NY Penn to JFK ~ Subway or LIRR?

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user 6862

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At the end of March we'll travel from NYP to JFK at about 7:30 - 8:00pm. We used the subway around New York City last year and found that easy to use and interesting. This year we are travelling with a moderate amount of baggage directly from NYP to JFK.

Do we use the subway which we know takes longer but are familiar with or the LIRR which is faster but may also have an advantage and be interesting in a different way to the subway?

Any opinions?

Thanks

ps: Any recommendations for an early evening meal before we are off to the airport within say a 10 minutes walk of Penn Station?
 
If you have more luggage than your last trip, I would use the LIRR since those trains have luggage racks.

Avoid using the LIRR during weekday rush hours as those trains will be packed to the gills, and make sure you can move and stow your luggage on your own.

Ken
 
Last year we had more luggage but were given a ride to the airport, this year an aircraft cabin sized case and a soft bag each. We are fairly nimble so carrying our own bags isn't usually a problem.

What time does rush hour tend to end midweek?

Thank you both
 
There are elevators to the platforms at NYP for the LIRR if you have larger luggage, but they are not always easy to find. Buy your tickets ahead of time (off peak based on OP) have metro card for air train fare of $5 or buy combined lirr + metrocard
 
Last month when going from JFK to NYP to WIL, I just had Moe's at the station.
 
We'll be coming off the Crescent and riding coach from NOL, so thought we'd look for a proper meal as won't get too much on the plane after taking off around 11:30 pm. Any good Thai restaurants not too far from NYP?

So is it possible to buy a combined LIRR and Air Train ticket?

Whoops, the wrong section of the forum, sorry.

Is the LIRR between Penn and JFK underground or overground?
 
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LIRR from NYP to Jamaica is below ground in Manhattan, above ground shortly after it crosses into Queens. Airtrain from Jamaica to JFK is abive ground. They used to sell a combo LIRR ticket and Metrocard include the Airtrain fare I think they still do but am not 100% sure.
 
Thank you PVD and everybody, we'll give the LIRR a try from the recommendations here. Have taken a look at the LIRR section of the NY Transit website and only see Peak and Off Peak fares to Jamaica. The site does say hang on to your ticket if you are using the Air Train but doesn't specifically say the ticket includes using the Air Train, the exact wording is slightly vague.

Where would I post to get a recommendation for somewhere to eat near to Penn Station, no longer sure which section to post on.
 
Just be advised that if you're leaving NYP on a weekday (non-holiday) that PM peak fares on the LIRR are in effect between 4 and 8 PM. If the train to Jamaica is scheduled to leave after 8 PM then the fare is off-peak. The MTA now has an app that you can at least purchase the LIRR ticket on, called MTA etix (ios and Android) though you'd still need to get the metrocard seprately either at Penn or Jamaica. Alternatively you can buy the combined train ticket/Airtrain JFK fare from a green (color not to be confused with environmentally friendly) ticket machine at Penn Station.

You can take any LIRR train leaving Penn Station to Jamaica EXCEPT a Port Washington train..

tvmairtrain.jpg


My order of preference would be LIRR > E train to Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica > A train to Howard Beach
 
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That's all good information tp49. As we arrive at NYP around lunch time can we buy an off peak combined ticket earlier in the day or are they only issued during the period of off peak? If we buy a combined ticket do we still need a metrocard first?

Thanks
 
I believe off peak is any train leaving NYP after 8pm weekdays

If it is a Saturday or Sunday, you can get "city ticket" which is cheaper. Certain machines (green ones), and the windows can sell the $5 Airtrain fare metrocard.
 
That's all good information tp49. As we arrive at NYP around lunch time can we buy an off peak combined ticket earlier in the day or are they only issued during the period of off peak? If we buy a combined ticket do we still need a metrocard first?

Thanks
As long as the window is open or the machine is working you can buy the ticket whenever you like. Just remember, as I said in my post for the fare to be off-peak the train has to leave Penn Station at 8:01 PM or later (peak only applies during the weekday rush hour period.) The last time I did this when I bought the combined ticket from a machine the metrocard was printed on the back of the ticket.
 
To chime in regarding food - NY Pizza Suprema (8th Av/31st St, across the street from Penn Station) is a good place to get New York-style pizza if you want something less than a full three-course meal.
 
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Thanks both New York Penns, all noted. Re a pizza, it may depend if we get off the Crescent really hungry or not
 
Hi, There is a Sbarro italian food place just opposite Penn Station. Pizza and pasta fast food. If you go downstairs, you can watch the metro trains in Penn station through the basement windows. :D

I took the metro to Jamaica, it was simple. There was some kerfuffle at Jamaica buying airtrain tickets. Maybe a "small change" issue, can't quite remember.

Ed
 
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NY Pizza Suprema is pretty good. You may wish to check on line, if the Knicks or Rangers are playing at the Garden the night you come in, places in the neighborhood can be crowded. There are lots of places in the area of every type.
 
On the weekends you can get the special city zone fare for like 4.00 on the LIRR or MNCR within NYC. (Jamaica is within NYC) It can be a bit pricey during rush hours if you are traveling with a group... last time I did it at 8 am I think it was like 8.00 one way Jamaica to NYP.

I would avoid the Queens Blvd subway because it is either really overcrowded, or takes forever even for the express train, not to mention you get seats and luggage racks on the railroad.
 
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Oh and download the MTA official LIRR app for your phone because you can buy and display your ticket right on your phone. Also it gives real-time arrival feeds.
 
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