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JFK Airport Mini Guide
Why do People Visit New York?
It’s the most visited city in the US and there are plenty of reasons why. Known as the city that never sleeps, no matter what time of day or night you are on the streets, you’ll find plenty of others. New York is great at first light when the city stirs ready for the day. The air is clear and the heat of the city hasn’t built up yet. It’s a great time to visit the sights whilst the crowds are still having breakfast and catching the first boat of the day out to Liberty Island is magical. Elsewhere, in Central Park, the joggers, cyclists and horse riders are also taking advantage of the quieter lanes.
How do I get to New York?
You have three main choices, La Guardia Airport, Newark or JFK Airport. JFK is the biggest and most famous. In fact it’s the 18th busiest airport in the world. It also handles more international flights and is the main gateway to the US from Europe and Africa. Several airlines fly from the
UK to JFK including American, Delta, BA and Virgin. The airport is twelve miles from Lower Manhattan and found in the borough of Queens and there are many ways to get to Manhattan from the airport including metro, bus, taxi and hire car.
What’s the Airport Like?
The airport is massive and has eight terminals all connected by the AirTrain shuttle which also takes passengers to a stop on the New York Subway. Various works that have taken place mean that Terminal 6 is now just an extension of Terminal 5, Terminal 3 has been demolished and Terminal 4 will extend into the space created. Some terminals are very space-age including the remains of Terminal 3 which is due for replacement in four years’ time.
What can I Expect When I Arrive at JFK?
If you’re flying from Europe, your experience will be similar to that of arriving at Heathrow,
Gatwick,
Madrid,
Frankfurt or
Charles de Gaulle. You’ll disembark straight into the concourse at one of the 151 gates spread throughout the terminals. If you’re arriving from the UK, depending on your airline, it could be Terminals 2, 3, 4, 7 or 8. A walk or an AirTrain ride will take you to security and after that down into the baggage reclaim area before exiting into the arrivals hall.
The airport can be a bit daunting because of its scale so in each of the terminals there’s an information point, able and willing to assist you. Travel between the terminals and the subway stop is quick and free and signs will direct you to the boarding points. To get to the car rentals depot, you’ll need to take the AirTrain and get off at Federal Circle. If you require cash at the airport there are plenty of banks and foreign exchange offices plus many ATMs.
What About When I’m Ready to go Home?
The airport experience at JFK is outstanding. Quick depositing of baggage and collection of boarding passes means that you’ll have tons of time to spend in the shopping malls and restaurants. Over a hundred of each are spread between the terminals with everything from high fashion to sportswear, watches and jewellery to books and magazines. The restaurants cater for refined meals as well as take away and everything in between including the famous New York Pizza and New York Deli experience. Wi-Fi is available too but it is a little on the pricey side.