I will be arriving on an AA flight into EWR and continuing on CX from JFK. Two questions:

1) Will I be able to check my luggage through or will I have to pick it up at EWR and recheck it at JFK?

2) Is there any assistance provided to F passengers transfering between airports or do I need to make my own arrangements?

I remember being flown by helicopter from JFK to EWR when flying first (over manhattan) - those were the good old days of airtravel.

I am almost entirely certain that you will have to claim your baggage and arrange transfer on your own. Transfer options depend on time between flights, day of the week etc. Please provide that info and it may be possible to suggest some pleasant alternatives.

Thankfully, there is a long time between arriving EWR and departing JFK. I'll be coming in on a Wednesday at 13:47 and continueing out of JFK at 22:15. So at 8 1/2 hours, I should have plenty of time. I also have plenty of luggage and have no desire to schlep the bags, so I'm mainly interested in options that include terminal-to-terminal service... Unless there is a more civilised way of doing this.

Thanks for any ideas...

Bus costs $25 and runs every 30 minutes to JFK, this is by far the best way. Taxi will cost close to $100 and limo over $150 (also not any faster than the bus). All the other alternatives are not viable with significant luggage (e.g. train to Penn station would be a bad choice) and getting to JFK is still a mess.

Jenn,
From the port authority's website regarding airport transfer options: http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/connframewr.htm
I don't remember a cab costing as much as number 6 states. I believe the rate is more in line with what is stated by the port authority.
I also think you could get a town car from EWR to JFK for less than $150 through either carmel or tel aviv:
http://www.carmellimo.com/
http://www.telavivlimo.com/
Your results with these and the other car services may vary.

I would never, ever recommend tel aviv or carmel have tried them in the past and found them to be thoroughly unreliable. On the other hand I have used A1 car service (800-367-0070), which can only do NJ-NY transfers, well over 50 times in the last couple of years and the worst I have suffered is a 5-10 minute wait on arrival (we are always first off with no checked luggage). Their prices are reasonable (about $130 plus gratuity), their Cadillac sedans are always very clean, very comfortable and their drivers very personable. I wouldnt't consider any other alternative for this transfer. If you want to throw in an extra forty bucks or so you could stop off in Manhattan for a bite to eat - if you are unfamiliar with the area I would be happy to suggest some interesting possibilities.

[This message has been edited by hvd (edited 12-05-2002).]

So the extra $40 dollars would be wait time for the Towncar right? If so, I think I know exactly how to use the time. I need to buy a particular, relatively large toy for my almost two year old niece in Auckland. Now all I need to do is identify the store that has it in stock... Anyone want to join me for a toy hunt in NYC followed by a nice mid-afternoon snack?

The place to try is FAO Schwartz on Fifth Ave by the Trump Tower ... claims to be the world's biggest and best toy store, and looks like it lives up to that. On Sunday you could book a limo for 3 hours for under $200 and have it meet you at EWR, drop you at JFK and go wherever you want; or just book one at the airport, but probably cost more or need some negotiation. I've done this to go shopping at Balducci's when transferring between airports, but otherwise the bus really is better than the car services (and do be careful, some of the "limos" are in atrocious shape, you can't pick randomly).

Number_6,

I definitely know what you mean in terms of the variability of the car quality. I returned last week from two weeks in NJ/NY and took my share of hotel and airport transfers in "Limo's". Most of which were fine, a few were nice, and a few, well, let's just say I was glad to reach the destination.

Regrettably, someone else almost always made the arrangements so I never got the names of the companies we used. And as this is a private trip this time, I need to arrange this myself.

If I decide not to go into town, I'll look more closely into the bus option. Thanks to every one for their advice.

Again, I can virtually guarantee a first rate experience with A-1. In my more than 50 trips with them I have never had anything close to a bad or even mediocre experience. Having run through a number of other car services I am leery of giving recommendation but A-1 has never let us down.

Regarding Limo service, I can recommend a company that I've been using since moving to NY over 6 years ago..

Manhassett Limo (1 800 621 7577)
They charge me about $110 for a one way from long island to JFK/LGA or Manhattan, a trip of about 40 miles

Their rates are pretty flat, they have NEVER failed to arrive on time, meeting me at departure level in the car, or at the baggage claim if I choose

They always arrive at the house about 30 mins early (Once they arrived only 5 mins early and I was about to panic! )

Give them a try.. I won't use anyone else.