a little NYC help

BMoore09

So I arrive at JFK at 10am. Whats the quickest/easiest way to get to midtown? By quickest, I dont mean helicopter :-) (though at $139, it sounds kinda cool, and only takes 8 minutes)

Should I take a cab? I dont mind paying the $45 as long as I wont get stuck in traffic for 3 hours. Or should I take the airtran/subway, which costs about half the price? I know the airtran/subway route isnt affected by traffic like a cab, and its cheaper. Im kinda leaning that way.

I guess what Im really asking, is how long will it take a cab around 11am to get to midtown? And how long will the subway route take at that time?

thanks! (i should have left yesterday)

littlewingfridays

Take the train, its easy and much cheaper,
7$ as opposed to 45$+ - (2$ one way subway and 5$ for air train)
Both take about the same time, quicker by car IF NO TRAFFIC but more $$$$
Once you get your bags and crap together after arriving,
follow the signs to airtrain. Take the airtrain to Jamaica station(big train complex with LIRR and subway access), from there follow signs to Subway or LIRR(3$ more). Both will get you to Penn Station or whereever else you want in NYC(subway)
Its easy, convenient, cheap, safe, etc

BMoore09

thanks...any idea on how long the airtran/lirr route would take? And it shouldnt be affected by traffic or busy-ness, right?

upina2001

BMoore09 wrote:

thanks...any idea on how long the airtran/lirr route would take? And it shouldnt be affected by traffic or busy-ness, right?

15 min??? not long at all...you should be good to go......just normal NYC traffic....nothing super crazy...

BMoore09

i heard it was more like an hour for the whole trip from JFK to manhattan. Did I hear wrong? 15 minutes?

Touchofgray16

BMoore09 wrote:

i heard it was more like an hour for the whole trip from JFK to manhattan. Did I hear wrong? 15 minutes?

15 minutes or less from Airtrain to Jamaica - then another 40 or so minutes from Jamaica to Penn by subway OR 20 or so from Jamaica to Penn by Long Island Rail Road

HailHailVitalogy

Airtrain is 5$ takes about 10 minutes to get to Jamacia (make sure you pick the right line that goes to Jamacia!)

Then take the LIRR to Penn Station (which is 34th and 7th), should be about 30 min train ride to manhattan...should be 5 or 6$ one way off-peak