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In the latest edition of our famous airport races, TPG members from both sides of the Atlantic teamed up to find out which mode of transportation is the cheapest \u2014 and the speediest \u2014 way to get from Times Square in New York City to John F. Kennedy International Airport<\/a> (JFK).<\/p>\n To help our readers choose the best option for their own trip, we compared the New York City<\/a> subway, an iconic yellow cab, the Long Island Rail Road and a Blade helicopter.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how it went down.<\/p>\n If you’re on a budget, the subway is the cheapest way to get to the airport. Period. No matter where you are in the city, you’re never far from a subway station and connecting on the AirTrain JFK is very straightforward. It\u2019s the most efficient option for most people. Sure, the train gets crowded during rush hour, but it\u2019s almost always faster than sitting in gridlocked traffic aboveground.<\/p>\n On the downside, navigating the subway \u2014 finding the right platform, choosing the best car, hurrying up and down stairs, and squeezing through throngs of people \u2014 can be tricky, especially if you’re hauling around luggage.<\/p>\n Depending on the station (and your level of attention), it\u2019s easy to get confused and end up on the wrong platform. You also need to make sure you have your MetroCard pre-loaded (you can’t use a monthly unlimited pass or tap-and-go) to pay for the AirTrain. Otherwise, you’ll need to build in extra time to buy a ticket.<\/p>\nMelanie Lieberman on the subway<\/h2>\n
We paid: $11 (a $2.75 single-ride subway fare and an $8.25 AirTrain JFK ticket).<\/h3>\n