Good place to sleep for free? (New York, York: sublets, how much, hotels)

[DonFatTony]

Will be flying to LA from Europe next month and I have a nightly stop-over at JFK. I'm wondering if there's any place close to the airport where I can find a place to sleep (for a maximum charge of $20).
Maybe there's a YMCA or a place for homeless people where I can find a bed?

Don't care too much, just wanna get away from the crowds at the airport.

Cheers

[NY Annie]

$20? nope, it'd cost you that much to get there and back. Late at night, there's no crowds at JFK, just people cleaning. You won't find much open in the early morning either for getting a cup fo coffee. We arrived for a flight to PR at 6 am and nothing was open - not even the desk at our airline for checking our bags! So if you overnight in the airport, buy some kind of snack/juice the night before.

Guest Rooms at the Flushing YMCA | YMCA of New York City

This Y is near LGA and there's a shuttle for $10 each way between airports. There's no cost info.

[Henna]

Try craigslist. You might find something for $40, although you might get scammed if you're not careful.
new york sublets & temporary classifieds - craigslist

I think you're crazy if you want to stay in a place for the homeless. Do you understand why that's not a good idea? Maybe you're not American, or you've never been to a big city.

[DonFatTony]

Thanks for your answers, so NY Annie do you think it'll be OK to sleep at JFK?
I'll arrive at 7 in the evening, and my plane leaves at 6 AM. So I'd like to go to sleep at 9 PM the latest, and I guess the airport will be pretty crowded.
85 bucks to stay at the YMCA? I always thought YMCA was free.

Henna, I do not understand why that isn't a good idea.
No I'm not American, however I've lived in the States for several years. And yes, I've been to a big city.

[NY Annie]

9 pm is a little early to even consider settling down - but you could try - hope you're a light sleeper though - keep your eyes on your stuff.

Try these places - I have no idea how much or how far - or how you'd get there. These cheap places don't usually have a shuttle. travel now . com -- global discount hotel reservations

YMCA was never free to my knowledge - at least not in this area. As for $85 bucks for the night, that's pretty cheap - you are in NYC after all. While you may have lived in the states and in a large city, if that city wasn't on either coast, you're in for major shock especially where prices are concerned.

[DonFatTony]

Originally Posted by NY Annie

9 pm is a little early to even consider settling down - but you could try - hope you're a light sleeper though - keep your eyes on your stuff.

Try these places - I have no idea how much or how far - or how you'd get there. These cheap places don't usually have a shuttle. travel now . com -- global discount hotel reservations

YMCA was never free to my knowledge - at least not in this area. As for $85 bucks for the night, that's pretty cheap - you are in NYC after all. While you may have lived in the states and in a large city, if that city wasn't on either coast, you're in for major shock especially where prices are concerned.

I know, I'm from westside Los Angeles .
I just thought YMCA was free, I mean why else was the Village People singing it was fun to stay at?

Anyways, thank you for the link!

[likeminas]

for 20 bucks it ain't happening bro.

maybe 60 might get you a bed in shady motel. Watch out for bedbugs though.

IMO, your best bet, given your $20 dollar budget, I think is the cold airport floor.
Just get a blanket (ideally the one you get on the plain) and a small pillow and call it a night.

[bg7]

Originally Posted by DonFatTony

Thanks for your answers, so NY Annie do you think it'll be OK to sleep at JFK?
I'll arrive at 7 in the evening, and my plane leaves at 6 AM. So I'd like to go to sleep at 9 PM the latest, and I guess the airport will be pretty crowded.
85 bucks to stay at the YMCA? I always thought YMCA was free.

Henna, I do not understand why that isn't a good idea.
No I'm not American, however I've lived in the States for several years. And yes, I've been to a big city.

there's a reason huge numbers of homeless people absolutely avoid the homeless shelters unless the temeperatures outside are lethally low.

[rlrl]

i think there's an Econolodge in Ozone Park near JFK but I don't remember where it is

[Hesky]

Its probably better to spend the night in the airport if possible.

Three years I went to New York to spend new year's eve in Times Square. I didn't want to pay for a hotel, so I stayed at the Sbarro in Times Square until they closed and kicked me out @ 3:00 am. Then I went to the subway, and I basically rode it back and forth until morning. It was a shady thing to do, and I would have been happy to stay at the airport instead.