Fly out of Newark or JFK...and Shuttle Service question

[BeccaGrace]

I've been pricing airfare for our November trip and am finding that JFK is 1/2 the price of Newark for our dates (which I may be revising to 11/30-12/7 because of the cheaper Wednesday fares--1/2 of Monday!)...Pricing for the 5 of us has been $1290 for Newark or $676 for JFK (including taxes/fees) both quotes are through AAA and for Delta/Song.

We live in Central NJ, about 30 minutes from Newark, and the shuttle sites I've looked at quote about a 75 minute trip to JFK...The one shuttle site that let me price online was about $100 difference--which would still give us a $500 savings for switching airports.

I've never flown out of JFK though and am wondering if it is more difficult to navigate or more stressful than Newark. Does anyone prefer one over the other?

How is Song? I've heard really good things about it, any bad experiences? If you could choose between Song and American Airlines, which would you choose--they had the same price.

Does anyone know any reputable airport shuttles in the central NJ area that you could recommend? Usually we use the one through my MIL's job but she doesn't know my mom is coming with us--so I can't tell her we have 5 people!

And since I am already asking so many questions--I'm guessing we will need a van or limo with 5 people and our luggage--how does that work with car seats? Do you tell the car service you need them or do they not use them--how exactly does that work? We aren't bringing any with us because we are staying on-site and using Disney transportation. Any advice would be great--Sorry for all the questions!!!!

 

[janets]

First of all, we used to live in Central NJ as well (Millstone, Monmouth Cty) but now live in Morris County. Is there a reason you selected JFK over LGA? I know the fares from there are also significantly cheaper than Newark and I'm considering it for our trip this year as well.

As for Song, we flew them just this past December from Newark and it was probably the best flight I've taken in years. They were on time, the planes have larger leather seats with each seat having an entertainment screen for each passenger. While they don't have any regular meal service, they offer a menu from which you can pick a pre made meal (sometimes from a well known provider) and the prices are no more than you might pay at the airport. The flight attendants were very pleasant and helpful (one helped dh install ds#2's carseat, then came off the plane to help me with my stroller checking at the gate and helped carry all my carry on stuff onto the plane. They were lovely about changing our seats (we were originally in the row ahead of emergency; can't do that with a carseat) and we ended up in the first row of the plane.

The only reason I might select a larger carrier is if the times of the flights were more to my liking. At Newark, Song goes out at around 7:30 AM and 2:15 PM. With small kids, too early and a bit late for my taste. But the price in December couldn't be beat ($115.20 pp r/t). So look into flying out of LGA because it's a bit closer to us than JFK and a smaller airport w/ less congestion and traffic.

As for shuttles to/from the NY airports, if you have 5 people and luggage, you will never get all of that in a towncar so you'll have to have a van or minivan take you. They are usually a bit more expensive, but if you're saving $600 on the trip, then consider it a worthwhile investment. However, remember that the rates are usually each way, so if they are charging $100 for the trip, that is TO the airport. You then have to get back on the return so your actually cost might be double, plus a tip. Have you considered driving and parking for the week? Check that as an option and see if is more economical.

Not sure if I have given you answers to all of your questions, but hope that I hit some and have given you some useful info. Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip. We are planning on going Teacher's Convention Week but may end up going Labor Day week instead, since our school calendar has school starting on 9/12; this way, my soon to be 2nd grader wouldn't have to miss any school for the trip.

Janet

 

[adamandallie]

We used to live in Northwest NJ (Vernon). This past September we flew out of LGA to MCO at $120 roundtrip. We drove in and parked at the Avistar parking lot near the airport. It was $99 for the week to park there. We took a shuttle to and from the airport provided by Avistar.

Just recently I was pricing flights from BOS to MCO for our May trip and just out of curiousity I priced them from LGA to MCO. They were very good prices. Better than flying out of Boston.

