JFK, NYC to Boston ?

[jtraveler]

Hi.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how can I get from JFK airport in NYC

to Boston, MA the cheapest way possible (using public transportation) ?

If you can offer specific guidelines on how to follow that route, I would

appreciate it as well.

Thanks.

[lwitchel]

The cheapest way possible is going to require you to have minimal luggage.

Take the Airtrain from JFK into NYC - easiest would be to take the line going to the E and F trains at Jamaica and take the E to 42nd Street - Port Authority Station. Our mayor, in his infinite wisdom, is proposing random searches at the entry to the subway that are not being done consistently or even at all on occasion - just to increase their effectiveness, I imagine. I am feeling much safer by the minute, really. </sarcasm> Now the Port Authority is announcing searches as well. So prepare for the possibility of being hassled.

Once at the Port Authority, take the Greyhound or Peter Pan buses to Boston. Getting into the city will cost you $7 - The Greyhound or Peter Pan bus is about $20. If you want to brave going into Chinatown I think the Fung Wah bus is half that cost. I take Peter Pan buses nowadays because they tend to be somewhat more comfortable than Greyhounds'. I've not done the Chinatown buses.

Here's a link for info on the bus to Boston:

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/urban/guides/n.../bustickets.htm

or

http://www.greyhound.com/scripts/TicketCen...ter/esavers.asp

And the Airtrain.

http://www.airtrainjfk.com/airtrain/from_jfk.html

[jtraveler]

Hi lwitchel,

Thank you for your reply.

Why is the requirement for minimal luggage ? is this because some (a lot?)

walking is involved ?

I will probably have 1 suitcase and 1 handbag (laptop), I hope that's

not too much.

This will be my first time ever in the usa so I'm not really familiar with the

landmarks that you have mentioned.

Thank you for the links you have provided, they seem very informative,

however, I would like to make sure I understand a few of the specifics

so, if you can comment on the following points I'd appreciate it.

In regards to the airtran link:

"If you take the subway, you may purchase a single Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard

with at least $7 in value to pay both the $2 subway fare and the $5 AirTrain fee."

1. Is the MetroCard the only 'currency' I can use on either the subway and/or the

AirTrain ?

2. Will the mentioned $7 (just like you have in your post) be enough regardless

of the time of day (rush hour or not) ?

3. Is Penn station and Port authority station the same thing (at the same place) ?

4. How do I know when the E subway has reached the Port authority station ?

is there an electronic sign or any indicator to this ? (I don't want to miss it).

Two last questions please.

1. I see from the greyhound link that I need to choose the time of departure for

the bus, and not just the date. Do you know if I happen to miss the departure

time I bought my ticket for, Can I just go on the next bus or will I have to

purchase a brand new ticket ?

2. To try and avoid the problem in the previous question, could you possibly

give a rough estimate on how much time it will take me to get from JFK

(once I'm off the plane and past immigration) until I reach the bus terminal

in the port authority station ? (assuming this is my first time in the usa :) )

Again,

Thanks for everything !

Bye.

[lwitchel]

Why is the requirement for minimal luggage ? is this because some (a lot?)

walking is involved ?

Yes, and also staircases. Also you are on public transit where a large amount of luggage will be particularly unwieldy at crowded times.

In regards to the airtran link:

"If you take the subway, you may purchase a single Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard

with at least $7 in value to pay both the $2 subway fare and the $5 AirTrain fee."

1. Is the MetroCard the only 'currency' I can use on either the subway and/or the

AirTrain ?

Yes. You buy the card with cash or credit card at machines after taking the Airtrain but before transferring to the subway.

2. Will the mentioned $7 (just like you have in your post) be enough regardless

of the time of day (rush hour or not) ?

There is no difference.

3. Is Penn station and Port authority station the same thing (at the same place) ?

No.

4. How do I know when the E subway has reached the Port authority station ?

is there an electronic sign or any indicator to this ? (I don't want to miss it).

There are signs or you ask a fellow rider. It is about a 30-40 minute journey and it will take some attention on your part to make sure you are at the correct stop.

Two last questions please.

1. I see from the greyhound link that I need to choose the time of departure for

the bus, and not just the date. Do you know if I happen to miss the departure

time I bought my ticket for, Can I just go on the next bus or will I have to

purchase a brand new ticket ?

I have no idea. Contact Greyhound.

2. To try and avoid the problem in the previous question, could you possibly

give a rough estimate on how much time it will take me to get from JFK

(once I'm off the plane and past immigration) until I reach the bus terminal

in the port authority station ? (assuming this is my first time in the usa :) )

Leave yourself three to four hours from getting off the plane. From leaving the terminal after clearing customs and getting your luggage, leave two and a half hours. This is a high estimate that allows for errors on the way. If I am going to JFK from Manhattan via this method I leave three hours before the flight at non-rush times. On a normal day the trip takes 75 minutes.

Again,

Thanks for everything !

Bye.

[AaronJB]

You can use Priceline or Hotwire to book a cheap flight or rental car from JFK to Boston. You could also take Amtrak from Penn Station in NYC to Boston. You could also take Greyhound.

[thenewbie]

You can use Priceline or Hotwire to book a cheap flight or rental car from JFK to Boston. You could also take Amtrak from Penn Station in NYC to Boston. You could also take Greyhound.

email: [email protected]

They were looking for the cheapest way to go from NYC to Boston. Amtrak would cost over $60 one way and airfare would be over $100.

New York to Boston on Greyhound is $18 one way as a Big Apple special

http://www.greyhound.com/scripts/TicketCen...vers.asp?rp=ppb

[blindman]

I did the reverse journey last month using China bus

I wanted to use the Greyhound\Peter Pan as they were slightly cheaper and dropped off at the Port Auhtority.

However I couldn't book the ticket over the 'net using a Non -USA credit card.

The Fung wah bus was on-time and I was allowed to get an earlier bus than my ticket as I turned up about 1hr before I was due to go.

It also leaves\arrives in Boston at the SOuth Statiion where you can catch a train or metro.

The Air train is a doddle to catch and cost $5 to either Jamacia or Howard beach metros station.

Airtrain.

'Single 'metro rides are $2.00 regardless of distance.

Metro stations have elevators for disbaled use or people with luggage.

Be aware though that sometimes they are out of order and stairs may be the only option.