Hi has anyone travelled to JFK using the 'E' Train to Jamaica and then taken the AirTrain ?? I am traveeling from Downtown Manhattan, and with the 'A' Train problems, was wondering how bad/good the E train service was and if the Jamaica AirTrain service was any good?

Does the Suthupen / Jamaica Airtrain station have escalators / elevators from the platfrom to the AirTrain platform ? Just asking because seeing if big bags will be a problem.


Any Feedback would be appreciated ....

It's a very easy transition, even for us non-New Yorkers to navigate. And IIRC there were a mix of elevators and escalators from Air Train to platform. I just happened to take it because I saw the length of the cab line on my last trip, but will use this everytime going forward.

I've done this several times. The E train is straight-forward enough, but you have to get off at the second-last stop! This should be clear if you're paying attention. The connection to the AirTrain is no problem, and the AirTrain goes straight to JFK. It costs $5.

Bruce

If your goal is to get to Penn Station (Amtrak) after arriving on a red-eye 7AM flight, would you choose to take the E train, or the LIRR? I catch that the LIRR is more expensive, but other than that, what are the respective positives and negatives?

I'll be doing this on Friday morning.

- IFlySJC

The LIRR is going to be more crowded on a Friday morning with commuters, but is much faster - <20 mins to Penn, rather than 40 mins + walk otherwise. So, if you're not too concerned about being a bit crushed, I'd take the LIRR.

<G>

I have taken the subway and AirTrains quite a few times on some trips last year to JFK. I thought it was pretty easy overall, but here are the tips I'd give to someone using it for the first time.

I am assuming you'll arrive on UA Terminal 7. You have to go outside and cross the street to get to the AirTrain station, which runs on an inner elevated loop around the JFK terminals. Take the elevator or escalators up to the AirTrain departure level. Look at the LED signs and listen for the AirTrain going to Jamaica station and hop on that one. This will take you to the subway.

They were currently doing a lot of work to the AirTrain/subway station when I was going through last year to make it easier to connect. This is the best way at the time I was doing it but things may have changed. Stop and pay your AirTrain by buying a MTA fare card at the vending machines. You might as well put more money on the card since you'll need the card to pay for the subway as well. MTA gives you a 20% bonus when you put $10+ on your card.

Exit and take the elevator/escalators out to the street level entrance. Take a left exiting the doors and you will walk along a sidewalk going under the LIRR tracks. The next corner is the entrance to the Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave. station. Make sure you have your MTA card and go through the turnstiles and make sure you are headed toward World Trade Center/Manhattan and on that platform.

Returning to JFK, AirTrain heads toward Terminal 1 first and then stops at every terminal till it gets to T8/9-counterclockwise. The quick way is to get off at T1 and walk straight across 25 feet and hop on the AirTrain terminal loop train that goes clockwise. The next stop for that train is T8/9.

Note that the AirTrain says Jamaica station but it really goes to the Sutphin station, the stop before Jamaica. I think it is extremely confusing.

You can Google MTA and AirTrain sites for more info.

Happy travels.

Instead of walking on the sidewalk under the tracks, I would recommend :

1. Exit the AAirtrain, pass through exit turnstiles
2. Continue on same level through double doors - this will lead you to an overhead walkway which is above the LIRR tracks.
3. At the end of the overhead walkway, there is an elevator which brings you down to the subway level turnstiles. Use your MTA card to enter the subway and go from there.

No need to be exposed to the immediate area around the station.

Since it is early in the morning (traffic will be ok) it may be easier to just catch a cab - $45 from JFK to any Manhattan destination.

If this is not an option for whatever reason, you will probably be better off on the E train, in my opinion. Since you are getting on at an end stop, seating will not be an issue (though it will fill up after a few stops).

More frequent A train riders may prove me wrong, but I think that A train service is enough back on schedule that you might not save any time by taking the E train around (and around...).

I live down by Chambers St., and when I tried to figure it out one time, it seemed that, from here, the E to AirTrain route was 15-20 minutes longer than taking the A to Howard Beach. So, even if the A is running about 5 minutes off schedule nowadays...

In addition, the Howard Beach station doesn't involve going outside, as it sounds like the E version does. The two are directly connected, with elevators/escalators, etc. Coming from Manhattan, you'll want to be towards the front of the train for the shortest transfer.

Hmm, well that is another option. I took it one time and the wait for the elevator was long. I think thing moved and inch a minute. I don't have much baggage so it was faster for me to go outside. If you have a lot of bags, it's probably a better bet. The area around the station is not Beverly Hills, but then it's not South Central either. Its a lower income working class multi-ethnic neighborhood. Stay in the vicinity of the stations and there is nothing to worry about.

Sutphin/Jamaica is better for Midtown and north and Howard Beach is better for Downtown.

Since this really isn't a United-specific question, and since it may be of interest to a wider audience, and since you'll get a wider response in TravelBuzz.....

That's where I'm moving it to.

cblaisd
Moderator, United

I agree with Calcifier. The A train is back, as long as you are not travelling between midnite and 5AM.

And it's faster.

And from Lower Manhattan, definitely faster than going up to Penn to get the LIRR.

Here's a link to A train service advisories.

I'm morally opposed to paying the $5 "extortion fare" for the JFK AirTrain. So, the last time I flew into JFK, I took the Green Bus Q10 to Kew Gardens (end of the line--about 55 minutes) and transferred to the E line there. Total cost to get into Manhattan: $2 using a MetroCard. The Q10 wants $1.50; the subway only charges the fare difference (50�) to transfer. It's theoretically possible to pick up the A at Lefferts, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're hauling luggage.

I second this excellent advice.

Now that a little while has passed by since the fire, can someone do a quick summary of where the problem is (I hear Chambers St) and what he impact is on the A and others.

MTA site seems awfully longwinded about it. Thanks.