Arriving into JFK

[garybatz]

In July I'll be arriving into JFK, flying in J with JAL from Tokyo. I've never entered the US at JFK, just wondering if anyone has any intel on what to expect or any tips to make the experience better. Plane is due to land at 18:30 on a Wednesday.

Thanks

 

[Hvr]

Don't plan a connection that evening.

Learn how to use the subway to get to your hotel. Or arrange a driver.

Be prepared for it to be hot.

See if you can be off the plane very quickly and move quickly toward to immigration boot/gates.

 

[justinbrett]

Really no different to entering at other airports.

I found the air train to subway transfer absolutely painful and I will never do it again.

 

[dajop]

Arriving on JAL, which is T1, Airtrain is not very convenient at the moment, as it involves catching a bus shuttle to T8, and creates a minimum of 3 modes into city bus->Airtrain-> Subway or LIRR:

Aviation

www.jfkairport.com

If opting for public transport, midtown or grand central station areas are best reached via Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) at Jamaica, easier connection from Airtrain and quicker (although more expensive) than subway. If going downtown, best to take A train from Howard Beach than going to Jamaica for Subway or LIRR.

Post automatically merged: May 15, 2023

I found the air train to subway transfer absolutely painful and I will never do it again.

Each to their own. I don't find it too bad, particularly if connecting to LIRR, it's quite easy.

 

[Lynda2475]

I found the air train to subway transfer absolutely painful and I will never do it again.

I think it depends which terminal you land in, time of day and what subway station you are headed for (not all have lifts/escalators).

Ive got air train to connect with subway from/to Howard beach to go to LES and from/to Jamaica to Midtown. Although Jamaica can be a little more confusing.

I've cleared immigration at JFK twice. First time 2019, 3 flights landed at the same time and most of the staff were on a coffee break so it took 90 mins for the 4 staff to process non-Americans (with 5 more staff materialising just as i got near front of the queue). Last year landed about 11am, was 2nd off the plane and 3rd through immigration - all up about 7 minutes from departing the plane. so YMMV.

 

[SYD]

Arriving on JAL, which is T1, Airtrain is not very convenient at the moment, as it involves catching a bus shuttle to T8, and creates a minimum of 3 modes into city bus->Airtrain-> Subway or LIRR:

Aviation

www.jfkairport.com

If opting for public transport, midtown or grand central station areas are best reached via Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) at Jamaica, easier connection from Airtrain and quicker (although more expensive) than subway. If going downtown, best to take A train from Howard Beach than going to Jamaica for Subway or LIRR.

Post automatically merged: May 15, 2023

Each to their own. I don't find it too bad, particularly if connecting to LIRR, it's quite easy.

We just did subway from and back to JFK in the last few weeks - transferring at Howard Beach AT->A->L (and reverse). Need to allow 1 1/4 hours +/- but even with two of us, the ~A$16.50 each, each way was still a hell of lot cheaper than US$100+ Uber each way.

Fortunately we weren’t time poor but the subway *isn’t* luggage friendly and changing at Broadway Junction inbound was a pain but not too bad heading back.

As mentioned above, if you’re staying along the A Line, it’s a lot easier and quicker.

 

[Lynda2475]

Noting that a Taxi form JFK to Manhattan is a fixed fare of $52 + tip (so $63 if you tip 20%); and if not peak hours can be as short as 30mins.

WRT subway, look at which station may be best to swap trains; from Howard Beach I usually change at J St metro because I can simply walk across the same platform to get onto my next train to Delancy/Essex where as changing at earlier stations means navigating stairs.

 

[snabbu]

JFK to Manhattan via taxi is flat rate $USD70 and generally better value than Uber/Lyft/etc.

 

[Lynda2475]

JFK to Manhattan via taxi is flat rate $USD70 and generally better value than Uber/Lyft/etc.

Its US$52 (US $56.50 between 4pm and 8pm); if you were charged US$70 you over paid

 

[snabbu]

It's been a flat rate for a long time, I have not used the service since pre covid. Looked at the current rate just before I posted and it seems to be $70 off peak with an additional $5 surcharge for peak.

Aviation

www.jfkairport.com

 

[Princess Fiona]

Noting that a Taxi form JFK to Manhattan is a fixed fare of $52 + tip (so $63 if you tip 20%); and if not peak hours can be as short as 30mins.

WRT subway, look at which station may be best to swap trains; from Howard Beach I usually change at J St metro because I can simply walk across the same platform to get onto my next train to Delancy/Essex where as changing at earlier stations means navigating stairs.

It’s $70 now

 

[NoName]

It was definitely more than $52 when we were there in December. Looked it up at the time and $70 sounds right.

 

[SYD]

It’s $70 now

$70++

 

[Princess Fiona]

It's been a flat rate for a long time, I have not used the service since pre covid. Looked at the current rate just before I posted and it seems to be $70 off peak with an additional $5 surcharge for peak.

Aviation

www.jfkairport.com

Can confirm the cost is $70 plus tolls, tip etc
I flew to and from JFK last month.
Taxi to Manhattan and Blade back.
The Blade was much nicer but a tad more expensive

 

[dajop]

Yes. This…

New York City Approves Taxi Fare Hike, Raising Average Fare 23%

Passengers will also pay more for Uber and Lyft rides.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Lynda2475]

Wow US$18 + tolls increase from last year, I reckon in middle of the day with no traffic would be cheaper to have them turn the meter on now.

I only paid the flat $52 last August (nothing extra for tolls) plus tip and it only took about 25 mins each way to/from LES.

 

[justinbrett]

I think it depends which terminal you land in, time of day and what subway station you are headed for (not all have lifts/escalators).

Ive got air train to connect with subway from/to Howard beach to go to LES and from/to Jamaica to Midtown. Although Jamaica can be a little more confusing.

I've cleared immigration at JFK twice. First time 2019, 3 flights landed at the same time and most of the staff were on a coffee break so it took 90 mins for the 4 staff to process non-Americans (with 5 more staff materialising just as i got near front of the queue). Last year landed about 11am, was 2nd off the plane and 3rd through immigration - all up about 7 minutes from departing the plane. so YMMV.

Jamaica is the problem (where most tourists go through).

Problem is you have to buy your ticket on exiting Jamaica, so you've got potentially hundreds of tourists lined up to use the kiosks who have no idea what they're doing, and once you finally get through, it is a fair hike with checked bags to the subway station (fine if HLO).

I landed at 5pm from LHR and I figured the traffic would be terrible, but on reflection I'd rather sit in traffic with a flat rate taxi.

I was in a very grumpy mood, and later that night I found out I had Covid - so probably didn't help.

 

[Lynda2475]

I only did Jamaica once but have done Howard Beach 5 times without issue.

 

[dajop]

Problem is you have to buy your ticket on exiting Jamaica, so you've got potentially hundreds of tourists lined up to use the kiosks who have no idea what they're doing, and once you finally get through, it is a fair hike with checked bags to the subway station (fine if HLO).

Yes, need to be (in the know) and at the front door of the airtrain and walk very fast to reach the machines . And Jamaica->subway is confusing/a decent walk vs LIRR which is very straight forward but +$10.

Typical US, the most simultaneously extremely technologically advanced (google, facebook, apple, ms) whilst extremely technologically backwards. Common sense, anyone with half a brain, would put vending machines on the platforms at the terminals for people to use whilst they're waiting for the Airtrain. Or another absolutely groundbreaking concept would be to have specific card gates that charge contactless credit cards as you exit.

 

[justinbrett]

I fly into LGA if I'm coming from Oz. Only JFK for transatlantic.

I love the new LGA.