Getting from JFK to Midtown
 

Quite simply, what's the best way for 2 passengers. Car service? Taxi? Hotel Shuttle? Any deals you can think of?

Thanks?

I generally use a car service when arriving at JFK. There are many of them to choose from and their fares usually are from $30 - $35 (without tolls and tip), not very different from the taxis. At night, the taxi pickup area at some terminals (such as 7) is absolute bedlam. I typically reserve the car in advance and then call the 800 number when I arrive. I am given a car number to look for and they usually materialize about five minutes later. Over the last few months, I have been using Tel Aviv Limo (212) 777-7777, 1 (800) 222-9888 and don't have any complaints.

If you don't want to spend much money and don't mind a long uncomfortable ride via the "scenic" route (and I use this term very loosely), you could take the free bus to the last stop in long term parking and then grab the subway at the Howard beach station. You'd get there eventually http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

As a compromise, there is also a company that offers shared rides; you can inquire about them in the baggage claim area. You might be able to save about $15 or so, but the length of your trip would increase quite a bit, especially during rush hour or on a Sunday night.

The shuttle bus to the A train takes about 1.5 hours from the airport to midtown. For $1.50, and a guarantee you won't be stuck in traffic, I say it's worth it.

LarryU's correct on the car service angle. I have used just about every NYC car service and like Larry, right now I'm using TelAviv. I've been picked up in everything from a brand new Lincoln to a beat up old one--you never know. But either way there's much more room than in yellow taxis--some of which can hvae the driver's barrier so far back you'll swear your in coach on a charter flight.

CAR SERVICE TIP: when you make your reservation, tell them you want to pay cash--even if you want to pay with credit later.

The reason: Let's say three people arrive at JFK at the same time. They all have Tel Avivs booked: #1 with cash #2 with a voucer #3 with AmEx. In what order do they get picked up?

#1 first because they're afraid if they make you wait too long you'll hop and a cab (since you're paying cash) and they'll lose the fare.

#3 second because though you want to pay credit if it's too long, you might hop a cab.

#2 last because they know they're got you, since you want to use a voucher (someone else's money--generally).

Last January, I had booked a car for my trip back to JFK and told reservations that I would be paying by credit card. When I was finally deposited at terminal 7 and proffered my credit card, the driver put up a stink because he had been told it was a cash trip. I gave him the choice of accepting the credit card and bringing me back to midtown and he backed down.

So in order to use your trick, I guess the thing to do is tell the driver you'll be using a credit card once you get in the car.

For the record, I usually do not have to wait very long for Tel Aviv. However, one additional trick I would like to pass on is that, in terminal 7 at least, you should ask the driver to pick you up at DEPARTURES. In early July, I had arranged to meet the driver by arrivals (the default) and it took him about a half hour to get to me. The traffic in the immediate arrivals area was absolutely immobile; complete gridlock.

I've had good luck (at least from LGA) with 1-800-BOOK-A-LIMO (call 1-800-266-5254 or go to http://www.1800bookalimo.com ). Their affiliates seem to have all late model Town Car sedans or limos (note - this is a nationwide service - all the rates are posted at http://www.1800bookalimo.com/rates_usa.html ). The rates are higher than a car service - but this is more of an executive sedan/limo company. (Plus in other cities without the wide range of car services like NYC, this is a great alternative to waiting on the cab line.) From JFK a sedan runs $45, a limo is $70/$80/$90 for 6/8/10 passenger limos. From LGA it's a great deal: $35/$60/$70/$80 (Sedan/6/8/10 pax limo). These rates do not include a 15%-20% tip. I was paying Boston Coach $80 for a ride in their small Volvo sedans from LGA to midtown - now I can save money and have a Town Car - or pay the same thing and ride in a limo.

We also have special car services for Red Sox fans that make every trip via the Bronx. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

delete

Rich - nothing better than a detour to the Grand Concourse - just not the same since they stopped the guys from jumping on the hood of the car as you came off the exit ramp to "clean" your windshield. Of course one can always ride the subway with Rocker when he's in town.

I've had the "they said cash trip" when I booked credit as well. Did just about the same thing as Larry U.

I've also had--several times--a driver claim he doesn't have the cash for the Triboro and wants it from me. Thank god most of them have EZ Pass now.

You Red Sox Bostonians certainly make the day for the Medallian hack drivers and for the Black Car drivers. With you out there, I wish I were still hacking (as I did many, many years ago) - but I would have been too honest then to rip you off - as obviously you are being currently - if you are paying what you say.

There is a $30 cap on a fare from JFK to "the city" - our word for Manhattan - plus toll and tip. $40 at most, unless you ask for the free Queensboro Bridge less expensive route. From LGA, the taxi fare will depend on the "city" destination. I pay $16-22 plus toll and tip. But, hey, if it is EA and you can get away with it, be my guest - take the limo. We love your Beantown money.

