How terrifying is it to drive into NYC and then fly from there?

[moopdog]

FYI: I posted on the transportation board too, but thought some of those in the "family form" might be able to offer some help w/ this one.

We can either A) drive an 1.25 hours to our local airport (Scranton PA) and take a flight that has a stop in Atlanta and pay $208 per person. OR

We can drive to New York, which I think is about 2.5 hours (but we would plan on 3.5 hours in case we get lost ha ha). And take a nonstop flight that is $142 per person.

Both scenarios give us decent flight times and are on Delta. We are very familiar with the Scranton airport... but have never driven into NY.

We'll have 3 kids with us, and I don't know if we want to take them into a NY airport (they're huge, right?) or will sacrifice and get on and off planes. I also don't know which of the two airports is closest and easiest to get in and out of (so far I've been looking into JFK).

So.... how bad is it getting in and out of JFK? Is it worth doing this to save money and to get a non-stop flight?

Really stuck on this one. And if you think we should fly out of NY... how do I convince him that he can do it (nervous about the NY traffic!).

Also, how much does it cost to park for a week at the airport?

TIA moopdog

 

[DisneyMomx7]

In November DH and I flew from La Guardia to Paradise Island in the Bahamas. DH said never again. He hated driving into NYC. Now we're back to flying only out of Phila or Newark.

 

[ErinInCT]

What about Philly, Newark or even Baltimore? We have done them all (lived near Philly & near NYC). I don't care much for NYC airports but prefer LaGuardia to Kennedy. Newark, Philly & BWI are fine with BWI being my favorite & now I live very close to Baltimore!! Lucky me. Anyway, I would think Philly or Newark would have direct flights with competitive prices.

 

[grlpwrd]

I'm not so sure the inconvenience and chaos flying out of NYC will be worth the cost, especially with 3 kids.

If you plan to spend some time sightseeing then it would be great, but I'd choose otherwise or yes, maybe the Newark airport.

GL!

 

[lisatx04]

Having lived there most of my life. I prefer Kennedy. However, traffic must be considered. Is is worth the savings? Probably not. I would say look into flights out of Philly. Much easier airport to navigate, plus parking is very reasonable. Another option: Atlantic City airport. Its more like a community airport, only one terminal. Parking is very cheap!! Spirit flies out of there. Once we moved to NJ, it was Philly or AC, but I really like the AC airport!!

Good luck!!

 

[Stimpy]

NY'er here and we avoid using JFK and LGA unless we absolutely have to. The traffic around both of them is horrendous......any time, day or night. Just getting through Staten Island can take over an hour! (We travel to DE to visit my DSis) It can be a nightmare. The airports themselves are a mess and very difficult to navigate, especially if you don't know where you are going. Parking is tough and expensive. The savings is not worth the aggravation. We pay more to fly out of a LI airport rather than go through the stress of JFK & LGA.

 

[moopdog]

I think my DH will be pleased that most of you say "no way!". He wants to stay close to home and deal with the longer flight w/ layover. Wimp!! Ha ha , I'm just kidding. I really think I have to agree on this one. Thanks again.

I'm going to do one more final check with the Binghamton airport and then book the tickets today.

moopdog

 

[HopperFan]

Ex-NJ here. Unless you go out of Newark, I would say forget it ! Even then I still vote to use your local airport. ATL is Delta's home hub and the change of flights should be uneventful.

 

[GJM]

We just flew out of LGA in Oct., we live in NJ. My DH doesn't mind the drive, yes the traffice was horrible. Once we got to the airport it wasn't bad at all, we did long term parking and also flew Delta Song. The price difference between LGA & Newark was amazing it was worth the drive to LGA. I always check the ticket prices now from LGA and they are always cheaper, if it is a big difference I would fly from LGA again, but I'm not driving!

 

[nygrl]

Personally i think orlandos airport is more confusing than jfk with the tram and all. we live on long island and choose to go to jfk every trip to florida because we like jet blue. i dont think there is anything terrifying about it. it is just an airport.we check in at the curb and go to our gate simple as that. we do take a limo to the airport just because we like to start our vacation that way but we have also drove many times for other trips and it is no big deal. i would much rather have a direct flight then have to go up and down 2 times!

 

[Ambassador]

From Scranton, the Newark Liberty Airport would be most convenient. One would have to drive through NYC to get to LaGuardia or JFK, and depending on the time of day can be congested. The airports themselves are not difficult to navigate. Delta Song from LGA is our prefered carrier.

Would a car service be about the same cost as long-term parking? Maybe then the drive time would not be an issue.

 

[Mary Anne]

New Yorker here who has flown, LaG, JFK and your airport in Scranton. Leaving from NY I always fly from JFK, hate LaG.

Where were you planning on leaving your car for the trip in NY? Long Term Parking. Personally, I wouldn't do it. I'd worry the entire week.

While I dislike stops air travel, I'd pick the Scranton airport over driving to NYC anytime. Scranton, is a beautiful small easy to get into and out of airport, I used to love flying SouthEast out of them. (Sad they went under). I vote for Scranton.

 

[dtsaos]

Originally from Brooklyn and must say, don't bother. Go with the smaller, closer airports-trust me, it's not worth the aggrevation you'll endure driving in the city. Plus, you're already stressed out even thinking about it-is that any way to start a vacation!!