help! 1st trip to NY - which airport?

[cindermom]

My 16 yo dd and I are flying to NY for the first time and I have no idea which airport would be the best/safest to land at? and how do we get to Times square area from any of the airports?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!

 

[safetymom]

I would fly into LGA and then take a taxi into Times Sq. I use Dial 7 limo. The price is about what a taxi would cost but it is nicer.

 

[ducklite]

Fly into Newark and take the NJ transit Airlink Train from the airport to Penn Station. From there you can either take a cab, walk or take the 1&9 (red) train to Times Square.

Penn Station is at 34th, Time Square is 42nd, so as long as you are traveling light and it's daytime, it's not a bad walk.

This is your least expensive "safe" option.

Anne

 

[AllyBri]

Fly into LGA and you will be very happy with that choice. The Dial 7 Limo is another good idea.
Stay away from JFK and Newark you will be adding a lot of stress to your trip.
If you need any help just just let me know.

 

[cindermom]

Fly into Newark and take the NJ transit Airlink Train from the airport to Penn Station. From there you can either take a cab, walk or take the 1&9 (red) train to Times Square.

The best air fare I'm getting is thro Continental into Newark ($248 from Seattle non stop, which sure seems like a good deal) so I like the idea of taking the Airlink to Penn station. The only thing I am worried about is that we would land at 8:30 pm and I am not sure how safe it would be. Our flight out would be in the afternoon so that doesnt worry me. How safe is the Airlink train and Penn station at night?

 

[bradk]

while admittedly there are some places i wouldn't want to be (at ANY time of the day (and not so much manhattan), let alone the night), media would like you to believe it's a much more dangerous city than it actually is.

midtown and times square is alive probably 18 hours out of the day. other than the occasional weird person who could be anywhere, i wouldn't be concerned about a thing at 8:30 at night.

Penn station is also crawling with police and national guard (?) or some kind of military anyway.

just make sure you go to the right Penn station as there's one in NJ as well.

it's not in times square though. Penn is like 7th Ave and 34th St, so it's just below Times Square. you probably want to take a taxi to where you want to go from there, at least that night. the main hub of Times Square is 8th Ave and 42nd St, so it's really not that much of a walk either.

 

[AllyBri]

The best air fare I'm getting is thro Continental into Newark ($248 from Seattle non stop, which sure seems like a good deal) so I like the idea of taking the Airlink to Penn station. The only thing I am worried about is that we would land at 8:30 pm and I am not sure how safe it would be. Our flight out would be in the afternoon so that doesnt worry me. How safe is the Airlink train and Penn station at night?

Penn Station is a horrible place at night and the later it is, the worse it gets.
Actually it's pretty bad anytime of the day.
I'm thinking you're getting in at 8:30, by the time you get your luggage and get to Penn, it would have to be close to 10 - 10:30PM. Coming from Washingto State, you're going to be in for quite a shock.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We like to fly into JFK and take the Air Train to the Jamaica Station Subway stop and take the subway (A train?) directly to times square. Best ride on a budget. You can purchase fare media at the airport.

EASY! Have fun!

 

[bradk]

I believe E J and Z are at Jamaica Station and the E will get you to Times Square (in Manhattan, it merges with the C line, which is the local version of the A).

you can get the A by using another stop on the AirTrain, not sure of the name of the stop offhand. Howard Beach or something maybe.

 

[rantnnravin]

Personally, i'd think that for someone who isn't familiar, the JFK/Jamaica/Times Square is a BAD plan. I hate Jamaica during the day, let alone at night.
I think the Newark route is best.
I feel very safe at Penn station. in fact, sometimes i wonder:
"if all the police and national guard are here, who's watching the rest of the city?"

ETA: oh, and i'm guessing that you're going straight to your hotel?
When you exit Penn, there's a cab stand, where taxis (and people) line up - oh so easy to get you where you're going-- Again, for someone unfamiliar with the area, I wouldn't necessary recommend the walk, although it is quite short and safe.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We do it all the time, never an issue! As constant travelers, we are familiar with public transportation in just about every major city, in the US and abroad. It's part of the adventure! Jamaica Station has a constant flow of airline employees and passengers, we've never felt unsafe.

Good luck, OP!

Personally, i'd think that for someone who isn't familiar, the JFK/Jamaica/Times Square is a BAD plan. I hate Jamaica during the day, let alone at night.
I think the Newark route is best.
I feel very safe at Penn station. in fact, sometimes i wonder:
"if all the police and national guard are here, who's watching the rest of the city?"

