Transport from JFK......First timer please help!

Hi, from the UK and visiting the US for the first time!

Me and my girlfriend are arriving at JFK Airport from Orlando (flying with Delta) at 4:20pm if on time! Staying at Southgate Tower and have tickets for a pre season Knicks game that starts at 7:30pm. Will we make it and what is the quickest way to get to our hotel?? How likey is it that our plane will be on time?

Thanks very much in advance from a big Knicks fan

Transport from JFK......First timer please help!

I would definitely take the AirTrain connection to the Long Island Railroad which will put you at Penn Station, just a few blocks from your hotel assuming you can you walk a few blocks with your luggage. (Actually, MSG where the game takes place is above the train station.)

At that hour road traffic will be awful. The AirTrain also connects to the subway and that%26#39;s a cheaper option but not nearly as fast or comfortable. The AirTrain/LIRR combo will cost about $12/person.

I can%26#39;t predict liklihood of your plane arriving on time but there here%26#39;s a report that can give you historic info.

airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/atcr05.htm

It%26#39;s a report you have to download. I read through the first bit and it appears that about 50% of Delta%26#39;s flights into JFK arrive late and about 50% of All flights coming into JFK at that hour of the day arrive late. By how much is another issue you%26#39;ll have pursue.

I would say you%26#39;ll make the game, just or maybe miss the first few minutes. ;) Have fun.

Transport from JFK......First timer please help!

Will it be quicker to get the AirTrain than a taxi or a pre booked car?

IF so how do l go about getting the AirTrain, is it simple???

Thanks very much, realllllllly want to try and make the game and we have to check in at our hotel before too!

www.panynj.gov/airtrain/from_jfk.html

Google is your friend!

Sorry for being a pain! Will the train take me to Penn Station or do we have to change and get on another train/subway??

Would it be a mistake to get a taxi at that time?

Cheers again.

I don%26#39;t know that it would be a ';mistake'; but given the location of your hotel, the AirTrain/LIRR seems a no brainer. If you were staying elsewhere (not near Penn Station) it would be a harder call. But there are signs everywhere for the AirTrain. You get on and take the one to Sutphin Blvd. The AirTrain has 2 different lines, you want the one that goes to the E train/LIRR stop at Sutphin Blvd in Jamaica. Here%26#39;s a subway map which shows the connection.

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

There you will change for the LIRR and go straight into Penn Station. Penn Station runs a city block from 33 - 34 st. and from 7th ave to 8th ave. Your hotel is on 31 st %26amp; 7th ave. so if you get out of Penn station in the right place (33 st %26amp; 7th ave.) you only have 2 short blocks to walk.

Listen to whiz. If you go here http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/jamaican.htm and click ';To Penn Station'; you%26#39;ll find the schedule (fairly frequent at the time you are travelling) and how long the ride takes (15-20 minutes). Jamaica is a LIRR hub so there are quite a few different train lines that you can take into Manhattan. Buy your ticket ahead of time or else you%26#39;ll pay a penalty by buying it on the train.

Also, if you find yourself short on time, don%26#39;t do a full check in. Tell them that you have to be somewhere at 7.30 and just drop off your bags. I think though barring a bad airplane delay, you will have plenty of time even if you take a cab, I think you will be fine.

Thanks very much everyone......

please let mw know how you get on, i am staying at the same hotel in october and was struggling about which way to get to the hotel, by the way the name has changedto affinmia manhattan hotel.