Speeding from JFK to Penn

Q: We are scheduled to arrive at John F Kennedy Airport in New York on April 27 at 7:55 and depart from Penn Station (Amtrak) at 15:15. What is the easiest and most cost-effective way to get from JFK to the station? - Peter Martin

A: The most convenient way to travel from the airport to Penn station is by taxi. There is a flat fare of 45 US dollars per car from the airport to anywhere in Manhattan. You will also need to play any tolls (5-7 US dollars) and a tip of 15-20 percent, taking the fare to 55-60 US dollars. Make sure you use an official yellow taxi cab, which should be available from ranks outside every terminal. There is no additional charge for luggage and rates are based per car, not per passenger (up to four passengers). The cheapest way to travel into Manhattan is by AirTrain from any of the airport terminals to Jamaica station, where you would transfer to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Penn station. AirTrain tickets from JFK to Jamaica station cost five dollars per person and can be purchased at the AirTrain Metrocard vending machines. Trains leave every seven minutes and the journey takes 35 minutes. The journey between Jamaica and Penn station takes about 20 minutes. There are departures every three minutes and LIRR tickets range from 3.50 dollars over weekends to eight US dollars during peak hours. An alternative service which offers convenience at a reasonable price is to take the bus run by the New York Airport Service (NYAS). The service from JFK directly to Penn costs 15 US dollars per person, runs every 30 minutes and takes around 90 minutes (www.nyairportservice.com). Prices for air shuttle buses to the rail station start at around 17 US dollars per person in a shared van (www.goairlinkshuttle.com). (10/4/11)