V-Flyer

Hi,

I'm thinking of booking a car service into Manhattan and it asks me what time I want it waiting for me. Most have them have pretty steep waiting times. Was wondering if I get in on the VS9 what sort of time will I be looking at to clear immigration and get my bags and get out to a waiting car?

unfortunately with NY its a crap shoot and can be anything from a few minutes to 2-3 hours. depends how quick you are off the plane AND whats in front

if you don't have too many bags the train is really good

Yeah I've done the train route before, its just late on a Sunday night it looks like its going to be a long journey. Got to get to Staten Island as well. I was thinking of getting a car to South Ferry Terminal then getting the ferry across to save the extra money on tolls etc. Might be an idea just to jump into a cab instead

As flabound says, it's a complete lottery. Some of the Trip Reports on here for that flight will mention the immigration lines.

If you go to the below link and choose JFK T4 that will give a guide of average wait during the time your flight gets in

http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/

The one time we did the VS9, it was totally deserted.

lisanaomi87 wrote:Hi,

I'm thinking of booking a car service into Manhattan and it asks me what time I want it waiting for me. Most have them have pretty steep waiting times. Was wondering if I get in on the VS9 what sort of time will I be looking at to clear immigration and get my bags and get out to a waiting car?

Which companies are you looking at?

None of the ones I've used have any sort of 'waiting' charge.

A company like Carmel or Dial-7 have so many cars available that a late or even a early arrival causes them very little trouble.

Personally when I've booked I've said I want the car for an hour after scheduled landing then once landside I give them a ring and the car appears 5-10 mins after that. Sometimes I've been through quicker than that and sometimes it's longer but the car has always appeared and I've not been charged any extra.

tontybear wrote:

lisanaomi87 wrote:Hi,

I'm thinking of booking a car service into Manhattan and it asks me what time I want it waiting for me. Most have them have pretty steep waiting times. Was wondering if I get in on the VS9 what sort of time will I be looking at to clear immigration and get my bags and get out to a waiting car?

Which companies are you looking at?

None of the ones I've used have any sort of 'waiting' charge.

A company like Carmel or Dial-7 have so many cars available that a late or even a early arrival causes them very little trouble.

Personally when I've booked I've said I want the car for an hour after scheduled landing then once landside I give them a ring and the car appears 5-10 mins after that. Sometimes I've been through quicker than that and sometimes it's longer but the car has always appeared and I've not been charged any extra.

I had a look at Dial 7 and their website said 'Fare does not include tolls, gratuity, waiting time,and
additional stops' so was just a bit worried about that. An hour after landing was going to be the time I put in though.

As others have said, immigration times vary. I often choose VS9 and wait either a few minutes or (once) two hours.

Why not just get a taxi?

Immigration lines are a simple game of chance I'm afraid, as others have said it is sometimes clear and you are through in a matter of minutes and other times you are wondering why so many people are wanting to use the restrooms at the same time

You could book it for an hour after you are due to land and in case of a delay in immigration, simply give them a call to let them know. As tonty says a car usually appears within a matter of minutes.

I have dealt with Dial7 before (through a V-Flyer recommendation - cheers tonty) and they have always been accommodating. Curb side (due to restricted parking at the airport lots) pickup at EWR is always efficient and the service at JFK is good too. I tend to call them on the transport free phone on arrival in the arrivals hall to get directed to my driver or pickup point.

Sometimes the touts will try to con you into thinking they are there for you. Any probs point airport security their way and watch them scamper

If all else fails the taxi lines tend to move quickly and with fixed fare into Manhattan makes another sound option.... ahh so many choices.

P.S - If you are looking to avoid the tolls on the midtown tunnel, ask them to take the route via the Queensboro bridge into the city. ):