I'm like JS, use the A train from JFK, or the Q33bus/Eor7train, or the M60 on local streets from LGA. You could be there faster; and you will certainly have the money toward a nice Midtown NYC steak dinner.

BoSox Fans, as always --- WUNYear!

Regards

-k-



[This message has been edited by kappa (edited 08-19-2000).]

Car services, taxis and the subway all work fine, as described above, but nobody mentioned the express buses to Grand Central (where you can transfer to a free bus to certain other destinations). It's $13 from JFK.

Personally, unless I'm in a hurry or it's very late at night, I take the subway.

Bruce

an oldie: "beating the system" tip#41 rise above your station and ride a limousine from JFK to Manhattan http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000332.html

another 'oldie': Getting from JFK to Midtown http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003256.html

Anyone know the schedule of the airport shuttle bus to the train station?

it is supposed to run every 20' - but this spring I once waited over 30'.

There are also buses from both LGA and JFK to the LIRR Terminal in Jamaica, Queens, from which you can easily get to either Penn Station, or anywhere on Long Island. You can even get to Brooklyn!

That's true. Those are express buses, which cost $5. Nobody mentioned the public buses, which cost $1.50 (exact change) and run from JFK to points in Queens, including places where you can transfer for free (with a MetroCard) to the subway. Depending on your destination, this might be better than the free airport-operated bus to the Howard Beach subway station, which is served by the A line only.

Bruce

Is there still a helicopter service between JFK and midtown ? An expensive but rapid choice.

The Airport Shuttle is run by Gray Line. It's supposed to be every 20 minutes but knowing you are coming from JFK double or even triple the time.

I would go with the car or limo service.

What I do is take a cab. Now i can't remember the rule is if the cab is the flat rate of 35 dollars NOT including tolls and tip applies JFK-Midtown or going back.

Personally, I would fly into EWR.

The taxi fare is $30 flat rate, NOT including tolls or tip. Usually $40 will cover everything.

The express buses can take a while during rush hour, for instance, but they can also be quite fast at night or early in the morning. During the morning rush hour, they get a special lane on the Long Island Expressway, which helps some.

The helicopters to the old Pan Am building (now MetLife) were cancelled long ago, after a terrible accident in which a helicopter tipped over and decapitated a couple of passengers. There is an East Side heliport at 34th Street, but I'm not sure if anyone makes the trip from JFK. Probably somebody does.

Bruce

There were also helicopter accidents at Newark Airport and in both the East and Hudson Rivers. Stay away from the choppers. You'll live longer.

- BA offers Concorde passengers free helicopter transfers between JFK and LGA. Not too useful as JFK-LGA is generally a cheap and quick taxi ride anyways.

- There are no scheduled flights but several helicopter companies offer charter flights between midtown and JFK. Cost is $595 flat, and the helicopter can carry upto 4 passengers.

(Somehow I don't think that I could put down on my expense report:
JFK-Midtown helicopter - $595
without attracting undue attention http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

And kappa, London is the "city" as well.

Hi all!

I've taken the shuttle buses from both JFK & LGA to Manhattan a number of times and have never been delayed or had any problems. Flying into EWR still makes for a faster trip to Midtown, though.

YeZZaph

I mildly disagree with the previous post, at least regarding LGA buses. In the afternoon and evening, they have no special lane or any other advantage. They sit in stand-still traffic just like everyone else, while only one lane goes in-bound to Manhattan through the Midtown Tunnel. At those times, the subway is a big winner, although it's awkward with luggage.

The buses from JFK generally do all right. If your ultimate destination is reasonably close to Grand Central, why pay extra for a taxi?

Bruce

I guess my question is does the JFK shuttle to the train station run 24/7 and does the A train run 24/7?

Yes to both questions, although the A train through Brooklyn after midnight (and before about 6 a.m.) can be scary. I wouldn't do it myself, and I'm not easily scared.

Bruce

Yes, it's scary, and I wouldn't recommend it either, but then again, you might spot the garbage train, the money train, the track repair train, and various other non-passenger specialty features. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I have ridden the subway in the middle of the night (as late as 2:30 AM and as early as 4:30 AM), but not on the A line. But I doubt it's significantly different.

Wait for the train in the middle of the platform, and board the car that has the conductor (or look for the "conductor stops here" sign). The conductor's car always has passengers. Desertion is the problem, not time of day.

I don't want to get into a debate about the subway, but the A train goes through some really bad neighborhoods, and some passengers are simply nuts. All it takes is one nut to ruin your day for good! The presence of the conductor may not deter a crazy person.

I'm not trying to exaggerate the danger, just suggesting that other forms of transportation might be preferred by most travelers during the wee hours. Then again, how many planes arrive at JFK in the early morning?

