Transfer times JFK - Penn station

[jukebox333]

I'm booked on an Emirates flight arriving into JFK at 2:15pm on a weekday.

Can any AFF'ers with experience tell me how much time I need to allow to pass through customs and immigration, and then take a private transfer over to Penn Station?

I want to book an onward train journey that afternoon, but do not want to risk short changing myself with the connection time.

Thanks!

 

[Pollywaffle]

Can any AFF'ers with experience tell me how much time I need to allow to pass through customs and immigration, and then take a private transfer over to Penn Station?

Hard to say. The least amount of time I've spent is 30mins. My worst, 2 hours - ugh!

Is there any reason why you want a private transfer? You can get the Airtrain to Jamaica and then hop on the LIRR which takes you directly to Penn Station in a shorter time than a private transfer would.

 

[jukebox333]

Hard to say. The least amount of time I've spent is 30mins. My worst, 2 hours - ugh!

Is there any reason why you want a private transfer? You can get the Airtrain to Jamaica and then hop on the LIRR which takes you directly to Penn Station in a shorter time than a private transfer would.

The reason? 5 pax, including 3 kids 6->13. They're actually really good travellers, but when you've been on a plane for 25 hours, there are some things that are a good investment. Avoiding NYC public transport is one of them, and there's too many of us for one taxi.

(I'm up to speed with Manhattan - but in the past have always arrived via Newark, and have not experienced the post-9/11 joys of entering the USA, hence the JFK question)

 

[Pollywaffle]

Fair enough. You can still catch a cab, though. They do have the equivalent of maxi-taxis at the airport as well. Same as here, just ask the person controlling the taxi line.

To be on the safe side, I would estimate an hour for the cab ride. Again, this does not help with the immigration/customs question.