Getting from JFK to Washington

13 replies

aeries

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 18 Mar 2018

Total posts 21

Hi all,


Picking the brains trust here. I land at JFK at 9am (QR703) in August 14th, but my overall destination is Washington. I need to get there on the same day, in either the most convenient or most cost-effective way. Ideally I would avoid moving from JFK as I am not familiar with New York. I also will have around 40~kg of luggage with me.

What are my best options to getting there?

I'm currently tossing up between flying Delta from JFK to DCA direct, or catching a bus to LaGuardia to take an AA flight since im oneworld loyal. Are there any timely alternatives that I'm not aware of that are easy for me to transfer to from JFK?

Thanks in advance for your help!

(Also, can anyone confirm the baggage policy for OW Emerald passengers on AA flights? Specifically, their discount economy tickets don't include baggage but since I'm OWE will I be allowed 2x23kg? I emailed AA support a month ago but haven't gotten a reply...)

djtech

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Sep 2018

Total posts 375

Well flying would be one of the more costly options but would be the fastest if you were at the airport anyways. Otherwise, you could consider the acela train but that means you'd have to get into central new york.


If you are reluctant on moving from JFK, I don't see a better option than flying (if cost is no object).

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 737

The airport bus to connect with AA at La Guardia would be the easiest as you have all day to do it and you are still on one world. Otherwise just get a separate flight ex JFK. The train might be too much with that amount of luggage.

BigD

Member since 08 Nov 2018

Total posts 3

Taxi to Penn station, fixed fare jfk to Manhattan. Train from Penn station to Washington- very central near capitol building. No dramas nice ride with excellent scenery.

Himeno

Member since 12 Dec 2012

Total posts 295

No need to deal with taxis to Penn Station. You can get the JFK Airtrain to Jamaica Station, then LLRR to Penn Station and onto Amtrack to DC.

John Phelan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 262

No need to deal with taxis to Penn Station. You can get the JFK Airtrain to Jamaica Station, then LLRR to Penn Station and onto Amtrack to DC.

Not the easiest of things as a solo traveler with 40kg of luggage!!

MuzzH

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 22 Dec 2015

Total posts 27

I concur with those comments above, a flight to DCA (Reagan National Airport) is the easiest and most convenient. DCA is about 10 minutes in a taxi from downtown Washington DC - don't fly into Dulles as it is miles away. The challenge you have is that American Airlines doesn't fly direct from JFK to DCA, so the journey turns into a 5hr+ challenge. As I can see it you have two flight choices:


1. If you want to stay loyal to OneWorld - get a taxi or Uber to La Guardia and get the American flight to DCA.

2. Forgo the OneWorld points and catch the (direct) Delta flight from JFK to DCA - the challenge might be the amount (weight) of bags you have - although with an economy fare ~US$176 and not having the cost of the taxi and hassle of changing airports, this might work out 'cheaper' in the end.

Happy flying!

Muzz

nix584

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 10 Jan 2012

Total posts 108

Hire a car at JFK and drive? Might work out the cheapest and quickest option.

aeries

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 18 Mar 2018

Total posts 21

Thanks for your responses! Driving not really an option since I'm still on my Ps lol

I'm thinking of flying mainly because of the convenience, spending an extra $50-100 to offset five hours of train or bus is worth it for me.
Fares for my flight are $220 with AA (basic economy), or Delta at $180~ without luggage... So I'm guessing AA is the go for now.
Does anyone have advice on how long it would take from JFK to LGA? More specifically, how is immigration in JFK during the morning?

Thanks in advance again for your replies :)

barecub

QF

Member since 27 Jul 2016

Total posts 21

Immigration can be hit/miss at any major port; a lot depends on how many other flights arrive at the same time, and from where.
If you are first time on your current ESTA there is (at least in my experience) a separate queue, and often it's way shorter/faster.
If it's not your first time on your current ESTA the machines are easy to use, and the process (again, in my experience) is reasonably fast, but that too depends on how many flights are arriving at the same time, number of pax, origin etc etc.

Re getting to LGA from JFK, a quick google suggests NYC Airporter as an option.

Last editedby Chris C. at Jul 08, 2019, 05:43 AM.

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 737

The bus time would be under an hour but don’t book flights on that advice. You might fly delta and pay for luggage; worth checking out but don’t fly to Dulles far to far away.

aeries

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 18 Mar 2018

Total posts 21

The bus time would be under an hour but don’t book flights on that advice. You might fly delta and pay for luggage; worth checking out but don’t fly to Dulles far to far away.

Yep, I did some initial research and found a bus connecting JFK and LGA, so that would be the plan. Since I'm probably going to use QF points as there is availability, I can always see if I can fly ahead. Looking at Delta I'm either buying a domestic first ticket or copping $70USD for both bags, which is a considerable stretch that I could save flying AA. There were alternatives like flying to Baltimore but getting from Baltimore to the convention centre would be a nightmare.


At this moment in time I'm thinking of taking a 1PM from LGA, four hours from JFK to LGA should be sufficient time unless I've been told otherwise.

Mikana

UA

Member since 09 Mar 2016

Total posts 9

Will you do US immigration at JFK? Look, personally, I would never tote 40 kilos of luggage from JFK to LGA. Even without bags, that trip is hard work with more hard work negotiating LGA and its constant delays and cancelations. The easiest way is to hop a DCA flight from JFK unless you’re actually heading for NOVa, then IAD. The alternatives are a pain the ass.

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

Literally just stepped off a JFK-DCA flight this afternoon, and would suggest this is indeed the most convenient way of travelling between the two cities, particularly as you're already at JFK, and as DCA is the closest airport to Washington DC. Only thing is the checked baggage allowance, although I believe if you're flying Delta 'first class' you get a couple of bags included, and on my flight, the Delta app was offering upgrades to first class for around US$91 (which may or may not be cheaper than purchasing baggage, depending on quantity and weight).

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