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DC to JFK advice needed
We fly out of JFK to HKG on New Years Day departing 1:05PM for our honeymoon. We live in DC and I was wondering would you fly/take train up a night early? Were in F on CX, so if we miss our flight....we're hosed.
We can fly out of DCA on AA the night before and stay at an airport hotel. We can fly out DCA the next morning and arrive at 10:30am(leaning this way). Or we could take the train up the night before and stay in Manhattan. Or take the train on the first. I'm leaning towards avoiding going into NY b/c it's NYE. We have points for everything so cost isn't the big factor. What would you do? |
I would not chance connecting the same day on separate tickets. I would come up the day before, via train, and either stay in the city at a non Times Square hotel or a B&B near JFK.
Start the romance a night early with a nice meal or a small party. |
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Separate tickets should not be an issue. When connecting between AA and another oneworld carrier, AA will protect you, even on separate tickets. That said, if you miss your CX flight and F is sold out on CX's other flights that day, I'm not sure how much AA could do for you. If I were coming up the day before, I would just stay over at a JFK hotel. |
holiday train schedules are not the same as regular train schedule. nyc on nye is nice. train evening before, & stay in middle of nyc.
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Another option, if you have interest is a one way car rental. We have gotten some pretty great rates from DC to JFK for international flights. Its about a 3 1/2 hour drive.
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I would take the train. While both train and planes can have weather issues if there's a snowstorm, the chance of the trains making it through are probably better than planes.
It would be hard to miss New Years Eve if you were up in the area, I would stay in Manhattan if you can get a space and head to the airport the next day. |
I'd take the 5am train from DC to Penn, or a 6am flight. You would have plenty of cushion. NYE in manhattan is abominable unless you're a fan of drunk crowds of tourists and suburbanites, and you'll pay through the roof for a hotel on NYE.
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Remember that you're doing this in winter weather, where the DC area tends to be especially unable to cope with much snow. This applies to planes, trains, and cars. I would arrive the afternoon before. An airport hotel would be a bit safer, but NYE in NYC could be a special but expensive experience versus staying in a rather depressing place at the airport.
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WAS-JFK and other mini-hauls are the first flights to go when ATC reduceds flow. Bad weather can mean cancellations.
AA will not "protect" you, OW will rebook you on the next available flight. At that time of year, the chances of additional F award space are slim and nil, so yes, you will get to HKG, but not likely in any style you would choose. If money isn't a factor, why not take the train and have fun in Manhattan. I would avoid flying that route. Small planes, lots of cancellations & delays. |
I would not take train if you have lots of luggages. I use to commute between DC and NY and taken both flights and train. Although snow storm would knock this option off, It is much easier with plane especially if you need to think about moving from Manhattan to JFK.
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I appreciate the responses. We have 3 weeks worth of luggage(2 tumi med cases and maybe an air boss). So I am concerned about lugging that on the subway out to Jfk if we take the train. I definitely think we will go up the day before just to ensure we get there in first.
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Remember that the LIRR also goes to the JFK airtrain from Penn Station so you can limit the subway luggage issue.
There are some decently nice hotels near Penn Station that will keep you far enough away from the Time Square crap but near some nice restaurants. |
Since Penn Station is 8 blocks from Times Square, I do not recommend this option. Penn Station will be a zoo from around 12pm on 12/31, and many of the streets around it will be closed to pedestrian traffic starting around 4.
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If you don't want to deal with the luggage and trains or subway and airtrain, you can take a cab to the airport, they will pick you up at the hotel and drop you off at the terminal.
The decision to visit for New Years Eve of course depends on if you want to be part of the crowd and think that's a cool thing, or if you don't want to be anywhere near the masses of people because you think it's a dumb thing. It's totally up to you. Street closures, in the past, have been as listed below. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 31st, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic: Seventh Avenue, from 41st to 59th Streets; Broadway, from 47th to 59th Streets; 43rd to 47th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenue. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31st, 42nd Street from 6th to Eight Avenue will be closed to traffic. After 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 31st, the remainder of the traffic closures will be instituted as crowd conditions warrant: All cross-town streets from 37th to 41st Streets - Sixth to Eighth Avenues; All cross-town streets from 49th to 59th Streets - Sixth to Eighth Avenues; 48th Street, from Fifth to Ninth Avenues; Cross-town access for emergency vehicles will be available on 42nd, 48th, and 59th Streets. I don't believe any streets in the area of Penn Station, until you get very close to Times Square, are closed to pedestrians, and certainly nothing as early as 4. Subways usually don't start skipping the Times Square Stations until 7. Indeed, there's usually a New Years Eve concert at the Garden, and those people certainly don't have to be in by 4 to get to it. |
i have forgotten. i have only been to two of the nyc shutdowns. one was st day parade. other some bike thing. get where you are going within walking distance a day in in advance. and, when they have a shutdown, one cannot go anywhere
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As someone who lives and works in this area, my experience is different than yours. In years past, cross streets that are closed to vehicular traffic are also closed to pedestrian traffic, unless you have ID or a special pass showing you live there. The NYPD website 8 months ahead of time isn't worth much. In practice, officer discretion prevails.
