JFK vs. LGA advice
#31
Join Date: Dec 2012
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#32
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: New York, NY
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JFK has more tarmac delays, a much larger terminal which requires a significant amount of walking to just get to the airtrain and then to transfer to the LIRR/E, is more expensive for public transit if you use the airtrain and/or LIRR (you can use buses but just go ahead and add an uncomfortable half hour onto your journey).
Using Uber or a cab, LGA is still my preference for uptown/midtown but probably not downtown.
#33
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
I work downtown and am in JFK within an hour via Howard Beach using public transportation. It's the quickest and easiest airport via public transportation from where I work. By car it's the slowest if there's no traffic - by a lot. That said, if I'm taking a car service during rush hour it really doesn't matter what airport. I'll have to leave early and hope I catch my flight.
#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: halfway between JFK and LGA
Posts: 976
I have lived in NYC for the past 12 years and choose to fly out of JFK if possible.
If you take the air train from JFK to Jamaica Station, then connect to Long Island Railroad you can be to Manhattan in 40 minutes. LIRR trains run far more frequently than New Jersey Transit trains from Newark.
LaGuardia your only options are bus to subway, taxi or shuttle service - all of which are often heavily impacted by traffic.
I suggest JFK - you can be to times square for $11 in under an hour regardless of time of day or traffic.
If you take the air train from JFK to Jamaica Station, then connect to Long Island Railroad you can be to Manhattan in 40 minutes. LIRR trains run far more frequently than New Jersey Transit trains from Newark.
LaGuardia your only options are bus to subway, taxi or shuttle service - all of which are often heavily impacted by traffic.
I suggest JFK - you can be to times square for $11 in under an hour regardless of time of day or traffic.
for visitors, i say LGA and take a cab/car service. way less pain and confusion.
#35
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#36
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For "pack a lunch before you consider walking to your gate" values of "much less claustrophobic".
#37
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If you're taking taxis, definitely LGA. (Taxis from JFK often go right past LGA on their way to Manhattan.)
If you're considering public transit, JFK is perhaps a little easier than LGA, and a little slower (JFK SkyTrain to subway, LGA bus to subway) and more expensive (LGA $2.50, JFK $7.50).
If you're considering public transit, JFK is perhaps a little easier than LGA, and a little slower (JFK SkyTrain to subway, LGA bus to subway) and more expensive (LGA $2.50, JFK $7.50).
#38
Join Date: Jul 2006
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#39
Join Date: May 2010
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"The Transit app" (free) will do the same and it works in any city in the US, Canada, and France. Just hit the app icon and it finds you, the closest transit stops, and with GPS locators on all the buses and trains it will compute the time till each arrives using an algorithm that takes traffic into account. Also can display the schedule, a map of the route you pick with the route highlighted (showing in real time the locations of buses and trains), and in DC will even color the background to match the color of the subway line. Really indispensable for any city dweller/traveler.
#40
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#41
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
If you're taking taxis, definitely LGA. (Taxis from JFK often go right past LGA on their way to Manhattan.)
If you're considering public transit, JFK is perhaps a little easier than LGA, and a little slower (JFK SkyTrain to subway, LGA bus to subway) and more expensive (LGA $2.50, JFK $7.50).
If you're considering public transit, JFK is perhaps a little easier than LGA, and a little slower (JFK SkyTrain to subway, LGA bus to subway) and more expensive (LGA $2.50, JFK $7.50).
True enough although now the air tran is inside the terminal so that helps a bit (especially if the weather is crap).
#42
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 202
Beaten to it but I think the best option is actually EWR -> Air Train -> PATH. Drops you off right by Times Square.
I live in the Bronx and work in Queens 10 minutes from LGA. It is far and away my preferred airport due to proximity and just much less hassle and waiting. I've chosen to connect when traveling internationally in the Caribbean or Central America to avoid JFK. The problem at LGA of course is that if there is any kind of weather, you're pretty screwed, delay city.
I flew out on a Sunday in February to Spain via JFK and even with status in the priority line it was an hour and a half wait. (It was AA not Delta, but you get my drift)
I live in the Bronx and work in Queens 10 minutes from LGA. It is far and away my preferred airport due to proximity and just much less hassle and waiting. I've chosen to connect when traveling internationally in the Caribbean or Central America to avoid JFK. The problem at LGA of course is that if there is any kind of weather, you're pretty screwed, delay city.
I flew out on a Sunday in February to Spain via JFK and even with status in the priority line it was an hour and a half wait. (It was AA not Delta, but you get my drift)
#43
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#44
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A few years back my wife and I flew in/out of LGA for a weekend trip. We took the Q33 which (other than being caught off guard by the requirement of COIN currency) didn't seem that bad to me, but wasn't my wife's favorite experience (she's not exactly an experienced urban traveler). On the return we shared a town car with a couple from home we had met up with for the weekend, which was only $40 split 2-ways.
These days, I can't see myself doing anything BUY Uber/X/Black depending on why I was there or who I was with, though I'd probably consider the new Q70 if I was there alone.
These days, I can't see myself doing anything BUY Uber/X/Black depending on why I was there or who I was with, though I'd probably consider the new Q70 if I was there alone.