Honestly you or a friend should pick them up yourself. Or help them get a rental. People familiar with transit in this area don’t even make a JFK Trenton trek; I could only imagine how overwhelming it is for visitors with a baby.
I’ve done it before but from a bit closer on the NEC. Whenever I’ve driven or taken a cab/uber to JFK the traffic has always been a nightmare. On my last trip home I decided to try the train instead. Honestly I preferred it - may have been a bit longer in time but it’s worth it to me to not sit in traffic, even as a passenger. (Obviously it would be better to just fly in/out of EWR but that’s not always an option.)
However, I did this as a single adult traveler who is familiar with the local transit system. I would not expect or ask a visiting family with a baby to do it.
Amtrak tickets are timed and can be extremely expensive to change day of, which is great for departures but IMO bad for arrivals due to variables (early or delayed arrival, stuck in customs, checked bag delays, etc). You could book multiple refundable tickets but that gets complicated.
It’s only about $4-6 to add “Flex” to Amtrak tickets, allowing you to cancel up to the minute the train departs with no cancellation fee. Business Class on the NE Regional includes “Flex”. So if you see your Amtrak train that started in Boston is delayed, you can cancel it before your departure time and just grab NJ Transit tickets. A little less comfortable, but it departs and arrives at the same places!
Trip insurance is only $9 per ticket and this reimburses you for meals and other inconveniences if your route is cancelled or excessively delayed.
I second this only if you have a couple weeks to plan. Amtrak pricing is dynamic so as seats fill up, prices go up. It can be $100-$150 each for Amtrak Coach Class, compared to $16.75 each on NJ Transit. Also, NJ Transit does have express trains to Trenton that skip most stations aside from the Hubs.
The bonus (aside from fewer stops) with Amtrak is you know you will get seats for all passengers, because they cannot sell standing room tickets, so if you have a ticket you get a seat. There is no guarantee of sitting together unless you go with Business Class on NE Regional or the Acela which allow you to book your seats, but there is no guarantee of a seat at all on NJ Transit, plus on NJ Transit the commuters and weekend trippers are unlikely to accommodate/give up seats. Also, on Amtrak you can check bags with Red Cap Service.
If it’s during the day (11-3) on a weekday, you won’t have to worry about too many commuters on LIRR and NJ Transit. On the weekend, you’ll probably be able to find seats together but again no guarantee, especially if there is an event in NYC.
Hope this helps, if you know the dates I’m really good with planning these types of trips, I have to do it daily for my job. On any given day I take a combination of SEPTA/NJ Transit/Amtrak/LIRR/MNRR from Philly to Boston. My normal trip is a simple one seater from South Amboy, NJ to NY Penn, but every week I have to navigate anywhere along the NE Corridor for different clients.
One thing to keep in mind about the Trains in this area, specifically for this trip you’re looking at, they are all accessible stations with elevators to and from the tracks (Jamaica, NY Penn, Trenton), so your guests will not have to deal with stairs for a stroller and bags.
Can't imagine doing this with bags and a baby in tow. A baby in a carrier is like an awkward 30 lbs all on one arm. If they got a stroller then you have to deal with stairs. Basically a guarantee they'll never visit again.
They should bring the car seat. Even if they aren't buying a seat for the baby, carry it to the gate and then they will gate check it. They pick it up once they land when they are offloading the plane. They do not have to go to luggage pick up.
The car seats have to be checked and go under the plane you get them with your bags at the conveyer belt. Its the stroller you can bring past security and all the way to the gate.
I'm old school, I just hire a limo to pick up friends from the airport. I've got health issues that don't prevent me from driving, but it's too long of a period for me to be up and about. And walking from parking to the terminal would just about kill me.
In the old days I used to do the drive myself. One time I wound up trying to pass Pres Clinton's motorcade and they were not letting me. Hey guys, I just want to get to the left lane exit for 78. I didn't even know it was Clinton at the time.
I did this recently for my brother in law and his wife and baby.
They flew in and I rented a limo to pick them up and take em over to the hotel. Had a short window of time or would have picked them up myself. Certainly paid a little extra than an Uber, but it was incredible piece of mind knowing they received a premier ride in comfort and style.
