Originally Posted by
guv1976
3) If the OP's flight into JFK is on time and he doesn't need to be in Manhattan until 11:00 AM, the OP can save a little more money by taking the "E" subway from Jamaica to Penn Station, instead of the LIRR. The subway will take longer, but it only costs $2.50 per ride.
The savings is $1.50 on the weekend (assuming you're just going to Penn Sta and don't need to transfer to the subway anyway), so I don't think it's worth it. During peak LIRR hours when the fare to Jamaica is like $9, then it makes sense.
Originally Posted by
buckeyefanflyer
On several of my trips to EWR on Saturday's I had to wait almost 40 minute's for a train to Penn Station. Sometimes there are 2 or 3 trains within a short period then a large gap. Must have something to do with where the trains come from.
I'm pretty sure it's because they're usually single-tracking through the hudson river tunnels on the weekend for maintenance, so there has to be a big gap for the trains going in the opposite direction. It's pretty terrible and makes EWR a big inconvenience via Airtrain on the weekend. I'd still usually take it TO EWR, but would take the bus or car service back, since you have less control over your arrival time and if you miss the train because of a monorail snafu or something, you may have to wait 40-45 minutes for the next one.