NYC airport ground transport

[wballoni]

We will be making reservations at the MVC New York for December. I assume we will be flying into either JFK, Newark, or LaGuardia. I'm curious how those that have stayed in New York have managed transportation from the airport to the MVC New York. Have people done cabs, Uber/Lift, or other arrangements from/to the airports? This is our first time in New York so curious what people have done and any advice you have. Thanks!

 

[Sandy VDH]

If you have several passengers and lots of bags. The uber/taxi is likely easiest, but is likely the costliest option. If you are arriving late at night, this might be your best option.


If you are only solo or 2 of you, and your bags are manageable, and you are the intrepid type and you are arriving in daylight hours, you can take public transit.

From EWR you take the train from the airport, change to the regular train just outside of the airport, and end up in Penn Station. This is about $17 PP
From LGA you can take a city bus to the train station, there is a few routes to chose from, it just depends on where you are staying in Manhattan. $3 PP. If you plan on taking the subway even more than just this ride, you can purchase a 7 day unlimited pass for about $35 pp.

There is also a bus from Grand Central to EWR airport. $17 PP

From JFK, it is possible, via both LIRR (Long Island RR) or NY subway

 

[claraj]

If solo or traveling in a small group of say 2 with minimal luggage, there's also an Uber shuttle option that picks up at LGA and drops off at Grand Central. I think it's $16 per person but sometimes they run a promotion where it's under $10.

 

[Luanne]

My daughter and I have been making rather frequent trips to NYC over the past two years. We always get a taxi from the airport. Taxis rule in NYC. It's very easy to get one from the official dispatch location outside baggage claim. I am talking La Guardia or Newark. I haven't flow in or out of JFK in awhile.

For the ride back to the airport we use Carmel Limo, and have for years.

 

[claraj]

7 day unlimited pass for about $35 pp.

Pretty sure the passes were just phased out with the Metrocard. The way it works now is you pay with an Omnicard, apple pay or a credit card and it caps out at around $35 per week but make sure you charge every ride with the same card.

If taking the LIRR from Jamaica to Penn or Grand Central, remember to choose the City Ticket price, which is $7.25 for peak hours and $5.25 for off peak.

 

[andre10056]

We will be making reservations at the MVC New York for December. I assume we will be flying into either JFK, Newark, or LaGuardia. I'm curious how those that have stayed in New York have managed transportation from the airport to the MVC New York. Have people done cabs, Uber/Lift, or other arrangements from/to the airports? This is our first time in New York so curious what people have done and any advice you have. Thanks!

LaGuardia. Closest to Manhattan. Hence, if you want to take a cab or Uber/Lyft, that'll be the cheapest and quickest cab/uber/lyft "all the way to the front door of Marriott Vacation Club" option.

Public transportation is what I'd do but I lived in NYC for many years. But that would be a tough option for a newbie. You have to take a local city bus to a nearby subway station, get off, and make your way to the turnstiles of the subway station. Pay and take the subway, and I'm at the moment not sure if you can take it all the way to your destination's nearest subway stop or have to switch trains somewhere before you get to the nearest subway station to 6th and 37th (which I think is where the MVC is).

Newark. In New Jersey a good ways away from Manhattan. But it's actually a pretty good option because you take the free-of charge airport train (do they call it a monorail?) to a train station where you pay $16 or so to go all the way to Manhattan's Penn Station. And then it's not a bad walk (or local cab ride) to MVC (as you will be able to see by getting in Google Maps and asking for Penn Station to MVC directions).

JFK. Like LaGuardia, in the NYC borough of Queens. But, unlike LaGuardia, it is in the most remote, furthest away from Manhattan, section of Queens. Big money for a Manhattan cab ride. You can get to a nearby subway stop but DON'T take a local as it'll take you forever. But I think they still offer Express trains. And I'd check if there's an express bus service that might take you to Manhattan.