Since the Garden is directly connected to public transit, and is below 37th street, yes, people can get in and out. I agree the OP can make his own choice, but to a non New Yorker, suggesting that the "penn station area" is far enough away from Times Square is a bit misleading. They are for hotel purposes, pretty close to one contiguous area. Cheers |
I would be inclined to try flying to JFK the previous night and stay near the airport as you suggested , saving the train as a back up plan. Regarding your luggage, If you take AA from DCA-JFK you can check your bags through to your destination on CX. Just be sure to carry what you need for overnight.
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I am not saying streets are not closed to pedestrians. I am saying unlike what was posted above, nothing in the area of Penn Station will be closed at all. Please, explain exactly which streets around Penn Station are closed to pedestrians starting at 4?
Also, not that it matters, the schedule I posted was the schedule they used in 2012, which was the actual closings. It is not expected closings eight months ahead of time. Though I would guess they will follow the same schedule this year. It's also not correct that when a cross street is closed to vehicles that it is also closed to pedestrians. Some certainly are, the ones for example in Times Square where they are filling up with people, but again, those are not the ones around Penn Station. Just because 37th is closed to cross traffic does not imply that people can not walk up 37th. Indeed, not only can you walk up the sidewalk, you can errily walk up the middle of the street, which is a pretty cool thing to do. 37th is the south entry point into Times Square with checkpoints at Broadway and one at 7th, not really sure how it could be an entry point if pedestrians can not get to the entry point. Suggesting Penn Station will be a zoo from around 12pm on 12/31, and many of the streets around it will be closed to pedestrian traffic starting around 4. I don't believe any streets around Penn Station will be closed to pedestrian traffic at all, let along at 4, or certainly have not been closed off in the past. |
I live in DC and most of my international TATL flights leave out of JFK or EWR. I always take the train from WAS to NYP and then Long Island Railroad from NYP to Jamaica Station, then AirTrain to JFK. I have done this many times during holidays and found the train service to be reliable. My flight connections are also tighter than yours. I usually work the full day in DC. Then train to NYP, LIRR and AirTrain to JFK to catch an evening flight.
My advice is to leave WAS on NYE around mid-morning or the night before via train. You can even start your holiday early by booking first class on the Acela (book early, because this may be pricey). At WAS, you get Club Acela access for first class passengers with priority boarding. In FC Acela, you'll have pre-departure drinks and brunch on the morning train. When you arrive at NYP, you transfer from Amtrak to LIRR within Penn Station. No need to go outside. You can even buy your LIRR ticket online if you want to avoid the ticket window or kiosk line. It's about a 20 minute ride from NYP to Jamaica Station on LIRR. Then take the AirTrain to JFK. At your terminal, go to curbside to get to your airport hotel shuttle. Enjoy your trip. |
Sounds like a lovely time schlepping luggage through three train transfers and a hotel shuttle bus. I'll take my chances and fly to my flight before doing all that.
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Six of one, half a dozen of the other, regarding schleping your bags on/off Amtrak. You can get redcap service to help you with your bags at WAS and NYP if needed. The other trade-off with flying a short distance route is that you're going through security during NYE at WAS and potentially one more time at JFK, if you fly the two segments on different days. :D
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I would just fly. The train seems like a lot more hassle to me, especially with luggage.
Last year when I had the AM CX flight I ended up having to fly the night before because the 6AM AA flight was moved to 6:30. This year I am on the afternoon CX flight so I'm taking an AA flight the same morning. It's all part of the same award. If you already booked the CX leg you may be able to add on the AA flight to the same PNR whether it's an award or you pay cash. I stayed at the Hilton by the airport last year. It's a short shuttle ride back and forth, but collecting your bags at JFK and hoofing it to the Airtrain to the hotel shuttle pick up is a bit of a pain. |
Good luck with air traffic control WAS-JFK on morning peak hour, NYE if you're flying. Shuffling bags on the ground maybe a bit of a pain. But if you miss your CX flight because your WAS-JFK flight was late, that would be even more of a pain. :D
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I would rent a car and drive the day before you fly.
You could rent a car for less than $100, it wouldn't take long (not too much traffic that day) and then you could have a leisurely night at a nice hotel at JFK. I think you will enjoy a CX F flight much more if you are rested and not stressed about making a connection. |
I strongly recommend Acela express that morning or the day before and staying near the airport.
But more so... are we talking New Year's Day 2014??!! It's April... big wow on pre-planning. And, congratulations. |
The morning of NYE (up until about 2 PM) is pretty quiet...I live 20 blocks directly south of Times Sq and getting around isn't a problem. Even up until about 9 PM you can get a cab relatively easily. I agree with the train and potentially car rental votes...in the best case a flight is easier, but in the worst case you could miss your whole trip. Come up NYE and don't risk it. You don't want to spend the week leading up to your honeymoon obsessing over weather.com hoping your don't have flight troubles. The main decision is whether you want to be in NY for NYE. As others have said, it's a bit overrated, but it can also be fun.
