What is the best way to get from JFK to Manhattan?

Question

We are staying near Port Authority & Times Square. I was looking at the Shuttle bus or the subway. How long would each take?

Answer 1

I think the best way would be either the LIRR trains, Air train/Subway or a Cab..

Answer 2

The best and fastest is :
AirTrain To Jamaica Station of the Long Island Railroad $5.00 an under 8 minutes
Go downstairs and take the
LIRR to Penn Station 34th street & 7th ave
$5-7[ depending upon time of day] 20
minutes- make sure the announcment is for "New York " Train not Brooklyn.
They have vendig machines for tickets on and Metrocards for subways & buses on the platform level at Jamaica.There is also a ticket office downstairs.
When you get to Penn go upstairs and they are long flights of stairs - when you arrive at the common concourse if you go left yoou will get the trains that take you to the Port Authority A, C, E If you go right the trains that take you to times sq 1,2,3
One stop on all
Personally if i got into JFK between 9:30AM -2:30 PM and I had anything more than one briefcase and a carry on or 2 +people I would take the cab and spend the $4.50 on tolls for the Queens Midtown Tunnel

Answer 3

a few options:

1.) take the airtrain from JFK to Howard Beach area, (you'll have to look at the map). The important thing is to catch the A-Train that goes to Manhattan. If you can figure this one out, the A-Train will take you directly to 8th Ave/ 42nd street where the Port Authority is at. About an hour to 1.5 hours to travel, depending on time of day. Cost: $6-10

2.) Another option is a yellow cab - they usually charge a flat fee of $45 dollars from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan, to and from. Gypsy cabs (the ones not yellow) may charge cheaper, but are a bit sketchy sometimes.

3.) There also is a way by using the Long Island RR but not sure of the connections on that one.


My best choice would be take the Air Train from JFK to Howard Beach or Rockaway Park...one of those two will have the A-Train connection (colored Blue on the MTA map). Take the A-Train, Manhattan Bound, to 8th ave/ 42nd street and your there

Answer 4

I think both are good options. The AirTrain/subway should take about an hour.

The shuttle bus depends on the time of day you are traveling. As long as there isn't heavy traffic, the ride should only take about 40 minutes.

I've traveled both ways to/from JFK and I find they're the best without spending lots of money on a cab.

Answer 5

My recommedation would be the AirTrain to Jamaica, then the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station. It's faster, and a lot more convenient if you're carrying lots of stuff around.

The A-train runs local, I believe, all the way through Queens and Brooklyn. That's probably a long ride. The upside is that it's a few bucks cheaper.

Answer 6

The best way is still the cab. They regulate the fare the cabs can charge to take you to the city, it's like $45. Quick, easy and they take you right to your hotel. No need to stand around waiting on a bus or walk blocks with luggage. You can do it cheaper, but if money is really an issue you probably shouldn't be going to Manhattan in the first place.

Answer 7

Now that the Jamaica Air Train is in operation, that would be your best bet.

Take the Jamaica Air Train from JFK to Jamaica Station (about 20-30 minutes).
Take Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica Station to Penn Station (about 20 minutes).
Take either # 1,2,3 or A,C train from Penn Station to 42nd Street (about 5 minutes).

These times do not include waiting periods.

Answer 8

Cheapest is taking the AirTrain to Jamaica station and getting on the E train to 42nd street.

However, if you have luggage you are better off taking a shuttle bus, it sucks taking luggage on the subway, especially during rush hour.

Answer 9

What I always do is take the super shuttle... Its less expensive than a cab and more convenient than the train. It will be about $18 for yourself and i think its cheaper if you are travelling with others. The number is 212 Blue Van... check it out!

Answer 10

go to this site.

http://www.nyctourist.com/travel_jfk.htm

good luck