Visiting NYC during a layover

[WanderALot]

It's been a while since I've been to New York. DW, myself and my parents are going to JFK on the way to Europe. We have approximately a 11 hour layover before our red-eye. We are arriving at JFK on Saturday at 6am and leaving at 5pm. I'd like to take my parents a few sites in Manhattan so what's the easiest way to get there? I figure we would probably screw around till about 1 to allow us enough time to get back to the airport.

It looks like we can take the Airtrain+Subway from JFK to Manhattan? How hard is this to do? Do we have to worry about stoppages? We don't have to worry about carrying out luggage around NYC since it'll be checked to our final destination.

Thanks!

[MasterBlaster]

Well the Airtran is about $7 each person, each way and the subway will be maybe $2 each.

For the 4 of you the cost of $36 isn't all that much less than a $55-60 cab ride into the city (including tip and tolls). The cab fare is the same for up to 4 people.

You'll save time in a cab and will have more time to explore NYC.

[OldAgePensioner]

WanderALot,
Go to the AirTrain site, you get on AirTrain without paying but it costs $5 at the Jamiaca Station, but if you put in $7 you get $2 additional on the ticket for the subway.

The AirTrain is great couple of stops and viola, right at the subway. I take E train subway and the great thing is it stops at Lexington and 52nd or 53rd and then at 5th and then at 8th.

Reason I mention that is those last two stops are theater, Rockefeller and Times Sqaure area and it's a great popping up point.

Trouble as MasterBlaster alludes, it takes about 30 or more stops on the way in. Long time but even taxis hit traffic and especially at about 7AM when you will be exiting the airport.

Subway will be crowded. But expect the taxi to cost lots of money due to idling in traffic. $55-60 is min from my experiences.

Seems a toss up. In a taxi as MB says, at least you see NYC.

[MasterBlaster]

Cab fare from JFK to the city is fixed at $45. However you have to pay bridge tolls and a tip is expected. That's where the $55-60 comes in. Idle time in traffic is irrelevant for the airport-city trip.

Since the OP's flight is on a Saturday traffic shouldn't be too bad coming into the city. However the OP should allow a little more time going back cause the afternoon traffic will be somewhat worse but not as bad as a weekday by any means.

[MasterBlaster]

OldAgePensioner:

Is your avatar a photo of you ??

[pfpelican]

Take your own salsa.

[WanderALot]

Thanks for the help guys. I was even thinking about renting a car for the day, since Hotwire has one for just $35. But I figure that parking is going to be a big problem and/or expensive? Can we just drive it somewhere and do a park-and-ride type thing on the subway?

[brewer12345]

Don't rent a car. Huge liability unless you plan to go out of the city for the day.