Quote:
Originally Posted by crescent22
It once took me two hours to go from Grand Central to JFK on that bus. I only made the flight because it was delayed an hour. I have not been on that bus since. The subway+airtrain has one major advantage- the time is known and the risk is very low.
That said, if you are going around 12-2pm, chance of traffic is low.
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So, in other words YOU planneed your trip poorly, and you are trying to lay blame on the bus!!
You are supposed to be at the airport 2 hours in advance; and the bus took two hours. Is this what you are saying???
Sooo, again, in other words, YOU were LATE, before you even stepped onto the bus!!
Comprehend?
YOU were late!! The bus didn't make you late.
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In any event, taking the bus,, you must account for TRAFFIC the same as taking any other vehicle. I don't know the specific route, but I imagine, first the bus must get thru Manhattan traffic to the Midtown Tunnel, thru the Tunnel, then thru the LIE to (I guess) the Van Wyck. I believe that is the most direct route.
Any fool s/realize that NYC varies from day to day, and by time of day. Taking the bus during rush hour is going to take a lot longer than non rush hour. Unless you are from another planet, one s/b aware of this.
For example, if yoour flight is at 4, then I'd be on the bus by 12 or so.
Don't be like this poster, aand think the bus is going to grow wings and fly, because he/she is late!
Now, lets think on this.
The alternative is to manage to get from Grand Central (with luggage) over to the labrynth of the Times Square/Port Authority subway station. Which means you either walk, bus, taxi, or take the subway shuttle to Times Square.
Take the shuttle and you have to deal with the crowds, tunnels, stairs and swealtering heat (in Summer) and that is just to get from Amtrak to the "S" subway platform. Once you reach Times Square, again, crowds, tunnels, stairs, heat (and the effort is 2 or 3 times as great, to get to the E or A train.
Once on the train, you'll have a nice llloooonnnggg ride out to either 1 of 3 stops, Jamaica, Ozone Park or Howard Beach, to catch the Airtran.
Poster how long do you think that trip takes? How long does/can it take during rush hour?
Would you have made your flight, given your LATE start? NOPE!!!!
Subway/Airtan or bus, you'd better give yourself a 3 to 4 hour lead time.
Cause, if you think you are making it to the Airtran in less than 90 minutes you really just don't know.
So, plan your time well and enjoy the convenience of the bus.
Lastly, in my (long ago) travels I simply avoided the NYC airports at all costs. I almost universally fly out of Newark. Even when I lived in Brooklyn, I went to Newark!! I took the bus many times to Newark from both GC and the WTC. The WTC station was/is the absolute quickest (15 to 30 minutes, bus lanes all the way!).
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Good mature planning is the difference between a haggard race to miss your flight, and calm, cool, relaxed travel.
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Poster, just wondering, have you had the dog eat your homework too?
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with plenty of time to spare..have the day (and the day before) off from work.
