Originally Posted by
Delta747TLV
NJ transit to LIRR is the absolute fastest method, you can make it in under 2hrs, and no uncertainties of crossing manhattan and then the Van Wyck, the road method could turn into the worst nightmare of your life.
Penn station is the only difficult-ish part of the process, but there are easy to follow signs and plenty of transit staff and passersby to help you out.
Once you arrive at Jamaica it's super easy, LIRR platform is right next to the AirTran, whoever said its quite a walk is obviosly not a fan of walking. I pass through the LIRR platforms daily from the E train to the AirTrain.
You will pay more for a cab ride to JFK than your flight to EWR, and prob miss your flight. Train is the best option, may not be the absolute easiest, but that's why I have strong distaste for EWR and New Jersey in general, it shouldn't be considered a new york are airport, it's in another state.
NJ Transit - NE Corridor train to NY Penn - $12.50 - 30min
Penn to Jamaica - LIRR $13 - 35min
AirTrain to terminal - $5 - 10-15min
Quick tip - remember that njtransit stops at NJ penn before it goes to NY penn, do not get off, NYpenn is the last stop
Agreed, except it is "Newark Penn Station," not "NJ Penn Station."
Historical note: The train stations are called "Penn Station" because they served the Pennsylvania Railroad, which went out of business in 1970 (its assets were acquired by Amtrak).
Also, while this is the only way you will make it, and one of the least expensive, you will definitely have a major issue with your bags riding in the trains at rush hour, especially the LIRR from NY Penn to Jamaica Station, which will be packed to the rafters.
Also, remember, when you get to NY Penn Station (maybe the worst train station in the world), you will need to buy a ticket on the Long Island Railroad to go from NY Penn Station to Jamaica Station.
NY Penn Station, in its current iteration, is a sad afterthought, the seedy underbelly of Madison Square Garden. But it's also a sprawling rat's maze that serves three railroads (Amtrak, Long Island Railroad and NJ Transit), each with its own distinct area.
To buy a ticket for the LIRR, you need to go to the passage on the lower level which is closer to 34th Street (you will probably need to ask).
At rush hour, the LIRR area is so crowded it's surreal. But you will find easy-to-use ticket kiosks there.
Also: When you look up at the big board of LIRR trains, you will realize that a train departs every 2-3 minutes at that time of the day. Virtually every train stops at Jamaica Station, but NOT every train. Just be careful not to get on a train that doesn't stop there.
One more note: In my experience traveling via LIRR to Jamaica Station (and then onward to JFK) at rush hour: The LIRR commuters are an especially crotchety lot. If your bags encroach on their already limited space, they will definitely let you know in our inimitable "direct" NY fashion...
It will definitely be doable but not fun at all.
Good luck!