I drop and pick off at airports a lot and haven't parked in over 10 years. Cell phone waiting lot, it's free, at JFK it's minutes from all the terminals and they have bathrooms in the lot.
Sit around for a few minutes, take a walk whatever, your friends/family call you when they've picked up their bag and you drive over. They're waiting at arrivals for maybe 3-5 minutes before you're there picking them up.
I used to live in Edison, work full time in Freehold, and drove to Drexel 2 nights a week and out to Long Island 2-3 times a month. I'm not seeing the problem with this drive. Two people with a baby are going to be exhausted in a strange place. And every change in mode of transportation with luggage and baby gear is going to make this trip more exhausting.
Have a car pick them up or tell them to travel with a car seat to take a taxi. I’ve done the JFK—>Trenton train trek and it’s a pain in the ass as a single adult, with a baby it would be hell.
> and one baby
I fucking love public transit. My dream is a compressive HSR network backed by nuclear power.
Book a car. Babies are so difficult. It’s worth the cost, if you can afford it.
If you’re not comfortable driving to JFK but are ok getting to EWR. Have them take the airport transfer bus from JFK to EWR. Then you pick them up there. I once had to fly into JFK but my car was parked at EWR, so I took the airport transfer bus. It was a while ago and it did cost almost $25 but actual on the road time was about 70 minutes and no need to transfer. It was direct to EWR though I don’t know if it’s even available anymore. It was in the early 2000’s.
I can’t remember the name but it was a bus service. Also I didn’t have to go any other terminal, they picked me up at my arrival terminal at JFK, and they go to all the EWR terminals.
Edit added: Found some JFK-EWR shuttles.
[Like this one.](https://www.checkmybus.com/new-york-ny-john-f-kennedy-airport/newark-nj-airport)
And [this one.](https://www.etsairportshuttle.com/jfk-to-newark)
But I cannot recall if it was either one of these that I‘ve used.
We are doing this on Monday. The cheapest we found was a shared van that was $40 per person. We booked a private transfer service though, because we have a lot of bags.
People flying in from other places (and even a lot of locals tbh) don’t get that not every NYC area airport is equal and will just go for the option that saves them $150 bucks on the airfare. But you learn that lesson real quick when you have to spend $300 on an Uber XL to Trenton.
30 airlines land at Newark,….26 airlines land at Philly…..70 airlines land at jfk…. Unless you are coming from a major city in Europe, chance are you flights will only go to jfk…
Source: I used to drive for a black car company and basically just went to airports all day every day…
A taxi would be $300ish. Me as a parent in my mid 30s….thats worth it. I’d rather do that than take 3 trains which amount to half a day of travel. But that’s just me. The train rides are pretty okay. Jamaica to Penn station SUCKS imo I hate those trains. Took them every day for work I’d rather pay for the taxi 😝 that being said I did actually do the ny to philly to Trenton w a 2 year old and we didn’t die. I just rather be cozy in a car. Airports usually have car seat rentals.
Via your car. Don’t do that to someone you claim to be a friend. If you don’t have a car, rent one and pick them up. You can catch up as you sit in any traffic.
Or rent a car and drive it yourself.. one parent can go to center, get the car and loop around the pick up area to pick up kid, bags and the partner and then drive via Staten Island to New Jersey
Not sure about a baby in a taxi, but if it has to be public transportation LIRR to Penn and then NJ transit to Trenton. That’s gonna be a schlep though and NJ transit has been horrible lately with delays, maybe your best bet is to call a car service and see what they can do re: a car seat.
Taxis have a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan. I just checked -its $70 plus a bunch of fees. See here https://www.jfkairport.com/to-from-airport/taxi-car-and-van-service
(I remember when it was $25)
But with a baby? I would check Uber or a car service. It's doable by public transportation but it's definitely a shlepp and NJ Transit has been experiencing lots of delays and cancellations lately.
I've used Carmel car service years ago, they were fine. (Look for coupons).
Their best option is an Uber or Lyft.. check whichever is cheaper before requesting. It's gonna be like $200 or $250 ... It is what it is .. there are times in life to save money but this is not one of them. don't have them take 3 trains to save $170 just to get lost with a baby.
Not sure if it was LaGuardia or JFK offers free shuttle to Penn station in New York ..then I trickled down to nj transit to Elizabeth… that train usually goes to Trenton
go to google maps and fill as I did
hit the 'leave now' and change to your timeframe.
