in Manhattan. I've put some links below.
If interested, I can send you an email of possible things to do and see there. (I'm just out for drinks tonight, but happy to send through later tonight or tomorrow).
Have a great trip.
http://www.mta.info/mta/airtrain.htm
http://web.mta.info/nyct/maps/subwaymap.pdf
That will take you Express right into Manhattan less than a block from your hotel. (57th st station).
Although it is one change, you just wait on the same platform, and it means no walk in Manhattan. I've put some links below.
If interested, I can send you an email of possible things to do and see there. (I'm just out for drinks tonight, but happy to send through later tonight or tomorrow).
Have a great trip.
http://www.mta.info/mta/airtrain.htm
http://web.mta.info/nyct/maps/subwaymap.pdf
iphone76
Member
My pleasure. If you are going for a week or so, I'd recommend getting a weekly ticket from Jamaica. Doesn't cover the Airtrain, but it will cover the subway and buses whilst you are there.
DM me if you want that email of things to do.
Right, drinks time.
DM me if you want that email of things to do.
Right, drinks time.
You're staying in the same hotel that self and Mrs B.R. stayed in 2 years ago. Lovely Old School place.
We flew back from JFK. We got Subway F from 57th St which is half a block from the hotel, then changed to the E at Kew Gardens. The E then takes you to Sutphin Blvd to connect with the airtrain. The overall journey took a good hour or so.
The airtrain runs every 10 mins or so, and is mostly built in the middle of a freeway central reservation. Oddly, ours stopped in the middle of nowhere for 20 mins - no announcements and no obvious way out! It's fully automated with no onboard staff.
If you want a good beer, look no further than The Ginger Man on E 36th St, a couple of blocks north of the Empire State. I 'accidentally' found it and spent a whole afternoon there while Mrs BR was shopping.
Also McSorelys on E 7th St was recommended to me by Chief Planner and well worth a visit even in the beer is a bit, well, consistent.
We flew back from JFK. We got Subway F from 57th St which is half a block from the hotel, then changed to the E at Kew Gardens. The E then takes you to Sutphin Blvd to connect with the airtrain. The overall journey took a good hour or so.
The airtrain runs every 10 mins or so, and is mostly built in the middle of a freeway central reservation. Oddly, ours stopped in the middle of nowhere for 20 mins - no announcements and no obvious way out! It's fully automated with no onboard staff.
If you want a good beer, look no further than The Ginger Man on E 36th St, a couple of blocks north of the Empire State. I 'accidentally' found it and spent a whole afternoon there while Mrs BR was shopping.
Also McSorelys on E 7th St was recommended to me by Chief Planner and well worth a visit even in the beer is a bit, well, consistent.
thanks for that Bald rick.
also nice to hear of someone who stayed in the hotel i like the old school kind of stuff ( im only 29 but cant beat the retro stuff"
I booked the holiday with virgin Atlantic like to think we got a good deal
i am looking at getting the weekly ticket did you use the transport much from that hotel or is it all easily to walk within
also nice to hear of someone who stayed in the hotel i like the old school kind of stuff ( im only 29 but cant beat the retro stuff"
I booked the holiday with virgin Atlantic like to think we got a good deal
i am looking at getting the weekly ticket did you use the transport much from that hotel or is it all easily to walk within
185
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There is a bus (Q Route) from the airport, but it's quite infrequent.
The subway station is on the edge of the sprawling airport, so using the Airtrain, every 5 mins, to cover the vast distance is perhaps worth it for the equivalent of £2.80.
As mentioned, you can also use the Jamaica Airtrain, same price, but I always considered Jamaica station less safe for tourists than the Howard Beach station.
7 day Metrocard for the entire Subway (not Airtrain) is only $30 (£18ish) and worth it.
Would recommend a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and the Roosevelt Island ("Tram") - it's a Cable-car
The subway station is on the edge of the sprawling airport, so using the Airtrain, every 5 mins, to cover the vast distance is perhaps worth it for the equivalent of £2.80.
As mentioned, you can also use the Jamaica Airtrain, same price, but I always considered Jamaica station less safe for tourists than the Howard Beach station.
7 day Metrocard for the entire Subway (not Airtrain) is only $30 (£18ish) and worth it.
Would recommend a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and the Roosevelt Island ("Tram") - it's a Cable-car
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Thewanderer
Established Member
I usually get the Airtrain to Jamica and the LIRR into Penn. Also done the Airtrain to Howard Beach for the A Train into Manhattan (takes a bit longer).
Sadly I don't think there is any good way to/from JFK on public transport. Everything takes a long time and the subway is very luggage unfriendly. There are also long walks at some interchanges like Jamaica.
Taxi is best but also expensive. There are also shared cabs available I think.
Taxi is best but also expensive. There are also shared cabs available I think.
We were only there 3 days so did their version of pay as you go off reloadable magstripe tickets. We tended to walk to most places in manhattan, eg Central Park, Broadway, the Lincoln Center are all almost on the doorstep. We used the subway only when we went more than a couple of miles, eg to Brooklyn, Queens and the WTC.
