From JFK to W 79th Street with the Airtrain

Hi everybody,

I have searched the forum about transfer from JFk but I still have a question. Looking at the subway mta map I think I have two options to go from JFK to W79:

- Airtrain to Jamaica, transfer to E line at sutphin blvd, transfer at 42ST to the 1 line

- Airtrain to Howard Beach, transfer to A line, tranfer at Colombus circle to the 1 line

The first option seems to be somewhat shorter but the walking distance at 42ST station is one whole block (from 8th to 7th avenue) and we will have some luggage.

So wich one do you consider best ?

Thanks for the input!

From JFK to W 79th Street with the Airtrain

Neither. ;) To go to the UWS, I%26#39;d take the Airport Express bus to Port Authority and either take the subway or bus from there to 79th st. or take a cab. The Airtrain with subway etc. is just too much trouble after a long flight. You%26#39;ll have to walk up and down stairs with luggage etc. The bus is $15/person and bus or subway from PA is another $2/person or a taxi will be about $10.

http://www.nyairportservice.com/

A taxi door to door will be about $60.

From JFK to W 79th Street with the Airtrain

I guess I should add, if you want to take the train, I%26#39;d do the AirTrain to Jamaica, then LIRR to Penn station and subway or taxi from there. The transfer to LIRR doesn%26#39;t require stairs and it%26#39;s a more comfortable train and often faster.

I dont have a subway map in front of me, but couldnt one transfer from the E to the C or D at 50th and take the C or D up Central Park West?

depending where on W79th

the LIRR is definitely shorter than the E train (20 minutes compared with about 40), but the OP can avoid Penn Station and backtracking uptown by taking the subway....

My own choice would be to take the LIRR to Penn Station, and then take the 2 or 3 express to 72nd Street -- change there for the #1 to go one more stop. This is the quickest way of all.

If parsimony impels you to go subway all the way, I would take the A to Broadway/Nassau (ride in the back) and change there for the 2 or 3 (the stop on the 2 or 3 is the same stop, but is called ';Fulton Street';.) Mind you, that option has a LOT of stairs to climb!

Wow! thanks for the quick answers.

There is the possibility of changing from E to C at 50th Street, I didn%26#39;t see it before. It still leaves us with a good walk to 76th/Broadway (our destination).

I have checked the web site for the express bus and they mention a 1 hour and 40 minutes travel time from JFK to port Authority. We will arrive on a saturday afternoon so maybe the trip could serve as a sightseeing tour...

The Airtrain/LIRR solution seems quicker and easyer but now I have to say that we will be two adults and a 10 year old (tall one, will not qualifiy for a free run) so I am wondering if we may just take the cab door to door...

Thanks again for the information!