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Originally Posted by Often1
(Post 20590417)
AA will not "protect" you, OW will rebook you on the next available flight. At that time of year, the chances of additional F award space are slim and nil, so yes, you will get to HKG, but not likely in any style you would choose.
AA will protect you, and is the only OneWorld airline to officially do so: http://www.aa.com/i18n/agency/Bookin...tkt_policy.jsp However personally I would consider going up the night before, especially in winter. |
Sounds like the train it is. If the Acela isn't blacked out from using points we will do that, otherwise it'll be the northeast regional for $49.
My only other goals for NYE is to get a really nice meal and avoid huge crowds. Any hotel/dining recommendations somewhere near Penn Station? We'll head out to JFK the next morning. |
Ace Hotel is modern and fun. Their in building restaurant, The Breslin, is rather good but I'd keep that as a breakfast/lunch place.
The Dream is recently remodeled but not to my taste. The Strand is too close to Times Square. As for dinner there are hundreds of restaurants within an easy subway ride, walk or cab and they'll all having NYE celebration specials which should work well for you. |
Originally Posted by nestafaria
(Post 20594876)
Sounds like the train it is. If the Acela isn't blacked out from using points we will do that, otherwise it'll be the northeast regional for $49.
My only other goals for NYE is to get a really nice meal and avoid huge crowds. Any hotel/dining recommendations somewhere near Penn Station? We'll head out to JFK the next morning. Hotel recommendations on New Year's Eve?? How much do you wanna spend? :D |
Originally Posted by carsnoceans
(Post 20594955)
Btw OP, I have a CX JFK-HKD flight later this month and flying in J so don't wanna miss it. I actually planned on ground transport because if WAS-NYC gets cancelled, I will be hosed.
Hotel recommendations on New Year's Eve?? How much do you wanna spend? :D |
Originally Posted by Adam1222
(Post 20590167)
I'd take the 5am train from DC to Penn, or a 6am flight. You would have plenty of cushion. NYE in manhattan is abominable unless you're a fan of drunk crowds of tourists and suburbanites, and you'll pay through the roof for a hotel on NYE.
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Originally Posted by slawecki
(Post 20589941)
nyc on nye is nice. train evening before, & stay in middle of nyc.
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Originally Posted by sbm12
(Post 20595691)
I disagree with both of these observations/suggestions.
Nestafaria, have you considered the following? -Brooklyn Marriott -Trump SoHo -W Downtown -Marriott Downtown I would like to recommend Empire Hotel (Upper West) as well but I am not sure how are you gonna get there on New Year's Eve. Times Sq area is in lockdown mode on 12/31. Do you plan to come early on 12/31 or late evening? Getting to the hotel may be a challenge later in the evening. |
We will either be coming up on the 3:00 or 4:00 afternoon train on the 31st. Trump SoHo is currently at the top of the list for hotels. Any issues getting there around 7:30?
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Shouldn't be a problem. Grab a cab and get down to the hotel. Make dinner reservations as soon as you can at a place you'll enjoy.
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Originally Posted by nestafaria
(Post 20596005)
We will either be coming up on the 3:00 or 4:00 afternoon train on the 31st. Trump SoHo is currently at the top of the list for hotels. Any issues getting there around 7:30?
Make dinner reservations well in advance. Trump SoHo is a great location. |
(bolding mine)
Originally Posted by Yoshi212
(Post 20594924)
As for dinner there are hundreds of restaurants within an easy subway ride, walk or cab and they'll all having NYE celebration specials which should work well for you.
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Originally Posted by cordelli
(Post 20591463)
I am not saying streets are not closed to pedestrians. I am saying unlike what was posted above, nothing in the area of Penn Station will be closed at all. Please, explain exactly which streets around Penn Station are closed to pedestrians starting at 4?
Also, not that it matters, the schedule I posted was the schedule they used in 2012, which was the actual closings. It is not expected closings eight months ahead of time. Though I would guess they will follow the same schedule this year. It's also not correct that when a cross street is closed to vehicles that it is also closed to pedestrians. Some certainly are, the ones for example in Times Square where they are filling up with people, but again, those are not the ones around Penn Station. Just because 37th is closed to cross traffic does not imply that people can not walk up 37th. Indeed, not only can you walk up the sidewalk, you can errily walk up the middle of the street, which is a pretty cool thing to do. 37th is the south entry point into Times Square with checkpoints at Broadway and one at 7th, not really sure how it could be an entry point if pedestrians can not get to the entry point. Suggesting is not only misleading, since you feel the need to characterize what I wrote, but totally incorrect information not at all based on what actually happens. I don't believe any streets around Penn Station will be closed to pedestrian traffic at all, let along at 4, or certainly have not been closed off in the past. Ok. I guess I've just imagined the barricades and officers that have prevented me from getting from my office to my apartment each of the past 3 years. And all these years, I thought 37th and 7th was close to 34th and 7th. Thanks for letting me know! XOXO |
I traveled to NYC in 2010 on the 31st and was pleasantly surprised at how little congestion there was around penn station. Trump Soho will have some event going on at 'Kastel' but its a small lounge and shouldnt make anything more confusing. If you head to your hotel ASAP and already have dinner reservations well in advance, I wouldn't worry about it too much!
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