I have 8 hours at JFK New York airport. Please guide me the best way to utilize it to visit the New York city?

If you're luggage is being transfered directly to your next flight, and you only have your hand luggage with you, you can go directly to the taxi stand outside the exit ( you'll see signs or ask someone to show where they are) and wait on the short line to get one.


If you're luggage is not being transfered directly to your next flight and you have to get it from the baggage claim, then you can go and leave it at the luggage storage (operates 7am-11pm, $4-$16 per day depending on size, # (718) 751-2947 ) at the terminal 1 arrivals on the 1st floor or the other one on the 4th floor on terminal 4 arrivals (same price, operates 24hrs, #718-751-4020). If you're lost, simply ask anyone for directions.


From your flight arrival to the exit, all that will probably and hopefully take no more than an 1hr 15mins.


*Remember you're supposed to check in to your flight 4-3 hours before departure because of the long security check.





If you want to get the most out of the city in a short time, you can take one of the many double-decker tour buses. I recommend:


- Citysightsny, tour buses depart from Broadway avenue between 46th st and 47th st in Times Square, right next to Olive Garden and Hershey's chocolate shop. operarting hours 8am-10pm everyday 鈽?1-212-812-2700 (info@citysightsny.com),. They operate a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches and new double-decker buses with seating on the top deck only. I suggest you call them before you leave the airport as there are many public phones there. Find out how long the tours are. I also recommend for you to purchase tickets/book online to make the process faster. http://www.citysightsny.com/





The fastest/easiest way to get to the citysightsny bus location is to take a taxi from the taxi stand at the arrivals exit. There are signs that lead to the taxis or you can ask. The ride to Times Square will cost you no more than $50 and hope that there's no traffic and also advise the driver that you have little time. You may also take JFK Air Train to Howard Beach Station and connect to the 'A' (blue color) subway line [with destination sign saying [Inwood-207st] and take it directly to 50th st or 7th ave stop or you can take the JFK airtrain to Sutphin Blvd Station and catch the 'E' (also blue color) subway line [with destination sign saying 'world trade center'] and take it to either th 7th ave stop or the 50th st stop in manhattan. When you get out the subway, walk downtown on Broadway avenue between 46th st and 47th st to catch the blue tour buses. If you're lost on the street, ask people where Hershey's or Olive Garden is and try finding the big blue buses in that area- you can't miss them (the JFK airtrain costs $5 and the subway is $2 per ride), but i wouldn't recommend it esp if you've never been to nyc cause you may get lost and it may take twice as long as the taxi/cab.


Here's a subway map - http://subway.umka.org/maps/new-york.gif (JFK airport is on the far right in Queens borough)


* the E train has a shorter journey so i'd recommend that one.





You will have no more than three hours to tour the city.





There are yellow taxi cabs everywhere in the city. When you're ready to go back to the airport just stand on the edge of the side walk or near the road and raise your hand out forward when you see a cab as we do,and hopefully the driver will notice you and come. On the roof of the taxi, there is small rectangular sign ';medallion number'; with a bunch of numbers etc. When the light on the medallion is lit, it means the taxi is available. When it is not lit or the off-duty sign on the roof is lit, the taxi is not available.


Ask the driver to take you to the airport but first to the arrival terminal where you left your luggage. If you didn't need to claim you baggage earlier then go straight to the terminal of your flight. for example, he asks which terminal , you say american airlines or a certain which may be shown on your itinerary etc. the price will be the same as it was coming from the airport.





subway: To the Airport: Take the E Train [with destination saying Jamaica center, parsons/archer] to Sutphin Blvd station, or the A Train to Howard's Beach station and catch the JFK airtrain from those stations. If catching the A, board trains with destination signs marked with Far Rockaway via JFK Airport or Rockaway Park via JFK Airport.





You will probably be spending about $180 including taxi fare. The faster the service, the more expensive.I have 8 hours at JFK New York airport. Please guide me the best way to utilize it to visit the New York city?
You'd really have to select one sight to see. I'm guessing you're coming in on an international flight. It'll take about 45 minutes to make it all the way through customs and get your baggage (if it's not checked through). And it's possible your flight will arrive late.





Then it'll take you an hour each way to get into the city and back.





Then you have to get back to the airport two hours in advance to catch your connecting flight.





That leaves you under three hours to sightsee.