 

[andre10056]

Oh I forgot to mention. A New Jersey cab ride necessitates the payment of a New Jersey to Manhattan "under the Hudson River" tunnel crossing toll. And I'm not sure what the toll costs nowadays but I think it's $16 or so. The cab driver isn't going to absorb an expense like that so it'll be YOUR added-on expense on top of the multi-mile cab ride.

So I personally would not take a cab from (or to) Newark as there's a better option.

There will also be tolls to get across the East River that you'll have to pay via a LaGuardia or JFK cab ride, but that won't cost near as much.

 

[lynne]

My daughter and I have been making rather frequent trips to NYC over the past two years. We always get a taxi from the airport. Taxis rule in NYC. It's very easy to get one from the official dispatch location outside baggage claim. I am talking La Guardia or Newark. I haven't flow in or out of JFK in awhile.

For the ride back to the airport we use Carmel Limo, and have for years.

We also prefer taking a taxi from the airport mostly flying into JFK from outside the bag claim area. All of the official taxis are flat rate. Going to the airport either LGA or JFK, we also use Carmel.

 

[zentraveler]

We also prefer taking a taxi from the airport mostly flying into JFK from outside the bag claim area. All of the official taxis are flat rate. Going to the airport either LGA or JFK, we also use Carmel.

I agree with this. For a first trip to NYC I would recommend not trying to economize too much. Public transportation after a flight into NYC will not be that much fun. Practice on the subways and buses when you get settled. They are great ways to get around the city and faster than cabs in traffic often.

All of those airports can be overwhelming unless you know them well and you will appreciate a trouble free ride (cabs are ubiquitous) and car services like Carmel are great and if Luanne knows them even better. Used to use a different one but not sure they still exist.

 

[andre10056]

You can't really understand NYC transportation options until you get a NYC subway map. And that's a map of subway routes superimposed on a map of the city. Of course, you'll see where JFK and LaGuardia are located...and you'll be able to find where the MVC is. They're selling such maps for $10 on ebay which is strange because they're provided free of charge via the mta.

If you were already in NYC, you would just dial 511. But, if you're at present outside of NYC, just dial 877-690-5116. Make sure you tell the first robo gatekeeper "MTA". And, when you finally get to a customer service human, let them know that you're calling from out of state and would appreciate their sending you a NYC subway map.

That, by the way, is the way (511 if you're in town) you call and find out PRECISELY what trains and/or buses to take to get anywhere in the system.

 

[ljmiii]

Do whatever you can to avoid flying into JFK. Not only is the Van Wyck Expressway the world’s longest parking lot but you now need to take the airport train to a Uber/Lyft pickup area about 30 minutes from the terminals.

If flights from your airport allow, LGA is slightly better than EWR. And even though I live here and happily take the subway everywhere in Manhattan and parts of the outer boroughs I always take an automobile from the airports.

 

[andre10056]

If you're going to take a cab or some other such car service, recognize that it will be in your best interest to avoid rush hours, both coming and going. When you listen to 1010 WINS radio and hear that the Lincoln Tunnel inbound is a 1 hour wait or something like that, and you're on the New Jersey side of the tunnel, you'll wish you took something on a track that has nothing to do with surface traffic.

Although...I don't know if NYC's new (as of Jan of last year) Congestion Pricing Program has reduced traffic to such an extent that now cars are zipping into and out of Manhattan. Maybe it has in which case cabs might be a good alternative at all times.

 

[ljmiii]

My daughter and I have been making rather frequent trips to NYC over the past two years. We always get a taxi from the airport. Taxis rule in NYC. It's very easy to get one from the official dispatch location outside baggage claim. I am talking La Guardia or Newark. I haven't flow in or out of JFK in awhile.

For the ride back to the airport we use Carmel Limo, and have for years.

I completely agree. And I’m happy to report that while you can now use the website or app, you can still get a Carmel ride by dialing all 6s.

 

[ljmiii]

… recognize that it will be in your best interest to avoid rush hours, both coming and going...

Definitely. 8AM arrivals into the NYC airports are best avoided. As are 5PM or later departures.

