Islip/ MacArthur Airport in Long Island?

[ptrbryant]

Hey, I know this is a bit off-topic, but I'm a faithful dis'er, so am going for it! We're visiting family in Philadelphia this summer (then saving for our next WDW trip!) and are going to NYC for a weekend. It will be much easier to fly home from there (no direct flights from Phila.) and, since we're flying Southwest, their local airport is Islip/Macarthur. Any opinions on this airport/best way to and from midtown from there? I looked at their website and it looked so dumpy and need opinions from some of you New Yorkers!

Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[tomerin]

Islip/MacArthur Airport is a bit further east of NYC then you may realize. It is approx. 40 - 50 miles to Manhattan.

There is a large billboard in the airport where you go and get your luggage that has a listing of taxi/limo service rates. I believe that Classic Van/Limo sevice is the cheapest way to go but it is usually a shared ride service. http://www.classictrans.com/
The cost of the cab ride to NYC back and forth to Islip will be a bit on the pricey side.

The airport i feel willl suprise you. The airport is in Suffolk County so it may not be on the scope of most major airports but it really is not dumpy. I use Islip fairly regularly and find it quite clean and well lit with a very visible police presence.


hope this helps
TK

 

[ripleysmom]

I love flying into and out of Islip. It is a small airport and is easier to move around in and get out of. Also much cheaper to park.

Islip Airport is pretty far away from NYC. You're looking at about 1 1/2 hrs to get into the city from there and that is on a good day. You should be able to find a shuttle service that will take you there but it won't be cheap.

 

[Lewisc]

Islip isn't really a good option from NYC.

If you don't have much luggage you could take the LIRR from NYC to Ronkonoma then take a cab to the airport.

You can also take the Hampton jitney http://www.hamptonjitney.com/limo.htm They'll get you within a short cab ride of the airport.

SW should have a new wing open by summer. The airport is great BUT currently the food options are poor.

 

[ptrbryant]

Thanks for the reponses, everyone! Relieved that the photo of Islip is probably inferior to what it actually is, but still frustrated that, flying SWA, there's no simple way to combine this Philly-NYC trip! They don't have any non-stops from where we are (Nashville) to Philly and no smooth connections, so really don't feel like messing with it both ways.
Thanks anyway!
Karla B.
(just back from WDW Feb. 04...next trip to WDW May 2005!)

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We are flying southwest out of islip in april. Its a small but efficient airport. We also use classic for all our transportation needs. They have a shared ride/van or a limo for your party. They are very reliable.

 

[garylpn]

there is a shuttle from ronkonkoma lirr train station to the airport, i believe it's fairly frequent and timed to train arrivals, i always see bus at train station on frequent weekend trips to manhattan
i sometimes ride train in on weekdays and take last off peak back late afternoon and always see shuttle bus with 5:40 arrival
train from penn station. shuttle probably much cheaper than classic
we dis people on long island are very lucky to have macarthur, 3 nonstops and several 1 stop flights per day to mco on southwest, my favorite is 1110 direct, i bring lunch on plane, use towncar service to wdw, i'm usually checked in and vegging out by pool by 3:15, and best part is i don't have to get up at some awful early time to get to the airport
gary
a son of a son of a sailor