TravelBuzz! - JFK: Alternative to AirTrain to Subway?

Anyone know if there is another way besides paying $5 to ride the AirTrain to the New York Subway? Do they still have the free shuttle buses that take you to the Howard Beach Station?

Thanks for any advice!

They stopped running the shuttle bus when Airtrain began service. You're stuck for the $5.00

If you're staying at a JFK hotel, there is always the possibility that the shuttle driver could drop you at the subway.

Dan

I have heard someone mention that they get off the Airtrain right before Howard Beach, then walk to the subway station. I have not personally verified this method, however, because it's not worth the extra effort to me.

You can also buy a timed pass for the AIRTRAIN, similar to a monthly METROCARD. This is worthwhile if you are doing daily commutes to JFK.

The system is designed so that casual users subsidize the system, not people who need to use AIRTRAIN every day.

There are a couple of buses ("Q-something", Q10?) that run from JFK to a subway station. If you pay with the Metrocard, the transfer to the subway is free, so it's $2 total rather than the rip-off $7.

Anyone know if there is another way besides paying $5 to ride the AirTrain to the New York Subway? Do they still have the free shuttle buses that take you to the Howard Beach Station?

Thanks for any advice!

Just our of curiosity, where are you headed? If you're going into Manhattan, AirTrain to the E is clearly t he way to go...

There are a couple of buses ("Q-something", Q10?) that run from JFK to a subway station. If you pay with the Metrocard, the transfer to the subway is free, so it's $2 total rather than the rip-off $7.

Yep. It is the Q10, and it runs frequently from JFK to the Lefferts Blvd. "A" train stop. This will take you a bit longer than the AirTrain, and there's no space to store luggage, but it's the cheapest way to get from JFK to Manhattan. $2 each way, total, with metrocard.

I have heard someone mention that they get off the Airtrain right before Howard Beach, then walk to the subway station. I have not personally verified this method, however, because it's not worth the extra effort to me.

Not sure this can be done. The Airtrain passes through the swamps on it's way to Howard Beach. If you were to get off (no cost) at the long term parking stop (which is the stop in question), it would be a healthy hike north, then west, then back south to the subway. If you did get off here, maybe you can ask someone for a ride. :eek: :D

It seems impossible. But the Air Tran and the total charge of $7 takes to M at least one hour with many stops and if you have luggage it is a pain. There has to be a more reasonable way but I what?

I don't find it a pain, frankly, I often take the AirTrain/E train combination in preference to a taxi not even considering cost. If you buy a $10 or higher value metrocard (which gives you the 20% bonus) the whole thing is $6 instead of $7 -- it really doesn't seem that outrageously expensive to me.

Glancing at the queens bus map (http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf), there are the following:

Q3, Q10, Q10A (very limited service), B15. Also Q7 goes to the cargo area.
Q3: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/bus/schedule/queens/q003cur.pdf
B15: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/bus/schedule/bkln/b015cur.pdf
Q10: http://www.greenbus.com/122903/Q10_q10a.pdf
Q10A: http://www.greenbus.com/122903/Q10_q10a.pdf
Q7: http://www.greenbus.com/122903/Q7.pdf


Also see this for a description of JFK service:
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/travel/trnport.htm
Or the port authority site:
http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkpubtransmain.html
(They actually describe connection from JFK to the subway via buses - unlike the EWR page that doesn't mention that the 62 bus service goes to PATH and NJ Transit trains at Newerk Penn)

thanks for the great replies...going to manhattan for labor day weekend and haven't been to JFK in awhile...I usually go to EWR and catch the bus to the PATH station in Newark to get to Manhattan (if I'm not in a hurry...)
I may try to Q10, just for fun...

thanks for the great replies...going to manhattan for labor day weekend and haven't been to JFK in awhile...I usually go to EWR and catch the bus to the PATH station in Newark to get to Manhattan (if I'm not in a hurry...)
I may try to Q10, just for fun...

The bus driver doesn't sell the Metropass you would need for the free transfer bus-subway (at Lefferts Bldv. to the A train or at Kew Gardens to the E or F train). You should be able to bus a Metropass at a newsstand someplace in the terminal. The Q10 stops at all terminals, by the way, whereas the Q3 and B15 only at the International Arrivals Bldg. (connection by free Airtrain).

Anyone know if MetroPasses for the Subway/Bus is sold at any terminal at JFK?

If you need bus fare, just bring $2 in quarters (no bills accepted).
Metrocards are sold at the last stations of AAirtrain.

You mean a Metrocard? Metrocards are sold at Hudson newsstands.

If you need bus fare, just bring $2 in quarters (no bills accepted).
Metrocards are sold at the last stations of AAirtrain.

But then he's got to pay the $5. bucks. :p

Well, I guess if time wasn't an issue, he could buy the Metrocard and then get back on the Airtrain to return to the terminals without passing through the turnstile. The machines don't sell unlimited ride Metrocards, but they do sell any stored value ones in any value. For unlimited rides, you have to use the machines at the subway entrance past the turnstiles (at least at Jamaica, I haven't tried Howard Beach).

I think Hudson News sells only a few fixed denomination values but that might well work. Not sure if every newsstand has 'em though.

If you need bus fare, just bring $2 in quarters (no bills accepted).
Metrocards are sold at the last stations of AAirtrain.

This isn't as good a deal, as without a MetroCard you lose the free bus/subway transfer.

This isn't as good a deal, as without a MetroCard you lose the free bus/subway transfer.
Though its actually not that bad. I think the contract buses (like Q10) are only $1.00 or $1.50 peak.