![VA to NYC [& More]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6_tddum-9gEyak4j7fZ-3fUyiRGtnHJw2woIM5a52ZhWKwBSjTK2JOk2qVpoa3_thFrYJa0vLCTYfrddecTV18nhdJkyZZKICx4P5LVOEalUmyW4ljKzRcjGzabENs0A5hn1cFaRD-w/s1600/NYCheader2.jpg)
Since I started this blog, I have had a few friends ask me if it would be worth it to travel to NYC before taking an international flight to avoid higher airline ticket prices, layovers, etc. Looking at travel costs, making a low-budget trip to New York to catch a flight can be a great, effective way to do it.
Saving Money:
Getting to say, London (popular European destination, wouldn't you say? I'll use this as an example...) from Virginia can be a lengthy trip, with hours of layovers and flights that seem to zig-zag across the eastern US before you even leave the country. I'll compare some flight info below, from several Virginia or close-to-Virginia airports to London, and from NYC (and New Jersey) to London. Of course, fares vary depending on dates, how soon your trip is, etc... this will just give you an idea of how much you could save. (All of these were fares for 1 person on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 found on Expedia.com.)
Virginia airports:
Richmond International Airport to London: Cheapest fare: $710, 9 1/2 hour flight with a 1 hour layover in Charlotte, NC. (10 1/2 hours)
Newport News Airport to London: Cheapest fare: $655, 12 hour flight with 1 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta. (13 1/2 hours)
Washington DC, Dulles International to London: Cheapest fare: $954, 9+ hour flight with 3 hour layover in NYC. (12 hours)
Roanoke Regional Airport to London: Cheapest fare: $673, 9 1/2 hours with 3 hour layover in Atlanta. (12 1/2 hours)
Then New York airports:
JFK International to London: Cheapest fare: $586, 6 hour 45 minute nonstop flight
LGA to London: Cheapest fare: $600, 8 1/2 hour flight with 1 hour layover in DC. (9 1/2 hours)
Newark International to London: Cheapest fare: $586, 7 hour nonstop flight.
So, for you it may or may not be cheaper or more convenient to fly out of NYC than to fly out of Virginia, but for willing people who don't mind the extra travel time to get a great fare, I can show you how you can do that.
New York City Airports:
There are three major airports in and around New York City (one of those is actually in New Jersey, but you can actually see the NYC skyline from Newark.)
John F. Kennedy Internationl airport (JFK) is probably the most commonly heard-of one. It is located in Queens, and features AirTrain, a 24-hour train that can get you to and from JFK from outlying subway stations or the Long Island Rail Road. Visit this Port Authority website to see a how-to video about making the trip, fares for the AirTrain, and other information you might be curious about. (I'll help you learn how to get there, step-by-step, in a minute...)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in Newark, New Jersey and is a little bit further away from the center of Manhattan than JFK or LGA, but can feature cheaper fares and direct, nonstop flights to many popular destinations. There are many transportation options to get to and from here, and has an AirTrain as well.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is also located in Queens, but is a domestic airport unlike the other two. This airport is a great option if you're looking to fly from the city to other locations in the US. Because people looking for this information are most likely not going to be flying out of LGA, I am not going to explain how to get there from Manhattan. If you honestly want me to do so, please email me (email found on 'About' page) and I'll gladly do it for you.
Getting there:
Getting to your airport of choice in New York City may take a few steps, but is made incredibly accessible thanks to public transportation. The first step though, of course, is to actually get to New York City. More than likely, if you're reading this, you didn't take a flight in (and won't need this information anyway;) hopefully you have found the perfect option of transportation for you to get to NYC, and you can use some of the following steps to get you to your desired airport. (If you drove to the city, your best bet is to plug the airport address into your GPS or Google Maps and park at the airport.)