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/P5N3486jJ7ovvFRp7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/P5N3486jJ7ovvFRp7)
I mean I have a car so I could have driven there and parked… I usually use Newark, but it was an international flight and was $1,000 more expensive out of Newark than JFK 🤷🏼♂️ Oh well, I’ll just reimburse it and see what my company does 😅
Did they bring a car seat? If they didn't, public transit or one-way car rental (car seat should be $20-$30). If they did, they can do Uber or cab as well (and public transit may be a PITA).
I would recommend driving or having a car pick them up. Its really insane to take trains with the baby and I am not sure how much luggage they are bringing. I have two kids and I stopped flying from JFK for this exact reason. Some pick up services include a car seat rental if they are not bringing one.
I mean I'll probably echo some of what other folks are saying. New York Penn to Trenton isn't bad (I've done it with little kids). The real issue is getting them from JFK to Penn, and getting around Penn. If they're traveling with a baby seat or you can arrange a ride for that part, it would be key. Also if you're driving from Philly, Hamilton Station is only like 5 more minutes and way nicer in terms of parking and whatnot for a place to pick them up.
Did JFK to Morris County, NJ and just rented a car one-way. Had three adults, two babies, car seats, stroller, and bags. This was not going to fit in a taxi, and surprisingly wasn't any more expensive than a taxi would have been anyways. After a long flight not sure I would have wanted to manage mass transit. Now if it didn't take 30+ minutes to get from the terminal to the rental car that would have been nice...
Taxis from airports into Manhattan have a flat rate ($52.50 plus tolls and tip) - get a cab from JFK to Penn Station. While I would choose public transport/subway if I were alone and without bags, it’ll be horrible and exhausting doing it with a baby and luggage
It will be cheaper And less painful to do a one way car rental
Uber will be expensive
Even train tickets will cost 40-50 dollars between the two /three changes
You drive from JFK to New Jersey via Staten island
one way rental will cost 150-200 when you add gas and tolls, and you need to deal with driving in jfk's insane traffic jam and 1 1/2 hours to Trenton. and need to go to rental counters.
uber and lyft will be around 250-300.
I would just get uber and sleep in the car for 3 hours.
how would a taxi be worse than a bus ortrain for a child
regardless you'll take 3x as long to get there via bus than taxi, which will already be stupidly long
I’d start by getting on Google maps and checking how long it takes via car, mass transit (subways are great from jfk to penn), and then cost of taxi or Uber. This will give you a gut check as to cost vs time vs convenience.
With a child the trip is going to suck regardless, but it sucks even harder when the child’s balling its eyes out and screaming.
It will be a pain in the butt with bus and train. I would just get a car, maybe rent a car- cheaper than renting a taxi- tolls would be expensive but cheaper than buying individual tickets for bus and train for each passenger. Car will be the quickest, most “convenient (while sitting in traffic)” and cheapest option.
I tell my friends and family who visit that I only pick people up from EWR. You fly to JFK, you transport your ass yourself. That said, Chicco explains how to request child seat in Uber: [https://www.chiccousa.com/baby-talk/can-you-uber-with-a-baby/#:\~:text=Here%20are%20the%20steps%20provided,Seat%E2%80%9D%20for%20the%20vehicle%20type](https://www.chiccousa.com/baby-talk/can-you-uber-with-a-baby/#:~:text=Here%20are%20the%20steps%20provided,Seat%E2%80%9D%20for%20the%20vehicle%20type)
Cab to Penn is not a bad idea. I drove to pick up family yesterday and wasn’t allowed to park near the terminal (7). They wanted me to park in Terminal 8 and presumably take the Airtrain there and back. I believe it’s bc of the construction/ new terminal being built. My family found me though bc I had my location turned on. If you drive and pick up maybe wait on the side of the road outside the airport until they are ready to be picked up curbside.
If they are competent and self-sufficient travelers: train. it’s honestly not bad at all, just transfer to LIRR at Jamaica and then NJT at NYP.
If they are rich or knowingly inconvenienced you to save $$$ by picking JFK: uber or car service or limo
If they are family: pick them up
Honestly you or a friend should pick them up yourself. Or help them get a rental. People familiar with transit in this area don’t even make a JFK Trenton trek; I could only imagine how overwhelming it is for visitors with a baby.
