V-Flyer

We arrive in JFK on new Years Day around midday. Does anyone have any advice on the best way to get downtown. We have taken cabs in the past but I have been looking at the sky train into Times Square.

Any advice would be appreciated,

Steve

The last two times I’ve been to NYC, we just hopped in a yellow taxi from JFK as the fares are fixed, but it’s been 6 years since I was last there.

One thing I did notice is that LIRR and the Subway run to a Sunday/weekend schedule on New Year’s Day, so don’t expect frequencies to be as good as they would be normally.

The Airtrain + subway E line from Jamaica is by far the quickest and cheapest way to get into Manhattan.

I always use this option. It’s takes under an hour and costs < $15 per person each way. It’s reasonably easy even with luggage. The airtrain is the most expensive bit but if you are lucky you sometimes you end up not having to pay for that if the station is crowded as staff often open all the barriers to the reduce crowds.

NYC local and VS Au flyer here.

You'll have no problems at all. NYC is very multi cultural, and its basically open 24/7/365. Your vacation days are not the same as other ethnicities/ religions/ beliefs.

As others say: Yellow cab is fine/ best if you are with heavy bags or more people, or unsure where you are going.
Fixed flat fee, plus any tolls (midtown tunnel?) and a tip. 20% is standard everywhere. You can pay by credit card. Do not take offers from unlicensed drivers hanging around the arrivals gate. Uber/ Lyft fine tho. Think around $90-ish total with everything.

Air Train is pretty good, goes in two directions:

1) AirTrain North to Jamaica, where you change to either E subway train, or an overground train into Penn station.
E subway switch is a little bit of a schlepp down long stairs, out of station, along the street 50 yards, then into subway. Overground train is in the upper station and faster.
2) AirTrain South to Howard Beach, then the A express subway train from there, to Manhattan. This is a much easier switch to subway, just down an escalator, tho' A trains are a little less frequent.

I use the Option (2) subway/ AirTrain all the time, even flying Upper, as its so reliable, no traffic delays.
(plus it takes me to my local stop) Only when with Family plus lots of luggage do we take a car service.

AirTrain is a little more expensive than regular subway, (separate tickets) but right now is half price or even free, as they are rebuilding and don't want people driving to the airport. They are pleading with people to use the train, hence the discount/ freebie. Not sure how long that will last, but you know... contractors over-run is pretty normal!

Good luck.

Another factor in what mode to take is whereabouts the hotel is in relation to Subway stations and how many changes you have to make.

Thinking back to my last trip, although we got a yellow cab from JFK, we stayed only 3 blocks from Penn station, so if we stayed in that hotel or vicinity of Penn again I’d be tempted to not bother with a taxi if we’ve not got much on us.

Thanks for all your replies, really useful advice. We are going to give the train and subway a go! The last time we took a cab from JFK it took us nearly 1.5 hrs to get into Manhattan, it was painful just sat in a cab in traffic. Will post about our experience when we return in January.

Thanks again,

Steve

If you're staying somewhere central, I'd recommend the Air Train to Jamaica and then the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central - really easy, lifts between platforms, cheap and quick too. Loads of room on the train for bags and it was quiet when I took it. I think the fare was about $5

(echos all of the above)
Last time we were Lower East Side (LES as they say) so we just got the Airtrain to Jamaica then J train.

If we're in Midtown, we get the Long Island RR from Jamaica to Grand Central.

If we're lower Manhatten then Airtrain to Howard Beach then A train.

One thing I recommend is watch a YouTube video on how to buy tickets for the Airtrain. They're a different thing from the unlimited ticket for the Metro.

Just to add the obvious caveat that it depends on the time of day you are arriving.

If you are on a late night arrival flight, then either a cab or go to Jamaica, and take the overground train to Manhattan. The Howard Beach A trains are too spaced out at 11.30 pm!

Immigration can also be a thorough pita, but unpredictable. If you can get expedited Global Entry type fast track service, then do. Maybe not worth it for a once a year visit, but on my last entry (May) the hall was completely full, with people held/ backed way up in the corridors. Looked like 2+ hours, whereas my Global Entry was done and through in 2 minutes. But... that was the worst I've seen it, so ymmv.

Bon Voyage!