ETA: oh, and i'm guessing that you're going straight to your hotel?
When you exit Penn, there's a cab stand, where taxis (and people) line up - oh so easy to get you where you're going-- Again, for someone unfamiliar with the area, I wouldn't necessary recommend the walk, although it is quite short and safe.

 

[ParrotBill]

If you are not familiar at all with the airports and New York City, then I'm afraid I have to advise against mass transit at a late hour.

From Newark, that Airtrain takes you to Penn Station of NEWARK, where you must buy a ticket and figure out where to go for a PATH or NJT train to Manhattan, and then take a taxi or subway to get to your hotel.

Penn Station Newark, Jamaica Station on Long Island, Manhattan Penn Station - they are all confusing to a newcomer with multiple exits and stairs and signs to go places with unfamiliar acronyms. There will not be much help to find at 10pm and if your flight is late you do NOT want to be going through these places at midnight with luggage.

Use a well know ground transportation shuttle van. Here is a great link to read about the options:
http://gonyc.about.com/cs/airlinesairports/a/getto_ewr.htm

You can get dropped right at a midtown manhattan hotel.

Then take your time and explore from there - learn the subway and go see Penn Station and learn how to navigate it for next time!

 

[kstinw19]

ITA with the previous poster, Parrotbill.

If you are not familiar with the city, especially at night, make things as easy as possible. Fly into either La Guardia or Newark and take a taxi or car service right to your hotel.

It's not that all of these places are "dangerous" but they are not places that you want to try and navigate at 10:30 at night with suitcases. You might pay a bit more for the taxi/car but it will be worth it.

On the way back to the airport, during the day, you can try mass transit.

Have fun...I'm jealous...I miss NYC and want to move back

 

[scottny]

Fly into LaGuardia and call 212-777-7777 first and have them pick you up. They r great i use them every time i fly. Just be sure to call them when the plane lands and tell u r landing cause they dont wait inside the airport for you.

 

[DebbieB]

Are you going to have luggage? I would not want to be dragging around luggage on public transportation. I agree with safetymom, fly into LGA and get a limo or taxi. It can be a long ride from EWR to Times Square. I've never flown into JFK.

 

[ducklite]

The best air fare I'm getting is thro Continental into Newark ($248 from Seattle non stop, which sure seems like a good deal) so I like the idea of taking the Airlink to Penn station. The only thing I am worried about is that we would land at 8:30 pm and I am not sure how safe it would be. Our flight out would be in the afternoon so that doesnt worry me. How safe is the Airlink train and Penn station at night?

Absolutely safe! I would take a cab from Penn rather than walking or subway though.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Penn Station is a horrible place at night and the later it is, the worse it gets.
Actually it's pretty bad anytime of the day.
I'm thinking you're getting in at 8:30, by the time you get your luggage and get to Penn, it would have to be close to 10 - 10:30PM. Coming from Washingto State, you're going to be in for quite a shock.

It's far from horrible. It's actually quite safe even in the later hours of the night.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

If you are not familiar at all with the airports and New York City, then I'm afraid I have to advise against mass transit at a late hour.

From Newark, that Airtrain takes you to Penn Station of NEWARK, where you must buy a ticket and figure out where to go for a PATH or NJT train to Manhattan, and then take a taxi or subway to get to your hotel.

That is absolutely not true. You can go directly from Newark Airport to New York Penn without changing trains.

Anne

 

[scottny]

I agree it is safe.
I have lived in NYC for 7 years and love it. I feel safe everywhere I go. Feel safe and you will be safe. Enjoy the city, it is FANTASTIC.

 

[ParrotBill]

That is absolutely not true. You can go directly from Newark Airport to New York Penn without changing trains.

Anne

OK I see they have built a new train station to serve the airport. BUT you need to be careful about words or you mislead out of towners! The Airtrain is the light rail that runs around the airport terminals and takes you out to the Newark Liberty Train station. At the train station you must change to a NJ Transit train.

http://www.panynj.gov/airtrainnewark/
Read the cost & tickets page CAREFULLY. You must buy a ticket that you will use on both the Airtrain AND on your NJT train.

When you arrive at Penn Station NY, follow signs to a taxi stand to get to Times Square or if you are adventurous and your luggage is light get on one of the subway lines that goes to Times Square. A short ride northbound on the 1,2,3 lines. Or walk north 8 blocks.