Easiest access, EWR or JFK
 

Will be flying out of New York in Oct. This is the first time to the Big Apple, and was wondering about the different airports.
I will be returning a rental car.(rented in Buffalo)
Which airport is the easiest to get into and navigate around to return a rental and then leave on Delta?
Not sure about which car rental company yet, but if it makes a little difference I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

Go with EWR. Rental cars are right at AirTrain station. Easier to get to.........however stay away from rush hours.....either airport during those hours 6-9AM, 4-7PM will take you a lot longer than a NY minute to get there. If you are going to SLC, you shouldn't have a problem as you will get to EWR b4 the rush.
Lincoln/Holland Tunnel to NJ Turnpike right to EWR. No traffic, about 30 minutes.

I concur -- with no other info, go with EWR. Are you planning on going into NYC at all? If so, you may want to turn in the car first.

Ok, my answer is going to be different than those above. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Since you are leaving on Delta, I would first check to see which airport has more flights going to your destination. My guess would be JFK. I have been stuck at EWR because Delta cancelled a flight for whatever reason and have been out of luck. In inclement weather, more flights do leave JFK than EWR as well.

It may be more of an inconvenience to return a rental car to JFK, but the greater # of flights to your destination (if that is the case) and the more likely flights will leave JFK over EWR may make the extra cost worth it.

Your guess would be incorrect.

Delta operates 2 daily flights each from JFK and EWR. However, there are also DL codeshare partner CO flights nonstop from EWR.

I am quite sure you mean two daily flights you can take to get to where you are going (you don't say where that is), because I'm almost positive that Delta has more then two flights a day out of both airports.

You may want to consider dropping the car off as soon as you get into Manhattan if you are staying there a few days. If you are staying in the city all you will do is pay to park it someplace, it's totally useless in the city. Then take the bus out to the airport you choose, and not deal with returning it at the airports at all.

Given the choice, Newark is easier to return a car to then JFK is until they get the airtrain running there.

I am a resident of NJ and find Newark much easier to navigate than the JFK long island evnet traffic can be awful going out on the island Yakee games Belmont race track etc.. but as suggested above make sure you can fly out You might want to check and see if there is an off airport return to aviod the extra charges too Cheer jane

Doesn't it really depend on where you're coming from? If you are driving from Buffalo, then perhaps EWR. If you are staying on LI, then perhaps JFK. If you are planning to drive into Manhattan first, then perhaps you are crazy. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Yes, coming from Buffalo and staying in Jersey City our last night.
Am looking at the last nonstops from EWR and JFK. Both leaving about 5:45pmish to SLC.
Most likely will be in New York and/or out on Long Island the day we are leaving. I thought it would be closer just to go into JFK.
But it may not be the easiest from the way it sounds.
By the way this will be on a Monday. Not a weekend.
And if I do go into JFK, what is a good time to arrive and return a car and still make it through security for a 5:40pm flight?
Probably renting from Budget if it makes any difference as to returning the car.

EWR over JFK for Manhattan every time.

I flew Delta our of JFK two Wednesday's ago, arrived at the airport at about 2:40, checked in at a Kiosk in about 1 minute, and there was only one person ahead of me in the security line. Can't say that it's always that dead there at that time, but it was on the 27th.

The "usual" route from the west to JFK requires driving on the Van Wyck Expressway. Except for the early morning(before 10 am) this roadway moves at a snails pace. [After completing the work on the Airtrain roadbed, the roadway underneath, the Van Wyck Expressway, (1)has lanes which are not properly aligned, (2)construction at most hours of the day and night!,
(3)lots of traffic.] The only other "good" route is the Belt Parkway. Conclusion: try to avoid driving to JFK.

If you're out on the Island, then JFK becomes a possibility but if you're in Manhattan or at your hotel, then its EWR all the way. Plan your day then book your flights. Good Luck

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I could not agree more!

-Mark

If you choose EWR, better hope for good weather. Also, like some said already, why keep a car in Manhattan? It will only be a drain on your wallet. Now that I reread this, if you are staying in Jersey City, it does make sense to pick EWR.

[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 09-08-2003).]