If you arrived in NYC by bus: More than likely your bus dropped you off within reasonable walking distance of a subway station. Here are some drop-off locations for many popular bus systems:
-Megabus: (Quoted from the Megabus website:) "Megabus uses separate locations in New York for arrivals and departures. Departures are located on the west side of 9th Ave north of the intersection of 9th Ave and 31st St. Arrivals are located at the MTA bus shelter on the west side of 7th Avenue, just south of 28th Street." (Remember that for later, when you're trying to get home.)
-Bolt Bus: Two drop-off and pick-up locations in Manhattan for the DC route; 33 St. & 7 Ave., and Canal St. & 6 Ave.
-Washington Deluxe: Two drop-off locations as well; 278 W 34th St., and 122 Allen Street.
-Vamoose Bus: Penn Station, 7th Ave. & 30th St.
-Eastern Travel: 28 Allen St. (corner of Canal St.)
You may need to refer to my subway help and information to help you with the next steps!
To JFK:
Once you have arrived, you'll need to make your way to Penn Station (Blue line, A, C, & E trains.) The least complicated route to catch the AirTrain (which will take you to JFK) would be to hop on the E train headed towards Jamaica. This trip will cost you $2.50 one way on the subway, versus the $45 flat rate taxi fare from Manhattan to JFK. (It may also be quicker, versus the taxi in traffic.) Once you arrive at the Jamaica station you will need to buy an AirTrain ticket ($5) and catch your direct train to the airport. One plus is that AirTrain will take you all around the airport, making multiple stops at different terminals. (Total cost: $7.50. Can't beat that.)
Here is a direct quote from the Transit Authority's AirTran info website: "It takes only ten minutes to get from Jamaica or Howard Beach station to JFK’s passenger terminals. Trains arrive every seven to 10 minutes during the day, every 15 minutes between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Passengers landing at JFK can be at Penn Station in midtown Manhattan in just 35 minutes." (Using that backwards, it should only take you between 45-60 minutes to get from Penn Station to JFK.) Fairly simple.
If you arrived in NYC by train: If you arrived by train you either arrived at Penn Station or Grand Central Station. If you arrived in Penn Station, you are in the right place (follow directions above); if you arrived at Grand Central you'll need to take a different subway train and transfer to get on the right line. From GC, take the 6 train towards Lexington Ave and when you get to the 51st Street station get off and transfer to the E train towards Jamaica.
**Since I have friends who specifically asked how to get to JFK from the Megabus drop-off, I'll list those few extra directions: You will arrive on the bus and be dropped off at the corner of 7th Avenue and 28th Street. (If you use Google Street View and zoom into 28th St & 7th Ave you'll actually see a Megabus parked on the side of the street!) Walk across the street to the T-Mobile and go down into the subway that says "1 Train to Penn Station." (It may actually say "1 Uptown.") Once you're at Penn Station, transfer to the E train and follow the directions I have above for the rest! PS, this will still cost you the same amount, even though you're on the subway longer (unless you leave Penn Station for some reason before getting on the E.)
To Newark:
A lot of people think they are required to take a taxi to Newark International; this ride will set you back anywhere from $45 to $65 dollars in fare charges, a $15 surcharge, plus all tolls through tunnels. Thankfully, there is also an AirTran to get you to Newark. But unlike getting to JFK, you cannot get to Newark's AirTran by subway. Since it is outside of any NY Boroughs, you need to use a train.
From NYC: Make your way to Penn Station. You will then have two options; you can take either an Amtrak Train or the New Jersey Transit. (These trains run parallel.) Amtrak will cost you anywhere from $25 to $35 for this trip; NJ Transit will cost you $12.50 flat. (Uhm...which is the better deal?) The AirTrain transfer station is appropriately named "Newark Liberty International Airport Station." An AirTrain ticket will cost $5.50 here, and the whole trip (including your transfer and travel from Penn Station) will take about 35 to 45 minutes.
From DC: This may be a repeat, but if you're flying out of Newark and can afford train travel from DC to NYC, going all the way into the city causes you to pass right by the airport station. Get off here and save yourself from backtracking!