Incidentally, I have numerous times taken the Delta red-eye from LAS to JFK, which arrives around 5:45 a.m. A taxi to Manhattan at that time takes only about 30 minutes and is really a pleasure, even if it does cost $40 (with toll and tip).

Bruce

I'm not willing to take the chance to save $30 in the middle of the night in a strange city- any strange city. If you are somewhere unfamilair, you should not attempt to save $30 when it could mean the difference between safety and an unpleasant encounter. Unless you know the situation, you know the neighboorhoods, and are familiar enough with the public transportation system to know how not to get lost, there's no way I'd trust that after rush hour. To me, it's just not worth $30.

I've taken that train from the city to brooklyn in the middle of the morning and it was one of my scariest experiences ever!

As to whether EWR offers easier access to Manhattan than JFK, I for one will take JFK every time. Backups at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels from 6am to 9pm are the norm, and there are unfortunately not any really viable alternate routes for downtown or midtown. JFK, on the other hand, can be accessed from many different roads so when there's a backup or accident on one you can easily divert to another. I myself avoid EWR like the plague! ;-)

I'm not a big fan of EWR, but I have to disagree with one of the previous statements. During the morning rush hour, buses have a special, dedicated lane to and through the Lincoln Tunnel (which they use to get to the Port Authority Bus Terminal). They zip past the traffic.

Bruce

Oh yes there ARE alternative routes, and they have no traffic!

It's called the PATH train! $4 express shuttle to Newark Penn Station. $1 for PATH train to World Trade Center or 33rd Street.

Inexpensive and NO tunnel or bridge traffic. I'd take EWR over JFK anyday!


Mac


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Via con Dios!

Tiny suggested improvement over the previous post: Take the #62 public bus to Newark Penn Station for $1. Save $3 over the express bus. This really is a good way to get to the World Trade Center, but it's very slow to Midtown -- and goes only as far as 30th Street and 6th Avenue.

Bruce

Yeah, you can take the #62 to Newark Penn Station, and yeah, I have done it. In fact I have taken that bus probably more than the express bus, but:

a) it is slower (slightly)
b) all type of riff-raff inhabit that bus

there are also mostly decent hard working human beings on it, but it is NOT for the squeamish! You think taking the A-Train through Brooklyn late at night is bad??!!?!?

Try taking this LOCAL surface bus through Newark late at night!!!!!!!!

Also, the PATH train DOES go to 33rd street, not 30th (Herald Square, Macy's et. al). It's slow, but now excruciatingly so. For those who are going further uptown or want speed, just go to the World Trade Center and catch ANY subway you want for an extra buck-fifty!

Mac

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Via con Dios!

In my experience, most of the people on the #62 bus are airport and airline employees. I've never seen anyone scary on that bus. And buses are inherently safer than subways anyway, because the driver is right there and escape is possible (to the street).

To get to 33rd Street on PATH, you have to change trains in Journal Square, which is time-consuming in itself, then the second train makes too many stops. It does go to 33rd Street, technically, but I always get off at theback of the train, which is at 30th. Not a big difference (780 feet!).

I guess everyone is entitled to his own opinion!

Bruce

Everyone should decide what is best for them.

For some reason, JFK scares me. It's big, under contrucation and it take sforever for buses to get to Terminal 7 for United.

LGA is better, two real main terminals. Traffic can be good or bad. My recommendation if traveling during MOST hours of the day:

Take a cab to the Astoria Boulevard Subway Station. (7-8 dollars)
Take the N train to midtown Manhattan (1.50.)

If time's a factor the cab fare is generally around 12-15 dollars.

As for EWR:

AIRLINK is teh bus that takes you to Penn Station. Runs an average of every 20 minutes.
MY advice: take the tram (as long as it's running) if you are at Terminals B or C to A and get the airlink tehre. The buses and luggage area can fill up fast.

$4 is the fare. best if you don't have too much luggage.

The #62 is also a decent option. But be wraned: the bus drivers insist that you put your luggage under the seat and out of the aisle. SOme can get angry since this bus does fill up with people, students, the elderly. It's also the SAME bus that goes to Woodbridge Center, one of the state's biggest malls.

As Fleetwood Mac sang: You can go your own way..

I wanted to make a note on the subject of the A train through Queens and Brooklyn. Some people may recall that the MTA used to run (until 1989 or so) a special express train with no stops except in Manhattan and at JFK along the A train tracks. It eliminated some of the concern of danger at the local subway stops, but it still required connection to the terminal bus in a remote JFK parking lot.

New York's easiest connection to any airport is probably via the Jamaica Queens station - a short and inexpensive cab or bus ride from LGA and from JFK. And frequent LIRR trains into Penn Station.

Unfortunately, none of the three airports have truly unimodal public transit links to the city. Usually, taxis are the way to go, but you have to know your bridge and tunnel options in advance.