NYC transportation help

[snowbunny]

Arriving JetBlue into JFK in 2 weeks and staying in midtown.

Originally I was planning to take the airtrain and subway, however I'll be with my DD13, two pieces of rolling luggage and a carryon. I just think it will be too much to lug up and down the subway stairs.

I've been searching online and read negative reviews of Super Shuttle and New York Airport Service. Anybody got a good car service that won't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[shafke]

Another option is the Airtrain to the LIRR. Take the LIRR to Penn Station and then catch a cab. It is a short walk from the Airtrain platform to the LIRR platform in Jamaica.

 

[NJRRK]

Arriving JetBlue into JFK in 2 weeks and staying in midtown.

Originally I was planning to take the airtrain and subway, however I'll be with my DD13, two pieces of rolling luggage and a carryon. I just think it will be too much to lug up and down the subway stairs.

I've been searching online and read negative reviews of Super Shuttle and New York Airport Service. Anybody got a good car service that won't cost an arm and a leg?

Come on, it's NY EVERYTHING costs an arm and a leg.

 

[Lewisc]

Taxis have a flat rate from the airport to Manhattan. $45 + tolls + tip. I think the shuttles will cost something like $40 for two passengers.

Taking the air train to Jamacia then LIRR then taxi will work but it I'm not sure how much money you'll save.

 

[ducklite]

Another option is Super Shuttle. They depart from JFL and make various stops around midtown. It would probably run about $15 each way per person.

www.supershuttle.com

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

Another option is Super Shuttle. They depart from JFL and make various stops around midtown. It would probably run about $15 each way per person.

www.supershuttle.com

Anne

Supershuttle is up to $19 ($38 for two) and the OP already said he didn't like it. Flat rate taxi is $45 + toll + tip. It's probably worth the extra money to avoid having to wait for a shuttle to fill up then touring Manhattan hotels.

 

[Nickmom522]

I used to live in Queens not too far from the airport. I know of 2 different car services you can try. I'm not sure of the prices though. If you would like the names and numbers, PM me and I will give them to you. I don't want to just post phone numbers if you don't really want them.

 

[maggiesma]

DO NOT TAKE THE SUPER SHUTTLE. We paid more for that then we did for a car service. I was crowded in with more people than the van should have held (no seatbelts for me or my 3 year old who was on my lap without a seat or place for her car seat even though we had paid for her and reserved her a spot) for over an hour. I really started crying at one point thinking we were going to die.

Also do not use the car services at the airport. We got ripped off doing that on the next trip. PM me if you want a name/number. I will have to get it.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Depending on where you're staying . . . Air-Tran to Jamaica, than the LIRR in Penn would be your best bet. It's a 23 minute ride, and depending on the time of day the tickets will either be $5 or $7 a pop.

 

[snowbunny]

Ok thanks you guys. Like I said, I've read some Super Shuttle horror stories so I'd sort of taken that off my list...happy to have PMs with recommendations from anyone who has used a good service.

I've never used LIRR, but it sounds like that would be an easier option than the subway. One of the attractive things about taking the train is not being at the mercy of traffic.

We're staying at the Hotel Mela (44th and 6th) so it's only 10-11 blocks from Penn Station.

 

[shafke]

Ok thanks you guys. Like I said, I've read some Super Shuttle horror stories so I'd sort of taken that off my list...happy to have PMs with recommendations from anyone who has used a good service.

I've never used LIRR, but it sounds like that would be an easier option than the subway. One of the attractive things about taking the train is not being at the mercy of traffic.

We're staying at the Hotel Mela (44th and 6th) so it's only 10-11 blocks from Penn Station.

If you do take the LIRR make sure you purchase the tickets before you get on the train. The is a penalty ($4 or $5) for purchasing tickets on the train. There are automated machines about where tickets can be purchased.

 

[Horizons1]

The subway can be pretty annoying when trying to get from JFK to manhattan. You'd have to take the Air Train to the Howard beach stop on the A train, and it'll take about 1 hour to get to midtown (not to mention go through some pretty rough neighborhoods...don't do it at night)

Your best bet is to take a yellow cab straight from the terminal to manhattan. $40 Flat fee. Tell the driver to take Atlantic Ave to the Brooklyn Bridge, then FDR drive up to midtown.

 

[anbouk]

My personal recommendation, especially with a child, and your luggages...GO FOR THE CAB!!! That is once you depart JFK look for the YELLOW CAB LINE...wait till it's your turn and they will put you on the next available one. It is about a 30 min ride into Manhattan. Taking the train systems will take a much LONGER time, especially if they run on a particuliar hourly schedule (LIRR). I would say it is worth what a cab can charge, somewhere around $50 one way...not more I would think. I never heard of the Hotel Mela hmmmm. New?

 

[snowbunny]

I never heard of the Hotel Mela hmmmm. New?

Yup it's new. I got a very nice rate through Travel Zoo, only a couple of bucks more than the official hotel for our event, the Pennsylvania...I've spent enough time in Manhattan to know where not to stay

I used to commute up from Philly on Amtrak but my experience with Kennedy is limited to JetBlue connections, so thanks for all the tips.

 

[bradk]

The subway can be pretty annoying when trying to get from JFK to manhattan. You'd have to take the Air Train to the Howard beach stop on the A train, and it'll take about 1 hour to get to midtown (not to mention go through some pretty rough neighborhoods...don't do it at night)

i have to take exception to that as someone who lives in queens on the a line. the E train is definitely more the case.

but i wouldn't take the subway in this case anyway

 

[DisneyConvert]

I am all for public transportation and saving money.
But unless, the traffic will be killer (M-F 6-9 AM or Sunday late pm), indulge yourself. Cabs are great for luggage and more than 1 person.
.
Subways and LIRR is great when:
1) you know your way around;
2) you are not lugging stuff/people;

Maybe, after you've toured a bit and gotten comfortable with all that NY stuff, you can take the LIRR or subway back to JFK and halve the difference.
.
Just my opinion.
A daily commuter to Manhattan - NY Penn Station kind of sucks.

 

[snowbunny]

Maybe, after you've toured a bit and gotten comfortable with all that NY stuff, you can take the LIRR or subway back to JFK and halve the difference.
.
Just my opinion.
A daily commuter to Manhattan - NY Penn Station kind of sucks.

OP here, I know Penn Station sucks I commuted up on Amtrak weekly for two years and rode the subway to the office. So I'm comfortable with *that NY stuff* but it's dropping $120 (with toll and tip) on a round-trip cab ride from JFK that is making me uncomfortable...still I am starting to think based on these comments that it's the way to go, my DD hates it when I make her schlep

 

[Horizons1]

i have to take exception to that as someone who lives in queens on the a line. the E train is definitely more the case.

but i wouldn't take the subway in this case anyway

I live here too. Wasn't trying to offend anyone.

 

[bradk]

i wasn't offended, i just have never found most people on the A line to be questionable at an hour of the day. nor have i ever recalled an A station to be the location of something that doesn't happen late at night.

 

[swilphil]

When we went to NYC, we took a car service. CarMel is the name. Their number is 212-666-6666. They were probably cheaper than a cab, and a little more dependable. It was recommended by a DISer (RickinNYC).