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JFK Kennedy Airport is the home to many carriers and it has excellent transportation in and out, if you know where to look.
JFK Kennedy has made many changes in the last few years. The AIRTRAIN is one of the most notable. This has helped getting around and to and from the airport easier and faster in many ways.
JFK Airport is in a basic circular shape. If you look at it more closely it seems to be shaped somewhat like a turtle. It is designed with 9 terminals at different points on its circumference. Inside the circle area are parking lots and roads to different terminals and to airport exits. This inner ring also has transportation options like taxis, limos, buses, shared shuttles to hotels, the new AirTrain, and rides to rental car stations. Most of these are available at the arrivals area of each JFK Kennedy airport terminal.
Each Airline at Kennedy airport has its own counter. The major airlines are easily found and may cover a considerable area of a terminal, while small carriers have just a few counters for service. More and more have automated machines that make the process very fast for everyone at JFK.
I have been in the terminals when they are packed with people and have long lines for check in. I've found that, at these times, most airlines have representatives working the lines at JFK to be sure late arrivals get through the process faster for earlier leaving flights.
Throughout JFK Kennedy airport's terminals are signs marked "Arrivals and Departures" showing the status of flights defined by carrier, flight numbers and destinations. These are constantly updated and are a good source of current information.
At all terminals, in the arrivals area near the baggage claim, you can find a Transportation Information Counter. This is where anyone can ask about info about taxis, limos, buses, Air Train, shuttles to hotels, inter-terminal transportation, transport to LaGuardia and Newark airports, and even get phone numbers for non-scheduled helicopter transportation.
You'll also find car rental services or a courtesy phone just outside the baggage area. The rentals are actually off JFK Kennedy airport grounds but the businesses provide courtesy rides to the offices from the terminal. You can also use the AirTrain for getting to the rental car area.
Once again you can get information at the transportation desk, however arrangement are usually made for a limo before hand. When the airport speaks of limo service, it doesn't necessarily mean stretch cars. Most are vans that can carry a large number of people and their luggage. You can arrange for luxury limos too.
If you do use a limo service, shop the price if you have time. You usually can ask for the number of the service and get a discounted price on your return trip. They negotiate prices based on destination and amount of passengers in the party. We get a limo for about $99.00 for our family of eight traveling to Manhattan from JFK Kennedy airport.
Be sure to get phone numbers before pick up time. You don't want to miss a flight or be late to a meeting. These guys are not always on time due to traffic.
JFK International Airport is very large and extremely busy transportation hub. Getting to and from it and around in it is not difficult at all.
Taxis are lined up outside all the terminals. NYC taxis are yellow and have a medallion shield attached to the front hood and the same number on top of the taxi. These are the only cabs you should get into unless you have pre arrange for a car service pick or limousine.
During peak hours there is a uniformed taxi dispatcher outside the arrivals area. You can ask them about fares and they will get you into the proper cabs.
There is a flat fee to your first stop in Manhattan. The charge is $45.00 plus tolls. That is a $5.00 fee at the moment. I don't believe this is a very high price. You can do better if there are more of you, up to a total of four. The price is for the ride and not per passenger. There is no extra charge for luggage or use of the taxi's trunk area. If four of you and baggage can fit in the cab, the total charge comes out to about $10.00 per person. Please remember to tip for good service. $6-8 would be fine.
There are pick up points just outside each terminal's arrival area. Fares to Manhattan are $13.00 per person. They have different points of destination. Two examples are Grand Central Station and the Port Authority Building. Taxi and bus service depart from these points if you need further transport help once you arrive in Manhattan.
Both taxis and buses are susceptible to traffic problems. At the same time, especially for you first time NYC visitors, they give you the opportunity to see the city as you arrive. If you are impatient then you can always take the train system. Taxis are a bit faster than buses getting around.
There are bus routes that can take you to the other airports of LaGuardia and Newark too. This is an charge as of now.
Remember, you can get a lot of information and schedules at the transportation desk at the terminal.
Posted by New York's Own
