JFK to 6 Columbus Circle (Howard: fit in, hotel, transfer to) - New York City - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

ejtoomey · 08-01-2010, 11:02 PM

There are 5 of us traveling (2 children, 3 adults) each with one carry on bag and bag pack or purse. What is the best way to get to the hotel. Could we all fit in Yellow Cab? Or would Airtran be easy enough? We arrive at 8 am on a weekday and leave on a flight at 6:30 pm on a weekday.

stax · 08-02-2010, 04:29 AM

Honestly, I would say just spend the money on the cab; it will be much less complicated. The Airtrain only goes in a loop around the terminals, and then to 3 (?) other subway stations in Queens (Sutphin Blvd. connects to the LIRR). So you're going to have to pay 5 bucks / per person for the Airtrain, then go from Queens via subway (40+ minutes @ 2.25 per person) or LIRR (20 minutes with no stops @ 6-8 bucks per person), and then transfer to 59th Street to get to your hotel. And then walk.

Biskit · 08-02-2010, 05:45 AM

Definitely take a cab. Each adult will only have to pay $15 ($45 flat rate) plus split 20% tip. One kid can sit on someone's lap and you can put the bags in the trunk. This is definitely the most convenient way.

bluedog2 · 08-02-2010, 07:59 AM

You will have a problem getting a cab with that many people and that much luggage.

It is actually illegal to have more than 4 passengers in a cab,3 in the back and 1 in front.And not enough seat belts.I am pretty sure the dispatchers at Kennedy will not put 5 people in a cab.You can sometimes get away with the small child on the lap thing on short trips in the city but at Kennedy the dispatchers rule.

I have seen the dispatchers put large groups of 5 or 6 people into 2 cabs.

And if you would put your child on someone's lap, without a seat belt, for a ride from Kennedy in a NYC taxi I don't want you as my parent.

UpsonDowns · 08-02-2010, 08:45 AM

I agree with bluedog2. I would take one of the buses from JFK. Airlink and other bus vendors not only go into midtown, but often will take you directly to your hotel. Whatever you do, do not use SuperShuttle. I witnessed a driver put a tourist out on the street because said tourist's destination was out of his way. Of course, this happened far away from the dispatchers at Kennedy.

Nugget · 08-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejtoomey

There are 5 of us traveling (2 children, 3 adults) each with one carry on bag and bag pack or purse. What is the best way to get to the hotel. Could we all fit in Yellow Cab? Or would Airtran be easy enough? We arrive at 8 am on a weekday and leave on a flight at 6:30 pm on a weekday.

If your carry ons are normal size and not American oversize and each of the adults and children can handle stairs and a walk the AirTrain subway is doable and about the same fare as a single cab. As others have noted the 5 people in a cab is difficult. There are some cabs which can fit five (and the side placard actually indicates that they can take five) but often will not take 5 people.

The quickest way is to take the AirTrain to Jamaica and then the E to 53rd/6th Ave in Manhattan and then take a walk up Broadway (6 blocks) and then you will be a Columbus Circle.

The way with the least amount of walking is to take the AirTrain to Howard Beach and then take the A all the way to Columbus Circle and get off there. Your going to have to navigate some stairs out of the subway stations in Manhattan.

You can just take the reverse when you go back. For a 6:30 pm flight with no check-in luggage and checking on-line I would recommend getting to the subway station around 4 pm at the latest. If you have to check-in at JFK get on the subway around 3:30.

If you're going to be the City for a number of days it might be useful to buy multiple use metrocards when you get to the AirTrain station (go to the machines) rather than buying the single use from the vendors.