 

[step4now]

JFk is much easier to navigate than Newark. I definately prefer JFK of all the NYC airports. Song is excellent and I'd pick them over AA or any other airline for a trip to MCO. If I were you, I would definately take the $500 savings and fly from JFK. LAG is slightly further from you and you won't save much -- if anything -- by going there. Although, you might want to check out Spirit Air which has come pretty amazing prices from Laguardia directly to MCO. Take a look at www.spiritair.com. I haven't flown them, but the prices sure make it tempting.

Step

 

[GJM]

We flew Song in Oct. out of LGA. We live in Bergen County. I was checking for flights out of Newark and someone I work with mentioned how much cheaper it was from LGA, so I figured I would check. We saved over $300 flying out of LGA. We drove and parked the car there, it wasn't bad at all, I think the airport was easy to get around. I always check the airfares out of LGA now. My DH would rather drive there then JFK.

I love flying Song, I was nervous the first time, this was my DS first flight and he was great. I love the small TV's!

 

[funcinderella]

I live in central NJ too (Clark). We flew out of NY last August, again because we saved so much more than Newark. It was Spirit, but I can't remember if it was LGA or JFK. What I do know is, if you drive your own car, it might help to make parking reservations. Several years ago, we had no problems finding a spot in long term parking. This past Aug., it was full, and so were all of the offsite lots. We ended up having to park in daily parking and pay the daily rate. ($24 per day, for 10 days!) In the offsite lots, you can make reservations (unbeknownst to us at the time!). I think the prices were around 13-15 per day. Look at the airport's website and it will tell you the names of offsite lots. The reason I wanted to do that is I have two small children (3 at the time), and it was much easier having your own car seats to travel to and from the airport with. (We didn't bring the seats on the trip with us.)
Last May, we took a car service to and from Port Liberty . They brought car seats with them at our request. However, you have to install them yourself, and we had trouble. It was an SUV and the seatbelt was not the right kind for a car seat. Then, when they picked us up at the cruise port, they forgot to bring the car seats entirely. We had to drive home with the kids strapped under the seatbelt with us. I was a nervous wreck!

Just my two cents!

 

[step4now]

It was Spirit, but I can't remember if it was LGA or JFK. !

Spirit only flies from LGA... I haven't flown them yet, but i'm considering it... how was the flight?

step

 

[lazarru]

We are going with Song out of JFK next week coming from central Jersey so we'll be able to let you know how it is. Like you I compared Newark and JFK priceing and it was 1/2 the price out of JFK. I'm planning on driving there and parking off site, reservations already made. In addition to the parking we're suppose to get a free shuttle right to the terminal so it sounds like it's easier than trying to get to the terminal from the airport parking

 

[BeccaGrace]

Ooh, lazarru--you will definitely need to let me know how it goes! Have a great trip!!!!
How do you go about reserving the off site parking?

And thank you to everyone else with your tips!

 

[lazarru]

We are using Avistar, you can reserve right on their site

http://www.avistarparking.com/Home.aspx

 

[JVL1018]

We flew exclusively out of Newark for years, easy to get to, never ran into traffic getting there, knew the airport well, it was great!
Then 2 years ago we found a great rate on JetBlue and booked leaving out of JFK. The ride there was bad with traffic, but we left at a bad time.
The airport itself was just as simple as leaving out of Newark.
We flew out of JFK again last year on JetBlue, had a really early flight so the traffic was no existant, and again the airport experience itself could not have been easier.
We'll be going out of JFK on Song in August. I won't pay double just to fly out of Newark.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am another from central NJ, who has been flying out of JFK for the last 4 years. It is usually just SO much cheaper out of the NY airports. First we did it for Jet Blue, but now I have tried Song and it is just as good. If not better. MANY flights to choose from, as you pointed out, for Jet Blue as well.

I have a brother who flies alot, and he has told me many times that JFK is better than LaGuardia. More on time flights, for one thing. Someone else posted here that the runways are longer, or something, as well. I park now at Avistar lot near there. Easy, and no worries about returning the the long term lot late at night (sometimes alone). I looked into car service and it was so high, I said forget it.