…I don't know if NYC's new (as of Jan of last year) Congestion Pricing Program has reduced traffic to such an extent that now cars are zipping in and out of Manhattan.

Congestion pricing has definitely affected the bridge and tunnel traffic but the biggest change has been in how much nicer it is to get around the city.

 

[andre10056]

Of course, for a first time visitor, or even more experienced visitors, the choice of a way to get "home" (to a hotel) is binary. For example, it's either cab or a train.

But, once you understand the totality of all features of all transportation options, including the problems you may face, you might start mixing and matching.

For example, the only available flight to get me home after a business trip took me to JFK. But it was still rush hour. And I despised the Van Wyck. And the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn was only slightly better. And there was no way I wanted to be bumper to bumper in a standstill trying to get into Manhattan. Solution: take a cab along the Belt Parkway to nearby southern Brooklyn (Sheepshead Bay) where I could get to the corner of Avenue U and East 19th Street to go to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Hoai (far better than anything in Manhattan; Flushing, Queens; or other areas of Brooklyn).

I'd eat there, stroll to the Q train Avenue U subway stop, take the express train when I could get it, and get into Manhattan in no time. And that wasn't a way to save money, as I would get the cab ride reimbursed by my company anyway. It was a way to (1) bypass the traffic nightmare and (2) eat where I loved to eat.

Once the OP gets his subway map, he'll see what I did.

The only reason I make mention of that is because there are more simple mixing and matching that even an adventurous newbie might try, especially during rush hours. Get a cab out of LaGuardia to take you to the nearby subway station. And then subway to the Marriott Vacation Club.

The cab driver might hate you as he may have had to wait some amount of time for that few minute cab ride....but that's his job. And you can give him a good tip. And he can get back in the queue in no time. And, hopefully, get a longer ride next time. It all balances out over time. Plus, even he may not want to sit in a parking lot on the way to Manhattan.

 

[zentraveler]

Do whatever you can to avoid flying into JFK. Not only is the Van Wyck Expressway the world’s longest parking lot but you now need to take the airport train to a Uber/Lyft pickup area about 30 minutes from the terminals.

If flights from your airport allow, LGA is slightly better than EWR. And even though I live here and happily take the subway everywhere in Manhattan and parts of the outer boroughs I always take an automobile from the airports.

LGA used to be the world's worst nightmare of an airport, but they seem to have fixed it up from what I hear. It might even be decent now.

Of course, for a first time visitor, or even more experienced visitors, the choice of a way to get "home" (to a hotel) is binary. For example, it's either cab or a train.

But, once you understand the totality of all features of all transportation options, including the problems you may face, you might start mixing and matching.

For example, the only available flight to get me home after a business trip took me to JFK. But it was still rush hour. And I despised the Van Wyck. And the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn was only slightly better. And there was no way I wanted to be bumper to bumper in a standstill trying to get into Manhattan. Solution: take a cab along the Belt Parkway to nearby southern Brooklyn (Sheepshead Bay) where I could get to the corner of Avenue U and East 19th Street to go to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Hoai (far better than anything in Manhattan; Flushing, Queens; or other areas of Brooklyn).

I'd eat there, stroll to the Q train Avenue U subway stop, take the express train when I could get it, and get into Manhattan in no time. And that wasn't a way to save money, as I would get the cab ride reimbursed by my company anyway. It was a way to (1) bypass the traffic nightmare and (2) eat where I loved to eat.

Once the OP gets his subway map, he'll see what I did.

The only reason I make mention of that is because there are more simple mixing and matching that even an adventurous newbie might try, especially during rush hours. Get a cab out of LaGuardia to take you to the nearby subway station. And then subway to the Marriott Vacation Club.

The cab driver might hate you as he may have had to wait some amount of time for that few minute cab ride....but that's his job. And you can give him a good tip. And he can get back in the queue in no time. And, hopefully, get a longer ride next time. It all balances out over time. Plus, even he may not want to sit in a parking lot on the way to Manhattan.

