I'll be staying in Midtown East. I haven't been to NYC in 25 years. What's the deal with that train from the airport? Where do I get off? Will I need exact change? Anything else?

Sylvia

Upon arrival at JFK take the complimentary Long Term Parking / Subway bus to the Howard Beach Subway station. There you can buy a metrocard or token from the clerk for $1.50 each way. Exact change not needed. As you are staying on the east side, you may want to transfer at Broadway/Nassau Street (1st stop in Manhattan) for the uptown 4/5 train. These head up Manhattan further east then the A. On the return to JFK be sure to take an A train to "Far Rockaway" to ensure you will stop at Howard Beach. The trip usually takes me between 1-1.5 hrs each way to midtown and is a convenient option if you are looking to save money and don't have a lot of luggage.

Thanks for the careful details.

I'll have three medium bags all hooked together on one set of wheels. I can navigate OK, take up space on a train.

Sylvia

Just keep in mind that there will be several flights of stairs on both ends and the subway cars can get very crowded and have no place for luggage. Also, 3 bags may be kind of tough to navigate with. However its certainly a bargain at $1.50.

Several flights of stairs? Usually there is disability access, an elevator or at least an escalator.

Should I reconsider?

My plane gets in at 5:27 PM. Getting into the city by car seems like it will take much longer.

I'm going to E 51 between 2nd and 3rd.

Sylvia

Yes, the stations you are using should have elevators or escalators, though they may not be convenient. I would doubt that you'll save time via subway, and it'll certainly be less convenient, but you'll save money. Taxi is a flat $30 + tolls + tip.

You'll want to use the stop at 51st/Lexington which is 1-2 blocks from your destination; or the 53rd/Lexington stop (they're both connected) which is 3-4 blocks away. However, to get off at 51st/Lex you'd have to make two transfers: the transfer to 4/5 as Ocean1971 mentions, and a second transfer to the 6. You're probably better off making a transfer at West 4th St. to the V (one level down by stairs/elevator), or an easier cross-platform transfer to the slightly-less-direct E at W 4th, 14th, 34th, or 42nd.

Just so I'm clear, Howard's End to W 4th St stop. V to 53rd St stop.

Sylvia

Sorry, yes, in my opinion your choices are:

(A) Howard Beach/JFK (not Howard's End -- too much Forster, eh?) to West 4th, transfer to V two floors down.

(B) Howard Beach/JFK to West 4th (or 14th, 34th, or 42nd), transfer to E across the platform. This is an easier transfer since the train you are switching to is directly in front of you as you exit the train, but less direct because the E goes up 8th Ave while the V goes up 6th Ave.

In both cases: get off at Lexington Ave./53rd St. and you can take the long escalator to the basement of the Citibank building.

Personally, if I were going to take the subway with luggage, I'd choose option B because the transfer will be significantly easier. In the end, it'll probably take the same amount of time on either choice, factoring in the time to transfer.


[This message has been edited by flightrisk (edited 07-29-2002).]

I've printed out all the directions and will see how I feel when we land. I somehow had the impression the train would be more direct as well as less expensive. It's sounding kind of arduous.

Now I'm thinking I should probably pamper myself and take a cab.

Sylvia

All great advice... one minor note:
Taxi flat rate from JFK to Manhattan is now $35 + tolls + tip

53 and 3rd was my old neighborhood.

Coming back from JFK, I either took the bus or a cab. Never had the paitence for lugging bags through the subway, esp in your case during the evening rush.

Bus now runs around $12 or so, with your destination a quick hop on the subway, or a quick walk.

If taking a cab, save the toll and have the driver use the Queensboro/59th St bridge, which is free to cross.

As much as I take the subway almost daily, I wouldnt recommend it with 1 person and 3 bags of luggage.

Is it a weekday or weekend youre coming in on? That would make a difference due to the rush hours youll be travelling in if its a weekday.

Id say best option is take the $12 bus to Grand Central and than walk the rest of the way (or taxi 10 blocks if you need to).

I second the bus and 10 block walk.

I'm home. I shared a cab in, with a person I met on the plane. $35 + tolls + the meter to the second stop.

I took a cab to the bus, $4, and took the bus for the return ($4 senior rate!).

Next time I would take the bus again, and maybe walk.

Pickwick Arms was safe, clean, friendly, convenient, and spartan.

I appreciate all the help.