Saturday, November 29, 2008

Directions to KENNEDY Airport - Don't Take The Van Wyck

By Dee Cohen

Queens County, New York is home to JFK airport, originally known as Idlewild, the name changed happened in 1963 to honor President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. JFK is without a doubt one of the busiest airports worldwide.While it might be an interesting journey to drive to JFK, give serious thought to alternate transportation before making that decision.

JFK is operated by The Port Authority,under a lease that goes back almost to World War II. If you travel via airline often, at some point in time, you will probably travel through JFK. And when you do, you'll be one of over 32 million passengers, they have spent time at John Fitzgerald Kennedy Airport.

Whether or not you wish to drive to the JFK Airport is entirely up to you, however, you should sincerely consider taking a taxi or limo. at times the traffic is so severe, and the terms of soul, confusing, it's a very easy to get lost. By the same token, if you wish to save money, there are multiple ways to get to JFK 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.

1998 was the beginning of construction on The Air Train,a marvel of modern science, which was constructed with the idea of linking JFK Airport to New York to massive transit system. There were multiple construction delays, and one person who died, during its construction; but now the air train connects with the A, E, J, and Z subway lines, as well as the Long Island Rail Road.

If you're a fan of Seinfeld, there is an expression which runs through several episodes, "You took the Van Wyck? What were you thinking?" This is merely means that the Van Wyck is often congested and can cause significant delays.

If you've made the decision to drive to JFK tune in 1010 Wins Radio (AM), which gives a fairly continuous traffic updates, and allow you to make adjustments if needed. When traffic is running easily and smoothly, you can travel from the city to JFK. In approximately 30 minutes, with traffic travel time is significantly greater.

Don't believe it for Kennedy Airport at the last minute, since Rush hour in New York City, can happen all day long. No matter where in the world you travel to or from, at some point in time, you will probably pass thru, or depart from JFK. When that day arrives, use common sense when making the decision to drive, or take a cab. It may cost you more than initially to take a cab, but it could save you time and trouble, and make your trip that much more enjoyable. - 16759

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