Help needed with New York stopover!

[Ghall]

We are heading to Disneyworld in July. We are flying from Dublin to New York and spending 4 days there before flying on to Disneyworld for 3 weeks. Can anyone advise me the best way to get from JFK airport to Manhattan. There will be 5 of us with alot of luggage so I don't think we can take a taxi cab. I looked on the internet and see Supershuttle offer a van service but the reviews don't look great. Has anyone every used a shuttle/Limo service? Which one would you recommend? I would appreicate any help.

 

[Monorail Lime]

Considered the subway? $2.50 per person is the best deal in town. Luggage on the train is no problem as long as it isn't rush hour.

You can grab the "A" train to Manhattan at the Howard Beach station on the JFK Airtrain line.

 

[Victoria]

I would suggest the subway route mentioned above or consider Airlink NYC. Obviously Airlink is going to be more expensive, but it will probably be the easiest and fastest for you since you aren't familiar with the NYC public transit system.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Agree with the subway as well. Depending on where in the city you are going, you're route will change a little. Best bet though it to take the Airtrain from the terminal and then transfer to the E train. That will take you through queens and ultimately into Manahattan (stop in times square and is faster than the A train to get to midtown from JFK). Once you are on that train you can transfer between them to get where you need to go. The subway is only 2.50 and the airtrain in 5.00.

 

[Ghall]

Thanks for the suggestions. We didn't really want to take the subway as we will just have got off an 8 hour flight from Dublin and will be in the wrong time zone (5 hours ahead). We are traveling with 3 kids, lots of luggage and this will be our 2nd visit to New York, last time was 15 years ago. We don't know the subway at all. I will look at Airlink NYC. Are they the best shuttle service? Thanks again for all your help.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Having lived in NYC for 15 years I would NEVER recommend a tourist or first time visitor to Manhattan use the subway system from JFK. That's fine for city dwellers, not fine for first time visitors with luggage and children.

Use Super Shuttle. Actually, with the group of 5, you can reserve your own shuttle without anyone else on it except your family, and it will be more economical as well, since they charge per person (about 18 dollars or so last time I used it).

I use Super Shuttle everywhere is is available from the airports to the hotel. I have never had a problem with them. They have a website and you just go on, reserve, pay and go. When you arrive at the airport, you check in at the trainsportation desk after customs, and they will dispatch the next available van to you while you wait. It takes 10 -20 minutes from checkin to departure.

You also have the option of taking the Airporter bus service, which stops outside all of the terminals at JFK and goes to Grand Central and the Port Authority Bus Terminal-- but you also pay PER PERSON for the bus, and then have to make your way from those stations to your hotel -- that still makes the Super Shuttle your cheapest option.

Forget the subway. It involves a connection from the airport to the train, then the trip into town with more and more people cramming on at each stop into NYC, and then another transfer or bus or taxi to your ultimate location once you arrive in NYC. Again, great for NYC residents that know exactly where they are going. Not good for visitors.

 

[Tiggerish]

Hi, Grainne!! I would pick you up myself, but doubt that I'd be able to transport all the luggage. :ROFLOL:

I did once manage four grown women who were on a shopping tour, so when I picked them up, they'd only one large bag each (with an empty one inside it, of course). In my family, I am known as the JFK shuttle service. I hate the thought of anyone arriving in a strange land and not being met by a friendly face.

I could look into renting a van...:lookaroun

 

[Tiggerish]

Meant to post this in a different thread, Sorry!

 

[wdwmagic]

I would not do the subway, especially as your are tourists with a lot of luggage. I would go with a towncar service, but I can't help recommend one.