JFK --> Manhattan - does the subway run? Or other cheap airport runs?

Does the NYC subway system now connect JFK airport to Manhattan?

If not, what's the best option to get myself and a bag to Manhattan from the
airport? Bag will be luggable. Looking for the optimum cost-to-hassle
ratio...

-KF

Does the NYC subway system now connect JFK airport to Manhattan?
If not, what's the best option to get myself and a bag to Manhattan from the
airport? Bag will be luggable. Looking for the optimum cost-to-hassle
ratio...

You can get a free shuttlebus that will take you to Jamaica station. then
use the subway from there. I think the coach is a hassle as it only drops
you off at certain spots in Manhattan. A cab is quite good if there's more
than one of you (probably not in this case) $35 plus tolls plus tips!

Does the NYC subway system now connect JFK airport to Manhattan?

No. There's a shuttle to a nearby subway stop.

You can get a free shuttlebus that will take you to Jamaica station. then
use the subway from there. I think the coach is a hassle as it only drops
you off at certain spots in Manhattan. A cab is quite good if there's more
than one of you (probably not in this case) $35 plus tolls plus tips!

Actually, if you're staying in a hotel that has an agreement with the
shuttle bus company, you can get off the airport shuttle bus at Grand
Central Station where another free shuttle bus will take you to your
hotel.

I learned this during a lengthy argument between a passenger and the
ticket collector on the shuttle bus. Talk about unpleasant tourists! She
refused to pay because the ticket collector told her the bus wasn't
going to her hotel. She said her travel agent had assured her that she
would be transported to her hotel. The ticket collector patiently tried
to explain the way it worked but she just got louder and more abusive.
She had been speaking German to her travel companion before boarding the
bus, but she said more than once, "I am not German!" (I didn't hear
anybody ask her nationality.) She also said such things as, "You people
should be grateful that some tourists are still coming here. Nobody
wants to come to the US any more." This went on for more than five
minutes. The ticket collector told her that she either had to pay or get
off the bus and she refused to do either. Finally, I suggested to the
ticket collector, "Call the police." At that point she agreed to pay.
Her travel companion had taken a seat at some distance from her; I think
she found her embarrassing.

Barbara

There is a bus that stops at every terminal that will take you to the
Howard Beach station. The bus is free. At the train station you take
an A train to the city. The fare is $2. A word of caution if you take
the A train back to JFK from the city. Take the A train that says FAr
Rockaway. Do not take the A train going to Lefferts BLvd.

There is a bus that stops at every terminal that will take you to the
Howard Beach station. The bus is free. At the train station you take
an A train to the city. The fare is $2. A word of caution if you take
the A train back to JFK from the city. Take the A train that says FAr
Rockaway. Do not take the A train going to Lefferts BLvd.

The A to Lefferts is not a problem. Just take it to the last stop and
transfer (free with a MetroCard) downstairs to the Q10 bus to the
airport.

I don't know which is faster, taking the A to Lefferts if it comes
first or waiting for the next Rockaways train.

Another option, which may or may not be more convenient, is to take
the 3 to the last stop (New Lots Avenue) and transfer free to the B15
bus. This is generally thought of as a somewhat sketchy neighborhood,
but I didn't have a problem in February when I transferred here (in
the other direction -- I decided at the airport to take whichever bus
came first, and it was the B15).

When AirTrain opens (probably later this year), the free shuttle bus
will stop running. AirTrain fare will be $5 (it's not clear if that
includes a free transfer to or from the subway). If you want a $2
ride to the airport, get used to the Q10 and B15.

How do the lengths of the Q10 and B15 trips compare with the free shuttle?

Both are longer, but I don't know if the Q10 makes many stops between
the A train and the airport, and each branch of the A runs at long
headways (15-20 minutes) off-peak. That's why I suggested that, if
the A to Lefferts shows up first, it might be worth taking it and the
Q10 rather than waiting for the next Rockaways train.

The B15 is really only worth considering if the 3 is much more
convenient than the A. When I used it in February, my destination was
86th Street on the 1, so I kept my seat on the 3 until 72nd and had an
easy cross-platform transfer there, rather than having to climb up two
flights at Columbus Circle. (OTOH, I had to climb up two flights at
New Lots, but New Lots isn't crowded.) But the B15 does take a long
time, and the 3 runs local in Brooklyn.

These routes don't seem to have caught on among the traveling public;
poor signage at the airport is partly to blame. I was the only
passenger with luggage on the B15, and IIRC the only one of my skin
color.
--
David J. Greenberger
New York, NY

About 10 years ago, there was a subway that went near but not to the
airport- then abus the rest of the way. Don't know what's there now.

But the train then was referred to as "The train to the plane" which I
love! Sounds very New York.

Susan

About 10 years ago, there was a subway that went near but not to the
airport- then abus the rest of the way. Don't know what's there now.

But the train then was referred to as "The train to the plane" which I
love! Sounds very New York.

It no longer runs. It was essentially an extra-express A train.

Larry


--
Larry Finch

N 40° 53' 47"
W 74° 03' 56"