7 Hour Layover at JFK, time to see anything?

**cydspal** · March 11th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Hi! I have a 7 hour layover (in at 11:30, out at 7pm international) on a Friday and want to take my kids to see something without missing our flight. Can I cab it into the city, Rock center, times square and train it back in time? Thanks for your advice!

**ablarc** · March 11th, 2007, 10:05 AM

Sure. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica and the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station (fairly fast, frequent service, schedule on-line). You'll be a short walk from the Empire State Building and one subway stop from Times Square. Get your Empire State Building tickets in advance to avoid the long line.

**cydspal** · March 11th, 2007, 10:21 AM

Thanks, so you suggest train in and out as opposed to cab in train out?

**ablarc** · March 11th, 2007, 10:36 AM

^ http://www.mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/jamaican.htm

Click on "to Penn Station (weekdays or weekends)."

Also:

http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm

http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

**lofter1** · March 11th, 2007, 10:40 AM

Lines at Empire State Building seem to be an on-going situation -- and not sure that advance tickets will save you enough of a wait to make it worth your while on your limited schedule.

You might opt for the "Top of the Rock" at Rockefeller Center -- where there is usually hardly much of a wait (if any). The views are just as spectacular as at the ESB -- and there is more room to roam about up top.

Be aware that you'll be traveling back to JFK during rush hour on a Friday afternoon -- always a crazy time in NYC and depending on the wekend when you'll be in town things can come to a standstill in midtown at that time. Public transportation is definitely the way to go rather than a cab.

**media35** · March 11th, 2007, 10:42 AM

A NY cab ride itself is an experience for the kids. I still smile when I remember my kids first NY cab ride--no seat belts, flying down the highway, horns honking, had a real character as a cabbie--they loved it! I was terrrified. I would cab it in, traffic should be lighter, then train it back.

**cydspal** · March 11th, 2007, 10:45 AM

Great stuff, thanks! Yes, at this point with kids in tow, I think our best bet is to train it out. My hope is that we are out of the airport by noon and go straight to the rock and try to squeeze in two hours or so (top deck, lunch, walk around and act like a tourist).

I guess my only real choice is which is faster: to cab it into town or airtrain up to Jamaica and transfer into town, your thoughts? At this point there does not seem to be a better choice other than the subway to get back at 4pm on Friday, right?

**Front_Porch** · March 11th, 2007, 10:48 AM

I would leave an hour-and-a-half to get from midtown to JFK via subway, each way.

It might go faster -- as fast as 45 minutes -- but it did once take me 90 that I hadn't budget for, and I missed my flight

.

**cydspal** · March 11th, 2007, 10:51 AM

How about going into town, noon on Friday, cab still the fastest way vs. Airtrain and two transfers (E,V trains)?

**media35** · March 11th, 2007, 10:53 AM

cab it direct from JFK into town--12 noon won't be great in the city--if traffic is at a standstill in midtown you can get out and walk to the Rock, and yes do the Rock instead, much quicker. Train it back--

**lofter1** · March 11th, 2007, 11:05 AM

Your luggage will already be checked in, yes? And you will have tickets with seat assignments in hand, yes?

If so then you will only have to do security clearance upon return to JFK. Leaving Manhattan @ 3 PM to be back to JFK by ~ 4 - 4:30 PM leaves you lots of time pre-flight. IMO you would be safe to get on the return train / subway @ 4PM. Even if you don't arrive at JFK until 5:30 you still have plenty of time to navigate security and be at the gate in time for boarding.

You might also call your airline for updated flight departure info before you head back to JFK -- as you could find that your available time in Manhattan will be extended.

**cydspal** · March 11th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Yes, tix and boarding passes will be in hand on the return boarding process, so I was going to set 4pm as the deadline to be on the train going back to JFK (is that V train, to E train to Jamacia, Airtrain to JFK?).

Any feedback as to one of the last replies that suggested the traffic going in might be tough mid day Friday, should I play it safe and train in and out?

**lofter1** · March 11th, 2007, 11:27 AM

That's a hard call --

Cab will cost you ~ $45 from JFK. Chances are at that time of day it will be somewhat smooth travel until you cross the East River and enter Manhattan -- that's the point where potential / probable traffic snarl will take over. Going cross town in Manhattan can take what seems forever. At that point -- should you choose to get out and walk -- you're still a good 10 minute walk from subway lines that will get you to midtown / Rock Center. Then you have to deal with getting MTA ticket and navigate subways.

Overall timewise I'd say take the train in.

**ablarc** · March 11th, 2007, 11:35 AM

Long Island Railroad, 19 to 23 minutes, Penn Station to Jamaica. Unaffected by traffic, MUCH more comfortable and faster than the subway:

http://www.mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/jamaican.htm