Very smooth moves. Spoken like a real New Yorker

 

[andre10056]

We will be making reservations at the MVC New York for December. I assume we will be flying into either JFK, Newark, or LaGuardia. I'm curious how those that have stayed in New York have managed transportation from the airport to the MVC New York. Have people done cabs, Uber/Lift, or other arrangements from/to the airports? This is our first time in New York so curious what people have done and any advice you have. Thanks!

Good morning, wballoni. It's a bit on the cool side in the Northeast today (5 degrees) so be glad you're not in Manhattan or Boston today. But last December temperatures were quite balmy (certainly in comparison) so hopefully you'll have warmer temperatures during your trip.

None of us knew, in expressing our opinions or providing tales of our experiences, how many people you will have in your party and/or how much luggage you'll have. And the latter will obviously make a difference in what may be optimal for you.

You've got plenty of time to get information about costs and ways to get to the subway from the airport. I wasn't sure about how to get to the subway from JFK so I made a call to the MTA on your behalf and I was told "you would take the A train". And how would you get to the A Train from the Airport? "That I don't know. I only know MTA information. I have nothing to do with the airport. You'll have to call them". There are only two airports in New York City and that "MTA transportation expert" person has no idea how to get from JFK to the MTA's A Train! So expect to have to make multiple calls to fill in your transportation options chart.

But I was thinking about the fact that it's your first time traveling to NYC. You will likely not be as inpatient (and tortured) with traffic as I might now be. You might even consider that to be a desirable part of your overall vacation experience. As will seeing the skyscrapers of Manhattan on the horizon.

 

[TolmiePeak]

We always take the air train and subway from jfk. It is the fastest to Manhattan and the safest mode of travel.

 

[andre10056]

We always take the air train and subway from jfk. It is the fastest to Manhattan and the safest mode of travel.

Yes. If there's an easy way to get to the subway, and in that case it would be the Express A Train subway line, that would be my choice as well. I would deliberately pack as little as possible to be able to easily do so. Although you'd unfortunately be unable to eat at a great Vietnamese restaurant along the way.

 

[claraj]

We always take the air train and subway from jfk. It is the fastest to Manhattan and the safest mode of travel.

I disagree. The long island rail road after the air train is way faster than the subway (1 stop to Penn Station in 18 min).

 

[andre10056]

I disagree. The long island rail road after the air train is way faster than the subway.

Please explain that. So the Airport has an air train that takes you to EITHER the MTA subway OR the LIRR? It's at the same transfer point or another transfer point?

 

[claraj]

Please explain that. So the Airport has an air train that takes you to EITHER the MTA subway OR the LIRR? It's at the same transfer point or another transfer point?

At JFK, the air train takes you to Jamaica station, where you can catch the LIRR or the subway.

 

[andre10056]

At JFK, the air train takes you to Jamaica station, where you can catch the LIRR or the subway.View attachment 121712

Now that's helpful information. I can very well believe that the LIRR would be a superior alternative to those local subway lines. And you wouldn't be sitting on subway benches but, instead, comfortable "airline 1st class" type seating.

But it appears, according to what the MTA customer service rep told me, that she thinks there might be a way to get to the Express A Train, and presumably very close to the airport (so presumably less time than going a longer distance to Jamaica) . Is that a second option? And how would that alternative compare to the Airtrain to Jamaica LIRR alternative?

And is that a relatively new option? Is that what they were building for so long?

 

[TolmiePeak]

I disagree. The long island rail road after the air train is way faster than the subway (1 stop to Penn Station in 18 min).

To the Marriott Pulse by Herald Square I agree. We stay at HGVC Quinn or W57th. We take the E from Jamaica


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[TolmiePeak]

Yes. If there's an easy way to get to the subway, and in that case it would be the Express A Train subway line, that would be my choice as well. I would deliberately pack as little as possible to be able to easily do so. Although you'd unfortunately be unable to eat at a great Vietnamese restaurant along the way.

The Beijing Dumpling House on Sutphin is good


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