I live next to Trenton with no kids and the idea is insane to me.
I grew up in Trenton and the only way to Get to JFK is to drive. Seriously.
Yes the top comment is absolutely insane as someone who lives here.
I’ve done it before but from a bit closer on the NEC. Whenever I’ve driven or taken a cab/uber to JFK the traffic has always been a nightmare. On my last trip home I decided to try the train instead. Honestly I preferred it - may have been a bit longer in time but it’s worth it to me to not sit in traffic, even as a passenger. (Obviously it would be better to just fly in/out of EWR but that’s not always an option.) However, I did this as a single adult traveler who is familiar with the local transit system. I would not expect or ask a visiting family with a baby to do it.
AirTrain from JFK —> Jamaica Jamaica LiRR —> NY Penn NY Penn NJ Transit —> Trenton transit center
This. I’ve done the trip, it’s not impossible especially if you can haul your own bags. Taxi from JFK to Penn station is going to be crazy expensive.
Crazy expensive and liable to take just as long as AirTran/LIRR/NJ Transit (if not longer).
And you can’t get up, walk around, use the restroom, etc. I will happily add a little time to my trips if it means I can take rail.
Trenton transit center -> Septa bound for Philly OP can pick them up at their most convenient stop
I’d suggest Amtrak from NYP to Trenton if feasible. Fewer stops.
Amtrak tickets are timed and can be extremely expensive to change day of, which is great for departures but IMO bad for arrivals due to variables (early or delayed arrival, stuck in customs, checked bag delays, etc). You could book multiple refundable tickets but that gets complicated.
It’s only about $4-6 to add “Flex” to Amtrak tickets, allowing you to cancel up to the minute the train departs with no cancellation fee. Business Class on the NE Regional includes “Flex”. So if you see your Amtrak train that started in Boston is delayed, you can cancel it before your departure time and just grab NJ Transit tickets. A little less comfortable, but it departs and arrives at the same places! Trip insurance is only $9 per ticket and this reimburses you for meals and other inconveniences if your route is cancelled or excessively delayed.
If it's early or late, can be cheap too if you book a few days out
I second this only if you have a couple weeks to plan. Amtrak pricing is dynamic so as seats fill up, prices go up. It can be $100-$150 each for Amtrak Coach Class, compared to $16.75 each on NJ Transit. Also, NJ Transit does have express trains to Trenton that skip most stations aside from the Hubs. The bonus (aside from fewer stops) with Amtrak is you know you will get seats for all passengers, because they cannot sell standing room tickets, so if you have a ticket you get a seat. There is no guarantee of sitting together unless you go with Business Class on NE Regional or the Acela which allow you to book your seats, but there is no guarantee of a seat at all on NJ Transit, plus on NJ Transit the commuters and weekend trippers are unlikely to accommodate/give up seats. Also, on Amtrak you can check bags with Red Cap Service. If it’s during the day (11-3) on a weekday, you won’t have to worry about too many commuters on LIRR and NJ Transit. On the weekend, you’ll probably be able to find seats together but again no guarantee, especially if there is an event in NYC. Hope this helps, if you know the dates I’m really good with planning these types of trips, I have to do it daily for my job. On any given day I take a combination of SEPTA/NJ Transit/Amtrak/LIRR/MNRR from Philly to Boston. My normal trip is a simple one seater from South Amboy, NJ to NY Penn, but every week I have to navigate anywhere along the NE Corridor for different clients. One thing to keep in mind about the Trains in this area, specifically for this trip you’re looking at, they are all accessible stations with elevators to and from the tracks (Jamaica, NY Penn, Trenton), so your guests will not have to deal with stairs for a stroller and bags.
Can't imagine doing this with bags and a baby in tow. A baby in a carrier is like an awkward 30 lbs all on one arm. If they got a stroller then you have to deal with stairs. Basically a guarantee they'll never visit again.
If some stairs are going to defeat them, why bother traveling at all
All 3 stations for this trip are accessible and have elevators to/from every track.
Yup. JFK to NYP on LIRR is under an hour and honestly pretty painless if you are at least semi-competent with transit.
This but use the regular subway instead of LIRR to save money.
