Question for New Yorkers (train help)

[Stu]

I have to fly out of JFK on Dec. 20. Problem is my wife and daughter are going out of Newark. I am thinking the best scenario would be for me to park the car at an off-site lot in Newark, (we live in Central Jersey) take the shuttle to the Newark airport with them, and then go to JFK. My question: Can I take a train from Newark Penn Station to JFK? Or is there a shuttle that would be easier? I don't want to drive my car to JFK if I can avoid it.

 

[jc138]

Originally Posted by Stu

I have to fly out of JFK on Dec. 20. Problem is my wife and daughter are going out of Newark. I am thinking the best scenario would be for me to park the car at an off-site lot in Newark, (we live in Central Jersey) take the shuttle to the Newark airport with them, and then go to JFK. My question: Can I take a train from Newark Penn Station to JFK? Or is there a shuttle that would be easier? I don't want to drive my car to JFK if I can avoid it.
The airtrain might take care of you:

http://www.mta.info/mta/airtrain.htm

Basically you get to Penn station then take the LIRR to Jamica and switch to the air train.

There are also buses that leave grand central to both Newark and JFK:

http://www.nyairportservice.com/

You could catch one from newark to GC, then hop on the next outbound to JFK. It would be a bit more expensive (~$30), but maybe slightly faster (depending on the wait times).

You could also just suck it up and pay for a cab.

 

[Manton]

As noted, it can be done, but it requires a lot of train-switching, which if you are hauling luggage, is a PitA.

Why NYC cannot do what London has done with the Heathrow-Paddingon and Gatwick-Victoria links is beyond me.

 

[maxnharry]

Originally Posted by Manton

As noted, it can be done, but it requires a lot of train-switching, which if you are hauling luggage, is a PitA.

Why NYC cannot do what London has done with the Heathrow-Paddingon and Gatwick-Victoria links is beyond me.

And it's not just London. Most major cities have a train that goes directly the airport.

 

[Jumbie]

Rent a car, drive it to JFK and return it there. Without luggage, I'd agree about perhaps dealing with the hassles of switching trains but with it, I'm with Manton.

By the way, I'm suggesting this as an alternative to leaving your own car at an airport lot (risk of break in) plus it may be cheaper for you depending on length of stay. I'm in NJ and going out of the US for 2 weeks in Dec to visit my parents. Flight's unfortunately out of JFK and most of my classmates aren't going to be around at that time to help me out with a ride. I think that's what I'm going to end up doing.

 

[fredfred]

To OP: It's possible (but a pain) to take the train from Newark airport to the "real" Penn Station, and then take the A train (regular NYC subway) from there to "Howard Beach Station". Then you hop on the airtain and you get to JFK.

Regular Penn Station to JFK terminals (including air train time) is approx 1 hour.

To everyone else: NYC makes too much money from Taxi cab medallions. Their value would plummet if there was a direct train from JFK to Manhattan. Although ******* Bloomberg and his plant a zillion trees thing could make a bigger impact by just putting in such a train, there still is not one. Supposedly one is scheduled to go from JFK to the "new" WTC station. Don't hold your breath. Yes, there should be a train. Due to corruption, it doesn't exist.

 

[romafan]

Don' teven think of taking the train(s). You will hate yourself and be in a foul mood for a couple of days. Take a look at van shuttle (here's one - scroll all the way down)....

http://www.easynewyorkcity.com/airpo...sportation.htm

 

[fredfred]

Well, if the drive is any time near the commute, driving in a van sucks. If you go through Manhattan you have to deal with the tunnel inbound traffic...

... and if it's 3pm-7pm going to JFK sucks on the road. Can take 2 hrs from Manhattan to JFK via the road, so the subway/train is much quicker.

The MTA sucks almost completely, but getting car sick in a 2 hour drive (or longer if from Newark) is not good.