Cab, Uber or Train from JFK to Times Square?

[infinity]

Will arrive mid afternoon on a Wednesday.

What do AFFers recommend I take and likley cost?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Anything but a cab. However, I suggest taking a train. There’s two options:
1. Regular subway takes around 1hr 20 and costs USD2.75
2. Or take the AirTrain (USD5) which connects with the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station. This option takes around 45-50 mins.

We did option two about a fortnight ago. With 3 pax it was our best option. 4 pax and Uber might start to make sense, but can you fit all your luggage?

We took a cab a couple of years back and it was around USD100 around peak hour.

 

[snabbu]

If you decide on the taxi option it's a flat rate to Manhattan of $52 plus bridge/tunnel plus $4.50 peak hour surcharge plus tip.

 

[infinity]

If you decide on the taxi option it's a flat rate to Manhattan of $52 plus bridge/tunnel plus $4.50 peak hour surcharge plus tip.

Snabbu does the flat rate to manhatten cover as far as Times Square?

 

[snabbu]

Snabbu does the flat rate to manhatten cover as far as Times Square?

Sorry yes, to any destination in Manhattan the cost is the same.

 

[infinity]

Sorry yes, to any destination in Manhattan the cost is the same.

will do the cab

 

[Deleted member]

We did cab from the airport, and decided to hire a “limo” back. It was worth it (the limo I mean).

 

[blackcat20]

Take a cab; the flat rate is hard to beat.

 

[amaroo]

decided to hire a “limo” back. It was worth it (the limo I mean).

+1

........

 

[snabbu]

Take a cab; the flat rate is hard to beat.

I disagree.
The train is by far the most economical option and quite an easy process. If traveling solo it's the best option imo however if with family and bags then yes a cab would be recommended.
$52 + tolls + $4.50 rush hour surcharge + $8-10 tip is nearly $70 compared with $2.50 - $5.00 on the train.

 

[defurax]

Uber cost me $56 all included.

 

[blackcat20]

I disagree.
The train is by far the most economical option and quite an easy process. If traveling solo it's the best option imo however if with family and bags then yes a cab would be recommended.
$52 + tolls + $4.50 rush hour surcharge + $8-10 tip is nearly $70 compared with $2.50 - $5.00 on the train.

Yes the train is cheap, but probably depends on bags etc.

 

[Himeno]

Anything but a cab. However, I suggest taking a train. There’s two options:
1. Regular subway takes around 1hr 20 and costs USD2.75
2. Or take the AirTrain (USD5) which connects with the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station. This option takes around 45-50 mins.

We did option two about a fortnight ago. With 3 pax it was our best option. 4 pax and Uber might start to make sense, but can you fit all your luggage?

We took a cab a couple of years back and it was around USD100 around peak hour.

You're forgetting that the AirTrain $5 fee is to enter/exit the AirTrain at Jamaica Station or Howard Beach. Connecting from JFK to either the LIRR (at Jamaica Station) or the subway (at either Jamaica or Howard Beach) attracts the $5 AirTrain charge.

 

[Captain Halliday]

You're forgetting that the AirTrain $5 fee is to enter/exit the AirTrain at Jamaica Station or Howard Beach. Connecting from JFK to either the LIRR (at Jamaica Station) or the subway (at either Jamaica or Howard Beach) attracts the $5 AirTrain charge.

Good point. I forgot to include it in option 1.

But if I’d known about the flat fee cab I might have done that. We arrived at 8pm and with two suitcases and Miss H being rather tired, it might have been a better option. It certainly wasn’t an option a few years ago. Another great example of what you can learn on AFF.

 

[docjames]

We always take the bus to grand central as a balance of cost v convenience.

Grand Central To/From JFK Airport

 

[theblank]

I caught a train (or bus/train) from the airport into Manhattan, and had to change trains once and we could not find the subway entrance. (no idea which airport, and which station) Was over 40 degrees and walking up and down the streets carrying luggage was frustrating after a long flight. The neighbourhood was also a little uncomfortable for a first time visitor to NYC. Once we did find it, it was indeed a little obscure.

So tip of the day, do some research how to find your way around changing trains.

 

[drron]

The flat fee for taxis has been in operation for many years.We used them regularly in the early 2000's.At that time though there were a lot of illegal taxis and they cost a lot more.You always had to go to the taxi rank not accept an offer from someone who said they had a taxi.
Now we would use one of the Limo companies.Not much dearer for the basic service but a lot nicer than a NY taxi.

 

[coriander]

We used taxis to / from JFK to Times Square last year: fixed price of US$52. Taxi wrangler at JFK makes sure you get a genuine cab. (Concierge at Hyatt on Times Square did the same.) Both cabs were spotless, drivers friendly, knowledgeable, drove safely, happy to have a yarn on the ride.

After long flight it provided a direct hassle-free trip direct to hotel door. Likewise direct to our required terminal on departure; minimal handling of our cases was a plus for us as well (Mrs C always likes to travel "heavy" (ie 2 cases each whether I need it or not <g!>) to the US).

 

[Matt_01]

I use dial7, App is easy to use and fees are similar to taxi flat rate.

 

[Milboo]

I use Dial7 too.

Have used the Shuttle in the past but in a group, doesn’t make sense as you pay per pax.