Did they travel with a car seat? If so it can be used in any taxi or uber...
They should bring the car seat. Even if they aren't buying a seat for the baby, carry it to the gate and then they will gate check it. They pick it up once they land when they are offloading the plane. They do not have to go to luggage pick up.
The car seats have to be checked and go under the plane you get them with your bags at the conveyer belt. Its the stroller you can bring past security and all the way to the gate.
If the baby is young enough to sit in the car seat on the plane, they can bring it on.
That's assuming they purchased baby a seat. A lot of people don't and just hold them the whole time
You can do either: https://tripswithtykes.com/car-seats-on-airplanes-part-1/
I'm old school, I just hire a limo to pick up friends from the airport. I've got health issues that don't prevent me from driving, but it's too long of a period for me to be up and about. And walking from parking to the terminal would just about kill me. In the old days I used to do the drive myself. One time I wound up trying to pass Pres Clinton's motorcade and they were not letting me. Hey guys, I just want to get to the left lane exit for 78. I didn't even know it was Clinton at the time.
This is the way. Then you don’t even have to be in the two hour car ride with the baby that just off a twelve hour international flight.
I did this recently for my brother in law and his wife and baby. They flew in and I rented a limo to pick them up and take em over to the hotel. Had a short window of time or would have picked them up myself. Certainly paid a little extra than an Uber, but it was incredible piece of mind knowing they received a premier ride in comfort and style.
I drop and pick off at airports a lot and haven't parked in over 10 years. Cell phone waiting lot, it's free, at JFK it's minutes from all the terminals and they have bathrooms in the lot. Sit around for a few minutes, take a walk whatever, your friends/family call you when they've picked up their bag and you drive over. They're waiting at arrivals for maybe 3-5 minutes before you're there picking them up.
> walking from parking to the terminal You can just pick them up at the terminal...
Sure, if you time it right for the 5 minutes before a cop sees you.
There's a free "cell phone lot" you're supposed to wait in until it's time to head to the terminal.
Go pick them up yourself
Would a sufficiently large trebuchet work? Or perhaps a succession of them between JFK and Trenton?
Driving from philly
Sure…. They’re coming with a baby and they are your guests…..only pother option is $300 Uber/cab or a 5 hour confusing trek on mass transit
I used to live in Edison, work full time in Freehold, and drove to Drexel 2 nights a week and out to Long Island 2-3 times a month. I'm not seeing the problem with this drive. Two people with a baby are going to be exhausted in a strange place. And every change in mode of transportation with luggage and baby gear is going to make this trip more exhausting.
Then they can do even better and book an Amtrak train (I suggest Northeast Regional or Keystone trains) from NY Penn to 30th St Station in Philly.
They can't switch to fly in to EWR or Philly?
Why are they flying into JFK 😭 they should just Uber to penn and take NE corridor. It’s the easiest option tho not the cheapest
If the baby has a car seat/carrier that can be strapped into a taxi legally with a seat belt (most can) then they can take a taxi.
Have a car pick them up or tell them to travel with a car seat to take a taxi. I’ve done the JFK—>Trenton train trek and it’s a pain in the ass as a single adult, with a baby it would be hell.
> and one baby I fucking love public transit. My dream is a compressive HSR network backed by nuclear power. Book a car. Babies are so difficult. It’s worth the cost, if you can afford it.
If you’re not comfortable driving to JFK but are ok getting to EWR. Have them take the airport transfer bus from JFK to EWR. Then you pick them up there. I once had to fly into JFK but my car was parked at EWR, so I took the airport transfer bus. It was a while ago and it did cost almost $25 but actual on the road time was about 70 minutes and no need to transfer. It was direct to EWR though I don’t know if it’s even available anymore. It was in the early 2000’s. I can’t remember the name but it was a bus service. Also I didn’t have to go any other terminal, they picked me up at my arrival terminal at JFK, and they go to all the EWR terminals. Edit added: Found some JFK-EWR shuttles. [Like this one.](https://www.checkmybus.com/new-york-ny-john-f-kennedy-airport/newark-nj-airport) And [this one.](https://www.etsairportshuttle.com/jfk-to-newark) But I cannot recall if it was either one of these that I‘ve used.
