Sitting on 4,930 acres in Queens County, New York, JFK, originally
known as Idlewild Airport (changed in 1963 to honor the slain
president) is among the busiest airports in the world. If you're a New
Yorker you already know that driving to and from John F. Kennedy
International Airport (JFK) can certainly provide some memorable
moments, however those are moments that most of us might trade for a
leisurely cab, town car or limo ride.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is operated by the The
Port, under a lease with the City of New York since 1947 and the old
expression that says, "All roads lead to Rome", can certainly be
applied to JFK. It's easy to find, but dealing with the traffic
servicing over 32 million passengers a year (2003 statistic) can be a
nightmare.
For my money (and to avoid frustration) I'd pay the cab fare or take a
town car services if I was in a real crunch . These guys may be rough
around the edges, but they know their way around the airport, which
can be confusing to navigate depending on which airline terminal you
need. But to save money there are also the options of buses as well as
designated airtrains connected via railroads or subways. There are
convenient ways from Grand Central or Kennedy to the airport.
JFK TERMINALS
-Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and more - Terminal 1 -
Delta - Terminals 2 and 3 -Continental Airlines - Terminal 4 -JetBlue
Airways - Terminal 6 -British Airways - Terminal 7 -United Airlines -
Terminal 7 -American Airlines - international flights - Terminal 8 -
American Airlines - domestic flights - Terminal 9
While driving directions to JFK airport will depend on which part of
the city or state you're starting from, Long Islanders on the south
end of LI would use the Southern State Parkway, If you come from
eastern Long Island, take the Belt Parkway West to Exit 20-JFK
Expressway. From Upstate NY, take the thruway South to the Major
Deegan Expressway. After that take the Cross Bronx E to I-678 S to the
Van Wyck S right into the airport. If you're from south of the city,
take the New Jersey Turnpike to exit 13. When you get to Staten Island
via the Goethals Bridge, take I-278 to the Verazano bridge. Take the
exit for the Belt Pkwy E and at exit 19 head to NY 878. This leads to
JFK Airprot. Once you arrive at JFK, moving between terminals is
actually rather fun (in a cattle car sort of way) and using the Air
Train you can travel from terminal 8 to terminal 1 (an excruciating
walk) in about 10 minutes.
The Air Train, which began construction in 1998, was built with the
idea of linking John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), to the
New York mass transit system. And while there have been construction
delays (and the death of an employee during testing) the air train
connects with the A, E, J, and Z subway lines, as well as the Long
Island Rail Road.
IMPORTANT SEINFIELD REFERENCE: When something makes an episode of
Seinfeld, it's probably worth remembering. The running joke was, "You
took the Van Wyck? What were you thinking?" And that is certainly good
advice, if you can avoid the Van Wyck, or seek public transportation
(the Air Train run silently above), it would be in your best interest
to do so.
If you do decide to drive be sure to check 1010 Wins Radio (AM) for
traffic updates and allow ample time in your schedule for delays. If
the traffic gods are smiling it's possible to reach JFK in about
thirty minutes, however if those same gods turn angry, you're looking
at two hours or more.
Driving directions to Kennedy Airport need to be properly timed. Don't
think because it's not rush hour, you won't hit traffic. It's likely
that at some point in time, no matter where in the world you
originate, you'll find yourself either travelling through, or
departing from JFK. When that happen, and if do make the decision to
drive, whatever you do try to remember the jokes about the Van Wyck if
you need to take it to arrive at the airport.
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