You must visit the High Line (in all the guide books), and Grand Central, but mostly just walk around and find places yourself.
185
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They've plans afoot to (after years) address this problem, talking about a fast train on a new line from Manhattan to JFK. The US seem to be worse than us for wasting money on 'talking' about projects rather than on building them. (HS2, perhaps?)
iphone76
Member
Email sent.
Me and my wife had luggage so we used a shuttle shared service. (7 seat mini bus)
It was about $11 each way per person. From JFK to 8th and 30. (Just near Times Sq)
As a shared service the shuttle stopped to drop off at other hotels nearby.
Depending on how many of you are travelling a Taxi is sometimes cheaper.
Also Remember New York subways have stairs, crowds and turnstiles, they don't have staff outside by the turnstiles but can remote release the emergency gate (big hassle) from inside their booth, if the suitcase can fit under the turnstiles you'll be ok (Think Ryan Air cabin bag size suitcase)
It was about $11 each way per person. From JFK to 8th and 30. (Just near Times Sq)
As a shared service the shuttle stopped to drop off at other hotels nearby.
Depending on how many of you are travelling a Taxi is sometimes cheaper.
Also Remember New York subways have stairs, crowds and turnstiles, they don't have staff outside by the turnstiles but can remote release the emergency gate (big hassle) from inside their booth, if the suitcase can fit under the turnstiles you'll be ok (Think Ryan Air cabin bag size suitcase)
I was going to suggest LIRR from Jamaica, but it seems the fare has gone way up to $7 from the $1.50 I remember it being. Back before AirTrain, one could get a shared-ride van from JFK to Jamaica for $5, then only $1.50 to the city from there. Total journey time around 45 minutes. But nowadays it's cheaper just to take the van all the way to the city.
So therefore, I'd go for one of the shared-ride vans mentioned earlier.
You can usually pre-book online for a discount with most companies. SuperShuttle is the main national brand, though they won't be the cheapest they're the most reliable.
Remember to tip the driver since he's probably an "independent contractor" who receives very little if any of the actual fare.
So therefore, I'd go for one of the shared-ride vans mentioned earlier.
You can usually pre-book online for a discount with most companies. SuperShuttle is the main national brand, though they won't be the cheapest they're the most reliable.
Remember to tip the driver since he's probably an "independent contractor" who receives very little if any of the actual fare.
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thanks for that guys it not for another 6 months or so yet but pre planning. I like the idea of going to PENN though it dont look to far on the map to the hotel. Plus any excuse to ride some trains is good
On the way in we came in via NJ transit to Penn, and had to do two subways to get to the hotel. Quite awkward with luggage.
Also Penn is not a great place to visit; not much to see train wise, dark, hot and dirty (no jokes about my wife thank you). Imagine old Birmingham New st x3.
I agree about shared taxi, certainly the easiest, but less fun than the air train / subway.
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NJ Transit doesn't apply in your case because you're flying into JFK. NJ Transit goes from Newark airport to Manhattan. From JFK, it would be the Airtrain to LIRR example I mentioned earlier.
Penn Station isn't a very interesting place, and it's over a mile from there to your hotel. Grand Central Terminal, on the other hand, is beautiful and historic.
Your hotel is very central, and Manhattan is only about two miles wide by 13 miles long, so everything will look like it's nearby. I don't know if you've been there before, but the first thing most people are struck by is the density. I'd say it takes a lot more effort to walk a mile in Manhattan than it does in central London.
Penn Station isn't a very interesting place, and it's over a mile from there to your hotel. Grand Central Terminal, on the other hand, is beautiful and historic.
Your hotel is very central, and Manhattan is only about two miles wide by 13 miles long, so everything will look like it's nearby. I don't know if you've been there before, but the first thing most people are struck by is the density. I'd say it takes a lot more effort to walk a mile in Manhattan than it does in central London.
With a MetroCard, transfers between local bus and subway are free. So if you get the local bus from JFK to the nearest subway station, it costs a mere $2.50 to get to any subway station in New York.
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-public-transportation.html
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-public-transportation.html
button_boxer
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So you can avoid the $5 airtrain exit fee if you get a MetroCard and use the bus rather than the AirTrain to get to the subway. However from what I remember of my trip there last year the only place I could find a MetroCard vending machine is just inside the $5 exit barriers at the subway stations. So you'd have to get the AirTrain to Howard Beach, buy a MetroCard but don't exit, then get the AirTrain back to the terminal to catch the bus to a different subway station...
Or buy a single ride ticket on the bus (which doesn't give the free transfer), then buy a MetroCard when you get to the subway. All in all it appears to be designed to be as much faff as possible to encourage you to just pay the $5 and have done with it.
Or buy a single ride ticket on the bus (which doesn't give the free transfer), then buy a MetroCard when you get to the subway. All in all it appears to be designed to be as much faff as possible to encourage you to just pay the $5 and have done with it.
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