Recommended SWA airport for trip to NYC?
Jul 23, 2015, 8:51 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
We fly to New York frequently either from SMF or OAK. We book two one-way flights rather than round-trip. We always stay in Long Island City hotels because it offers the best bang for the buck and is only three stops from Manhattan. In our opinion, LGA which is closer, is ideal for arrival but awful and crowded for departure. Thus we take Uber when we arrive and either subway/NJT or the Airporter bus for our return out of EWR. Much less stressful.
Last edited by joshua362; Jul 23, 2015 at 9:21 am
Jul 23, 2015, 9:37 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,189
Still not too crazy about the bus to/from LGA. I used it back in December, March, and April and every time we were just stuck in traffic in Queens and barely enough room to move. I typically prefer public transit when and where I can but I think going forward I'm just going use Uber or cab it when it comes to LGA.
Got to see a new part of the city.
Jul 23, 2015, 10:29 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
Although, I have a slight preference for EWR when visiting NYC, I'll usually take whichever is less expensive. For my last trip, I flew into EWR and out of LGA.
OP - Do you have an American Express Platinum (or Centurion) Card? If so, you'd have complimentary access to the pre-security Centurion Lounge in LGA (which I found relatively convenient for most WN gates). At EWR, there is not really a good lounge option for departing WN flights.
OP - Do you have an American Express Platinum (or Centurion) Card? If so, you'd have complimentary access to the pre-security Centurion Lounge in LGA (which I found relatively convenient for most WN gates). At EWR, there is not really a good lounge option for departing WN flights.
Jul 23, 2015, 1:02 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,189
Jul 23, 2015, 5:29 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 69
Jul 23, 2015, 6:46 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
Last time I flew Southwest into EWR and out of LGA. Even flying in late at night and leaving in late afternoon it was a quicker trip midtown Manhattan to LGA. Also from EWR there are a lot more tolls so cab will be more. If taking public transportation the train from EWR would be easier.
Jul 24, 2015, 8:16 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
I flew in and out of EWR two years ago. Took the Airport Express Bus from EWR to Times Square and Dial 7 back to EWR. Both easy and economical for a family of four with luggage.
PS - arrived and departed Saturday afternoon.
PS - arrived and departed Saturday afternoon.
Jul 24, 2015, 9:56 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SJC, Northern Cal.
Programs: SWA RR BIS 6.2M, A+'20, CP'20, AA, UA Gold, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 909
Jul 24, 2015, 9:57 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SJC, Northern Cal.
Programs: SWA RR BIS 6.2M, A+'20, CP'20, AA, UA Gold, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 909
We fly to New York frequently either from SMF or OAK. We book two one-way flights rather than round-trip. We always stay in Long Island City hotels because it offers the best bang for the buck and is only three stops from Manhattan. In our opinion, LGA which is closer, is ideal for arrival but awful and crowded for departure. Thus we take Uber when we arrive and either subway/NJT or the Airporter bus for our return out of EWR. Much less stressful.
Jul 24, 2015, 9:59 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SJC, Northern Cal.
Programs: SWA RR BIS 6.2M, A+'20, CP'20, AA, UA Gold, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 909
Although, I have a slight preference for EWR when visiting NYC, I'll usually take whichever is less expensive. For my last trip, I flew into EWR and out of LGA.
OP - Do you have an American Express Platinum (or Centurion) Card? If so, you'd have complimentary access to the pre-security Centurion Lounge in LGA (which I found relatively convenient for most WN gates). At EWR, there is not really a good lounge option for departing WN flights.
OP - Do you have an American Express Platinum (or Centurion) Card? If so, you'd have complimentary access to the pre-security Centurion Lounge in LGA (which I found relatively convenient for most WN gates). At EWR, there is not really a good lounge option for departing WN flights.
Would have been a nice bennie at the airport.
Jul 24, 2015, 10:04 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SJC, Northern Cal.
Programs: SWA RR BIS 6.2M, A+'20, CP'20, AA, UA Gold, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 909
Jul 24, 2015, 11:27 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,754
BASE FARE ($): 39.00
Tolls ($): 8.00
Tips ($): 7.80
Total Price ($): 54.80
I booked in advance, you call the operator, they send a car for you after you call, the driver calls and Identifies himself. I called as I was walking off the plane and waited about 5-10 min for the driver. This was on a Wednesday afternoon at 16:30. I'd say the drive took about 45 min, give or take.
To compare, on a Saturday Morning at 0930 AM we took Uber from 57 and Lex to LGA.
Base Fare 3.00
Distance 21.16
Time 7.67
Subtotal $31.83
Robert F Kennedy Bridge(?) 5.54
CHARGED: $37.37
CAR: uberX
miles: 9.84
TRIP TIME: 00:19:10
Jul 24, 2015, 11:41 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,754
We pack food for the trip, I think I ate salami and cheese and crackers and trail mix, my S/O most likely had a sandwich.
Flying coast to coast on WN w/ one stop no plane change is not really all that bad. I don't mind the seats, and I find WN to have the most legroom of most coach seats out there.
Here is my thread on it from the time:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...lga-691-a.html
Jul 24, 2015, 1:54 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: La Jolla, California
Posts: 35