When I get to New York JFK how should I get to Manhattan?

Question

One person says get a cab, one says don't, the other tells me to hop on a bus. What would you do and how much should it cost me?

Answer 1

Fire-icepoet has it right on (except for fare). Most of the other people answering must have too much $$ in their pockets. Unless you're carrying too much luggage the Air-train/subway combo is fine. You pick it up across from arrivals. It's $7 for an Airtrain/subway combo card bought at the entrance. Depending on your ultimate destination (as Fire-ice detailed) you take it either to Howard Beach or Jamaica & transfer to the subway there. [You can also get LIRR at Jamaica which costs $5-$7 extra, but there's no need to do that unless you are going to Penn Station.] If you don't know which is the best way to your final stop the people at the Airtrain station will help you & there are maps available. Yes, its slower than a cab but it's about 1/3 the cost.

Answer 2

Airtrain ($5, pay at the end) to Howard Beach Station, Manhattan-bound A subway ($2) all the way through Brooklyn to Broadway/Fulton/Nassau streets, the first stop in Manhattan. That stop is within the Financial District, but if you're going to Wall Street proper, you'll have a few blocks to walk south. Total time a little over an hour, depending on how promptly your trains come. I would be comfortable doing this at night, even though yes, there will be other people on the subway, even homeless people, and yes, you will have to carry your luggage a ways at the other end. If you really can't handle those concepts, take a cab...$45 plus tip will come out to $55 or so (plus toll if applicable...$4.50 for the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but there won't be one if you take the Brooklyn Bridge). There is also sometimes a wait at JFK for a cab.

Answer 3

I have done it many times, so I know what I am talking about. Get a cab outside arrivals exit door. Make sure it is a yellow cab. Ignore anyone touting for business, particularly near the exit doors, they always charge more. When you are in the yellow cab, double check that they will take you for the fixed charge for the run to Manhattan, ie off the clock. It is cheaper, because you won't get caught out by being delayed on the way due to traffic hold ups, which are common and will cost you a lot more on the clock. In my experience, depending on which day you travel, and the time, it can take anywhere between 45 minutes and 90 minutes for a very bad run. When returning home, always allow plenty of time. It can cost you around fifty dollars one way, but at least you are taken direct to your hotel etc, when you are probably tired, and have fought your way through US customs. Yes, the train is cheaper, but do you really want the hassle?

Answer 4

Just take the Air Train either Howard Beach for the A subway line, or to Jamaica Center for the E, J, or Z. Depending in Manhattan you want to go (the E and the A will take you eventually to Penn Station and uptown along the West Side, the J and Z take you to Lower Manhattan). Depending on where you want to go, a transfer could be necessary, but dont worry most transfers are free, there are very few that arent. I believe the Air Train is either free or a couple of dollars. And the subway is $2.00 one way.

Answer 5

It'd depend on a fe things. Is it just you? How much Luggage do you have? Where in Manhattan? The quickest way in is to take the AirTrain to Jamaica ($5) and then the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station ($5 off peak, $7 peak). Buy your tickets in the station! If you buy them on the train you get whacked with a $5 service charge!! From Penn you can take the subway or get a cab to wherever in the city you need to go. If you have a bunch of bags, taking a cab from the airport will be the easiest way. Taking the subway with big bags or alot of bags is quite a hassel most of the time.

Answer 6

Note: Most of these people answering are obviously not from the city. Why do people answer questions that they don't really know the answer to? Strange.

My opinion is to take the bus to Grand Central (42nd Street). It will run you about $22 roundtrip if you buy your ticket online. This is not a city bus. It only stops at airport terminals, then straight to midtown Manhattan. Check the website.
http://gonyc.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gonyc&cdn=travel&tm=127&f=21&su=p531.31.152.ip_p531.29.420.ip_p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.nyairportservice.com/

AirTrain to the Subway: (cheapest option but a bit slow and can be a little confusing with transfer if not familiar. if you are not in a rush and low on cash, may be for you)...
http://gonyc.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gonyc&cdn=travel&tm=5&f=21&su=p531.31.152.ip_p531.29.420.ip_p284.8.150.ip_&tt=4&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.panynj.gov/airtrain/

Cab: (easy but expensive. can cost you at least $50 each way. what i do is stand in the taxi line and ask if anyone is going near your destination. if so, maybe they will split the ride with you.)

Answer 7

well it depends on you really- how good are you at finding your accommodation/ where you want to go? If you are confident that you'll be able to find it after coming off at a bus stop / subway station and dont mind being thrust straight into American life go for the subway/bus.

if you prefer to do things gradually and have the piece of mind that you will arrive at your hotel quickly go for the taxi.

Also depends on what time your flight gets in and how much luggage you've got.

Plus of course what you want to spend - subway is only 2 dollars, taxi is flat fare of 45 dollars plus road tolls + tip = closer to 55 dollars, bus is around 15 dollars

Personally I would recommend the subway

Answer 8

I would take the airtrain from JFK to Jamaica then jump on the subway to Manhattan followinf the subway map. I think it would cost you under five bucks depending on how many changes you have to make, buy a metro card before you leave the airport.

http://www.panynj.gov/airtrain/

Answer 9

therr are plenty of people with licenced and unlicenced cabs outside the terminal just make sure you agree a price for the trip before you get in. Thje yellow cabs are on the right as you leave the terminal building
have a great time it's a great city

Answer 10

I would get a taxi hun I was lucky there was a private hire taxi outside and he charged us the same as a regular taxi and he was a native new yorker..

As Most of the taxi drivers are really crazy drivers and cant speak english...

Hope you have lots of fun its my favourite place in the world u will have a ball...

Always remember to agree a price before getting in :o)