<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gunnar:
I am a bit surprised that all the discussion seems to be focussed on the LIRR. Is the subway a bad option? I am arriving at JFK tomorrow evening and was planning to use AirTrain+E to get to my hotel (Waldorf, near Grand Central). Is that a bad idea?</font>
If you are travelling during the day and don't have a problem carrying your luggage in stairwells, you really should be fine. The Sutphin Ave station is seedy; just be aware of that. It is more convenient to take the E to the Waldorf as you just take it to the first stop in Manhattan (Lexington Ave) and you will find yourself at Lex and 53rd Street---a short walk to the Waldorf. Do sit toward the front of the train as the back of the train lets you off a block further away at 3rd Ave.