Getting to the airport on time for a flight from Manhattan is a perennial conundrum for Big Apple visitors.
Gridlock can wreak havoc on taxi rides, the subway can be too confusing, helicopters are (obviously) fast, but getting to the helipad in time can be tricky, and then there’s the Long Island Rail Road. Which is an absolute mystery to many.
Recognizing the anxiety a Manhattan airport transfer trip can cause, the travel experts at The Points Guy decided to find out which mode of transportation would be best for a quick return out of town for departing flyers.
The result is a mesmerizing four-way race from Times Square to the new JFK Terminal 8 – used by American Airlines and British Airways – between a yellow cab, the subway, the Long Island Rail Road and a helicopter.
Here we offer a sneak peek of the game’s footage and the four racers’ thoughts on the ups and downs of their journey.
In an intriguing video, The Points Guy performs a four-way race between a yellow cab, the subway, the Long Island Rail Road and a helicopter from Times Square to the new Terminal 8 at JFK. The racers are above (left to right): Melanie Lieberman, Tanner Saunders, Liam Spencer, Nicky Kelvin and Madison Blancaflor
Getting to the airport on time for a flight from Manhattan is a perennial mystery for Big Apple visitors
NYC SUBWAY
Senior Hotels Editor Melanie Lieberman took the subway to JFK. She paid $2.75 (£2.23) for a one-way trip to Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue, where she boarded the AirTrain, which cost $8.25 (£6.68). So the total was $11 (£8.91).
She told MailOnline Travel there were several ‘oops’: ‘You can’t beat the price. Period of time. If you’re on a budget, the subway is the cheapest way to get to the airport. You’re also never far from a subway station, which means it’s pretty convenient for most people in the city to hop on a train and transfer to the AirTrain.
“Plus, during rush hour, even when there’s a lot of traffic, you won’t be bothered by traffic – even if the trains are late, they’re almost always faster than those stuck in traffic.”
Taking the subway to JFK, Melanie Lieberman (above) – Senior Hotel Editor
And the setbacks? Melanie said, “Well, if you’re not careful, you might find yourself on the wrong subway platform for a while. Oops!’
Additionally, she said navigating the subway, with its multiple platforms, stairs and crowds with luggage, “can be extremely difficult” unless you use accessible stations.
Melanie also noted that you need to have your Metrocard pre-loaded to pay for the AirTrain – you can’t use an unlimited monthly pass or tap-and-go. “Otherwise you have to plan extra time for the ticket purchase,” she said.
TAXI
In the famous NYC Yellow Cab were Madison Blancaflor, Global Features Editor, and Liam Spencer
Liam and Madison paid $98.16 (£79.48) through taxi company Curb
In the booth were Madison Blancaflor, Global Features Editor, and Liam Spencer. They paid $98.16 (£79.48).
Like Steve Martin’s character Neal Page in the classic 1980s film Planes, Trains and Automobiles, they had trouble securing one of NYC’s famous yellow cabs, but once they hit the road, everything went smoothly.
On the plus side, they said, the taxi is “incredibly convenient, especially if you have luggage” and “no extra step involved.” They emphasized, “Once you get a taxi, you will be dropped off in front of your terminal.” They also said, “You’re on your own timeline because you don’t have to arrive at a train or subway station at a specific time, wait for trains, or make multiple stops along the way.”
Convenience is also a factor. They added: “You’re alone in a taxi instead of being crammed into a train, giving you room to spread out and get comfortable on your ride.”
And the cons?
For one, the price. They said: “We ended up paying almost $100. It’s definitely a more expensive way to get to the airport than public transport or the train.” And traffic in New York tends to throw a wrench in the works. The couple added: “Sometimes you can have a good time because the roads are clear. But roadworks, an accident or just a busy day can cause significant delays .’
THE LONG ISLAND RAILWAY
Editor-in-Chief Tanner Saunders described his trip along the Long Island Railroad as “quick and easy.”
Senior Editor Tanner Saunders rode the Long Island Rail Road, which was only $5 (£4) for a train to Jamaica and then $8.25 (£6.68) for the AirTrain. So the total was $13.25 (£10.73).
Convenience and comfort were two big pluses here.
Tanner told MailOnline Travel, “It was very convenient, quick and easy to catch a direct train from Grand Central.
“The brand new Grand Central Madison Terminal is impeccably clean and beautiful.
“Although the route was new and would inevitably be busy, I was able to find a seat on an almost empty train that was clean, comfortable and spacious, especially compared to the subway. Traveling with luggage, taking the LIRR is a great experience.”
The cons? He said: “Although the new Grand Central Madison Terminal is beautiful, it can be difficult to find and involves taking several escalators.
“Transferring from the Long Island Rail Road in Jamaica is never a fun experience because of the crowds, and then there’s the fact that the AirTrain either requires you to have a Metro Card pre-loaded with cash, or you have to stand in line to get one.” buy.
“And after getting off the AirTrain, travelers have to walk quite a distance to get to the airport terminal.”
HELICOPTER
Nicky Kelvin, head of The Points Guy UK, was the lucky employee who got a helicopter flight
Above: Nicky’s spectacular view of Manhattan as he sped to JFK Airport
The helicopter was run by a company called Blade and cost $295 (£238).
Nicky Kelvin, head of The Points Guy UK, was the lucky employee who got a helicopter flight. It was run by a company called Blade and cost $295 (£238), including a $100 (£80) ground transfer.
Nicky said: “Speed was the name of the game here. Since the helicopter flight only lasts five minutes, it’s hard to beat.
Additionally, the Blade Lounge was very comfortable with complimentary refreshments and flying over Manhattan in a helicopter was an incredible experience in itself with views of the city and JFK airport. Nice if you love airplanes like me.”
And disadvantages of this exotic transfer?
Nicky said: “If you are far from the helipads in Manhattan, the time it takes to get to the departure point will eat into your time savings. It wasn’t a problem from Times Square, but maybe if you were coming from much further and the traffic was bad.
“Additionally, the experience is much more expensive than the other methods, although a taxi in peak times can cost almost as much, if not more.”
And it’s clear, Nicky notes, that it’s not necessarily a top option for nervous flyers.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
