Request: JFK to Grand Central Station

I will be traveling to New Haven, CT and plan on flying in to JFK then taking the train from Grand Central to New Haven. I have never been to JFK before and wanted to know the best way to get from JFK to Grand Central Station? I am a student, and am thus on a tight budget. I know a cab would probably be the quickest but I was also told it costs about $60 one way. Is there anything cheaper that is also somewhat efficient? My plane lands at 1:51pm and I would like to be to Grand Central to catch a train at 3:30pm. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

mod edit: edited to reflect request nature of topic

Hi

You may want to research these options.

http://gonyc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=gonyc&cdn=travel&tm=82&f=11&su=p284.9.336.ip_p531.50.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http://www.nyairportservice.com/

http://www.supershuttle.com/

You only have a 1.5 hour window from landing to catching a train in midtown Manhattan? Take a cab.

If you are willing/able to take a later train, (and are okay with diverse populations and urban environments...all due respect intended and given to Jamaica) take the Airtrain to Jamaica, transfer to a Manhattan bound E train; take the E-train to 42nd Street, and transfer to the S (shuttle) train to Grand Central. The trip will cost you under $10. However, if your flight runs late, you may catch some dirty looks or have trouble squeezing onto the if you haul huge luggage onto rush hour subway cars (you did not tell us the day of week you are traveling).

Thanks for info thus far. I will be flying in this Thursday, and I didn't know what to expect as far was rush hour, delays, etc. There is a train every half hour or so, but I am hoping to catch the 3:37pm train. I looked into getting a cab, but the lady I talked to at bus/shuttle service said a cab would run approx $60 from JFK to Grand Central. I like the $15 bus idea. I researched it more and found it's an "Express Bus" that runs every 20 minutes and takes about 40min to get to GC. The lady I spoke with also said a taxi would take about 30 min, so for 10 minutes more on the bus I can't justify spending $45 more.

Sorry, I found it under the "Public Transportation" section on the JFK website:

http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-public-transportation.html

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will see "New York Airport Express Service Bus." I called the number listed and the lady I spoke with it leaves JFK every 20 min on the hour, and takes approx 40 min to get to GC. Anyone have any experience with this bus or can comment on how well it runs, if it actually runs on time, or have any other insight? Thanks in advance!

You can do it for $7.25 (or less for students) using MTA, but time might be a consideration. In ideal conditions, you can get there in an hour (mas o menos) using the AirTrain (to Jamaica) and the E train (exit Lex/53rd), then you have a 1/2 mile or so walk to Grand Central. Alternately, you can take the E train and transfer to the 7 (at 23rd/Ely in Queens) and that will take you to the front door of Grand Central, but you will still have to walk a couple of blocks for the transfer and the connection will add some time, so probably a toss-up. (I'm sure some native NY'ers might know some other options.)

An hour and a half is probably tight no matter how you go depending on how long it takes to get out of the plane/airport and what wait you have for the trains or shuttle. If there are other trains out of Grand Central for New Haven, then mass-transit is probably the cheap way.

This is the way to go. Drops you right off at Grand Central. I have used it many times.
http://www.nyairportservice.com/

jaimelobo said: You can do it for $7.25 (or less for students) using MTA, but time might be a consideration. In ideal conditions, you can get there in an hour (mas o menos) using the AirTrain (to Jamaica) and the E train (exit Lex/53rd), then you have a 1/2 mile or so walk to Grand Central. Alternately, you can take the E train and transfer to the 7 (at 23rd/Ely in Queens) and that will take you to the front door of Grand Central, but you will still have to walk a couple of blocks for the transfer and the connection will add some time, so probably a toss-up. (I'm sure some native NY'ers might know some other options.)

An hour and a half is probably tight no matter how you go depending on how long it takes to get out of the plane/airport and what wait you have for the trains or shuttle. If there are other trains out of Grand Central for New Haven, then mass-transit is probably the cheap way.

does the 6 cross the E line at Lex/53rd? If it does he can take that to Grand Central.

Take AirTrain to Jamaica Station - free.
Figure out which subway will get you to GCS.

As a local, highly recommend AirTrain to subway. Take the E train (blue symbol) to Manhattan. When you get to 51st street, you can transfer to the 6 train (green symbol) or just walk down to Grand Central (ask someone; unlike the stereotype, most will point you in the right direction). It'll probably take you an hour and half (if not longer) so suggest you plan on a later train. Total fare: $7.25 ($5 airtrain and $2.25 subway).

BTW- planes never land on-time at JFK at that hour, so between that and traffic, don't expect taking a taxi will get you on the 3:30 train either.. save your money.

EDIT- should also mention there's a lot of walking involved.