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United States
To get from JFK to Penn Station Manhattan:
Cheapest way: Airtrain to Jamaica Station and E subway to Penn station
Quickest way: Airtrain to Jamaica and then Long Island Rail Road to Penn station
Least stressful but long way: bus from terminal door to Manhattan
Most expensive and hair-raising way: TAXI
If possible fly to Newark instead - bus from terminal door to Manhattan is stressfree and quick and Newark is much less likely to have an excruciatingly long wait to get through immigration (unlike JFK).
Airtrain info: www.panynj.gov/Airtrain/
LIRR and subway info: www.mta.info/index.html
bus info: www.nyairportservice.com/
By far the most economical means of travelling into New York centre from JFK airport is by train. The density of traffic in the city can make a journey by bus or taxi painfully slow and expensive the closer you get to the centre.
Most people coming from Britain will arrive at JFK Terminal 7. There is a free bus to take you from there to the relevant stop on the JFK Airtrain, where you buy a $5 ticket to take you to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station. The Airtrain is a bit like London's Circle Line, i.e. it goes round and round, so check that you are going in the right direction. You'll get to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach eventually but it saves time to go the right way. At Jamaica or Howard Beach Station buy a ticket (machines or booth) and take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) into Manhattan, from where you can take the New York Subway to all parts of the city. Buy a one, two or seven day Metrocard at the Subway station and you'll save money on single trips, both on the subway and buses.
JFK Airport, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), New York Subway www.mta.info
Beware any dermatitis or inflammation on either of your index fingers. On entering the USA you'll be required to provide index finger prints as part of your proof of identity and if the skin of your finger tip is inflamed you may well inadvertently fail this test. At best this means a significant delay at Homeland Security Department. If possible check your index fingers a week, or more if there's an obvious problem, before travel and get some medical treatment to ease your journey!
Don't automatically assume that you have to fly from Heathrow to get long-haul. Look at your alternatives, including the very handy London City Airport or the further away (but sometimes more convenient) Stansted or Luton Airports. Dedicated business-class-only flights to New York can now be had from SilverJet (the only such airline still around) out of their Luton base. BA have also excitingly announced an all-busines-class flight to New York from London City. Starting in 09, it will stop for operational reasons in Ireland but passengers can take this time to check through US immigration (due to an age-old agreement between Ireland and the US), saving valuable time when landing.
The days of stepping on Concorde and arriving in New York before you took off are sadly gone. However, what isn't realised is that the same trip from London to New York can vary quite dramatically depending on the flight you take. Take a random weekday date in June. The fastest journey time from London Heathrow to New York JFK is 7hr 25mins with either Air India or the 0855 from BA. However, it's worth noting flights to Newark are somewhat slower, with the flights being as long as 8hr 15mins with BA (1840). Whilst it's unlikely to make a huge different, those of us on tight time schedules may give it some thought.
I've just come back from New York, and my locks on my case were broken by the customs people there because they thought my case was 'suspicious'.
I've since heard that you need to have a so-called Travel Sentry Lock (TSA Approved) for travel to the USA.
These allow customs officials to open your cases without breaking the lock and they can secure your bag again after checking it.
Wish I'd have known before because I need a new case now!. I've just bought six for my family from a website called www.tripneeds.com they have these locks quite cheap.
I think Amazon also sell them as well, but they cost more.
Take my advice and get some of these locks before you travel to the States - it's worth it!
A minibus service with a desk in the airport to and from central points in Manhattan and also right to your hotel as long as it is reasonably central. You pay a very reasonable fixed price and share your transport with others of course - also an interesting way of getting a little tour of the city as you drop off fellow passengers. As a lone female unaccustomed to independant travel in the US and worried about dealing with a yellow cab driver, this was a godsend for me! Ideal for individuals, but obviously not for anybody who is in a hurry!
JFK Airport Arrivals
Is this your business?Search Been there
