airtrain

hi guys - just looking for some advice - arriving at lunchtime on jan7th into jfk - was looking at taking the airtrain and then subway to our hotel on W52nd and Broadway - just how difficult is it - the subway maps look so confusing - used the underground in london and the metro in london with ease but it looks quite taxing - help!!!

airtrain

The AirTrain trip is very easy. When you arrive at Jamaica Station there will be signs to guide you in the direction of the Subway Platform. The platform will also be marked, Manhattan (right) and Queens (left). You want the Manhattan side, obviously.

Fear not, even if you get on the wrong train, it only goes one stop further into Queens before turning around and heading back to Manhattan, there is no way to screw it up.

airtrain

Oh..and get off the train when you reach 50th st station.

This option is really only good if you don%26#39;t have too much luggage as you will have to haul it up and down stairs. If that%26#39;s ok, take the AirTrain to the E train subway stop. Take the E train and get out either at 7 Avenue /53 Street or the next stop, 50 Street /8 Avenue, not sure which would be closer.

yes we will only have a backpack each so luggage isn%26#39;t a problem Why do you new yorkers make everything sound so simple!!!!

it looks like we will use thisoption - do we buy tickets at the airport?

No.. you buy the tickets after the train ride is over in Jamaica via vending machine.

You may see a few first timers on the platform at JFK looking confused cause there is no place to buy tickets, even I thought it was a little weird the first time.

Also make sure the signboard says ';Jamaica Station'; before you get on the train. (Above the doors)

now i am confused!! we were planning on taking the airtrain to howard beach and then geting the subway from howard beach to 50th - is this another option??

Yes Jamaica is much quicker. You will enter Manhattan in midtown, and it%26#39;s fewer stops in Queens.

It%26#39;s the same track, so its not confusing at all.

i was just checking my subway map and yes it does look a lot quicker - how long can i expect the trip to take - thanks you have been a huge help

AirTrain is crazy fast, you will be at Jamaica in about 10 minutes then from Jamaica to 50th st is about 25 minutes.

Depending on the transfer time, I would say it should take roughly an hour for the entire trip.