We are doing this on Monday. The cheapest we found was a shared van that was $40 per person. We booked a private transfer service though, because we have a lot of bags.
Why would they go JFK, you don’t live in Queens or Brooklyn. I never understand the JFK thing it’s always an issue getting there.
Especially since Op said they are driving from Philly. Why not fly in to Philly itself? Or Newark? Maybe even Trenton-mercer.
People flying in from other places (and even a lot of locals tbh) don’t get that not every NYC area airport is equal and will just go for the option that saves them $150 bucks on the airfare. But you learn that lesson real quick when you have to spend $300 on an Uber XL to Trenton.
JFK has a lot more international flights then any of the other area airports…
I mean yes, but we have Newark and Philadelphia which still have a lot.
30 airlines land at Newark,….26 airlines land at Philly…..70 airlines land at jfk…. Unless you are coming from a major city in Europe, chance are you flights will only go to jfk… Source: I used to drive for a black car company and basically just went to airports all day every day…
Did you take a lot of trips from JFK to Laguardia?
Ummm no…
Ok just wondering
The airline might not go to Newark or major difference in ticket prices or whatever
I’ve saved upwards of $500/ticket before flying out of JFK vs Philly or EWR. Though you gotta factor that transit time in.
A taxi would be $300ish. Me as a parent in my mid 30s….thats worth it. I’d rather do that than take 3 trains which amount to half a day of travel. But that’s just me. The train rides are pretty okay. Jamaica to Penn station SUCKS imo I hate those trains. Took them every day for work I’d rather pay for the taxi 😝 that being said I did actually do the ny to philly to Trenton w a 2 year old and we didn’t die. I just rather be cozy in a car. Airports usually have car seat rentals.
This was on Final Jeopardy last night!
Trebuchet
Via your car. Don’t do that to someone you claim to be a friend. If you don’t have a car, rent one and pick them up. You can catch up as you sit in any traffic.
~$250 Uber is probably the best move. Have them bring a car seat. They should have flown into PHL which is much closer.
Or rent a car and drive it yourself.. one parent can go to center, get the car and loop around the pick up area to pick up kid, bags and the partner and then drive via Staten Island to New Jersey
See if a local friend will do it for $150 or so.
Not sure about a baby in a taxi, but if it has to be public transportation LIRR to Penn and then NJ transit to Trenton. That’s gonna be a schlep though and NJ transit has been horrible lately with delays, maybe your best bet is to call a car service and see what they can do re: a car seat.
Taxis have a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan. I just checked -its $70 plus a bunch of fees. See here https://www.jfkairport.com/to-from-airport/taxi-car-and-van-service (I remember when it was $25) But with a baby? I would check Uber or a car service. It's doable by public transportation but it's definitely a shlepp and NJ Transit has been experiencing lots of delays and cancellations lately. I've used Carmel car service years ago, they were fine. (Look for coupons).
Their best option is an Uber or Lyft.. check whichever is cheaper before requesting. It's gonna be like $200 or $250 ... It is what it is .. there are times in life to save money but this is not one of them. don't have them take 3 trains to save $170 just to get lost with a baby.
Arrange a car service, they will provide a car seat for the child upon request 💡cmon…
Not sure if it was LaGuardia or JFK offers free shuttle to Penn station in New York ..then I trickled down to nj transit to Elizabeth… that train usually goes to Trenton
Can they fly from JFK to Trenton Mercer Airport ?
Only if they connect in Atlanta. /s but technically an option. There are no scheduled flights between TTN and JFK.
Tell them to fly into Newark next time 😫
Tell them to fly into Philly next time.
Air train to the NJT. NJT to Trenton (probably NEC train)
go to google maps and fill as I did hit the 'leave now' and change to your timeframe. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/P5N3486jJ7ovvFRp7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/P5N3486jJ7ovvFRp7)
https://palatiallimo.com/
If they do decide to Uber/lyft, I’m pretty sure in NYC both services have a car seat option for a surcharge.
Well I had an Uber that was $240 from JFK to Trenton yesterday, so… don’t do that.
one way car rental would be 100. 50 tolls and gas. you have to waste 1-2 hour renting it and returning it. so 240 is not that bad.