As for the ride there, I DO leave more time, just in case. Last time, I sailed in, with no traffic at all (in October). But I leave time for traffic backups.

 

[missstcroix]

I am also from central nj and in november we flew out of JFK instead of newark for the same reason..cheap tickets. SONG is an excellent airline...highly recommend it...but for me the hassle of getting to the NY airports has to REALLY warrant the price differential...LGA and JFK both much dirtier than newark and a big pain traffic/time wise. HAve you looked into Philadelphia? It also runs cheaper than Newark and is VERY simple to get to. The BEST alternative depending where you are in central NJ is ATLANTIC CITY AIRPORT SPIRIT AIRLINES. sooooooooooo easy to navigate, its like going to metropark train! I am holding out for SPIRIT to drop their rates before I book my April trip. Wont go back to NYC unless its ULTRA cheap. JMO.

 

[bm612]

I MOSTLY USE JFK FOR FLIGHTS BECAUSE I BOOK MOST OF MY TRIPS THROUGH AA VACATIONS AND AA'S MAIN HUB IS JFK. I BOOKED A TRIP FOR EASTER WEEK THIS YEAR AND WHILE PLANNING FOUND OUT THAT FLIGHTS TO MCO OUT OF LGA WERE CHEAPER THAN NEWARK AND JFK. IF YOU USE JFK YOU JUST HAVE TO PLAN FOR TRAFFIC IF YOUR FLIGHTS ARE AROUND MORNING OR AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR BECAUSE THE BELT AND THE GRAND CENTRAL CAN GET BACKED UP.

 

[sjluci]

Did you check into LaGuardia Airport? We are going 11/5-10 and are flying out of LaGuardia on Spirit Airlines for $135 round trip. We booked our flights in December so I'm sure the prices have gone up since then, but it's worth checking into. Good luck!

 

[step4now]

We are using Avistar, you can reserve right on their site

http://www.avistarparking.com/Home.aspx

As for parking at JFK, another GREAT option is staying at the Ramada on JFK property the night before. In addition to the room, you get 7 days of Parking all for a total of $149.00. The have different rates, such as 5 days for $129 and 14 days for $169. This allows you to arrive at the hotel the day before your flight, stay overnight, and leave your car parked at the secure hotel lot until you return. Considering that parking on the airport would likely cost $80 or so for 7 days (IF it's not full!), it's an excellent option and allows you to start your travel with a lot less stress. Oh, and Yes, the hotel had FREE shuttles to and from your specific airline terminal.

Hope this helps!

 

[step4now]

As for parking at JFK, another GREAT option is staying at the Ramada on JFK property the night before. In addition to the room, you get 7 days of Parking all for a total of $149.00. The have different rates, such as 5 days for $129 and 14 days for $169. This allows you to arrive at the hotel the day before your flight, stay overnight, and leave your car parked at the secure hotel lot until you return. Considering that parking on the airport would likely cost $80 or so for 7 days (IF it's not full!), it's an excellent option and allows you to start your travel with a lot less stress. Oh, and Yes, the hotel had FREE shuttles to and from your specific airline terminal.

Hope this helps!

Ooops! I forgot to include a link to the Ramada.. .

http://www.parksleepfly.com/airport...rt&airportID=35&hotelID=128&make_reservation=

Enjoy!

 

[BeccaGrace]

Talk about reading a response to a thread WAY after it was originally written....I was just doing a search on Avistar and found my original post from February! We did end up booking Song out of JFK when it was $74 each way and I was now looking into Avistar...but this Ramada option sounds awesome since we wouldn't have to wake the kids at the crack of dawn. It's about a $60 difference but might be worth it...thanks for the info!!!

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've used Avistar at both LGA and JFK, you can usually find coupons online. This past week it only cost me $40 for 5 days instead of $50 in the long term parking lot.

 

[abline]

Two questions because I am in same dilema. What as been the carseat situation with the suttle vans and two was that the room at the Ramada and parking for $149.00? That sounds like a real plan.