New York, JFK to Manahatten

[Lord Tyrion]

Family holiday next week and we are starting with a few days in New York. We arrive about 5pm, should be through customs etc by 6 - 6.30pm. There are effectively 4 adults.

I looked at getting the train and subway but we would need to change 3 times and we will be tired, carrying cases etc so knocked that on the head. A bus would take an age and leave us nowhere near our hotel.

Looking online people say taxis are fine and you can fix the fare before you set off. It looks the best option. Is that correct? I have been stung around the world in taxis and don't fancy it happening on a family holiday. Does the taxi system work well, do the drivers agree to fix the fare easily or is it a fight? Can 4 fit in a taxi?

The other option is to book a transfer. Seems to be relatively straight forward but that involves paying up front, finding the phone in the airport to ring etc. I know that sounds fussy but it will be a busy airport, long flight etc and we need a situation of least resistance / stress.

All advice welcomed. I'm not looking to save £5, I want to transfer as easily as possible without breaking the bank.

 

[Robster59]

Try Travel Republic
https://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/transfers
We've used them lots of times in the past and you can pre-book transfers with them to save you the hassle. And you can make sure the vehicle is big enough for 4 people plus luggage.

 

[Duckster]

Family holiday next week and we are starting with a few days in New York. We arrive about 5pm, should be through customs etc by 6 - 6.30pm. There are effectively 4 adults.

I looked at getting the train and subway but we would need to change 3 times and we will be tired, carrying cases etc so knocked that on the head. A bus would take an age and leave us nowhere near our hotel.

Looking online people say taxis are fine and you can fix the fare before you set off. It looks the best option. Is that correct? I have been stung around the world in taxis and don't fancy it happening on a family holiday. Does the taxi system work well, do the drivers agree to fix the fare easily or is it a fight? Can 4 fit in a taxi?

The other option is to book a transfer. Seems to be relatively straight forward but that involves paying up front, finding the phone in the airport to ring etc. I know that sounds fussy but it will be a busy airport, long flight etc and we need a situation of least resistance / stress.

All advice welcomed. I'm not looking to save £5, I want to transfer as easily as possible without breaking the bank.

Hope it's that quick for you! Been through JFK 4 times and the quickest I've been through is 2 hours. One time it was close to 4! Granted, it seems that about 4 or 5 international planes always seem to come in around the same time as me and the customs/immigration there put miles more staff and onus for the US citizens coming home than they do for the international travellers trying to get in.

Every time I've just caught a taxi through to midtown. Dead easy, about $50 plus tip (so $60).

I have caught the train the other way from Penn (LIRR change to the Airtrain at Jamaica in Queens) about $7, took about 50 mins. Dead easy and I'll happily do it on my own going the other way depending on where I was staying, but with family after a long flight, easier to catch a taxi.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Hope it's that quick for you! Been through JFK 4 times and the quickest I've been through is 2 hours. One time it was close to 4! Granted, it seems that about 4 or 5 international planes always seem to come in around the same time as me and the customs/immigration there put miles more staff and onus for the US citizens coming home than they do for the international travellers trying to get in.

Every time I've just caught a taxi through to midtown. Dead easy, about $50 plus tip (so $60).

I have caught the train the other way from Penn (LIRR change to the Airtrain at Jamaica in Queens) about $7, took about 50 mins. Dead easy and I'll happily do it on my own going the other way depending on where I was staying, but with family after a long flight, easier to catch a taxi.

Thought it may be optimistic, I'll just go into my zen like state.

Did you agree the fare or did it just come out that way? I'm more than happy to pay that amount.

If I was travelling on my own I would do as you did on your return. Family holiday, 4 of us, suitcases etc, not worth the hassle.

 

[SteveW86]

When I went a few years ago the fare to JFK was fixed from anywhere on manhattan, that $50 sounds about right from memory. All the taxis had a notice on the window with that price quoted.

I believe it is a very common taxi route for them so it's a pretty standard price.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When I went a few years ago the fare to JFK was fixed from anywhere on manhattan, that $50 sounds about right from memory. All the taxis had a notice on the window with that price quoted.

I believe it is a very common taxi route for them so it's a pretty standard price.

Perfect. These things stress me out now so I can tick that one off the list.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

One of the previous Mayors (can't remember which) introduced a regulated cab fare for JFK - Manhattan and I think that it's still $50.

Even if it has increased you can, at least, rest assured that you aren't being fleeced.

 

[Duckster]

Thought it may be optimistic, I'll just go into my zen like state.

Did you agree the fare or did it just come out that way? I'm more than happy to pay that amount.

