Newark vs JFK
#32
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: FB Plat; AS 75K; UA Gold MM; AA ExecPlat; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Amb; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 5,800
If you are traveling light enough, i.e. can carry suitcases up and down stairs and don't need a lift, then I would say JFK's connectivity to the subway is actually pretty good and can get you to anywhere you need to be in Manhattan quite inexpensively.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 26,052

In addition, there are three elevators from the AirTrain level down to the subway entrance level.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,465
Flew out of EWR in May, albeit for the first time. Took forever to get to from Central Park area.Found it a strange experience. Check in was in the basement. No priority security lanes. Lounge was nothing to write home about. Food was excellent though. The much fabled lounge dragon,Rosa was miserable and curt at times. Just a dated terminal and a dull experience inmo. In the words of June Whitfield in Carry on Abroad. ' I tried it once, I didnt like it' Will stick to JFK in future.
#35
#36
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Silver, VS Silver
Posts: 606
The confusing bit is the intermediate Newark Penn Station en route to New York Penn Station In my post-flight daze I misheard an announcement saying This is Penn Station Newark and jumped off the train. In the few seconds it took me to realise that this was not Manhattan the doors had closed!
#37
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 55,000 TPs until GGLfL
Posts: 2,698
I will second the suggestion of Blade.
#38
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: uk
Programs: BA Gold, Shangri-La Golden Circle Elite, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 555
Thanks all for the info, I think Ill take a punt on EWR as it is a new airport for me. I did ask regarding J and F when booking but the agent didnt seem too clued up regarding flights and only had pricing available A aa a cc for Y. Sounds like they would just charge the same amount as the airline. I have loads of Avios to burn anyway.
Your agent has to call Cunard and ask for the fare difference. I took QM2 from nyc couple of weeks ago and tried for a few months to get J but the fare diff was too high. WTP was fine, better than I expected and the main meal was good. Cater yourself for the Snack as its crap!
#39
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,625
It's the same exact thing, an airport light rail to a regional commuter train. The only difference is AirTrain JFK is newer and more comfortable than AirTrain EWR and LIRR is newer, more comfortable and more frequent than NJT.
#40
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 55,000 TPs until GGLfL
Posts: 2,698
LIRR is new? The M7 cars were built 1999-2006 and the M3s in the mid-80s!
#42
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Programs: Emirates Skywards Gold, BA Exec Silver, Aeroplan, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 1,055
I am aware that the lounge situation is about to change at JFK, but which airport would people recommend for a departing F experience? This would be in April. Is pre-flight F dining back at EWR? I am guessing for passport line ups, EWR is better than JFK for the flight back? I am thinking of the 11am-ish LHR-EWR flight--if people have knowledge on whether there is tea for the second meal.
#43
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Kettle Class
Posts: 704
If arriving on a weekday outside of 6am to 10am, the LIRR CityTicket from JFK AirTrain terminal Jamaica to Penn Station or Brooklyn is only 5$. An "Atlantic Ticket" available only at ticket machines is also available to Brooklyn for 5$ at all times. The LIRR doesn't advertise this option much so many travelers end up buying the much more expensive full peak or off-peak fares.
https://new.mta.info/fares/cityticket and https://new.mta.info/fares/atlantic-ticket
EDIT: I see guv1976 already noted this earlier upthread, I added info about the Atlantic Ticket. Please don't let the LIRR rip you off! The AirTrain is a big enough ripoff as it is
https://new.mta.info/fares/cityticket and https://new.mta.info/fares/atlantic-ticket
EDIT: I see guv1976 already noted this earlier upthread, I added info about the Atlantic Ticket. Please don't let the LIRR rip you off! The AirTrain is a big enough ripoff as it is

For JFK to NYC the easiest (but not cheapest) public transport is to take Airtrain from JFK Terminal to Jamaica station (on the Long Island Railroad), which costs $8 and then the Long Island Railroad from Jamaica station into Penn Station or the Brooklyn station (about $15)
#44
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san francisco
Programs: No airline status whatsoever, Chase URs, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 518
I got used to flying into EWR with Continental and found it vastly preferable than JFK or LaGuardia. If I was in NY for pleasure, I could get a nice hotel for $100 a night and take the train from the airport into Grand Central, or was it Penn Station? Run around Manhattan all day, then come 'home' via the train and the hotel shuttle.. Hotels are nicer (and far more quiet) for the price, and arriving in midtown means you can go any direction you please. You'll save enough money to just take a black car over to board your ship.
Last edited by jsn55; Nov 7, 22 at 9:14 pm Reason: clarity
#45
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 3,017
I think EWR is a little easier in terms of getting from the airport to midtown, although I don't think there's a huge difference. I'd prefer JFK if you plan on taking a taxi, although neither is pleasant in midday.