Washington DC and New York airports choice (USA)

Hallvard Tangeraas:
| So, how do I get from one of the central locations in NY to JFK?
| I think I might be staying at one of the Chelsea hostels in Manhattan
| if they have rooms available. ... What I don't like however is if
| I have to change trains/buses a million times when I haven't been
| there before and I'll be afraid to miss something or not find the
| buses/trains.

"Pan":
You'll have to make at least one change, at the airport train to the
subway station. Then depending where you go in Manhattan you might
need to make changes again. You'll be on the A train from JFK to
the city and that takes you to the West side, up 8th Ave.

Pan is describing the reverse route, of course. Coming from Manhattan,
you might need to change trains to get *onto* the A train for the main
trip.

Going from the city to the airport is a bit trickier because, unlike
most New York subway routes, the A train has multiple branches -- so,
some A trains don't go to the airport. Specifically, if the train
says it's going to Lefferts Blvd., don't take it. Any "Rockaway"
destination is okay.

At the airport end, you get off at Howard Beach - JFK Airport station
and the AirTrain takes you to the airport for $5 (which is more than
twice what you paid for the subway ride).

There is another option besides the subway. Go to Pennsylvania ("Penn")
Station, on 7th Avenue at 34th Street (you can also enter from 8th Av.),
and buy a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) suburban train ticket to Jamaica
station. This costs a bit more than the subway, but nothing unreasonable,
maybe around $5. Jamaica station is on multiple routes and you shouldn't
have to wait more than a few minutes for a train. The journey will be
faster than by subway. The AirTrain also serves Jamaica, so you can get
the airport easily from there.

There is also an express bus from Manhattan to JFK for $9; its Manhattan
stops are near Penn Station, Grand Central, and the Port Authority bus
terminal. See http://www.sky-guides.com/jfk_airport.html for details.
Of course, delays due to traffic are possible.
--
Mark Brader | scanf() is even more complicated and usually does
Toronto | something almost but not completely unlike what
| you want. -- Chris Torek (after Douglas Adams)

My text in this article is in the public domain.