Mid-Atlantic - Reaching JFK From PHL (Travelling With Family and Lots of Luggage)

Folks,

Long time lurker on the site as I do not travel much. I have a trip coming up which entails that I have to fly from JFK and also return from there. I live near PHL, hence my post.

I'll be travelling to JFK on December 8 alongwith spouse and an infant and returning back on January 6. My question is about what options do I have to get to JFK from PHL and back. As we'll be gone for almost a month, we'll be having about 5 full suitcases, 2 carry ons and a baby stroller atleast. Keeping this in mind, I have tried to see what are my options for getting to JFK and back.

I have travelled via a shared shuttle earlier and that experience left a lot to be desired. First of all, the driver smoked and then to top it off I was picked up almost 9 hours before my actual departure which kind of did not make sense to me, as I did not have much options I just took that option.

I have also looked at hiring one of those Lincoln Town Cars/Suburbans, but the prices for those are too steep, close to $300 without the tip and the tolls.

However, having an infant and a lot of luggage, I am looking for some options to explore here. I have presently looked at one-way rentals picking up near PHL and then driving to JFK, however the rental charges made me step back. I looked at a minivan and the charges for that came out at about $270 or so after all the taxes. This is only for a one-way from PHL - JFK. I still have to look at JFK - PHL.

One thing I forgot to mention is that we'll also be needing an infant car seat as we do not plan to carry ours while travelling.

I am hoping that I can get some pointers on what other options I could look for.

Thanks

Wirelessly posted (Centro: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D062; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

All the luggage and the small child will really limit your options.

This might be hit or miss, try philly and southern NJ Craigslist for limo services. Look for the independent 1,2 or 3 car or van operation, rather than the estblished guys advertising on CL. Both me and a co-worker recently found one and used them for one way trips (me to pick up a vehicle purchased out of the area, co-worker to get to JFK).

If I can find the link to the actual service, I'll post it. As I recall it was about 140 Philly burbs to JFK.

Hi dalapati!

I'm going to move your question into the Mid-Atlantic (Travel) Forum to ensure you get answers to your question. I suspect some of the regulars there who may not visit our forum will be able to provide the help you are seeking.

Thanks,

FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
Travel With Children Forum

There's Amtrak. You can get that fare for $68 per adult from 30th Street to Penn Station in NYC and return for $90. But you would still need to get your family to and from JFK. And you would need to be careful about just how much luggage you're taking on. (On the bright side, it looks like you wouldn't be charged for the lap baby).

There's the Bolt Bus. It looks like the three of you could travel for between $25 and $40 (not each...combined! wow!). Don't know about luggage limitations. And again, that's basically from outside 30th Street to outside Penn Station. Still need to get to JFK. (**Pricing based on October fares. December fares not loaded into their system yet.)

Good luck.

There a couple of non-stop (DL) and connecting PHL-JFK flights each day for about $200 RT. Who knows maybe you can book it a little cost along with your other flight or use ff tickets. This should cut out a lot of hassle and time. I occasionally fly it.

MisterNice

Honestly, given the hassle and expense of all the options, I would just shell out for the car service and be done with it. Cab fare to 30th St., two Amtrak tickets, plus redcap service at both ends, plus cab fare from Penn Station to JFK will run you almost as much as the car service. And that's the most hassle-free option I can think of. Everything else would be a gigantic PIA considering all the luggage you have.

Honestly, given the hassle and expense of all the options, I would just shell out for the car service and be done with it. Cab fare to 30th St., two Amtrak tickets, plus redcap service at both ends, plus cab fare from Penn Station to JFK will run you almost as much as the car service. And that's the most hassle-free option I can think of. Everything else would be a gigantic PIA considering all the luggage you have.

Hi,

Try Dave Limo Service http://davesbestlimoservice.com/

they are well known in area and very established going between PHL/EWR AND JFK. maybe you can call and see what discounts might be available (AAA, prepay,etc).

Good luck, I think this might be your best option both time, stress and money wise.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Before giving up on the one-way car rental option, I would suggest that the OP price such a rental from an off-airport Hertz or Avis location near home to JFK. The price might be less than renting from PHL.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Before giving up on the one-way car rental option, I would suggest that the OP price such a rental from an off-airport Hertz or Avis location near home to JFK. The price might be less than renting from PHL.

Folks,

Thanks for all the tips. I have already looked at off the airport rental locations and the closest one to me are in a couple of places. Hertz is in Wayne and King of Prussia, though the Wayne one has better rates. Avis is in King of Prussia.

I was able to make a booking for a full-size rental from Hertz for about $125 or so. However, I am not sure if the full-size car will be able to accomodate 5 suitcases, 2 carry ons, a car seat and a stroller.

To the op, who has travelled via the small companies, any contact information about them would be very helpful.

Folks,

Thanks for all the tips. I have already looked at off the airport rental locations and the closest one to me are in a couple of places. Hertz is in Wayne and King of Prussia, though the Wayne one has better rates. Avis is in King of Prussia.

I was able to make a booking for a full-size rental from Hertz for about $125 or so. However, I am not sure if the full-size car will be able to accomodate 5 suitcases, 2 carry ons, a car seat and a stroller.

To the op, who has travelled via the small companies, any contact information about them would be very helpful.

With regards to OW rentals, have you looked into a mid/full size SUV? They are often much cheaper than minivans and able to hold a lot of luggages. I doubt a full size car can fit 5 suitcases in the trunk, unless they are small. Good luck.

LAX