Originally Posted by
directcj
I'd consider Airtrain + subway; could be an educational adventure for my teenagers. Educational in the sense that they'll learn how to do this on their own next time.
Is it Airtrain at $7/person = 7X4=$28 + subway fare = ?
The JFK AirTrain fare is $5/person; the current subway fare is $2.00/person, but the fare is going up to $2.25/person effective June 28.
If you were going to take the AirTrain coming and going, you could purchase a special 10-trip AirTrain card for $25.00. (Card expires six months after first use.) Otherwise, you would use a regular pay-per-ride Metrocard for the AirTrain, and for the subway as well, unless you decide to purchase unlimited ride daily or weekly Metrocards which are valid on the subway and NYC local buses only (not on AirTrain).
If you were to use a pay-per-ride Metrocard for the four of you for the AirTrain and subway into Manhattan, it would only cost you
$24.35, not $28.00, since Metrocard awards a 15% bonus on purchases or refills of $7.00 or more. (Effective June 28, the 15% bonus will be awarded on purchases or refills of $8.00 or more.)
The New York Airport Service bus is not an option from JFK, because the last scheduled bus leaves at 11:00 PM, well before your flight is due in. But it might be useful for your trip back to JFK. Here's the link to their website:
http://www.nyairportservice.com/page.php?id=48
Enjoy your visit!