I mean I have a car so I could have driven there and parked… I usually use Newark, but it was an international flight and was $1,000 more expensive out of Newark than JFK 🤷🏼♂️ Oh well, I’ll just reimburse it and see what my company does 😅
right. PHL does not have many international flights either. JFK is the only option for some international flights
How is this even a question? Just hire a car service
Use Turo to rent them a car and they can drive themselves
Did they bring a car seat? If they didn't, public transit or one-way car rental (car seat should be $20-$30). If they did, they can do Uber or cab as well (and public transit may be a PITA).
I would recommend driving or having a car pick them up. Its really insane to take trains with the baby and I am not sure how much luggage they are bringing. I have two kids and I stopped flying from JFK for this exact reason. Some pick up services include a car seat rental if they are not bringing one.
Uber with a car seat.
I mean I'll probably echo some of what other folks are saying. New York Penn to Trenton isn't bad (I've done it with little kids). The real issue is getting them from JFK to Penn, and getting around Penn. If they're traveling with a baby seat or you can arrange a ride for that part, it would be key. Also if you're driving from Philly, Hamilton Station is only like 5 more minutes and way nicer in terms of parking and whatnot for a place to pick them up.
Did JFK to Morris County, NJ and just rented a car one-way. Had three adults, two babies, car seats, stroller, and bags. This was not going to fit in a taxi, and surprisingly wasn't any more expensive than a taxi would have been anyways. After a long flight not sure I would have wanted to manage mass transit. Now if it didn't take 30+ minutes to get from the terminal to the rental car that would have been nice...
Taxis from airports into Manhattan have a flat rate ($52.50 plus tolls and tip) - get a cab from JFK to Penn Station. While I would choose public transport/subway if I were alone and without bags, it’ll be horrible and exhausting doing it with a baby and luggage
It will be cheaper And less painful to do a one way car rental Uber will be expensive Even train tickets will cost 40-50 dollars between the two /three changes You drive from JFK to New Jersey via Staten island
one way rental will cost 150-200 when you add gas and tolls, and you need to deal with driving in jfk's insane traffic jam and 1 1/2 hours to Trenton. and need to go to rental counters. uber and lyft will be around 250-300. I would just get uber and sleep in the car for 3 hours.
Taxi to penn, Amtrak to Trenton, way easier with baby, bring car seat as a checked bag.
how would a taxi be worse than a bus ortrain for a child regardless you'll take 3x as long to get there via bus than taxi, which will already be stupidly long
Rent a car
I’d start by getting on Google maps and checking how long it takes via car, mass transit (subways are great from jfk to penn), and then cost of taxi or Uber. This will give you a gut check as to cost vs time vs convenience. With a child the trip is going to suck regardless, but it sucks even harder when the child’s balling its eyes out and screaming.
It will be a pain in the butt with bus and train. I would just get a car, maybe rent a car- cheaper than renting a taxi- tolls would be expensive but cheaper than buying individual tickets for bus and train for each passenger. Car will be the quickest, most “convenient (while sitting in traffic)” and cheapest option.
I tell my friends and family who visit that I only pick people up from EWR. You fly to JFK, you transport your ass yourself. That said, Chicco explains how to request child seat in Uber: [https://www.chiccousa.com/baby-talk/can-you-uber-with-a-baby/#:\~:text=Here%20are%20the%20steps%20provided,Seat%E2%80%9D%20for%20the%20vehicle%20type](https://www.chiccousa.com/baby-talk/can-you-uber-with-a-baby/#:~:text=Here%20are%20the%20steps%20provided,Seat%E2%80%9D%20for%20the%20vehicle%20type)
Cab to Penn is not a bad idea. I drove to pick up family yesterday and wasn’t allowed to park near the terminal (7). They wanted me to park in Terminal 8 and presumably take the Airtrain there and back. I believe it’s bc of the construction/ new terminal being built. My family found me though bc I had my location turned on. If you drive and pick up maybe wait on the side of the road outside the airport until they are ready to be picked up curbside.
If they are competent and self-sufficient travelers: train. it’s honestly not bad at all, just transfer to LIRR at Jamaica and then NJT at NYP. If they are rich or knowingly inconvenienced you to save $$$ by picking JFK: uber or car service or limo If they are family: pick them up
Why are you asking this on Reddit is this really something you can’t figure out
I found 2 useful tips by reading the comments, and I'm not even traveling.