If I was travelling on my own I would do as you did on your return. Family holiday, 4 of us, suitcases etc, not worth the hassle.

It's a set price from JFK to Manhatten for all the taxi's there.

Side notes - if you go shopping, go to the customer service desk in Macy's or Bloomingdales with your passport, they used to give you a discount card (effectively knocked of the sales tax) for use on that day. You might need to check if they still do that though.

Top Of The Rock is brilliant. Never actually done the Statue Of Liberty, but have caught the Staten Island ferry (free, goes straight past Liberty Island).

Enjoy! It's a great city.

 

[USER1999]

US Home Security are a joke. They put on more staff to cater for Americans, and then when all the Yanks have gone through, close those booths, and go home. Leaving 3 guys to cope with 600 passengers from the rest of the world.

It takes hours.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

US Home Security are a joke. They put on more staff to cater for Americans, and then when all the Yanks have gone through, close those booths, and go home. Leaving 3 guys to cope with 600 passengers from the rest of the world.

It takes hours.

Never had a problem at JFK.

L.A. and Washington are different stories, however.

 

[USER1999]

Never had a problem at JFK.

L.A. and Washington are different stories, however.

My experience is mainly from Tampa, as I have only flown to NY once. Tampa? Loads of times, always the same, slow, and rude.

 

[Mudball]

I have always got a taxi or a office pickup from JFK, but I have Uber-ed from midtown to JFK. Availability is fine. You can now Uber from JFK too.
https://www.uber.com/en-GB/airports/jfk/

4 people + bags, you might need a bigger car, so budget more than than $60.

Also, i assume you all have valid ESTA. TSA through any US airport is slow, rude, clueless. One of these days i want to give a wrong answer just to see if anyone is listening.

TSA: So what is the purpose of the visit
Me: To help build the wall
TSA: Ok.

 

[Val]

I've also never had an issue at JFK, longest has been 1 hour in 7 visits, it just depends on timing and airline.

As for transport, we've done cabs and transfers but prefer the airtrain plus subway, dead easy and normally quicker than a cab ride cost $7.75 per head.

Cab ride, easiest is yellow cab from outside the terminal, current cost is $52 + tolls and tip so it should be nearer $70 that $60. It's a fixed fare and there is no need to get a quote or haggle.

Prebook using the likes of supershuttle is fine, probably cost somewhere in the regions of around $100 or so

 

[Bazz]

Me and the wife used the subway from JFK to Times Square, when we went on honeymoon. Can't remember changing at all, probably forgotten though.

One thing I do remember is a group of kids getting on a start breakdancing for money. Was like being on a film set.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

If you book a private transfer you'll have the guy waving a card with your name on it when you come into the arrivals hall. Makes you feel quite important, especially if you book it as Lord Tyrion of Northumberland

 

[Lord Tyrion]

If you book a private transfer you'll have the guy waving a card with your name on it when you come into the arrivals hall. Makes you feel quite important, especially if you book it as Lord Tyrion of Northumberland

Ha ha, can you imagine the welcome. I would be met by hordes of fans dressed up in GoT gear expecting Peter Dinklage. How funny would that be? Then again, they may take it badly when I roll out

 

[Jensen]

Strangely when we went, for some reason we flew to Newark but came back from JFK. We just got in a yellow taxi to Manhatten, can't remember the cost but didn't stick in the throat.
Going back to JFK we hired a stretched limo.
We went in 2003, 2 years after 9/11. Had a fantastic time, an amazing place. Went up the Empire State, Liberty Island Grand Crntral is an amazing piece of architecture.
The other bonus apart from the food is Ralph Lauren clothing is a fraction of the price

 

[Jensen]

Oh forgot to add the Subway is a great way to travel and very cheap. It's also very clean and safe, far from the days of Death Wish and The Warriors

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Oh forgot to add the Subway is a great way to travel and very cheap. It's also very clean and safe, far from the days of Death Wish and The Warriors

The Warriors, what a film. I'm going with my son to a Mets game so will be getting the subway for that. Good to know it's okay 😀

 

[larmen]

I was told that the 1st time you have to use the cab. Coming into Manhattan and see the skyline growing is much nicer than coming in under ground. Also, for 4 people the price is close to the same, and you don't have to tip the metro staff.

I did the cab once, can't remember how long it took, but it was about 55 USD all in. Advantage is that you are right at your hotel as well, not walking a block, or lugging your luggage up the stairs out of the metro.



Border check is slow and openly racist. Once I had a guy telling the line that it is going to be slow today as too many Asians are arriving. In Heathrow the guy would be fired before the end of the shift, in the US (that was in Vegas then) he fit right in with his pals.